I feel very fortunate to have observed all this evolve over the course of the last 20+- years - and have watched (and participated!) with great interest.
It was Jeannie Thoren, then working in conjunction with Dynastar-Lange, on a traveling “mission” with her 2-day women’s clinics at many resorts all over the country, who first proposed and demonstrated theories of why women had different ski requirements - and what changes benefitted women the most. I attended one of her clinics (can’t remember year! early>mid-90's?); it was fascinating - we changed skis every run. There were differing binding mount positions, different degrees of heel lift.
From this, Dynastar developed one of its first women-specific models: the Intuitiv “L” series - to little fanfare. Having participated in this clinic, however, I did procure a pair. Viva la difference. From there came the first two full lines of women-specific skis: the venerable K2 T-9 series, featuring the “Love” (luv?) models (First, True, One, Burning, Phat, etc etc); and the Dynastar Exclusive series, which were mostly designated by number - until they hit one out of the park - the Exclusive Legend, which topped the charts for several years (mid 2000's).
These were the first of many dedicated lines to follow - but clearly have their place in history now. They were not “de-tuned” men’s skis; they were built from the ground up.
I say – Stand Up and Cheer. As a lightweight, reasonably competent but increasingly <cough> age-challenged female, I all the more appreciate that skis are now made for my requirements. The “shrink-it-pink it” phase went out the window (bye bye). We now have choices - lots of them, lots of GOOD ones. Hallelujah.
Hats off to Jeannie Thoren, K2 and Dynastar for leading that charge.
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Follow-up: a bit of research, Jeannie is still at it, in full force - has a dedicated website, shop at Vail, still does clinics.
https://www.jeanniethoren.com/
https://www.jeanniethoren.com/events.html
https://www.jeanniethoren.com/ski_shop.html
Love the leader on her home page:
"
WOMEN ARE NOT SMALL MEN"