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Hard Snow Ski for Lightweight Level 8 - Replace Fischer RC With Something Softer

post #1 of 11
3/1/09 at 6:22pm
Thread Starter 

Me: 5' 7", 130lbs. 46yo. East coast. Skiing since age 5. 25 days a season. Beer league racer. Level 8. I can arc a turn.

 

Currently my hard snow ski is a 5yo Fischer World Cup RC (cheater GS) @ 170cm - shortest length they make. As long as the snow is consistently hard and smooth - no crud, no bumps, just "indoor-outdoor carpet - and as long as there is plenty of room on the hill for me to open it up, I love this ski. Thrilling.

 

Problem is, if some softer snow starts getting into the mix, or if I just want to take a couple of bump runs with my buddies on race night, in between gate runs, this ski is just misery for me. I am so light, and it is so stiff, that I just get thrown violently in every direction. It doesn't even take bumps; just some piles of soft snow a few inches high are enough to launch me on this ski. (I know it's the ski, because I don't have this issue with my AM skis.) Same thing if it's a warm night and the course is soft and gets deep ruts. Boing!

 

So... I already have a soft-snow all-mountain ski for those really good days. What I need is a replacement hard snow ski that is much more forgiving longitudinally, that will still be decent at high speed and in the course. I don't want to go too short. I've skied 160cm skis that were "the right size" for my weight, and I just don't like the feel of a ski that short. Looking for something in the 165 - 170 range that is still soft enough for someone my size. Thanks in advance.

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post #2 of 11
3/1/09 at 8:41pm

Hi - If you like the Fischer feel, just not the RC stiffness, why not a Progressor 9? I'd also think in order of slightly descending stiffness and increasing versatility: Dynastar Contact 4x4, Blizzard Supersonic, Volkl 10 Foot Power Switch. Any of these would cover your needs nicely. 

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post #3 of 11
3/2/09 at 5:01pm
Thread Starter 

Guess I was assuming that the Progressor would be pretty similar to the RC (i.e., stiff), just not aimed at the race crowd from a marketing / topskin perspective. If you know that that assumption is wrong, that is great info. Thanks. Also I will take a look at the Dynastar, 'cause I like the feel of my Dynastar all-mountains.

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post #4 of 11
3/3/09 at 2:01pm


 

Quote:
Originally Posted by qcanoe View Post

 

Guess I was assuming that the Progressor would be pretty similar to the RC (i.e., stiff), just not aimed at the race crowd from a marketing / topskin perspective. If you know that that assumption is wrong, that is great info. Thanks. Also I will take a look at the Dynastar, 'cause I like the feel of my Dynastar all-mountains.

agreed;


 I had both the 175cm WC RC and the 175cm Progressor 9. they are both equally stiff and demanding, the Progressor is a little easier to turn.

 

Consider the Dynastar Contact 4x4 in a 165cm size. Also consider the Fischer Progressor 8 and the Head Supershape Magnum.

 

Scott "Dawgcatching" is in the know and has what you need: http://www.epicski.com/forum/thread/80172/ski-sale-2009-up-to-60-percent-off-from-dawgcatching

 

Michael


Edited by WILDCAT - 3/3/2009 at 10:16 pm


Edited by WILDCAT - 3/3/2009 at 10:20 pm


Edited by WILDCAT - 3/3/2009 at 10:21 pm
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post #5 of 11
3/4/09 at 11:14pm


 

Quote:
Originally Posted by qcanoe View Post

 

Guess I was assuming that the Progressor would be pretty similar to the RC (i.e., stiff), just not aimed at the race crowd from a marketing / topskin perspective. If you know that that assumption is wrong, that is great info. Thanks. Also I will take a look at the Dynastar, 'cause I like the feel of my Dynastar all-mountains.

You are correct. The Progressor and RC are vey similar. The Progressor 9 just has a bit of a larger foot print. Characteristics are too close to own both. The Dynastar 4x4 is an excellent choice but in my opinion it is pretty close in stiffness but is geared more towards an all mountain carver being 75mm under foot. Also as Wildcat stated, at you weight, the 4x4 in a 165 would be perfect.
 

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post #6 of 11
3/5/09 at 4:23am

A great choice would be the Blizzard GForce Supersonic.  This ski has a wide performance envelope, but is less stiff than the other skis discussed thus far.  They are very resposive but amazingly forgiving and are resonable in bumps.

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post #7 of 11
3/5/09 at 5:06pm
Thread Starter 

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by RiDeC58 View Post

 

A great choice would be the Blizzard GForce Supersonic.  This ski has a wide performance envelope, but is less stiff than the other skis discussed thus far.  They are very resposive but amazingly forgiving and are resonable in bumps.

 

That sounds perfect. If I can get past the historically atrocious Blizzard graphics and find one to demo, I'll do it.

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post #8 of 11
4/3/09 at 7:57pm
Thread Starter 

... and the results are in

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post #9 of 11
4/4/09 at 5:14am

Fischer RX8 165 cm if you can find 'em.  Great bump ski and definitely softer than your race skis.  If you don't like short turns, see if you can find the RX9, which had a bit more turn radius.

 

STE

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post #10 of 11
4/4/09 at 5:21am

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ski the East View Post

 

Fischer RX8 165 cm if you can find 'em.  Great bump ski and definitely softer than your race skis.  If you don't like short turns, see if you can find the RX9, which had a bit more turn radius.

 

STE

 

I' m sure he would rather have something from Blizzard   

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post #11 of 11
4/4/09 at 5:27am

Whoops, should've checked the link. 

 

STE

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