alison wong
Angel Diva
I tried to make it to Roundtop (RT) at least once a year, I decided to drive up today since I canceled my western PA trip for the President's day wknd. By coincidence, they had their annual demo day today.
There are quite few vendors: Nordica, Stockli, Rosi, K2, Head, Icelantic, Dynastar, Salomon, Atomic.
Despite last year’s demo disaster* at Alta, I found a courage to try out few skis at RT today.
Another reason was, I saw Stockli was there... I read all these hypes about how great Stockli is , I was very curious about this brand in particular.
This was my 3rd demo experience of all the years I've skied.
First of all, I know nothing about skis. Skis reviews I read on this forum, how you guys describe skis as fun, exciting, playful, versatile, forgiving, nimble, etc. I have no idea what those adjectives mean.... To me, I put skis into 2 buckets: working and not working.
RT did not have the best snow condition today, very icy and hard packed ice. Also based on my last year's demo experience (disaster) at Alta, I decided to take a cautionary approach. i.e. If I am unsure how I'd feel about the skis, I need to try it on a bunny slope first, not a blue!
Rossi tent:
I first checked out Rossi skis, specifically asked for something similar to my Temp 80 model. I wanted to start with something I know I'd be comfortable with. Sales rep recommended Rossi Experience 84, 160cm. He said this is a bit stiffer and more advanced than Temp 80. The fact he used the "stiff" word made me nervous. So, I told him I would bring this skis to a bunny hill because I don't know if I can manage this skis on a blue. I hiked uphill to the bunny slope did 2 runs there. It was working and I felt it was more "solid" and "stable" than my Temp 80. Since it worked well on bunny slopes, it gave me confidence to try out on a blue run, Minuteman. It was wonderful, despite the ice cubes and choppy condition, it was very stable and not "bouncy". I like this one more than my own Temp 80.
From the Rossi tent, I also tried a carving ski (can't remember the name), it was pinkish color, 152 cm. I learned that carving skis are supposed to be shorter. It was ok when I carve.. but I am not quite good at carving yet, so this one was a "so-so".
Moving onto Dynastar tent:
First pair I tried was a soft ski (can't remember the model), 152cm. This was a "meh", quite boring I'd say. It worked properly but nothing special about it. Because it was a "meh" skis, the sales rep recommended me an intermediate-advance skis: Legend. How the sales rep described this skis (can't remember his exact words) gave me the impression that it is a "particular" skis, depends on how you work / exert weight.... it can work or not work for you....
I tried 156cm first, did not like it on my first run coz I almost ran into a snow gun and fell... But towards the end of the run, I think I got the hang of how this ski "function", so I was able to enjoy it a bit more. I decided to give it a 2nd chance, I did a second run. I noticed this was not the most "forgiving" skis. I need to be precise on how and where I exert my weight as I turn. If I am being sloppy, I would be at risk of losing control and fall.
Since 156 cm was working well, sale rep recommended me to try 163cm. I did 2 runs and did not notice any difference between 156 cm vs 163 cm. His recommendation was: if you did not notice any difference b/w the 2, you should go for a shorter length because it'll you better control. (I did not know this..... Still not 100% clear on his reasoning.)
My question is: Can a "less forgiving" skis make you a better skier?
(My rationale is, you need to be precise and cannot afford sloppiness. Is it right?)
The Finale: Stockli tent
I did not have time to try out other skis (like Nordica, K2) because I signed up for a 2 pm lesson. It was already passed 1 pm, so it was time to hop on the Stockli skis. I spoke w/ the the sales rep couple hours prior and he already set aside the skis for me. It was MX 156 cm. According to him, it is an intermediate ski, good for carving. It has "room" to grow to do something else as one progresses, can't remember what he said exactly.
Since it is a Stockli, I need to be extra cautious. I hiked uphill to the bunny slope again, make sure I can manage this skis.
Then I did the 2nd run on a blue. I found this skis was "overpowering" me. At times, I felt it was the skis riding me and not me riding the skis. I don't know if it was a mental block or intimation or skill level, I don't find this skis to be easy. But then, I did not have the time to do a 2nd run to confirm it. For now, I know this skis is not for me. It did satisfy my curiosity though.
If I had to get new skis this season, I'd say I will still go with the Rossi brand: -Experience 84, Dynastar Legend is also a strong contender.
After today, I guess I no longer feel intimidated about demoing skis. Actually, trying out new skis can be quite fun, provided the fact that I take a cautionary approach... i.e. if I am unsure about a skis, try it out o a bunny slope first.
Also, I can finally understand 50% of what you guys described about skis, and know what they mean... I hope eventually, we will all be on the same page.
*I demoed a DPS 105 mm width skis at Alta last year. I demoed this skis on a blue run (off Wildcat chair) and Corkscrew blue. The skis was so wide that I wasn't able to turn. At one point, I even thought about took off the skis and just walked down the slope. That was a run from hell, and felt eternally long.... I was still traumatized by that experience.
There are quite few vendors: Nordica, Stockli, Rosi, K2, Head, Icelantic, Dynastar, Salomon, Atomic.
Despite last year’s demo disaster* at Alta, I found a courage to try out few skis at RT today.
Another reason was, I saw Stockli was there... I read all these hypes about how great Stockli is , I was very curious about this brand in particular.
This was my 3rd demo experience of all the years I've skied.
First of all, I know nothing about skis. Skis reviews I read on this forum, how you guys describe skis as fun, exciting, playful, versatile, forgiving, nimble, etc. I have no idea what those adjectives mean.... To me, I put skis into 2 buckets: working and not working.
RT did not have the best snow condition today, very icy and hard packed ice. Also based on my last year's demo experience (disaster) at Alta, I decided to take a cautionary approach. i.e. If I am unsure how I'd feel about the skis, I need to try it on a bunny slope first, not a blue!
Rossi tent:
I first checked out Rossi skis, specifically asked for something similar to my Temp 80 model. I wanted to start with something I know I'd be comfortable with. Sales rep recommended Rossi Experience 84, 160cm. He said this is a bit stiffer and more advanced than Temp 80. The fact he used the "stiff" word made me nervous. So, I told him I would bring this skis to a bunny hill because I don't know if I can manage this skis on a blue. I hiked uphill to the bunny slope did 2 runs there. It was working and I felt it was more "solid" and "stable" than my Temp 80. Since it worked well on bunny slopes, it gave me confidence to try out on a blue run, Minuteman. It was wonderful, despite the ice cubes and choppy condition, it was very stable and not "bouncy". I like this one more than my own Temp 80.
From the Rossi tent, I also tried a carving ski (can't remember the name), it was pinkish color, 152 cm. I learned that carving skis are supposed to be shorter. It was ok when I carve.. but I am not quite good at carving yet, so this one was a "so-so".
Moving onto Dynastar tent:
First pair I tried was a soft ski (can't remember the model), 152cm. This was a "meh", quite boring I'd say. It worked properly but nothing special about it. Because it was a "meh" skis, the sales rep recommended me an intermediate-advance skis: Legend. How the sales rep described this skis (can't remember his exact words) gave me the impression that it is a "particular" skis, depends on how you work / exert weight.... it can work or not work for you....
I tried 156cm first, did not like it on my first run coz I almost ran into a snow gun and fell... But towards the end of the run, I think I got the hang of how this ski "function", so I was able to enjoy it a bit more. I decided to give it a 2nd chance, I did a second run. I noticed this was not the most "forgiving" skis. I need to be precise on how and where I exert my weight as I turn. If I am being sloppy, I would be at risk of losing control and fall.
Since 156 cm was working well, sale rep recommended me to try 163cm. I did 2 runs and did not notice any difference between 156 cm vs 163 cm. His recommendation was: if you did not notice any difference b/w the 2, you should go for a shorter length because it'll you better control. (I did not know this..... Still not 100% clear on his reasoning.)
My question is: Can a "less forgiving" skis make you a better skier?
(My rationale is, you need to be precise and cannot afford sloppiness. Is it right?)
The Finale: Stockli tent
I did not have time to try out other skis (like Nordica, K2) because I signed up for a 2 pm lesson. It was already passed 1 pm, so it was time to hop on the Stockli skis. I spoke w/ the the sales rep couple hours prior and he already set aside the skis for me. It was MX 156 cm. According to him, it is an intermediate ski, good for carving. It has "room" to grow to do something else as one progresses, can't remember what he said exactly.
Since it is a Stockli, I need to be extra cautious. I hiked uphill to the bunny slope again, make sure I can manage this skis.
Then I did the 2nd run on a blue. I found this skis was "overpowering" me. At times, I felt it was the skis riding me and not me riding the skis. I don't know if it was a mental block or intimation or skill level, I don't find this skis to be easy. But then, I did not have the time to do a 2nd run to confirm it. For now, I know this skis is not for me. It did satisfy my curiosity though.
If I had to get new skis this season, I'd say I will still go with the Rossi brand: -Experience 84, Dynastar Legend is also a strong contender.
After today, I guess I no longer feel intimidated about demoing skis. Actually, trying out new skis can be quite fun, provided the fact that I take a cautionary approach... i.e. if I am unsure about a skis, try it out o a bunny slope first.
Also, I can finally understand 50% of what you guys described about skis, and know what they mean... I hope eventually, we will all be on the same page.
*I demoed a DPS 105 mm width skis at Alta last year. I demoed this skis on a blue run (off Wildcat chair) and Corkscrew blue. The skis was so wide that I wasn't able to turn. At one point, I even thought about took off the skis and just walked down the slope. That was a run from hell, and felt eternally long.... I was still traumatized by that experience.
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