Currently ski a black crows orb in 172 and originally thought it would be my spring ski… realized after a season that it actually works really well in powder and I could probably go even thinner and lighter for a spring ski or longer missions. Currently trying to decide between these and maybe a pair of black crow mentis. Also thinking to go lighter in my boot quiver, current on f1 but considering going to a one kilo boot with this setup too.
Anyone on the staff have any experience skiing both? Also wondering if I could wise down to 164 on the ski trab.
175cm 68kg former alpine ski racer.
Ski Trab Maestro.2 Ski
Found in a product description deep inside the 19/20 Ski Trab product catalog is a line of text that quietly affirms their commitment to their craft-- "Well begun is half done". With its origin going back to a time long before Aristotle lived, this idiom is a simple yet powerful commentary on how committed a good craftsman will be to every detail of their work from start to finish. Ski Trab consistently makes innovative, high quality skis that are some of the best performing and most durable light-weight skis on the market. The Maestro.2 has a slightly-updated version of Trab's classic 14-layer construction, with changes aimed at improving the flex and turn shape. Trab altered the flex of the Maestro.2 so that the back half of each turn is extended slightly longer, allowing for more powerful skiing and bigger turns. The tips were upturned and widened for improved float and turn initiation. The beloved stability, versatility, and performance of the original Maestro has been preserved and even enhanced; it remains as light as a feather for those long skin tracks and steep booters. When applied to backcountry skiing, the idiom "well begun is half done" promises that if you enter the backcountry fit, knowledgeable, and with the best equipment (the Ski Trab Maestro.2), your journey is sure to be a good one.
- Control Flex is Trab’s way of stiffening the ski without making it chattery and rigid, allowing for 10% flex under the foot and 20-30% flex in the tips and tails.
- Burly Attivo layers run lengthwise along the ski and absorb vibrations and prevent ski chatter, and also protect the core from external damage.
- Stability is ensured with NoShock, a layer of elastomer that sits between the edge and core material to absorb vibrations.
- Hiconnect layers stiffen the ski and add torsional rigidity, making edging easier and high-speed skiing more stable.
- Honeycomb Aramid core is light, stiff, and sheathed in other durable wood and synthetic layers.
- High base material and HRC 52 steel edges are burly, just like the mountains you play in.
- Tip and tail skin attachment points accommodate whatever skins you prefer.
- Three-year warranty offered by Ski Trab.
- Made in Bormio, Italy.
Update 2021/22: New color scheme for the new season, same construction.
Update 2023/24: Ski Trab has updated the topsheet once again, same awesome construction.
| Specifications | |
| Lengths (cm) | 157, 164, 171, 178 |
|
Weight |
880g [157] 925g [164] 960g [171] 995g [178] |
| Weight (pair) | 1760g [157] 1850g [164] 1920g [171] 1990g [178] |
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108/79/94 [157] 108/78/94 [164] 108/76/94 [171] 108/76/94 [178] |
|
Turn |
20.06m [157] 20.8m [164] 21.7m [171] 23.8m [178] |
|
Skin |
Attivo Clips |
| Specs Verified | Yes |
| Design | |
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Early rise tip, camber, flat tail |
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Attivo shape, contact points are moved further out for a longer turn radius |
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14-layer Attivo process w/ HiBox carbon cage |
|
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Aramid honeycomb |
| Skimo Co Says | |
| Usage | Ski Alpinism |
| Notes | Italian Aerospace tech |
| Bottom Line | Perfect balance of lightweight and performance |
| Compare to other Low-fat Skis | |
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Questions & Reviews
5/24/2025
5/24/2025
Hi Matt,
Thanks for writing in! Going from an Orb to a Maestro.2 will be a significant jump down in width/weight, but it will certainly pay on the uphill - you'll notice a big difference there. On the downhill, there will also be a pronounced difference - you'll need to be more deliberate about your weight distribution and ski more cautiously in variable conditions. The Orb is a fairly forgiving ski that turns pretty quickly, whereas the Maestro is more cambered and stiffer underfoot, and with a long turn radius, feels slower to dive into a turn. It takes some deliberate effort to release the edge.
In terms of overall capability on the downhill, the Maestro.2 is one of the best-skiing skis in the waist width/weight category. The Mentis, being a bit wider and with a tighter radius, will feel a bit more familiar and easier to ski, but the quality and durability of the Ski Trab construction is superior and as good as it gets in a lightweight ski.
You could likely size down to the 164cm Maestro.2! With the 164cm length, it will be even lighter and easier on the uphill, and potentially easier to manage with lightweight boots on the downhill, especially in tight places. An F1 would ski the Maestro.2 just fine, but you could definitely maximize the uphill benefits with a lighter boot.
Thanks for writing in! Going from an Orb to a Maestro.2 will be a significant jump down in width/weight, but it will certainly pay on the uphill - you'll notice a big difference there. On the downhill, there will also be a pronounced difference - you'll need to be more deliberate about your weight distribution and ski more cautiously in variable conditions. The Orb is a fairly forgiving ski that turns pretty quickly, whereas the Maestro is more cambered and stiffer underfoot, and with a long turn radius, feels slower to dive into a turn. It takes some deliberate effort to release the edge.
In terms of overall capability on the downhill, the Maestro.2 is one of the best-skiing skis in the waist width/weight category. The Mentis, being a bit wider and with a tighter radius, will feel a bit more familiar and easier to ski, but the quality and durability of the Ski Trab construction is superior and as good as it gets in a lightweight ski.
You could likely size down to the 164cm Maestro.2! With the 164cm length, it will be even lighter and easier on the uphill, and potentially easier to manage with lightweight boots on the downhill, especially in tight places. An F1 would ski the Maestro.2 just fine, but you could definitely maximize the uphill benefits with a lighter boot.
Answer this question:
3/14/2024
Hi, want to ask if trab maestro skis are good option if i have now Black Crows Orb Free bird, i really love them when skiing however i find them little bit heavy in ascent. Another question my Black Crows now have 166 and i am 180 cm and i think they'r perfect for me, would be 164 trab too much?
Thank you,
Martin
Thank you,
Martin
3/14/2024
Hi Martin,
It would certainly help you shed some grams! These are very light skis. The Maestro.2 overall is a pretty different ski than the Orb Freebird, it has a much longer turn radius and a much stiffer flex. It is a more aggressive ski that is capable of (and will want to ski at) higher speeds. I have a pair of Maestro.2s and love them, but like all of the aramid-core Trab skis, they do require a strong skier, and ideally one who likes to ski at faster speeds compared to other lightweight skis.
For sizing, I think if you like your 166cm Black Crows Orbs, the 164cm Maestro will be the right size.
It would certainly help you shed some grams! These are very light skis. The Maestro.2 overall is a pretty different ski than the Orb Freebird, it has a much longer turn radius and a much stiffer flex. It is a more aggressive ski that is capable of (and will want to ski at) higher speeds. I have a pair of Maestro.2s and love them, but like all of the aramid-core Trab skis, they do require a strong skier, and ideally one who likes to ski at faster speeds compared to other lightweight skis.
For sizing, I think if you like your 166cm Black Crows Orbs, the 164cm Maestro will be the right size.
Answer this question:
1/26/2024
Between this ski and the adret 78 I’m torn. I have every other Trab ski so I’m drinking the koolaid but in terms of durability and downhill performance which ski wins? I do 90% on race skis so 85 Underfoot feels like a powder ski for reference. The Mágicos are great for mid winter but at the 178 length get a little cumbersome when I’m climbing with them or getting through talus. Appreciate any insight.
1/26/2024
Hi Nick,
Between the Maestro and the Adret 78, they are both light, have a longer turn radius, and fill a similar niche of uphill/training/mountaineering ski. The main differences are that the Trab will feel like - well, it'll feel like a Trab. They have a pretty unique sensation which it sounds like you are familiar with. Very similar to a Magico.2, just a bit smaller and lighter! The Adret 78 is still light, but feels a bit more like a traditional alpine ski in its dampening and ride quality. It also might have just a little bit more pop and energy to it.
Overall, if you love the feel of the Trabs, there isn't anything else that's going to feel like them. If you're looking to branch out, and want something with a similar weight and specs, but a more alpine-y feel and a little different flavor, the Zag is an excellent ski!
Between the Maestro and the Adret 78, they are both light, have a longer turn radius, and fill a similar niche of uphill/training/mountaineering ski. The main differences are that the Trab will feel like - well, it'll feel like a Trab. They have a pretty unique sensation which it sounds like you are familiar with. Very similar to a Magico.2, just a bit smaller and lighter! The Adret 78 is still light, but feels a bit more like a traditional alpine ski in its dampening and ride quality. It also might have just a little bit more pop and energy to it.
Overall, if you love the feel of the Trabs, there isn't anything else that's going to feel like them. If you're looking to branch out, and want something with a similar weight and specs, but a more alpine-y feel and a little different flavor, the Zag is an excellent ski!
Answer this question:
This is a great spring ski. I have about 17 days on this ski, on snow ranging from wet powder to various crusts, corn, and deep slush. It's also a keeper.
I am 6', 166lbs, usually carried a 11-25lb pack. I bought this ski used in 171cm length and put the SkiTrab Gara on it.
This ski tracks pretty well in variable snow and hard, rough refrozen snow. It is also very light and nimble. The relatively soft tip helps the ski surface and the relatively stiff tail provides reassurance on hard snow, but may feel a little soft for the aggressive skier. It took me a few days to trust this ski, but I love it now, and trust it on steep and hard slopes.
I like the tip and tail clip design. The miniature swallow tail helps the ski turn with a shorter radius, and holds the tail end of the skin very securely. The tip holds the skin's tip well, keeps the skin hook out of the way so it doesn't get knocked off while wallowing in deep powder, all while allowing an effective tip rip.
Again, this is a great spring ski.
I am 6', 166lbs, usually carried a 11-25lb pack. I bought this ski used in 171cm length and put the SkiTrab Gara on it.
This ski tracks pretty well in variable snow and hard, rough refrozen snow. It is also very light and nimble. The relatively soft tip helps the ski surface and the relatively stiff tail provides reassurance on hard snow, but may feel a little soft for the aggressive skier. It took me a few days to trust this ski, but I love it now, and trust it on steep and hard slopes.
I like the tip and tail clip design. The miniature swallow tail helps the ski turn with a shorter radius, and holds the tail end of the skin very securely. The tip holds the skin's tip well, keeps the skin hook out of the way so it doesn't get knocked off while wallowing in deep powder, all while allowing an effective tip rip.
Again, this is a great spring ski.
Comment on this review:
2/18/2022
hi, how is this ski compared to the movement race pro 77?
im mostly going only one local hill up and a ski piste down, groomed/ungroomed 70/30
im a 186cm 89kg guy and i use the scarpa f1 lt as my main boots(maybe go for the alien version in future), thinking about a shorter 164cm ski or the movement 168cm
my main focus is just conditioning, i dont do much sightseeings :D or racing
i prefer more for a good tempo climb and a slow descent
im mostly going only one local hill up and a ski piste down, groomed/ungroomed 70/30
im a 186cm 89kg guy and i use the scarpa f1 lt as my main boots(maybe go for the alien version in future), thinking about a shorter 164cm ski or the movement 168cm
my main focus is just conditioning, i dont do much sightseeings :D or racing
i prefer more for a good tempo climb and a slow descent
2/18/2022
Hi there ostogiske, the Movements have a more even (i.e. consistently stiff) flex pattern which gives them an advantage pushing downhill at speed, especially on groomed snow. If you are not necessarily intending to race on these, especially as you head into the backcountry, I would go with the Ski Trabs!
2/18/2022
Hi ostogiske, just to add another opinion, I think the Race Pros are the ultimate fitness skis. So light and they carve amazingly well, quite fun on piste. I would vote for them if you're mainly doing groomed laps.
2/19/2022
so these maeostros are more versatile so its a more suitable option for me and maybe i keep the race pros in the 71 version in my bucket list for faster runs :)
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2/1/2022
Hi there,
Thanks a lot for advising this ski. Why is it written 79 (mm) on the ski ? and not 76 has on the specs?
Best wishes
Thanks a lot for advising this ski. Why is it written 79 (mm) on the ski ? and not 76 has on the specs?
Best wishes
2/1/2022
Hi Lara, great catch! The ski width actually varies over the different lengths of the ski, becoming narrower in longer lengths. I have adjusted our product listing to reflect this.
Answer this question:
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