Ski suggestions

[bvibert]

At trailboss's suggestion I decided to make this a new topic instead of totally hi-jacking Steve's forsale thread.

Originally Posted by thetrailboss

I recall talking about skis with you at Loon...feel free to start a thread in here about skis or PM me with suggestions. I recall you like cruising and would like to get into more terrain, yeah?

You are correct sir, so if you or anyone else has any suggestions on skis to research and then demo this upcoming season let me know. As stated above I like to cruise, but would also like to get into other terrain like bumps, glades, etc. I'm about 6'4" and weigh about 280, hopefully I'll be down a few pounds from that by the start of the season.

[thetrailboss]

Well, what are you on right now? Help me with that one since I can't remember.

As I've said, I like my Head skis. Very powerful and confident. I recall reading in SKI or SKIING last season that many brands are actually reflective of their national culture--i.e. Swiss skis (Salomon, Stockli) are very high end, precise, high powered, expensive and demand a skier who is precise. The same goes for Austrian and German models (HEAD, Fischer, Atomic, etc). American (er, now Chinese skis ) are a bit more laid back, mellow, and softer (K2 skis).

French skis, well, they are cocky and peppy (Dynastar and Rossi)

Back to seriousness, I've heard consistently good things about Atomic's line. Bob R uses the RX 9 or something like that (other letters and number) I also have a pair of Atomics and Ms. Trailboss loves hers. They are very reasonably priced.

Up north, many swear by Rossi. I don't see so many down here in the flatlands.

Don't see too much Dynastar...lots at SB, but they ran a promo with Dynastar for a few years. I demoed the Skicross 9 and they were HEAVY and too flared for me, but I am a free spirit on the slopes hitting everything in a day. Their twin tip models are also too soft for all mountain use.

I'd see you in an All Mountain pair. If you want spunk, look at Head's IM75 (beefy ski for you) or the Fischer line.

For waist size, maybe something between 60-80mm across, though maybe on the lower end since you find more on piste skiing (70 or 75 might be good...good on trail and off). Narrower the waist, the less stable off trail. Wider the opposite is true.

Length--I'd say look at 170 or 177 with fat waist and good shape. Don't go above 180 else they will be too tough to turn. 168 I'd say might be the smallest I'd aim, but that ski would have good snap. I'm 5'11 and weigh (sigh) 190. I'm on 170's but sometimes opt for my 110's for narrower stuff.

So models--Atomic's all mtn line, Fischer, Head.

[bvibert]

Thanks. To answer your question, I've been on entry level Rossi Axiums (my first shaped ski) since I started skiing again two seasons ago.

[JimG.]

I'll jump in, but all it'll do is show you why you need to demo. Alot of folks love Atomic, I can't stand them. Too stiff and heavy for my tastes. No snap, no pep. Dead fish on your feet in my book.

Don't like Rossi's. Too soft and flexible. Ski like wet noodles.

Heads are OK but a little non-descript. Couldn't put my finger on anything they did really well.

Which brings me to Dynastar, my brand. Twin tips to be exact. The BEST all mountain ski I ever owned. Does everything really well. Perfect blend of flex and edge hold. In fact, I was going to recommend you try the Legend 8000. I think Rivercoil would agree with me on that.

Then again, Riv and me are about the same height (6'2") and weight (190), and I think we like to ski the same types of snow and terrain.

B, get thee to a demo day!

[thetrailboss]

Yeah, as Jim said, demo. I hated the twin tips but he loves them.

[thetrailboss]

Congrats gentlemen on your new titles!

[JimG.]

Originally Posted by thetrailboss

Yeah, as Jim said, demo. I hated the twin tips but he loves them.

Exactly why we should insist he demo. He'll probably find skis he loves that we both hate.

[JimG.]

Originally Posted by thetrailboss

Congrats gentlemen on your new titles!

Thank you sir !

[bvibert]

Originally Posted by thetrailboss

Congrats gentlemen on your new titles!

Thanks!

[bvibert]

Originally Posted by JimG.

Exactly why we should insist he demo. He'll probably find skis he loves that we both hate.

Thanks alot for your input. I definately plan to demo this season, and it helps to have an idea of what I might want to try. So now I have a bunch of suggestions and personally opinions that I can use to determine which skis I may want to try first.