Overpowering skis

[Edd]

Question: Am I overpowering these skis?

Skis: 08/09 172 Dynastar Legend Fluid 8000; 120/80/103

Me: 5'11", 182 lbs, advanced

On piste I pay decent attention to technique. The day I demoed these on scratchy surfaces I felt like I had wings on. Very little slippage, which was a surprise considering the nature of these skis. I think I was going above normal speed, though ( I love trying new skis). I bought a pair and put maybe 30 days on them. There were days, always on hardpack, when I was doing short to medium turns with, I feel, good form and the tails would wash out on me like nobody's business. I stayed in control but I wasn't achieving the desired result. Fresh tunes did not change things.

2nd question: Looking at the stats above and assuming sound technique, should I have bought the 178s instead?

 

[Greg]

You probably have could have gone with the 178. I'm 165 lbs. on the 172, 2007 version, a bit narrower in the tip I believe. I don't think the length is your problem though. The Legend is simply not a great hard pack ski, at least my older one is not. It's meant to be skied in looser snow (powder, crud, spring slush) and absolutely rips in the bumps for a ski of its width. It's a do (almost) anything ski. Skiing it on porcelain hard pack is not one of them.

 

[Edd]

You probably have could have gone with the 178. I'm 165 lbs. on the 172, 2007 version, a bit narrower in the tip I believe. I don't think the length is your problem though. The Legend is simply not a great hard pack ski, at least my older one is not. It's meant to be skied in looser snow (powder, crud, spring slush) and absolutely rips in the bumps for a ski of its width. It's a do (almost) anything ski. Skiing it on porcelain hard pack is not one of them.

I hear you. I just think there's room for improvement. I absolutely love this as a powder and crud ski. I'd just like to see what the extra length would do.

 

[riverc0il]

I hear you. I just think there's room for improvement. I absolutely love this as a powder and crud ski. I'd just like to see what the extra length would do.

Definitely a tough balancing act here. My extra 20 lbs has made my 8000s ski extremely different this year, and not in a good way what so ever. Dialing in your specs to the right size ski with the right build is not the easiest thing to do. The 178 may perform better for you on hard pack but as Greg said, this is no way no how a good mid-fat if you spend a lot of time on hard pack. Always need to remember when you demo that those skis get a perfect edge put on them every run and will tend to ski better on your first run than they ever will once you put them into general use after purchasing. Elan's 666 (if they still call it that) would be a solid step up in groomer ripping department while still retaining some quick turning powder ability (though not as good as the 8000 IMO).

 

[Puck it]

I would recommend the Monster series for you. Especially the 88, it is a ski that likes to be powered through turns. I can handle anything. I am 5'10" and 220lbs. I ski the 175cm and I can not over power it. It differently an an all around. I replaced my Apche Recons 174cm with these since these were doing the same thing that your legends are doing to you. Try them.