Hello Divas!
So here's my situation. I have been skiing regularly for five/six seasons now I think. A couple years ago I topped out on progression on my beginner skis and after demoing the Volkl Kenjas I fell in love and bought them. Short story is I was much stronger, skiing more often and braver then. Last year our conditions weren't great here in CO when I got my season started and right off the bat I caught an edge on a bad patch of snow I didn't see, WHILE GETTING OFF THE LIFT, and tore a ligament in my knee. Not a huge deal, no surgery. Just time off and then holy smokes do I have the fear that I am not in as much control as I thought I was if I could do that just skiing away from the lift. What if I did that while going fast down the mountain? So I wasn't stoked on skiing much after that last season, although I went because that's what we do as a family and my daughter was on a snowboard team and had to be there every weekend anyway. I was relieved when the season was over. I am still nervous this year, but the snow is awesome so I am a bit more excited. Anyway, I think my Kenjas are just too much for me. In addition to my fear and loss of confidence, I started having neurological issues last summer. So I have more muscle weakness and fatigue than I ever have. I think between being nervous to ski the Kenjas aggressively and so always having the brakes on and fighting with them in addition to my tired body, I am exhausted after a couple of runs. My legs will be burning and shaking and just done. I used to go all day two seasons ago!
So this is where I am at now. I demoed some Blizzard Black Pearl 88s in 166 length (my Kenjas are 163, I am 5'8") and they were fun. Much less tiring, but still stable. I did get into a little bit of soft snow and they didn't float as well as the Kenjas. The place where I am renting told me I need to try the Solomon QST Lux 92 so I am doing them this weekend. I am a little scared of the length. The guy said I should try the 169 and they ski much shorter. Solomon also makes the Myriad 85 which my husband thinks would be better for me, but the shop guy says he thinks if I like BPs and have been skiing Kenjas I will enjoy the 92 more.
Any of you ladies been in a similar situation? As in scared of the skis you once loved? I just don't want to ski as fast as the Kenjas want to go and I don't know if I will regain the level of strength I once had. I am always taking a hockey skid every five turns or so on steeper terrain to slow myself down, calm my nerves and honestly to rest my legs for a few seconds! I felt like with the BPs I could control my speed a lot easier and not get as exhausted. Excited to try to the Solomons especially since we are supposed to get some deep snow this weekend. I don't venture off piste too much, but would like to have a ski that makes me confident enough to do it and won't wear me out. Also, don't want to sacrifice edge hold when it gets icy. I have to say I like the edge hold of the Kenjas, but I don't really carve like they like to do unless I am on mellow greens where I feel confident.
Appreciate any thoughts/advice. Thank you!!
Elizabeth
So here's my situation. I have been skiing regularly for five/six seasons now I think. A couple years ago I topped out on progression on my beginner skis and after demoing the Volkl Kenjas I fell in love and bought them. Short story is I was much stronger, skiing more often and braver then. Last year our conditions weren't great here in CO when I got my season started and right off the bat I caught an edge on a bad patch of snow I didn't see, WHILE GETTING OFF THE LIFT, and tore a ligament in my knee. Not a huge deal, no surgery. Just time off and then holy smokes do I have the fear that I am not in as much control as I thought I was if I could do that just skiing away from the lift. What if I did that while going fast down the mountain? So I wasn't stoked on skiing much after that last season, although I went because that's what we do as a family and my daughter was on a snowboard team and had to be there every weekend anyway. I was relieved when the season was over. I am still nervous this year, but the snow is awesome so I am a bit more excited. Anyway, I think my Kenjas are just too much for me. In addition to my fear and loss of confidence, I started having neurological issues last summer. So I have more muscle weakness and fatigue than I ever have. I think between being nervous to ski the Kenjas aggressively and so always having the brakes on and fighting with them in addition to my tired body, I am exhausted after a couple of runs. My legs will be burning and shaking and just done. I used to go all day two seasons ago!
So this is where I am at now. I demoed some Blizzard Black Pearl 88s in 166 length (my Kenjas are 163, I am 5'8") and they were fun. Much less tiring, but still stable. I did get into a little bit of soft snow and they didn't float as well as the Kenjas. The place where I am renting told me I need to try the Solomon QST Lux 92 so I am doing them this weekend. I am a little scared of the length. The guy said I should try the 169 and they ski much shorter. Solomon also makes the Myriad 85 which my husband thinks would be better for me, but the shop guy says he thinks if I like BPs and have been skiing Kenjas I will enjoy the 92 more.
Any of you ladies been in a similar situation? As in scared of the skis you once loved? I just don't want to ski as fast as the Kenjas want to go and I don't know if I will regain the level of strength I once had. I am always taking a hockey skid every five turns or so on steeper terrain to slow myself down, calm my nerves and honestly to rest my legs for a few seconds! I felt like with the BPs I could control my speed a lot easier and not get as exhausted. Excited to try to the Solomons especially since we are supposed to get some deep snow this weekend. I don't venture off piste too much, but would like to have a ski that makes me confident enough to do it and won't wear me out. Also, don't want to sacrifice edge hold when it gets icy. I have to say I like the edge hold of the Kenjas, but I don't really carve like they like to do unless I am on mellow greens where I feel confident.
Appreciate any thoughts/advice. Thank you!!
Elizabeth