Wanted: Western Bump & Crud/Chop Ski

[BlizzardBabe]

Asking on behalf of a friend (no, I do not need another pair of skis [keep repeating]).

Anna is 5'6" about 155lbs., creeping up on age 60, but active and naturally athletic. She's been skiing seriously for about 12 years and is a lower level Advanced skier. She skis mostly in the east, but gets about 21 days out west each season. Anna has definite asks:

-- All mountain ski (95 or 98 ish) that is forgiving, maneuverable, and nimble in bumps and trees - she wants something to learn on (felt that the Sheeva line was too burly/too much rebound);
-- Something with enough gumption that it won't get tossed around in crud and chop (she didn't like the Elan Ripstick 94 for this reason - felt that the front of the ski got bounced around/deflected. At the other end of the spectrum, she felt that the Nordica Santa Ana 98 required too much work and required too much focus on staying forward);
-- She doesn't ski fast, so she doesn't need something that is also super stable at speed;
-- Ideally something that can also hold an edge on hardpack/ice at slower speeds. She's not one to charge the groomers.

Number one of the above is a ski that will help her become a better bump skier.

Realizing that this is a lot to ask for, any ideas would be appreciated. She may get a chance to demo in NZ later this year, but that is not yet a given.

Considering, but hasn't tried:

-- Rossi Black Ops 98
-- Icelantic Riveter 95
-- Black Crows Camox Birdie 97
-- Liberty Genesis 98

Thank you in advance, Divas!!

 

[BlizzardBabe]

Asking on behalf of a friend (no, I do not need another pair of skis [keep repeating]).

Anna is 5'6" about 155lbs., creeping up on age 60, but active and naturally athletic. She's been skiing seriously for about 12 years and is a lower level Advanced skier. She skis mostly in the east, but gets about 21 days out west each season. Anna has definite asks:

-- All mountain ski (95 or 98 ish) that is forgiving, maneuverable, and nimble in bumps and trees - she wants something to learn on (felt that the Sheeva line was too burly/too much rebound);
-- Something with enough gumption that it won't get tossed around in crud and chop (she didn't like the Elan Ripstick 94 for this reason - felt that the front of the ski got bounced around/deflected. At the other end of the spectrum, she felt that the Nordica Santa Ana 98 required too much work and required too much focus on staying forward);
-- She doesn't ski fast, so she doesn't need something that is also super stable at speed;
-- Ideally something that can also hold an edge on hardpack/ice at slower speeds. She's not one to charge the groomers.

Number one of the above is a ski that will help her become a better bump skier.

Realizing that this is a lot to ask for, any ideas would be appreciated. She may get a chance to demo in NZ later this year, but that is not yet a given.

Considering, but hasn't tried:

-- Rossi Black Ops 98
-- Icelantic Riveter 95
-- Black Crows Camox Birdie 97
-- Liberty Genesis 98

Thank you in advance, Divas!!

Updating: adding Volkl Blaze 94 to the list.

 

[MissySki]

2025 Blizzard Black Pearl 94 would be a great one to try.

 

[beane]

I wonder if next year’s Santa Ana would be less effortful, supposedly they are making it more accessible/looser tails

 

[mustski]

Why does she want something that wide? It doesn’t make sense for bumps, crud, and chop - especially for an Eastern skier who is accustomed to a narrower ski. I have been skiing the Fischer Ranger 84 in spring conditions which is slick and hard in the morning. Corn, cream cheese, mashed potatoes (ie: heavy wet piles) and they make me feel like a super hero on skis. They are super nimble and agile and I’m skiing longer than usual on them I’m not recommending them for deep powder, but on everything else - yeah!

 

[MissySki]

Many people in the East ski on a 90something ski as their daily driver. It can make a great one ski quiver size.

I’d also say the Blaze 86 could be added to a demo list if she did want to go narrower. I have used them all over the East and West, bumps, trees, up to a foot or so of powder, and there isn’t anything they haven’t been able to handle well.

 

[santacruz skier]

Many people in the East ski on a 90something ski as their daily driver. It can make a great one ski quiver size.

I’d also say the Blaze 86 could be added to a demo list if she did want to go narrower. I have used them all over the East and West, bumps, trees, up to a foot or so of powder, and there isn’t anything they haven’t been able to handle well.

I really do need to try those Blaze's..... headed next week to Tahoe and then down to Mammoth... yeah it will be spring skiing but I might try some if available.

 

[MissySki]

I really do need to try those Blaze's..... headed next week to Tahoe and then down to Mammoth... yeah it will be spring skiing but I might try some if available.

They are fun on spring snow and bumps too, had them out last weekend in it.

 

[contesstant]

2025 Blizzard Black Pearl 94 would be a great one to try.

I was going to recommend this, even though I’ve only skied the upcoming 88.

 

[BlizzardBabe]

Why does she want something that wide? It doesn’t make sense for bumps, crud, and chop - especially for an Eastern skier who is accustomed to a narrower ski.

She's looking specifically for a ski that she will take west - not one she'll ski in the east unless the Snow Gods smile upon us.

After speaking w/her again, she's imagining a ski that will help her in western bumps and trees. I don't ski anything wider than my Blaze 86, so I don't know if a wider ski with more surface area would be easier or more difficult in typical western bump/tree conditions. I'm in knee conservation mode at age 64, so I tend to favor a narrower ski, but she is not concerned about that (yet) -- amazing what a difference 10 years in age makes!

 

[dloveski]

Volkls are awlays good out here (West) in variable spring conditions. I have Head Kore 93's for all mountain ski (non-powder days) and am pretty pleased with them-----but in sticky chopped bowls (the other day), I could have used some heavier ski---(problem me--not blaming the skis).

The Heads are playful in mixed conditions (not my powder ski but they handle light powder fine).

 

[mustski]

Bumps (and glades) in the west are often firm most of the season; you know, between snowfalls. I think agility is more important than the width of the ski. I’m not a great bump skier, but I am improving. I think the point I was making about the narrower ski is simply this : if she is used to a narrow ski, she might spend her whole vacation adjusting to a wide ski. Something closer to the middle would be better IF she usually skis a carver ski.

ETA If she didn’t like the playfulness of the Sheeva, she might like the stability of the Secret 96. I haven’t demoed the2925 model but, from what I hear, turn initiation is easier on the new model. I love my Secret and it skis everything well but shines when the snow is soft

 

[mustski]

^^^ 2025 model not some weird from the future sci-fi thing!

 

[Trailside Trixie]

My Secret 96 is pretty great. Wide enough for out west but I've accidentally brought it out in western Massachusetts when I thought it was going to be soft and wasn't. They did amazing on our hard pack. They are light but not noodly and can handle everything I've thrown at it.

 

[maddy13]

Interesting that she thought the Sheevas were too burly. My complaint is their tips deflect.

Stable in West chop, but nimble and easy is a tough ask.

I know she didn’t like the Santa Ana 98s, but the new Santa Anas are different than last years (which I didn’t love). I think they are more playful and a bit livelier. I thought the Santa Ana 97 was really easy and intuitive to ski, while still having a bit of suspension to absorb chop.

The Liberty Genesis is fun, but not a lot of suspension, and I thought it was similar to the Sheeva.

 

[BlizzardBabe]

Thanx all,

I didn't understand about the Sheeva either, @maddy13. I found it to be pretty playful and forgiving. They've widened it from a 92 to a 96 and I thought that might make a difference for her. At any rate, I think she has pulled the plug and ordered the Volkl Blaze 94. If it skis anything like the 86 I think she'll be very happy with it.

 

[AuntFreshie]

I skied on the Blizzard Black Pearl (88 under foot) for years and it really was a good ski to level-up my bump skiing on. It's playful and forgiving, but I wouldn't say it's super stable at speed though. Yes, hard to find one ski that does it all. I'm poised now to purchase the Sheeva 9 in a 168 since I'm ready to go to a wider all mountain ski, but plan to keep my Black Pearls on hand for spring bumps.

 

[skibum4ever]

DH wants me to try out my Nordica Wildfires this trip. They are 162 and 105 underfoot.

Given how poorly I am skiing on my shorter and narrower Volkl Blaze, I'm curious if this could possibly be a good idea.

 

[BlizzardBabe]

DH wants me to try out my Nordica Wildfires this trip. They are 162 and 105 underfoot.

Given how poorly I am skiing on my shorter and narrower Volkl Blaze, I'm curious if this could possibly be a good idea.

Have you had any analysis re your skiing w/the Blaze? If you are skiing deep powder I can understand wanting to go with a wider ski like the 105s. Personally, the wider I go (and the older I get), the worse my form becomes given the punishment my knees take in getting a wider ski on edge. If you are skiing powder, though, those edges aren't as critical.

 

[BlizzardBabe]

Interesting that she thought the Sheevas were too burly. My complaint is their tips deflect.

Stable in West chop, but nimble and easy is a tough ask.

I know she didn’t like the Santa Ana 98s, but the new Santa Anas are different than last years (which I didn’t love). I think they are more playful and a bit livelier. I thought the Santa Ana 97 was really easy and intuitive to ski, while still having a bit of suspension to absorb chop.

The Liberty Genesis is fun, but not a lot of suspension, and I thought it was similar to the Sheeva.

Sheeva redux -- It wasn't the Sheeva 9 afterall, @maddy13 . She was confusing it with the Secret.