Hello and new skis!

[dancingspark]

Hello all!

I’ve been lurking on the forums for a while and wanted to post up as this season will mark the first one I get to ski every week! I will be teaching level 1 ski lessons to kiddos at A Basin, and I am SO excited. I live in Denver, but spend all my weekends at my boyfriend’s place in Summit County.

Right now I’m in the midst of a gear hunt. I’m getting fitted for boots tomorrow up in Frisco (my wallet is crying already…!), but am really struggling with ski selection. It’s amazing how many hours you can spend looking at ski reviews...I just hit about 30 hours of research!

I’m Advanced Intermediate (I think? Not too sure; my self-assessments are bad). I’ve been skiing since I was four (so 23 years total), but after I hit teenage years, it became occasional instead of frequent. I ski blues and blacks, mostly groomers, but will be branching into off-piste this year (and terrain parks, yay).

Weight: 180

Height: 5’ 7”

I was thinking about Blizzard Black Pearls or Sambas, Nordica Santa Ana 100, Atomic Vantage 95 C, Rossi Temptation 100s or Volkl Kenjas. I’ve been looking at skis between 163 and 170mm. I’m a bit nervous about accidentally buying a ski that’s too much for me, but I want a ski I can grow into--I will be taking frequent lessons this winter so I can improve my form and confidence. Do any of these sound like I’m on the right track?

This forum rocks! Thanks for all the helpful info and interesting threads...such a great community! And if anyone’s ever taught beginner kids’ lessons, any pointers would be helpful!

 

[VickiK]

Welcome, @dancingspark ! It sounds like you're on the right track...boots and cute pants too (to judge by your avatar pic).

 

[nopoleskier]

Welcome!! Lucky you Summit Co! Congrats on L1 & teaching.. as instructor you may want 'used' skis for kiddo lessons shorties for scooting around... Kid's are a blast to teach!

for your skis... ahh I'm similar size tad shorter, I have the Black Pearls 159cm but I out ski them on groomers, (they don't go fast) I hate them on frozen (rare in Summit co) I've used them in up to about 8" of Western powder are great but over 8" or yester-gack used snow for me they don't have enough 'umpf' If you can try the Samba's same ski but are stiffer I haven't tried. I ski 159-165cm. should be plenty of ski to learn and grow with..

I demo'd Vantage 95C and LOVED them.. Rossi 100's are also super nice ski, unfortunately I'm not fond of any Volkl's seem to make me go to far back and not enough "sweet spot' for me.. You'll find lots of women on here LOVE Volkl kenja's Why it's very important if you can Demo, demo, demo, if you can do your choices for more than 5runs on the same day is best way (imho)

Have fun shopping!!

 

[ski diva]

Just wanted to pop in here and say Welcome! Sounds like you have a great list of skis to choose from. If you can, demo!

 

[Albertan ski girl]

Hi @dancingspark - welcome! I'm about an inch taller than you, and about 20 lbs heavier. Like others, I agree boots are the most important! Beyond that, you should have some fun and demo! If you'll be teaching, you might consider one pair for teaching (which sounds will be a lot of beginner skiers) and another for what you would like to do. I just started skiing a few years ago. As an intermediate, I loved the Volkl Kenjas. Now that I have become more of an advanced skier, I am definitely looking for a ski that is better in offpiste for me than the Kenja (which I've found to be less playful than other skis I've tried). I demoed the Nordica Santa Anas last spring and loved them - They are likely the skis I will purchase this year. I tried the Samba, and wasn't a huge fan, but it's a great ski that a lot of women like. The only thing I would also suggest is - don't forget about men's skis too. Taller women have the advantage of being able to try men's skis too. I demoed some men's skis last year - like the Nordica NRGY 100 - and loved them. Totally expanded what I was looking at. But, I would say, demo demo demo! And have fun!

 

[surfsnowgirl]

Welcome!!!

I just started teaching last year and am an intermediate skier and about your stats. It was recommended to me that I pick a ski shorter than I'd normally ski for teaching and pick and older ski or perhaps one I don't care if the kiddles ski over them. This didn't work for me only because I often don't have time to swap out skis so I prefer to have on my feet something I'd normally ski on anyway. However, if this will work for you than give it a whirl. I wasn't sure what to expect teaching kids and to my surprise I found I loved it a lot and hope to always teach kids. Some of the time I don't even have my skis on since I'm running all over on foot. However, much of the time I do have my skis on. I do ditch my poles most of the time although I do use them now as a tool with the kids. One of the best tips I got from a seasoned instructor was to find out what the kids favorite cartoon or movie character is or maybe their favorite color. I've found many of the girls sometimes like to be super girl, one of my little boys liked to hold his basket ball. I was taught that these get their balance in the right place and helps them control their skis better. I'm still learning and have a ton more to learn in fact I always hope to be learning.

As far as skis go it's 6 of one and half a dozen of the other as the saying goes. I've never been on the Sambas or Rossi Temptation 100s. I didn't care for the Black Pearls, used to own the predecessor to the Atomic Vantage C and have heard great things about the new model. I really liked the Santa Anas and as far as the Kenjas go I'm on my second pair of them, love them, love them, love them. You'll find while a pair of skis will be loved by many, you'll find just as many that didn't like it. It's really best to demo and see what feels good to you.

Can't wait to hear how your teaching goes and what skis you ended up with. Demoing and teaching are so much fun.

 

[vanhoskier]

Calling @KatyPerrey ......she lives in Frisco and teaches in Summit County and could give you great advice for skis to try!!

 

[KatyPerrey]

Welcome! Where are/did you get your boots fitted? This (IMO) will help in recommending skis. Feel free to PM me. Have a great season at A-Basin! You have a GREAT boss in Gates Lloyd!

 

[Fluffy Kitty]

Welcome!

I'm going to vote against the Temptation 100s, as they have a reputation for having tips that like to dive in on soft snow; they do like to charge on hard snow, so not great for teaching. I'd go with Sky 7 HD W instead; same width, more float, OK on West Coast "hardpack". Might want to demo Soul 7 HD W, too, but they are not as good on hardpack.

 

[dancingspark]

Thanks so much for the welcomes and advice, everyone!

I tried some boots this weekend, but because of my wide calves/feet, there was only one pair that worked (salomon quest pro 90s) and I didn't like how soft they were. The boot fitter seemed very sure that they were the right flex, but they were so soft I felt like I wouldn't have any support on more difficult runs. Haven't found any that fit since then (after several days of running around to stores). Apparently most places are sold out of 25.5s and don't have new stock in yet. :/

Found a pair of really beat up Kenjas at a used gear store...$80. May pull the trigger on those for teaching and find something for regular skiing once I can demo.

 

[Jilly]

25.5 is a popular size. Did you try the Atomic Waymaker?

 

[Skisailor]

I would PM @KatyPerrey about which boot fitter you saw so you can have confidence in his or her advice - but if you DO have confidence in them, and the boot fitter thought it was the right flex for you, I would be tempted to go with the salomons.

In my experience, skiers at the advanced intermediate level are more often held back by boots that are too stiff rather than boots that are too soft.

It's often difficult and counter-intuitive to get that ankle flexion going - and you can't flex your ankles enough in boots that are too stiff - which messes with your fore-aft balance. Nailing your stance is a key to your goal of moving off piste and progressing as a skier. So unless you are planning to aggressively power through the bumps this season and are concerned the boot will completely collapse forward on you in tough terrain, go with a softer boot!

 

[dancingspark]

Oh...that explains why the boot fitter was pushing the 90s, then. That is super helpful to know.

I can't wait to have a good enough stance that my thighs, ankles and shins won't scream at me at the end of the day every time I ski! My form is SO mediocre, and I don't know how to fix it. Hopefully the right gear and lessons will give me somewhere to start.

 

[dancingspark]

@Jilly -- no I haven't tried those. Will add them to my list!

 

[bounceswoosh]

Paging @pinto - I believe she has a favorite bootfitter in Denver.

I <3 Larry in Boulder. He won't be open just yet. I think they open around October. New stock doesn't start trickling in till then.

 

[Jilly]

And speaking of flex....the store is a lot warmer than the slopes...Boots will stiffen up in the cold.

 

[pinto]

Paging @pinto - I believe she has a favorite bootfitter in Denver.

I did, but he died. I go up to Vail/BC now.

 

[dancingspark]

In case anyone is interested, I went to Christy's on a whim and the guy working there was super helpful and knowledgeable, and cut me a deal on some Lange XT 90 boots that fit well. I got custom liners as well...it was expensive but worth it. He also threw in free demos when the season starts and told me he'd adjust my bindings for free, too...so I'd say it was a solid investment. Wasn't expecting to find boots at Christy's, but glad that I can stop hunting for those now.

 

[pinto]

Christy Sports has always done us well.

 

[W8N2SKI]

I skied new XT 90's last season and loved them! I have a narrow foot and ankle and wide calf. They fit great and were comfy all season. I think you'll love your boots.