Advice for new ski

[blam98]

Hi everyone,
I am new on this platform and excited to get some advice from fellow skiing women.

I am 26 years old and have been skiing twice a year since I was 7 in Europe. I ski mostly on groomers, however I know my way around the whole mountain.
I have been skiing for years on K2 superburnin 2013. Last year, I decided it was time to upgrade and bought the Head Super Joy after reading reviews. Since skiing the Super Joy, my confidence has dropped. In the morning on hard pack, they perform really well. However, in the afternoon when the snow has melted and slopes have bumps, these ski’s are a lot of work and my legs get tired easily.

I was thinking about a more forgiving all-mountain ski.
I demoed K2 mindbender 85 on advice of a ski shop. They turned easily and gave me the feeling of my old superburnin ski’s. However, they lacked edge grip. (And the internet described these as beginner ski’s, which might be too much of a downgrade for me?)

It’s really difficult to find all-mountain ski’s to demo in Europe, that’s why I would like your advice as I will probably be buying without trying again.
After reading many descriptions and watching youtube reviews. This is my current list of contenders:
- Volkl blaze 82/86
- Volkl secret 84
- K2 mindbender 89ti
- Nordica Santa Ana 87

Thanks in advance for your opinions!

 

[MissySki]

I have been skiing the Volkl Blaze 86 for a few years now… they are incredibly versatile. They carve really well and have great edge grip, though if it is very icy I have another pair I prefer on those days. They are also easy turning in bumps and trees, and also fun in up to around a foot of fluffy powder or tracked out crud snow. I use them as my mostly daily driver in New England and take them on Western trips as well. They are a very light and playful ski, so that is a preference you also need to have because it is not a ski that will really smooth out the ride and absorb the energy back in for you like a heavier damper ski.

I do wish you could demo more only because ski preference is so personal and while one of us can love a ski someone else could hate it for the same application. So just keep that in mind.

 

[BlizzardBabe]

What @MissySki said about the Volkl Blaze 86. I'm such a fan of the 86, that I bought the 94 as my western ski for deeper conditions.

 

[MissySki]

What @MissySki said about the Volkl Blaze 86. I'm such a fan of the 86, that I bought the 94 as my western ski for deeper conditions.

Ya know, I've been curious about the wider Blazes since I love the 86 so much. Do you find they ski similarly, just wider?

 

[BlizzardBabe]

I was tentative when first taking out the 94, given that it is the widest ski I've ever been on. I found it just as comfy and maneuverable as the 86 and I liked having the wider platform on a couple of warm days when we had "spring" conditions in February. They handled the mashed potatoes just fine. Skidded turns and side slipping were just as easy as the 86. I did feel that my legs were more fatigued at the end of the day, but that could well have been the soft, difficult conditions. All in all, I'd say they ski the same, just wider, as you suggested.

 

[skinnyfootskis]

What @MissySki said about the Volkl Blaze 86. I'm such a fan of the 86, that I bought the 94 as my western ski for deeper conditions.

And at @MissySki sorry but I really don’t like my Blaze. I know I’m the only one but I feel bucked on them, or planky. Maybe they are just too long for my ability etc. I just moved the bindings forward 2 clicks and will see if this helps. With that being said, they are very fun in the spring snow. Maybe I should sell them? Blaze 86 166

 

[BlizzardBabe]

I don't know your stats, @skinnyfootskis, but I'm 5'6" 155, age 65 and I prefer to ski shorter since I don't ski fast and thus don't need the stability that a lot of Diva's desire. My Blazes are 159. They are "plankier" than my Black Crows Vertis Birdie and my (new) Fischer Ranger 84's in that they don't have the lively, springy, playful nature of the other two. I still think, though, that if I don't know what conditions will be, the Blazes are the logical choice. They perform well in everything for me.

 

[skinnyfootskis]

I don't know your stats, @skinnyfootskis, but I'm 5'6" 155, age 65 and I prefer to ski shorter since I don't ski fast and thus don't need the stability that a lot of Diva's desire. My Blazes are 159. They are "plankier" than my Black Crows Vertis Birdie and my (new) Fischer Ranger 84's in that they don't have the lively, springy, playful nature of the other two. I still think, though, that if I don't know what conditions will be, the Blazes are the logical choice. They perform well in everything for me.

I’m 5’6 and between 140-150 and soon 59yr. I wanted the 159, but the store didn’t have them. I have had fun on them, but today I was all over the place with little control. I’m still demoing but surprised that Steamboat sports has last years skis and very few of 2025s. I’m not sure what to try next. I liked the BP88, the Santa Ana 87 were just ok-but I was tired when I tried them. Looking for Head Kore and I can’t find Atomic Mavens anywhere. I skied the ZAG slap 92 and had fun.
Maybe it’s not the mount point but delta? Doubt it since I’m on a demo binding.

 

[BlizzardBabe]

Today the conditions were tough in Steamboat - a lot of scraped off areas in heavily travelled blues and groomed blacks. I'm not surprised that you were "all over the place." It was almost eastern skiing on some runs - especially in the early morning. Then, of course, we had sticky slush in the afternoon. I'm skiing tomorrow morning for a couple of hours and then jumping on the airport shuttle. I wish I could stay the weekend for the bluegrass festival. I hope you end up with your perfect ski!!

 

[MissySki]

And at @MissySki sorry but I really don’t like my Blaze. I know I’m the only one but I feel bucked on them, or planky. Maybe they are just too long for my ability etc. I just moved the bindings forward 2 clicks and will see if this helps. With that being said, they are very fun in the spring snow. Maybe I should sell them? Blaze 86 166

Everyone prefers different things in a ski, has a different style of skiing, and is at a different skill level… that’s why the mantra here is demo demo demo!

I am really surprised at the planky description specifically though. I personally hate planky skis as I just cannot flex them properly with the way I ski… and would not at all describe the Blaze in this category. Have you been on other Volkls in the past? Plankiness is why I most often am NOT a Volkl girl, and I describe the Blaze as one of the least Volkly feeling skis there is because it doesn’t feel planky to me, which is probably why I like them. Lol Length could also be a factor. When I demoed the 166 it was faster and not as quick turning for me, which is ultimately why I went with the 159 since I really wanted the nimbleness for trees and bumps. That being said, the 159 is still plenty stable for big mountain skiing which is also a unique perk, to me, when bringing it West. So it definitely isn’t a noodle either.

 

[HikenSki]

Maybe they are just too long for my ability etc. I just moved the bindings forward 2 clicks and will see if this helps. With that being said, they are very fun in the spring snow. Maybe I should sell them? Blaze 86 166

I ski the Blaze 82 with the V Motion demo binding and have mine set one click forward, and may try another click forward this coming week. I compared my Head Kore 93 at 171 length to my Blaze 82 173 (actual is 174). The tails were equal btwn the two, meaning all of that extra length was in front. 174 was a little longer than I wanted. Clicking forward one got me closer to the Kore tail length and gave me a little more control up front. It will be interesting to see if you notice any difference.

 

[skinnyfootskis]

Today the conditions were tough in Steamboat - a lot of scraped off areas in heavily travelled blues and groomed blacks. I'm not surprised that you were "all over the place." It was almost eastern skiing on some runs - especially in the early morning. Then, of course, we had sticky slush in the afternoon. I'm skiing tomorrow morning for a couple of hours and then jumping on the airport shuttle. I wish I could stay the weekend for the bluegrass festival. I hope you end up with your perfect ski!!

Thank you so much. I’m sitting in my condo…vibrating to the music. Lol. The door is open and we are sitting outside listening. We are going to get 5 ish inches which Steamboat needs desperately. I’m leaving next weekend. Not sure this is/was my year for new skis (yet). I did like the BP 88 but only had it on hard pack, the Santa Ana 87 I need to try again and I enjoyed the Zag slap 92.

 

[skinnyfootskis]

I ski the Blaze 82 with the V Motion demo binding and have mine set one click forward, and may try another click forward this coming week. I compared my Head Kore 93 at 171 length to my Blaze 82 173 (actual is 174). The tails were equal btwn the two, meaning all of that extra length was in front. 174 was a little longer than I wanted. Clicking forward one got me closer to the Kore tail length and gave me a little more control up front. It will be interesting to see if you notice any difference.

Ok, I’ll click one more-so 2 in total tomorrow. My knee is bothering me but I’m planning a full day. Will report back.

 

[BlizzardBabe]

Which condo are you staying at, @skinnyfootskis? I may book my own trip next year rather than go w/a club and I'd love to find something walkable/skiable to the plaza. We were in Gravity Haus this year which was very convenient.

 

[skinnyfootskis]

Which condo are you staying at, @skinnyfootskis? I may book my own trip next year rather than go w/a club and I'd love to find something walkable/skiable to the plaza. We were in Gravity Haus this year which was very convenient.

The West. Pm me and I can connect you directly to an owner! @BlizzardBabe

 

[skinnyfootskis]

Two clicks definitely helped me control the skis. Still not in love though