For the past two days I've been at the industry demo days at Pico here in Vermont, and it's been a blast! The demo days take place every year, and it gives people in the ski industry the opportunity to try next year's gear. I'm very lucky that I get to go, and believe me, I'm like a kid in a candy shop. It is SO. MUCH. FUN. Also a bit overwhelming. There are so many skis, and so little time to try them all out.
I know those of you who know I was there are looking for reviews. Which is a bit of a problem; I'm honestly not the best ski reviewer out there. I know a lot of people are very good at breaking down all the little details about a ski and commenting about them. Unfortunately, that's not me. I know if I like it and if I don't, and that's pretty much it.
Also worth pointing out: getting skis in appropriate lengths at these things is a bit of a problem. Most of the skis are available only in lengths that are way to long for me, since the attendees are predominantly men. And when you're my size (5'1"), skiing a 168 doesn't really give you a clear picture of a ski's performance. A few were available in 162 -- and in some skis (those without rocker), even that's too long.
So here's a list of the skis I tried. I don't think any of them are new for next year, except for the Nordica Unleashed, which is a Freeride ski. (That was one of the skis I tried in a 168, and really, it skied me; I didn't ski it).
Line Blade
Blizzard Sheeva 10
Fischer RC One
K2 Mindbender 86
Armada Reliance
Nordica Unleashed (this is a new Freeride ski)
Nordica Santa Ana 93
Elan RipSticks 96
Black Crows Camox Birdie
Black Crows Vertis Birdie
Salomon Stance
Rossignol Experience 86
For me, the clear winners were the Nordica Santa Ana, the Blizzard Sheeva 10's (wanted to try the 9's, but they weren't there), and the Elan Ripstick 96's. I could take any one of these home and be very happy (full disclosure: I already own the Santa Ana's, but mine are a few years old and have two sheets of metal; the ones I tried had one).
Next best skis: Line Blade, Salomon Stance, Rossi Experience.
Incidentally, if you like to turn, the Line Blade is like being on a carousel. You just have to THINK about turning, and these take you for a ride. They are really fun.
I'm not sure how helpful this is for everyone, so if you have a question about any of these, feel free to ask and I'll try to answer.
I know those of you who know I was there are looking for reviews. Which is a bit of a problem; I'm honestly not the best ski reviewer out there. I know a lot of people are very good at breaking down all the little details about a ski and commenting about them. Unfortunately, that's not me. I know if I like it and if I don't, and that's pretty much it.
Also worth pointing out: getting skis in appropriate lengths at these things is a bit of a problem. Most of the skis are available only in lengths that are way to long for me, since the attendees are predominantly men. And when you're my size (5'1"), skiing a 168 doesn't really give you a clear picture of a ski's performance. A few were available in 162 -- and in some skis (those without rocker), even that's too long.
So here's a list of the skis I tried. I don't think any of them are new for next year, except for the Nordica Unleashed, which is a Freeride ski. (That was one of the skis I tried in a 168, and really, it skied me; I didn't ski it).
Line Blade
Blizzard Sheeva 10
Fischer RC One
K2 Mindbender 86
Armada Reliance
Nordica Unleashed (this is a new Freeride ski)
Nordica Santa Ana 93
Elan RipSticks 96
Black Crows Camox Birdie
Black Crows Vertis Birdie
Salomon Stance
Rossignol Experience 86
For me, the clear winners were the Nordica Santa Ana, the Blizzard Sheeva 10's (wanted to try the 9's, but they weren't there), and the Elan Ripstick 96's. I could take any one of these home and be very happy (full disclosure: I already own the Santa Ana's, but mine are a few years old and have two sheets of metal; the ones I tried had one).
Next best skis: Line Blade, Salomon Stance, Rossi Experience.
Incidentally, if you like to turn, the Line Blade is like being on a carousel. You just have to THINK about turning, and these take you for a ride. They are really fun.
I'm not sure how helpful this is for everyone, so if you have a question about any of these, feel free to ask and I'll try to answer.
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