Volkl Kiku vs ? - Need some suggestions for my hard chargin' lady

Last season, my now ex-gf had a pair of Salomon Ladies, which she liked a lot, but then demoed a pair of Volkl Kikus and LOVED them. She was a pretty good skier, but those Kikus helped her absolutely kill the pow. She was rocking the bowls, trees, and the entire mountain with those on. We broke up when I moved to Montana last May. Ironic since she was a great skier, but long story short, she didn't want to move away from her family and it didn't work out.

I got a new girlfriend soon thereafter (actually my fiance now!) Well, the new season is upon us, and my girlfriend really wants a new pair of skis and boots. Her stuff is WAY outdated and groomer specific. We'll be shopping for boots for her locally, but will probably be shopping for skis online. I've been encouraging her to demo skis this season so she can figure out exactly what she likes the most, but she doesn't even want to bother demoing, as she's ready to be the first on the lifts on a pow day. I've never skied with her, but all the guys we know who have skied with her, including an old instructor, said she kills it and is a pretty advanced skier. We shall see. She definitely wants some good twin-tipped, rockered, fat skis.

After the ex loved the Kikus so much, I'm tempted to buy my fiance a pair with some Marker Griffons (or Squires). She's about 5'8 and might be around 140-150 lbs. I think the 170 could be a great size for her. She's thinking she's going to be buying them, but I'd like to surprise her with some for an early Christmas gift. :)

She's big on pretty topsheets, FWIW. I showed her the women's S7's and she was not a fan at all. A shame, because I found a good deal on some in Bozeman, and I know they're a great ski.

Aside from the Kikus, are there any similar alternatives that a girl like her might enjoy? It would also be kinda cool to find her an American-made ski if that's possible. A good all-around ski would be great since we're just starting her quiver and can only afford one pair this season. That's why the Kiku's great...it kills in pow, but has no problem with groomers either.

Thanks for the suggestions, TC! You rock! I was not even aware of those ones, except for the DPS Yvette. I think the Yvette would be a SOLID choice for a powder specific ski, and definitely might buy those for her someday. I checked out the skis you tagged, and I think the Atomic Elysian might be a good contender, as it has pretty good reviews, and looks great too. Seems to be similar to the Salomon Lady, but I like that it's Austrian-made as opposed to the Chinese-made Lady. Plus, it's price is excellent at around $499 everywhere.

The Kiku's sure are gorgeous, though. Then there's the Volkl Aura, which I guess is more of a mid fat. I wonder how the Aura would compare to the Elysian.

I wonder if I should throw the K2 MissBehaved in the hat. I'm really liking the dimensions I'm seeing on those. Anyone have any experience with those?

Quote:

Originally Posted by davluri 

what is the interest in the twin tip in terms of conditions and performance? there are some good skis with raised tails, the Elysian and the Aura for example.

 

K2's and you're in China, BTW

Ah yes. You're right. Raised tails would probably fit the bill just as much. I didn't realize there was much of a difference until now. The main thing is she doesn't want anything like her old school flat tailed groomer skis.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Castle Dave 

Why a female ski? If she's good just get any ski that does the job. We are just north of you at Fernie so ski the same type of stuff. FWIW my wife is moving from 179 Prophet 100 to the 177 Cochise. She's 5'5"/110 lbs.

Great point! That's one of the great things about the Lady and the Kiku. I believe they're basically the same as the mens versions as far as stiffness, but with different sizes and topsheets. The Kiku goes up to 178, btw! :)  And good to know about your wife being 110 and sking a 179 cm ski! Guess I'll err on the longer side, than risk going too short. I was thinking something more medium length, but longer isn't bad. That's what I did for my own skis, at least (went big).

She really wouldn't mind a mens ski per se, but she really is a sucker for the pretty graphics on stuff like the Kiku. I have to admit that I'm also kind of a sucker for cool looking topsheets. I know it's superficial, but that honestly has swayed some of my past decisions. Haha.
 

Also just found these. http://icelanticboards.com/skis/oracle/

I saw some Icelantics at my local shop and fell in love with the Keepers. The Oracle could be a pretty rocking ski with 100mm underfoot. Plus, they're made in Colorado!

And the 4FRNT Arethas, although not quite as cool looking...

http://www.4frnt.com/skis/aretha

And the Moment Bellas...

http://momentskis.com/shop/product/bella/

The more I research, the more options we have here!

Well, on my way home from work, I stopped by my local shop and pulled the trigger on these beauties...

165 was the biggest they had, but they seem about as tall as she is, and being 100 under the foot, should be big enough for her. There's a 175 out there, though. Not getting the bindings (bought her some Marker Squires) mounted until she picks out some boots. So worst comes to worst and we decide on a different pair, we can exchange them for something else. When at the store, I figured when we're out there on the mountain, and we get an epic dump or something, we can always find some Kikus to demo, but it would be nearly impossible to find some Oracles to demo.

I'm so excited and can't wait to surprise her with them! As much as I love the Volkls, it's kinda nice to support some of the little guys. Please let me know if I went wrong on this ski. Doing some googling, though, I'm reading and watching some fantastic reviews.

Quote:

Originally Posted by segbrown 

She's closer to 175 tall than to 165 tall, if she's 5'8". What does she ski on now? She's about my size, and I'd cry if someone bought me fat skis that short.

Thankfully I haven't mounted them yet and the shop is just a few blocks from my house, so no biggie to exchange them if need be. She's finally getting out of work, and is going to drop by my house on her way home. I'm going to surprise her with them, and then size her up. I'm a poor judge of height (not entirely positive about her exact height), so hopefully they are tall enough, but I'll totally get her the 175's if these look too short.

Well, she just came over and LOVED LOVED LOVED the skis! She's totally in love with the design and everything about them. However, you were all pretty much right about the size. The 165 ended up being about 2 inches shorter than her. So in that case, the 175's will be around 2 inches taller than her. The 165 has a 16 meter radius versus the 175's 18 meter radius. That should be a great fit. Guess I'll go back to the store tomorrow and have them order us some 175's!

Thank you all so much for all the input and advice, and I'll have her write up a review after she gets to "test" them thoroughly.