Since we tested this ski, its name has been changed from the Bibby to the Wildcat. Though this is still a very similar ski by design, it's a bit lighter than its predecessor. Moment uses semi-cap construction now, so there's less sidewall material. The graphics are sublimated on the new skis. Above we show the current version of the Wildcat.
September 2019 This Product
Moment Wildcat | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Bang for the Buck |  Best for Big Lines | |||
| Price | $799 List | $899 List | $749 List | $900 List Check Price at Backcountry | $850 List $552.49 at Evo |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | This ski floats well enough for freeride and holds steady on big-mountain lines | Powerful, burly powder ski that is strong enough to handle the unexpected | Tears through big-mountain lines and smashes through chop as well as it floats | The Pescado is well-named, these planks float and slash like a surfboard | This surfy ski is fully dialed in the powder and energetic on the groomers |
| Rating Categories | Moment Wildcat | Nordica Enforcer Pro | Volkl Confession | Line Pescado | Elan Ripstick 116 |
| Float (25%) | |||||
| Stability at Speed (20%) | |||||
| Playfulness (20%) | |||||
| Crud (20%) | |||||
| Carving (10%) | |||||
| Versatility (5%) | |||||
| Specs | Moment Wildcat | Nordica Enforcer Pro | Volkl Confession | Line Pescado | Elan Ripstick 116 |
| Waist Width (mm) | 116 | 115 | 117 | 125 | 116 |
| Rocker | Mustache rocker | Tip and tail rocker | Tip and tail rocker | Tip Early Rise-Camber-Tail Early Rise | Amphibio |
| Available Lengths (cm) | 174, 184, 190 | 191 | 179, 186, 193 | 180 | 185, 193 |
| Shape | 141-116-131 mm | 143-115-132 mm | 144-117-133 mm | 158-125-147 mm | 143-116-132 mm |
| Radius (m) | 25 m | 21.5 m | 21.2 m | 19 m | 20.3 m |
| Weight Per Pair | 9.45 lbs | 10.3 lbs | 9.92 lbs | 8.6 lbs | 8.8 lbs |
| Core Material | Wood (aspen, pine) | Poplar, beech, balsa | Wood, titanal bands (torsional multilayer) | Wood | Wood (tubelite) |
| Tested length (cm) | 184 | 191 | 179 | 180 | 185 |
After several seasons of retooling Josh Bibby's pro-model, the Moment design team returned to the best-selling and award-winning design of the original Bibby Pro from the '10/'11 season. For 2018/2019 they renamed it the Wildcat. It seems as though new-fangled innovation took a back seat to tried-and-true performance with this re-release, but that doesn't mean that they skimped on upgrades. With a 2mm reduction in waist-width and the addition of carbon fiber reinforcements, the new model offers the same reliable charge-ability with lighter, poppier construction.
Regardless of the terrain, snow conditions, or skier type, this ski received consistently-high ratings across all of our reviewing metrics. The rare blend of float, playfulness, and all-mountain versatility earned this ski an impressive overall rating. Considering that its price is one of the lowest in the review, the Wildcats are the best value ski in the test.
The Wildcats construction proved that surfy floatation in deep snow need not come from monster widths or reverse camber profiles. In fact, the resurrection of the original design came from community feedback that the newer versions were too wide and tended to feel boaty. So Moment went back to the drawing board and trimmed 2mm off of the entire length of the ski and moved the widest part of the shovel a little closer to the tip. Boasting 116mm underfoot, the Wildcat is one of the category's more modest waist widths. But our testing proved that this had no negative impact on float ability.
Despite its relative burliness, the Wildcat has no problem surfing through hero snow. We found that with a neutral stance over ski-center, these skis will slash turns and track on top of deep particle whether it be light, heavy, or of variable consistency. The Wildcat doesn't quite compare to dedicated powder tools like the DPS Alchemist Lotus or Line Pescado when it comes to float, but it certainly provides a greater range-of-use than either of those skis.
With a double-dose of full-length carbon stringers, there is no doubt that the Wildcat provides a stable ride at high speeds. Though not as stiff or beefy as the Volkl Confession, DPS Alchemist, or Nordica Enforcer Pro, the Wildcat has a very comparable ability to run out steep, choppy lines without getting grabbed or burning up your quads. Even with weight-reducing carbon fiber, these skis are still substantial and don't get bossed around in crud. Similarly, the Wildcat is smooth and stable when linking turns on firm snow —conditions where carbon skis usually fall short of the mark.
While hand-flexing these boards, it is evident that the construction is geared towards a stiffer flex pattern underfoot that gradually softens towards tip and tail. This medium-high overall stiffness with softened shovel and tail give the Wildcats a very damp feel while tracking through rough or skied-out snow. This ideal balance of stiffness and dampness is perfect for the hard-charging skier who doesn't want to sacrifice playfulness for stability.
Whether you're skiing blower, corn, or icy corduroy, the Wildcats will allow you to hit the gas with confidence. One tester reported that they were, “fast and stable in a variety of conditions.” That said, heavier or more aggressive skiers will probably be happier with how the 190cm length performs with top-end speeds.
With a dual-rockered profile and dang-near twin dimensions, the Wildcat was certainly not designed with the directional skier in mind—though most skier types can enjoy its playfulness. The softer flex in tip and tail allows for exceptional bounce when turning out of deep snow. This flex proved to have effective pop off terrain hits and also allowed for beautifully smeared butter turns. Landing and riding out switch is a non-issue as the Mustache Rocker provides reliable float in both directions.
Worth noting is that the Wildcat seemed to stomp harder than any other ski in this category. Regardless of the drop height or condition of the landing zone, this ski never hesitated to stick a landing. Once again, the combination of a stiff midsection and damp tip and tail gives the Wildcat a very lively feel that begs to be ridden like the stunty snow-slayer that it is.
We were perhaps most impressed by the Wildcats ability to ski a variety of cruddy, tracked-out conditions with finesse. The Wildcat sports a brawny construction with a bit of extra weight to help crush heavy chop with confidence. The only contenders that surpassed the Wildcats were the Nordica Enforcer Pros, with their metal sheets, and the Volkl Confessions.
We found these skis stiff enough to break through crust and damp enough to absorb unwanted rebound when skiing through trenches or bumps. The Mustache Rocker keeps you afloat in all types of gnarly snow while the stiff flex found underfoot helps to punch through surface layers when you really need to lay the hammer down.
With early rise in the tip and tail, you'd think that the Wildcats Mustache Rocker wouldn't provide much backbone with which to carve. Our testing proved this notion to be false. The effective edge of the Wildcat in its 184 length is still a respectable 150cm, with a very solid UHMW sidewall that provides stellar grip on hardpack and groomers. We found that the 25m turn radius was able to rail high speed turns across the fall-line with ease, maintaining a springy action in both the initiation and exit of each turn. However, the softer flex and rocker found in the tail allowed for shorter-radius slide turns on a variety of surfaces.
Backseat drivers or less advanced skiers may find the Wildcat a tad unforgiving when it comes to engaging the edge. As one tester recalled, “you've really got to stay on top of them, or they'll get away from you.” Overall, we were impressed by the Wildcat's reliability and quickness from edge-to-edge on a variety of hardpack surfaces—especially with a 116mm waist width and dual-rocker construction. These sticks can link turns like a boss, but they weren't the best in the test.
Compared to its competition, the Wildcat performed exceedingly well in terms of versatility. When you consider the size and float-ability of the Wildcat, there are very few if any trade-offs in overall ski performance. Though it certainly prefers steep and deep to frontside carving, the Wildcat consistently delivers a smooth and enjoyable ride both on and off-piste and earned a high versatility score.
This much-acclaimed ski floats with the best of 'em without sacrificing any performance on variable surfaces. Its unmatched versatility and playfulness win the highest praise of Editors' Choice for our pow-ski category. We dare you to try it and not have a total blast.
The price of the Wildcat falls in the same neighborhood as most skis in this category. Given their rock-solid construction and outstanding customer service, Moment has delivered a high-quality ski that will perform for many seasons to come, that makes it a great value.
Hands down, the Wildcat was our favorite ski to grab on any given day. Even though float ability was our heaviest weighted rating metric, this ski performed in ways we wouldn't expect a fatty to be able to. It strikes an uncanny balance between surfability and all-mountain performance, making it a solid choice for aggressive skiers who want to add a utilitarian powder-tool to their quiver.
