Hi, I'm new here and in a dilemna about what skis to get for this season in New Zealand. I mainly ski at Mt Ruapehu, which doesn't have a lot of fresh powder, so ski on groomed trails & off piste & often a bit of crud & sometimes ice (although I prefer to head back to the club then!). I'm 5'5/6" and 64kgs/140lbs.
I've been recommended the 2018 Blizzard Black Pearl 88s by my local shop.
I had K2 Burnin' Luvs (2006 model!!) for about 8 years and loved them - I found they were nice & stiff with a lot of rebound energy & were great for carving.
When I finally found the money to replace these, I was recommended Dynastar Cham 87s a couple of years ago and bought them, however I don't like them much as I find they are too soft and lacking the energy/responsiveness/rebound like that the K2 Burnin Luv's had. They don't seem to edge so well in the ice either (they are great in the powder & crud though).
I have been told (by a male on another forum) that if I find the Chams too soft, then I will probably find the Black Pearl's too soft as well and that I might prefer the Blizzard Brahmas (88mm) or the Bonafide (98mm) or the 17/18 Volkl equivalents Kendo (90mm) or the Mantra (100mm), however these look like men's skis so not sure if they would suit?
Can anyone tell me how the Black Pearl 88s compare to the Cham 87s & the K2 Burnin Luvs? And if these don't sound suitable, what would you recommend?
I've been recommended the 2018 Blizzard Black Pearl 88s by my local shop.
I had K2 Burnin' Luvs (2006 model!!) for about 8 years and loved them - I found they were nice & stiff with a lot of rebound energy & were great for carving.
When I finally found the money to replace these, I was recommended Dynastar Cham 87s a couple of years ago and bought them, however I don't like them much as I find they are too soft and lacking the energy/responsiveness/rebound like that the K2 Burnin Luv's had. They don't seem to edge so well in the ice either (they are great in the powder & crud though).
I have been told (by a male on another forum) that if I find the Chams too soft, then I will probably find the Black Pearl's too soft as well and that I might prefer the Blizzard Brahmas (88mm) or the Bonafide (98mm) or the 17/18 Volkl equivalents Kendo (90mm) or the Mantra (100mm), however these look like men's skis so not sure if they would suit?
Can anyone tell me how the Black Pearl 88s compare to the Cham 87s & the K2 Burnin Luvs? And if these don't sound suitable, what would you recommend?