Peppermint
Angel Diva
I decided last minute to go to the demo day at Wachusett on Saturday. Never demoed before and after this, I can confidently say I will never buy skis again without skiing them first. I love talking about skiing and being able to talk about skis with the vendors was fun. I would always struggle at a shop when the tech would ask "what kind of skier are you? do you like short turns or long turns?" ect... Now I know what length I like and what to look for in a ski.
Me - 5'6'' 165lbs 54yo skier who skied in the Northeast for the past 30 years. Not sure if I carve or not but I'm sure I have a long way to go with technique. Usually ski by myself so I mostly stick to groomers. I like to get in a rhythm of short turns and don't mind fast, but not too fast.
Conditions were firm man-made snow in morning with temps in the 30s but went up to mid 40s by noon. I followed @marzNC's advice to ski the same runs for each ski. I skied most skies at least twice.
Elan Ripstick 88 158
I asked for the Wildcat but the rep said I would like this instead. Did not like at all - felt very muted as wasn't getting any feedback from the ski. My notes say "nothing special". To be fair, I felt the length was too short and was my first run of the day. I did not like the wide shovel -like it wouldn't engage, and the right ski felt a bit hooky so maybe a bad tune.
Rossignol Essential 166
The Wachusett owner was talking to the Rossi rep when I skied up to the table and said the rep was going to put me on skis that will change my life. He wasn't wrong. Hoo Boy, it was love at first turn. My notes say "love it, easy to turn with lots of energy out of turn, confidence inspiring". The ski was smooth and fun and snapped me out of the turn right into the next one. It was the first time where I actually felt like I might be carving and they were so easy to roll on edge. I was flying on this ski and I'm sure I had a smile on my face the whole time. This ski was fun, fun, fun. Funny when I looked this ski up and saw it described as burly and for experts only. I don't think I overpower any ski nor do I consider myself an expert - it just felt like this ski was made for me. Extra points for being made with mostly recycled materials. Not sure I can restrain myself from buying but would love to wait and see if I can find a deal.
Rossi Forza 70 163
This was a nice ski with good edge hold. Notes say "Damp, good edging, fast." Overheard at least 4 men say how much they loved it but I didn't have the same enthusiasm as the previous ski.
Rossi Basalt 157
This would be a good ski for an early intermediate but I was getting bounced around in the softening snow so did not like. Felt too short for me.
Volkl Kenja 88 163
This was the widest ski I have ever been on and it felt...wide. It felt like a nice ski but I couldn't get a feeling from it, like too damp for me. I can see why others love this ski but it wasn't for me.
Volkl Flair SC 158
I would love to try this ski in a larger size with better conditions and the snow was pretty soft. It felt like it would be a great carver but I couldn't get a feel for it. It was the only ski I returned after one run.
Atomic Maven 86 161
Felt plank-y and turning this ski was work. Notes say "Meh." Did not like.
Salomon Stance 84 167
Very smooth and easy to turn. I felt like I floated on the snow but got on edge quickly when turning. I think it would be a good "one quiver" ski in the North east. It did fine in spring like conditions when I had this out and the tips felt soft so I assume this would do well in trees and bumps. I wish I tried the 88 but was pretty tired at end of day.
Verdict:
My dream quiver would be the Rossi Essential for ripping groomers with Salomon Stance for conditions where a couple of inches are on the ground.
Me - 5'6'' 165lbs 54yo skier who skied in the Northeast for the past 30 years. Not sure if I carve or not but I'm sure I have a long way to go with technique. Usually ski by myself so I mostly stick to groomers. I like to get in a rhythm of short turns and don't mind fast, but not too fast.
Conditions were firm man-made snow in morning with temps in the 30s but went up to mid 40s by noon. I followed @marzNC's advice to ski the same runs for each ski. I skied most skies at least twice.
Elan Ripstick 88 158
I asked for the Wildcat but the rep said I would like this instead. Did not like at all - felt very muted as wasn't getting any feedback from the ski. My notes say "nothing special". To be fair, I felt the length was too short and was my first run of the day. I did not like the wide shovel -like it wouldn't engage, and the right ski felt a bit hooky so maybe a bad tune.
Rossignol Essential 166
The Wachusett owner was talking to the Rossi rep when I skied up to the table and said the rep was going to put me on skis that will change my life. He wasn't wrong. Hoo Boy, it was love at first turn. My notes say "love it, easy to turn with lots of energy out of turn, confidence inspiring". The ski was smooth and fun and snapped me out of the turn right into the next one. It was the first time where I actually felt like I might be carving and they were so easy to roll on edge. I was flying on this ski and I'm sure I had a smile on my face the whole time. This ski was fun, fun, fun. Funny when I looked this ski up and saw it described as burly and for experts only. I don't think I overpower any ski nor do I consider myself an expert - it just felt like this ski was made for me. Extra points for being made with mostly recycled materials. Not sure I can restrain myself from buying but would love to wait and see if I can find a deal.
Rossi Forza 70 163
This was a nice ski with good edge hold. Notes say "Damp, good edging, fast." Overheard at least 4 men say how much they loved it but I didn't have the same enthusiasm as the previous ski.
Rossi Basalt 157
This would be a good ski for an early intermediate but I was getting bounced around in the softening snow so did not like. Felt too short for me.
Volkl Kenja 88 163
This was the widest ski I have ever been on and it felt...wide. It felt like a nice ski but I couldn't get a feeling from it, like too damp for me. I can see why others love this ski but it wasn't for me.
Volkl Flair SC 158
I would love to try this ski in a larger size with better conditions and the snow was pretty soft. It felt like it would be a great carver but I couldn't get a feel for it. It was the only ski I returned after one run.
Atomic Maven 86 161
Felt plank-y and turning this ski was work. Notes say "Meh." Did not like.
Salomon Stance 84 167
Very smooth and easy to turn. I felt like I floated on the snow but got on edge quickly when turning. I think it would be a good "one quiver" ski in the North east. It did fine in spring like conditions when I had this out and the tips felt soft so I assume this would do well in trees and bumps. I wish I tried the 88 but was pretty tired at end of day.
Verdict:
My dream quiver would be the Rossi Essential for ripping groomers with Salomon Stance for conditions where a couple of inches are on the ground.
