I'm a former skier, turned snowboarder when forced to move to the Midwest, now back near real mountains and needing some advice on skis. I last skied in the dark ages before the shaped trend on a pair of 185s. Me: 34 yrs, 5'4", 125 lbs, expert-level skier 10 years ago when I last skied. I ski very aggressively, like going fast and enjoy steeps, bumps and glades. Now living out east so not much powder and lots of ice. My first time back out I demoed some Elan Wave Magics- 158s- and found them jittery at speed and turn-crazy. Any advice on both skis to try and length? I'm looking for something that will treat me well on icy steeps, icy glades and will hold up at speed for the groomers. Thanks!!
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Back from the Darkside- need some skiis!!
- Thread starter Sylvan
- Start date
First of all you need a lesson. The technique is different.
Then you need boots too right. See a bootfitter, you mention midwest, but close to where??
As for skis, look for an all mountain type. Try Skipressworld and their ski finder. Their site seems to be down at the moment.
Then you need boots too right. See a bootfitter, you mention midwest, but close to where??
As for skis, look for an all mountain type. Try Skipressworld and their ski finder. Their site seems to be down at the moment.
vanhoskier
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Welcome back to the Bright Side of things.... 
When I first started reading your post, I thought you might enjoy a pair of twin tips, since you can get some of the same action on them as you can a snowboard. However, many twins are not always as good on icy steeps and glades. I ski the Line Celebrity twintip, even in icy hardpack, and it does well, as long as it's tuned. But if you want to be really aggressive, it sounds like you need a carving ski.
Based on comments from a lot of people here, many Divas love the Volkl Fuegos for their carving ability on hardpack. Volkl also came out with a wider ski, the Aurora, that may handle snowier days and still carve well on ice...but I'd check on that by demoing first. Also, K2's Burnin Luv has been popular for eastern hardpack skiers wanting to ski hard in steep terrain.
So, check out those skis, and then maybe consider a wider twin tip (or the Volkl Aura - a ski everyone here is in love with) for snowier days when you want to have some fun.
Visit some ski shops and tell them what you told us, and see where they point you. Overall, the consensus I've heard is Volkl Fuego or K2 Burnin Luv.
Others here will respond with their experience, and add to the list. Many people on this site have demoed different skis and can chime in on what would work well for you. Good luck!
When I first started reading your post, I thought you might enjoy a pair of twin tips, since you can get some of the same action on them as you can a snowboard. However, many twins are not always as good on icy steeps and glades. I ski the Line Celebrity twintip, even in icy hardpack, and it does well, as long as it's tuned. But if you want to be really aggressive, it sounds like you need a carving ski.Based on comments from a lot of people here, many Divas love the Volkl Fuegos for their carving ability on hardpack. Volkl also came out with a wider ski, the Aurora, that may handle snowier days and still carve well on ice...but I'd check on that by demoing first. Also, K2's Burnin Luv has been popular for eastern hardpack skiers wanting to ski hard in steep terrain.
So, check out those skis, and then maybe consider a wider twin tip (or the Volkl Aura - a ski everyone here is in love with) for snowier days when you want to have some fun.
Visit some ski shops and tell them what you told us, and see where they point you. Overall, the consensus I've heard is Volkl Fuego or K2 Burnin Luv.
Others here will respond with their experience, and add to the list. Many people on this site have demoed different skis and can chime in on what would work well for you. Good luck!
volklgirl
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Echoing both suggestions above (properly fitted boots and demo WITH a lesson).
The technique IS different, and the skinnier shaped skis are not keen on going straight or running flat. Almost all of them will get skittery at speed.
For short turns at high speeds, check out the aforementioned Volkl Fuego or Nordica's Firefox. For bigger turns and more versatility in different conditions, check out some of the fatter carvers like the Aurora, the Lotta Luv, or even some men's skis.
The technique IS different, and the skinnier shaped skis are not keen on going straight or running flat. Almost all of them will get skittery at speed.
For short turns at high speeds, check out the aforementioned Volkl Fuego or Nordica's Firefox. For bigger turns and more versatility in different conditions, check out some of the fatter carvers like the Aurora, the Lotta Luv, or even some men's skis.
Thanks all- great advice! Headed for a lesson in the near future and new boots when the budget allows. I'm up in Maine now, near Sugarloaf and Saddleback so if anyone knows of good places near there to find a selection of demos, let me know- the selection I've found so far seems a bit limited. Found a pair of Atomic Sugar Mamas in a 164 (too long??!?) to demo tomorrow so we'll see....
Possibly a little long, but that may depend on the way you ski. I'm also 5'4, a little heavier at 145-150, and I bought some of the Sugar Mamas at 157. I'm pretty excited about them, and I hope you will be too!
Karen in Boise
