DebbieSue
Angel Diva
Escaped from a Denver conference for a ski day at Arapahoe Basin on Tuesday 5/3.
Travelled w boots, and rented demos.
Conditions were variable. There had been a couple of inches of snow on Monday on top of some freeze/thaw base, with excellent late season coverage . . .everything pretty much open. By Tues it was either somewhat windswept or groomed. Some aspects got soft/slushy, others stayed powdery over crust, or groomed. I'm 5'5", 140 lbs., age 62. Cautious advanced skier, skiing better than ever this year after Taos ski week. Was hoping to try Sheeva 9 or Stockli Nela but they had neither.
Rossi Stargazer 94, 162s- marker griffon. Took these out first, since I thought I wanted a more surf-y ski than what's in my one ski quiver, 20/21 159 BP88s. Sadly, these were like wearing paper plates instead of skis…ok, maybe Chinet. No edge grip. Tips and tails felt flappy and insubstantial. Back they went after one run. And that was on the warmup green cruiser with fab packed powder. This experience eliminated from consideration the Pandora 94s which I was curious about, but not curious enough to sacrifice edge grip. I guess I really am a New England skier.
Volkl Secret 96, 162 -Look bindings. Heavy skis, heavy bindings …but these held an edge, turned easily, hugged the hill. Confidence builder in unfamiliar terrain and highly variable snow. Ventured into Zuma Cornice and felt I could manage. Kept me forward in a good way. Is this because Look bindings have more positive delta/ramp angle? Would've continued on them, but why not check out something else!
Dynastar MPro 99W, 162 w Squires. Much lighter than the Secrets/Look. Left me a little hesitant at first (maybe starting out on Palivicini, sp? was asking too much?) Very easy to initiate turns, held an edge, and quick edge to edge despite being the widest I’ve ever been on. But…less secure than Secret 96, or my trusty BP88s 20/21for that matter. I did like them on Ramrod slush bumps late aft. By then they seemed easier to keep under me, but still not "better" than Secret 96 despite the lightness, which I expected would be an advantage in bumps.
Overall, Secret 96, 162 was the winner, but not enough of an improvement on my BP88s to warrant a purchase at this time. Would've liked a little powder to see if they float better than my B88s, but you can't have everything on a bonus May ski day!!!
Travelled w boots, and rented demos.
Conditions were variable. There had been a couple of inches of snow on Monday on top of some freeze/thaw base, with excellent late season coverage . . .everything pretty much open. By Tues it was either somewhat windswept or groomed. Some aspects got soft/slushy, others stayed powdery over crust, or groomed. I'm 5'5", 140 lbs., age 62. Cautious advanced skier, skiing better than ever this year after Taos ski week. Was hoping to try Sheeva 9 or Stockli Nela but they had neither.
Rossi Stargazer 94, 162s- marker griffon. Took these out first, since I thought I wanted a more surf-y ski than what's in my one ski quiver, 20/21 159 BP88s. Sadly, these were like wearing paper plates instead of skis…ok, maybe Chinet. No edge grip. Tips and tails felt flappy and insubstantial. Back they went after one run. And that was on the warmup green cruiser with fab packed powder. This experience eliminated from consideration the Pandora 94s which I was curious about, but not curious enough to sacrifice edge grip. I guess I really am a New England skier.
Volkl Secret 96, 162 -Look bindings. Heavy skis, heavy bindings …but these held an edge, turned easily, hugged the hill. Confidence builder in unfamiliar terrain and highly variable snow. Ventured into Zuma Cornice and felt I could manage. Kept me forward in a good way. Is this because Look bindings have more positive delta/ramp angle? Would've continued on them, but why not check out something else!
Dynastar MPro 99W, 162 w Squires. Much lighter than the Secrets/Look. Left me a little hesitant at first (maybe starting out on Palivicini, sp? was asking too much?) Very easy to initiate turns, held an edge, and quick edge to edge despite being the widest I’ve ever been on. But…less secure than Secret 96, or my trusty BP88s 20/21for that matter. I did like them on Ramrod slush bumps late aft. By then they seemed easier to keep under me, but still not "better" than Secret 96 despite the lightness, which I expected would be an advantage in bumps.
Overall, Secret 96, 162 was the winner, but not enough of an improvement on my BP88s to warrant a purchase at this time. Would've liked a little powder to see if they float better than my B88s, but you can't have everything on a bonus May ski day!!!