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Looking for the right type & size of ski ...

post #1 of 11
5/17/12 at 8:04pm
Thread Starter 

Hi there!

 

After 15 years of not skiing I had the pleasure of finally getting on the slopes again this winter. And it was fantastic! Just like I never stopped ... but so much has changed gear-wise since: my old skis were skinny & about 5 inches taller than I am. So I'm looking for some help in finding a good ski for me.

 

- enjoy carving super tight turns on piste the most

- enjoy going fast

- female, 5'11", 185lbs, mid-30s (--> hard to find women-specific ski's for my height & weight; unisex & men's are fine)

- I'd say advanced, like single blacks

- Colorado Rockies skiing; originally from Switzerland

- I had rented skis that just didn't have good grip at all; I felt like I did not have control while carving, so control at high speed & tight carving is essential

- forgiveness would be nice; I'm not in super shape

 

Questions:

  1. What size ski do I need?
  2. Since I enjoy quick, super tight carving I assume I should be looking for a ski with a small turn radius? How small?
  3. What skis would you recommend? I'm on a budget so I'll be looking at skis that are 1-2 seasons old.

 

In my research I've come to the conclusion that the following might be the best choices in my last-season price range:

#1: Rossignol Avenger 82 Ti

#2: Atomic D2 VF 75

 

Others that sound good are:

- Armada Triumph

- Rossignol Avenger 82 Basalt

- Line Prophet 98

- Atomic Blackeye Ti (issue w my weight?)

- K2 A.M.P. Rictor

- Salomon Enduro XT 800 (too expert?)
- Nordica conquer (pricey?)

- Elan Amphibio Waveflex 12 (pricey?)
- Nordica Fire Arrow 80 Ti (pricey?)

- Elan 777

 

What do you think?! Any advice (especially about ski length) will be much appreciated!

 

Thanks very much in advance for looking!! biggrin.gif

 

PinkSky


Edited by PinkSky - 5/17/12 at 8:43pm
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post #2 of 11
5/18/12 at 2:04am

Fortunately, you have tons of good choices for your stated goals. Given your info, most of the models you mention are fine although for various reasons, I'd drop the Line Prophet 98, the Elan 777, and the Atomic D2 VF 75, I have skied on all the rest (except the Armada) and can attest that any of them will be fine. Given your self analysis, none are too wimpy, none are too gnarly. On the length question, anything from high 160's to mid 170's will be fine.

 

In general and within a given model, longer = more stable, shorter = more nimble. Don't worry about women's specific. In your case, it's not an advantage either way.

 

SJ

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post #3 of 11
5/18/12 at 3:44am

Fischer WC SC 165 cm.

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post #4 of 11
5/19/12 at 8:10pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by PinkSky View Post

- enjoy carving super tight turns on piste the most

- enjoy going fast

- female, 5'11", 185lbs, mid-30s (--> hard to find women-specific ski's for my height & weight; unisex & men's are fine)

 

- Atomic Blackeye Ti (issue w my weight?)

I don't think that your weight would be an issue with the Blackeye.  I'm 5'11" 170 lbs, and ski the Blackeye Ti in 174 cm - the current wood cored rocker version (is green in color, vs. the earlier orange un-rockered foam core version) is an outstanding carver at all speeds.  I ski in the northeast, and the Blackeye is great on everything from ice to powder.  I find that the rocker tip makes it quite forgiving of less than perfect turn initiation, and the ski doesn't require constant driving of the tips - that makes it forgiving in my book.  It has a pretty big sweet spot, but if you let your weight get too far back it'll start washing out in turns.   If your weight is distributed more towards your caboose, you can always slide the bindings a tiny bit forward to correct for that.

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post #5 of 11
5/20/12 at 3:44am

From what you're saying you enjoy predominantly frontside. If you really want to carve optimally then maybe look at something frontside orientated. It's hard to know what level you ski at without seeing and wonder from what you say if the Fischer above will be a bit much. I've seen some Fischer Progressor 900 on offer which might prove a good tool for the job you want it to do with a bit of versatility as well. From the list I would think the Blackeye Ti would make the best selection but as an all rounder don't discount the Salomons.

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post #6 of 11
5/20/12 at 8:50am

Of just your 2 leading choices, definitely the Rossi 82ti.  It rocks the house!

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post #7 of 11
5/21/12 at 12:37pm

Welcome to Epic! You might think about whether you like a lively ski or a damp ski. I'd trust Sierra Jim on your list and the appropriate length; think high 160's. Beyond that, you might want to think about whether you like a damper, smoother ski or a livelier higher energy ski. If you like damp, then IMO the Rossi 82Ti is your best choice, really a great all around. If you like lively, I'd throw in this year's Blizzard 8.1 to the mix. Both great skis, both excellent grip, both on sale right now. Also, would strongly recommend taking some lessons right away; modern skis thrive with modern technique. Which has changed as much as the skis in the past 15 years. 

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post #8 of 11
7/8/12 at 10:32am
Thread Starter 

Hey everyone ... I haven't forgotten about all your responses; I've read them many times & have continued brooding over which ski to buy.

 

I like to do all of this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wop_Zc0x1Sc, especially the tight, quick, aggressive, short turns. Can the Rossignol Avenger 82 Ti do all this? Will the Rossi's special tip, which initiates turns, interfere with swift, tight turns (it's said to prefer wider, GS-type turns)? Maybe it's a silly question, but it could very well be the last one I have before buying...

 

I'd go for the 170 length.

 

Thank you all for the information and advice!! biggrin.gif

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post #9 of 11
7/8/12 at 11:14am

170 Head Titan as well.

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post #10 of 11
7/8/12 at 11:34am

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/head-x-shape-stx-sw-pr-alpine-skis~p~4663f/?filterString=skis~d~207%2F&colorFamily=99

 

With coupon $322.

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post #11 of 11
7/8/12 at 11:44am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by markojp View Post

170 Head Titan as well.

 

 

oh that one sounds yummi, 13 turn radius @ 170 ... thanks for the suggestion!

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