Help skier with new ski choice...

Just getting back into skiing as kids are now old enough to go with me. Grew up in Stowe, taught skiing, raced and skiied every day there was enough snow or mud....
I have out in the garage 203 Coup de'mond (Dynastars) SL and the 210 GS ski. I brought these into the shopand they laughed, they would not even touch my Solomon bindings(747 equipe) rememeber thosemetal beasts?
I bought some new boots that are a dream, Solomon Ellipse 8.0 Sensitfit. These beat the bag out of my old Cabers.
He let me demo some hot Atomic race ski that was UNREAL. As it was my first experience with shaped skis. I asked for a GS ski as this is my style of skiing. I was a bit nervous, but it was just like rididing a bike, fell right back into the groove after 10 years off the snow. I loved them. Race model??? cant remeber. He will remember as he wants to sell me a pair for 1500+/-. They are like Rex9 or something along that model name. Red, with bulging fronts with matching atomic bindings......
I dont want to spend this much dough, but i really want to find a great all around GS ski, in a decent length as these seemed a bit short a 193 cm, but I hear that shorter is the way now.......
It has changed so much in 10-15 years, but I am willing to listen and learn if you all can recommend some skiis to me. I will probably demo nad then buy some leftovers next year.
PS...thank god the poles havent changed as I could use the scotts that I had...
George

[skiguide]

George -

a few key questions - how tall are you, age & overall fitness level (strength to muscle around such a stiff ski)?

don't think i'm second-guessing your experience or anything, cause it sounds like you're quite attached to and ready for the idea of another GS ski - which makes some sense.

First of all, GS skiing requires a wider stance, so switching to the shapes probably wasn't as much of a shock to you as it is to some people stuck in the knees/ankles tight together paralelling style.

But the real question is, do you really NEED another GS specific race ski? I'd say odds are, probably not. Are you going to do some adult weekly racing league? (if so, then maybe i'd relent a little, but you still don't really need race stock for that) You've got kids now, who you want to ski with, are you going to be pushing top speeds with them? probably not. Are you going to take high speed risks when not skiing with them, knowing you can put yourself in danger? probably not. My only point is, you may be adjusting your skiing style quite a bit from this point on - and maybe that's not such a bad thing.

Getting off a GS ski doesn't mean you can't keep pushing yourself and being challenged, but you might starting wanting to spend some more time in the bumps, or the trees for a change of pace, and experience something new - and super stiff, 193 GS skis would not be the best choice for that at all.

Secondarily, I know you're gonna be stuck on the length issue coming down from 210 - but that was considered long even at the beginning of the shaped ski curve - in todays terms, 193's are too long for 6'2" person even. chin to forehead height is the general rule now.

IMO, you definitely don't NEED those race stock skis. The Atomic beta 10s or supercross (the top of the line below those essentially) would perform just as well, and their retail prices are more like $700-$900, so if you picked those up at the end of the year, you'll be way ahead anyway. Your new boots are a nice comfortable model, but not top of the line in terms of stiffness or responsiveness, so it'd essentially be a waste to buy race stock anyway. though it also doesn't sound like it matters that much based on your experience, but the point is, you're in a comfortable, enjoyable boot, why not do the same with a ski?

Pretty much all the manfacturers have some fun, super high performance ALL-Mountain skis out right now, and All-mountain is definitely the most bang for your buck these days. So yea, demo, demo, demo, and don't be afraid to try a wide variety- don't limit yourself to a GS ski, you'd be missing out on a lot of killer skis.

[Starter Jackets Rule!]

"how tall are you,"??????????(skiguide you PSIA)?
I'll tell ya what...you lie face down and let me stand on your back....now how tall am I?
weight has more to do with a skier that is going to pick out a ski....
that price is a ripoff....George....pm me and I can get you a better deal..(I work in a shop)
I ski the Atomic SL-9@160cm and I weigh 220#s at 6'1"
Also ski the Head I-200@154cm.
both have a shorter turn raidous (12.5-11.1) wich is a bit short for a big mtn ski.
look at the AtomicGS-11, the atomic GS-9 is a good ski, but not a great ski..also the prices will drop big time this time of year...plus Atomic is changing All thier Race skis for next season(wider over all)
Good luck!
Paul

sorry-forgot to add. 6 foot 2 250 pounds. I be a large man....
No PSIA, just worked with kids during the holiday rush. I think thats what you were asking starter jacket..??

I love the info skiguide. You are right, I will be changing my tune with the kids and the boot felt a bit sloppy with that high perfo ski. I just need a good all around big turning ski, with out emphasis on 'twin-tips, half pipe or ski cross" events. haha. Skiiing has changed quite a bit. I will take your input with me to the demo shop and see where I come out. I hope to contribute here if I can.
Thanks so much for the info.

[Starter Jackets Rule!]

sorry SG, I got off on the wrong foot but the GS-9 is not a full bore race ski.
http://www.atomicsnow.com/atomic/english/start_e.htm
The atomic GS-11 is more of a full bore rocket.
I also ski the RS-11 @185 cm.
the ski likes wider turns and will lay down some snappy shorter turns too boot(at speed).
Also the SX-11 is the GS-11 with a wider waist(next years GS11 will have the wider foot print than this yeras ski, Ie: almost identical to the SX11)
I have taken it down the "Goat' at stowe and had no probs on it.(bring your "A"-game if your going to ski the goat with a GS ski)!!!
on the other hand I have I mostly ski a SL type ski on "eastern trails".
Most sl type skis will even do wide/GS type turns with an attentive pilot, so be warned...
also George shop around thet price you were quoted sounds to high...right around this time most "Off Mtn." shops are looking to dump stock, so better prices can be had.
Also find a shop that demos skis and will let you subtract the price of the skis that you have demoed from the price of the ski that you may buy.
once again good luck.
Paul/SRJ!

[riverc0il]

regarding length of ski, i'm 6'1" and 10 years ago i skied 204, then dropped down to 198, then to 193, and am now skiing 183 and will never go higher than that again. i'm not "big" - but i do weigh in around 220 pounds or so at 6'1" just an inch under you. i'd recommend demoing GS skis in the 180-190 range. may feel funny at first, but with the "shaped skis," when you lay them on edge, there's really a lot more than 183cm's of ski cutting into the snow, you know? the ski flexes and then the entire radius of the ski can dig in and give you a good "pop" or good carve depending upon how you're skiing.

funny thing was, you mentioned that you thought 193 was a bit short. most ski manufacturers don't go higher than 193 any more! hahaha. that's about as long as you can get, and you really don't need longer unless you plan on racing downhill events on the world cup.

i'm a big fan of the volkl line myself and they have some high end stuff that just rips the mountain apart. i'm on a p50 motion right now which is last year's model. probably not a bad idea looking into last year's models for any skis you demo, or wait till the season is over for the half off sales (i got my skis last year's model half off).

[salida]

Alright, I know I am younger than you guys and I didnt grow up in the longer is better generation. If you guys can get over your longer is better ego things, the smaller skis really do allow you to do more things. I am about 190lbs and ski around a 168-170. I have skis that are all mountain skis, m12 fusions, and beta ride 9's. These skis let me into the tighest of lines, espeically in the east where glades can get cramped very quickly. If you really want a versitile ski go shorter than you think you want.

[skiguide]

hey starter jackets- you're right, i would have normally written height/weight as a standard question- was kinda in a rush & knew i had a long reply coming, so it was just an oversight.

i also would have expanded on the fact that weight/strength level has a lot to do with your ability to flex a stiff ski or depending on its construction-

I'm an "athletic/strong" female skier, so I don't always need the 20% lighter, 20% softer women's ski, so long as I can get a decent response from a softer unisex ski. My primary ice coast ski is a few seasons old salomon race SL ski, very skinny waist, and super stiff, but the things rock on the hardpack, super fast and quick to edge. However, wider all mountains and mid-fats are where it's at right now, and I agree with Salida, the shorter, the better - it really is an ego thing more than anything, and versatility you gain is well worth the ride.

Also a vote for anything out by Volkl right now - esp. the 5stars,, next year's 6 stars look kick ass too.

George, welcome to the group! Stick around, Im sure you'll like it here.

I come from a similar generation with similar previous skis. 210s and 205s were my primary skis. I skied very little over the past 5 years and last year decided to jump back in and I decided to come down to a shorter ski. BUT, having gone through this short ski fad once before I decided my short ski would be a 193cm GS. I found that Volkls were the high end in that range and a freind of mine that does a lot of racing and usually 4 or 5 pair of skis a year sold me a set of his race stick Volkl P40s in 193cm.

What I found out is that they require major muscle to turn at anything less than 30mph. Too much for these older and out of shape legs.

This year I picked up a set of Blizzard all mountain skis in 178cm. I LOVE THEM. They handle eastern conditions like a knife through butter and ski much longer than 178. I could have easily done a 170 in the same ski.

Ski some of these short skis before you decide.

If you want a set of 193 Volkl P40s with low milage, let me know. I got a set I'll let go cheap, but you better be in shape and like to go fast because thats what these skis are made for.

Again, welcome to the board, you are getting a LOT of great advice out here.

[teachski]

DEMO, DEMO, DEMO!

Get out there and try several different skis in several different lengths. What is right for one skier may not be right for you. I'm 5'9" and not exactly a light weight. I am skiing on 161cm skis...I never would have thought of that a few years ago...my 195cm skis were, too short, I thought. Different skis need different lengths because of their side cuts, don't be afraid to go to the shorter length ski. Get out there and have some fun trying the different sizes!