Back in the Saddle and need new stuff

[artistinsuburbia]

So after spending about 5 years pregnant, then waiting patiently, then getting them all up on skiis. FINALLY! I'm back in the saddle...with three kids in tow, 8,10,12 Only took five years of skiing backwards down the beginner slopes, but they are all up and skiing, blue square!!!! YEAH! Needless to say, after spending countless dollars on their equipment every time they have outgrown, momma needs a new set of skiis.

Conditions: I live near Pittsburgh and only see powder on freakishly cold AND snowing days (Freakishly cold usually means that the "hard pack" is now a solid sheet of ice). Last year we traveled three hours to snow shoe and it rained, only snow on the mountain was man made....and on the trails only: Warning...don't fall off the trail. Planning a trip to Holiday Valley and maybe a mom and dad trip west.


Skill: Started skiing in high school, or should I say, held frequent yard sales on the slopes in high school. Took skiing lessons in college. I would rate myself a solid Level 7 (Advanced Intermediate to Advanced) Skier according to many ski schools. Progressing toward Expert with a fear of speed and wonder how much of that has to do with current equipment.

Current Equipment: Please don't laugh....Dynastar Legacy Max, 178 cm, with a 64mm waist I'm kickin it OLD SCHOOL:ROTF:

Vitals: 38, 5'6", 135 lbs.

Hubby wants me to buy K2 True Luvs ( he is partial to K2, just bought a pair of Apache Crossfires for himself. I however am not, I want the best ski for me) I have been looking at K2 One Luvs, Burning Luv, Fischer Vision Vapor, Atomic Cloud 9, and a few others and am starting to spin as I know nothing of the new technology and have only the hubby to bounce ideas from...however, just as they shouldn't try to teach us to ski, they shouldn't pick out our skiis.:Hole: So what advice do you have for me??? Seven Springs does demo, but I'm not going there any time soon, so that's out of the question at this time.

Thanks SOOO much!

 

[Robyn]

The Tru Luvs are way too intermediate for a level 7 skier. If you're going to look at K2 I'd look at the Lotta or the Burnin. Others to look at Volkl Tierra and Fuego, Nordica Conquer.

 

[volklgirl]

Before looking at skis....take your boots to a reputable fitter and have the evaluated for fit and appropriateness for your current and possible future level. If your boots aren't spot-on, it won't matter what skis you buy, they'll ALL suck.

After that, we're all gonna suggest demo, demo, demo! Barring that, do you have any friends that ski and have the same boot sole length, so you can get a couple runs on theirs? As much or more than model, getting the correct length is something that may require experimentation. Too short may make them squirrely and equally scary at speed, while too long may make them sluggish when doing short turns.

Do you prefer your skis to give you a Cadillac ride, a Porsche ride, a Jeep ride, or something else? Short turns or long? Looking to start doing trees and steeps, or not yet?

 

[artistinsuburbia]

Boots then

Thank you all. I feel like such an out of the loop beginner. Yikes. I can't believe how antiquated I have allowed my own equippment to get.

I have a pair of Technica Inno Tec Boots that I bought a few years back and had fitted to my foot last year because the ski shop guy said they weren't horrible so mom always sacrifices right? But that fitting did make a world of improvement. So they are about 6-7 years old because I bought them a year or two after my first child started to ski...wow does time fly. So do you think it's time for a new pair? How have they changed since then?

 

[Severine]

If you want to have a good time, your feet need to be happy. I've been there with boots that aren't right and now I have boots that are HUGELY better. It really does make a difference. Something described as "weren't horrible" doesn't sound like a great start. :( You should have the right boot for your foot. That's often not cheap, but it's worth the money spent, both for comfort and for improvement in your skills.

 

[artistinsuburbia]

New everything

So I've decided to just do the works. I like an acura mdx ride, smooth, elegant, and comfortable, but can still go 4 wheeling. The crud gets a little nasty here.

I am a ski gear novice, first time I'm shopping on my own, all my gear was bought for me as gifts. what am I looking for?

 

[Jilly]

You need an east coast - aka ice, ski. Robyn's got some good ones. Also look at the Nordica firefox (or is it foxfire??) and the Victory. You might look at the Fischer Breeze. That board can cut icy hardpack. I was on the Salomon Origin Opal last week and it left me lacking. I think it might have been the length. So I wouldn't rule it out yet. Also the Atomic 7th heaven or Heaven's Gate. The heaven's gate is similar to last years Foxy Mama! The 7th Heaven is similar to last years Sugar Mama. I haven't seen too many of them at discount.

And your Dynasaurs, (old Dynastar's) are first generation shaped. Now we're a little wider in the tip and a little wider in the waist and same for the tail. But you've had a bit of a taste. (I was on the X9, then the SF from Dynastar) The transition isn't going to be as hard as directly from straight.

Check into the boots. These are the most important part of the skiing equation. Happy feet mean you'll stay out longer!

 

[artistinsuburbia]

Thanks girls! I'm going to the store today to try on some Dalbello boots and the Solomon Idol 9 From what I see we do not have a "certified" boot fitter anywhere near hear, not even on the slopes. Anyone out there know of one near Pittsburgh, PA?

 

[SnowHot]

So after spending about 5 years pregnant,

What did you birth...an elephant????? :ROTF:

 

[lovebug]

Do you prefer your skis to give you a Cadillac ride, a Porsche ride, a Jeep ride, or something else?

Ok, Ill bite. I know that K2s kinda fit into the Cadillac role and guess Volkls in the porsche role. Whats in the Jeep category?? And does it come complete with Jeep squeeks and bumps?? (i have a 2003 GC)

 

[artistinsuburbia]

5 years of pregnancy

9 mos in 1996 followed by 6 mos of nursing, still no normal clothes, just getting back into them and time for baby #2, nine more months, then 9 more again in 2000. So It was like one long pregnancy that lasted 5 years, believe me. Ask anyone with more than two kids that are only two years apart. Your maternity clothes ARE your normal clothes. Thank goodness that third one was a boy!

I've laughed at the posts about people not wanting kids...because they are right; it's a HUGE personal sacrifice. But when you see them up on the mountain for the first time.....no greater joy!