Best Modern Ski for skiing old school (1970's) technique

[Mt_Wawasee]

1st, I started skiing in 1961 and continue today, Instructed at Loveland in early 70's.

When I taught my daughter to ski (1990's) it was definitely old school, knees together/etc and
I don't think carving was even invented yet.

Anyway, she is looking for new/newer ski, she currently is using Fischer RC4's (probably 10 years old)
and has never liked them.

If I can't find a new solution I'll dig out some atomic SL beta race 916's 170cm (the yellow ones) and put on new bindings.

Note: She wants to continue old school technique and does not want to move into carving.

Note: I am skiing Atomic Redster's that I have taught how to perform well using old school technique.
However I will occasionally use my 1968 Hart Javelins and 1970 Dynamic vr17's just for fun.

Thanks

 

[deadheadskier]

Maybe a cheater GS race ski? Something with little side cut and a turning radius in the low 20s at minimum. Other consideration might be a world cup bump ski.

Ultimately you should be looking at limited side cut with a longer TR, I would think to best mimic old skis for old school skiing techniques.

 

[Mt_Wawasee]

Update, I taught her very short/fast turns so I think somewhere around 13 radius and around 70 underfoot

RaceTiger/Redster/etc level maybe to much as they really like carving and MUST be taught old school

 

[deadheadskier]

The problem there is short turn radius skis are going to want to force her into carved turns more than skis with less side cut.

If you could find a WC bump ski to demo, that might be the right fit. They're designed to do short, snappy turns, but more in an old school pivot fashion vs modern carving.

Ultimately I think over time your daughters turn style will simply moderniz due to the changes in equipment.

 

[Mt_Wawasee]

thanks, I'll research bump skis

 

[jimk]

I know you don't want to hear this, but newer shaped skis practically carve themselves, especially if driven by someone already possesing decent old school straight ski skills. The transition is easy, fun, and inspiring.

 

[SkiingInABlueDream]

Holy shit Knowing what I've learned about turns and technique in the past 25 years, I can honestly say that if (for whatever hypothetical reason) my ONLY option to continue skiing was to use the skis I grew up skiing with (in the early-mid 80s)... Honestly I'm not sure whether I'd even bother. Like if the entire rest of the world was also limited to those skis then maaayyybe. But if I had to be stuck on those pencils while everyone else cruised around with modern gear and technique... That would be pretty soul sucking, for me at least.

I'm really inclined to believe that even if you time-capsuled someone straight out of 1990 to today they'd come around before too long

Edit. OP if this comes across as disparaging/douchey then I honestly apologize. Im just in surprise at the premise.

 

[Mt_Wawasee]

Thanks for the replies

I think it boils down to two different skill sets kind of like Cars

Kids that drive current vintage of cars, paddle shifters, tuned suspension, etc will never enjoy (or at least figure them out)
cars with drum brakes, no traction control, manual transmission, etc

SO, I think I'll go with updated boots/bindings and then search for SL (non-FIS) skis from late 1990's to early 2000's

Note the skis shown in my avatar are still used thru out the season because they are still fun and they tell me if
my old school technique still works

 

[Hawk]

Skiing at Sugarbush and MRG you still need to ski kind of old school with short turns. There are tons of people that still ski that way there so there are options for that kind of style. Pick a shop, give them an accurate description of your skiing style and demo a couple of skis. go back and tell them your feeleings and they will adjust. I have adaped my bump skiing with somewhat fatter skis but still make shorter turns. Soulds like she is dead set on adapting.

I would also suggest that you go to the Killington board and ask there. There are way more bumpers on that board.

 

[Mt_Wawasee]

thanks, I'll research/demo bump skis once the snow arrives

 

[4aprice]

I know you don't want to hear this, but newer shaped skis practically carve themselves, especially if driven by someone already possesing decent old school straight ski skills. The transition is easy, fun, and inspiring.

Every once in a while you see someone on old equipment and you get to compare side by side with the modern ski. Pretty eye opening. I skied them but now when I look down and see that nice fat tip I just feel so much more confident especially when in the bumps. The old ones look like so much work and I think I would worry about stabbing a mogul on the old ones. Its interesting that if you were a racer back then you remember lifting the inside ski as you went through a gate. You don't see that out of racers on the new equipment. Don't miss the old days.