Carving Skis

[edgy]

Hello! I’m an Ohio skier looking for my first pair of skis that would be intended for short turn carving on groomers. As you can guess, we do what we can in Ohio so have very short runs with a lot of manmade snow. We do a trip to a bigger resort in the east or out west once a year but I’m looking to get a second ski where the intended use is just carving short turns on groomers, often with icier conditions like we have at home.

I’m in my late 30s and have been skiing regularly about 5 years. I’m probably considered advanced out here but likely more of a high intermediate, low advanced out west haha. My current and first pair of skis are Blizzard Black Pearl 82s. These were meant to be an all mountain ski for me and they’ve done well with that. But I’m having trouble really learning to carve well with them and would like something with a narrower waist, ideally in the 60s or low 70 mm range.

I’m considering the Blizzard Phoenix and wondered if I should go for the 14R Pro as something that will likely challenge me but I could grow into and keep longer, or the 13R Ti which is probably more where I’m at now but I might want to upgrade from sooner. I’ll still keep my Black Pearls as my more versatile ski. I am really motivated by the technical side of improving my turn shape and getting on edge. I’m one of those competitive ladies that likes to push herself athletically but feel stuck trying to learn carving on hard pack with my black pearls.

All that to say, does anyone have thoughts on which Phoenix might be the better choice for me, if any? I would also be interested in other carving skis that might be good for someone like me.

 

[marzNC]

I’m in my late 30s and have been skiing regularly about 5 years. I’m probably considered advanced out here but likely more of a high intermediate, low advanced out west haha. My current and first pair of skis are Blizzard Black Pearl 82s. These were meant to be an all mountain ski for me and they’ve done well with that. But I’m having trouble really learning to carve well with them and would like something with a narrower waist, ideally in the 60s or low 70 mm range.

Welcome! What's your home mountain in Ohio. One of my long-time ski/travel buddies lives in Cleveland.

It would help to know your stats, meaning height and weight.

How are you thinking about learning to carve better?

For context, my home region is the southeast (VA, NC). I also ski a bit in WV at Timberline. Being retired, most of my skiing is in the Rockies meeting up with the senior friends, mostly in Dec, Feb, Mar, Apr. When I started skiing more regularly as my daughter was learning, my "all-mountain" skis were 78 underfoot. Lately I've had semi-private lessons that included work on carving and I was on skis that were mid-80s underfoot. In between, I had become a solid advanced skier with the help of mileage (50+ days on snow per season) and lessons over about 10 years.

 

[Jilly]

"Carving skis" are not just about the waist width. It's also the construction inside the ski and profile of the ski. Traditional skis have a camber to them. A lot of the all mountain ski have a different "profile' with riser, camber, riser or something else. So watch out for those "terms".

The Phoenix is a great ski. I don't know enough about them to suggest which model, but you're on the right track.

 

[edgy]

Welcome! What's your home mountain in Ohio. One of my long-time ski/travel buddies lives in Cleveland.

It would help to know your stats, meaning height and weight.

How are you thinking about learning to carve better?

For context, my home region is the southeast (VA, NC). I also ski a bit in WV at Timberline. Being retired, most of my skiing is in the Rockies meeting up with the senior friends, mostly in Dec, Feb, Mar, Apr. When I started skiing more regularly as my daughter was learning, my "all-mountain" skis were 78 underfoot. Lately I've had semi-private lessons that included work on carving and I was on skis that were mid-80s underfoot. In between, I had become a solid advanced skier with the help of mileage (50+ days on snow per season) and lessons over about 10 years.

Thank you! I go to Snow Trails.

I’m 5’5”, weight fluctuates between 140-150.

I think I have trouble staying on both ski edges fully the whole turn, mainly the inside one. A friend said my inside ski seems to be getting a little too far ahead sometimes (they’re a level 2 psia not some random armchair instructor haha). I have never tried carving on anything other than my black pearls, never demoed anything.

That’s awesome you’ve been able to ski so much and build your technique. I take lessons at Snow Trails and did one group lesson out west last year - all have helped a lot and I plan to continue seeking out instruction.

 

[edgy]

"Carving skis" are not just about the waist width. It's also the construction inside the ski and profile of the ski. Traditional skis have a camber to them. A lot of the all mountain ski have a different "profile' with riser, camber, riser or something else. So watch out for those "terms".

The Phoenix is a great ski. I don't know enough about them to suggest which model, but you're on the right track.

Thank you! Very true and good reminder to not just focus on the waist width.

 

[JaneB]

Thank you! I go to Snow Trails.

I’m 5’5”, weight fluctuates between 140-150.

I think I have trouble staying on both ski edges fully the whole turn, mainly the inside one. A friend said my inside ski seems to be getting a little too far ahead sometimes (they’re a level 2 psia not some random armchair instructor haha). I have never tried carving on anything other than my black pearls, never demoed anything.

That’s awesome you’ve been able to ski so much and build your technique. I take lessons at Snow Trails and did one group lesson out west last year - all have helped a lot and I plan to continue seeking out instruction.

Ask your ski instructor or instructor friend for recommendations.
I'm a ski instructor (L2). I would recommend a ski that has enough grip for the ice but not one you have to work too hard. The metal might be too much but an instructor should be able to assess your strength.

 

[marzNC]

I think I have trouble staying on both ski edges fully the whole turn, mainly the inside one. A friend said my inside ski seems to be getting a little too far ahead sometimes (they’re a level 2 psia not some random armchair instructor haha). I have never tried carving on anything other than my black pearls, never demoed anything.

That’s awesome you’ve been able to ski so much and build your technique. I take lessons at Snow Trails and did one group lesson out west last year - all have helped a lot and I plan to continue seeking out instruction.

That's great you have a friend who can give you an idea of what's not working the best. Learning good Movement Analysis is a requirement for PSIA certification.

For what it's worth, I like the BP88, but for some reason the BP82 never felt that as much fun when I had a chance to demo them. I have the Volkl Yumi, 85 underfoot, for skiing short slopes in the southeast. Not as easy to carve compared to the 78mm skis that I had before. But in the last few years my technique has improved to the stage that I can carve my 106mm powder skis on groomers when I feel like it. After doing that one day, it feels really easy to carve mid-80 skis the next day.

Here are a couple videos about ski width as you start exploring the options. Have you ever watched videos by Deb Armstrong?

April 2020

December 2023

 

[edgy]

Ask your ski instructor or instructor friend for recommendations.
I'm a ski instructor (L2). I would recommend a ski that has enough grip for the ice but not one you have to work too hard. The metal might be too much but an instructor should be able to assess your strength.

I appreciate your perspective! That’s good advice. Another instructor friend thinks I should do the R14, but knowing it will take some getting used to.

 

[scandium]

As a competitive person myself, I vote R14 in a length about 10cm shorter than you and take more lessons AND continue to work on off-mountain strength

 

[edgy]

That's great you have a friend who can give you an idea of what's not working the best. Learning good Movement Analysis is a requirement for PSIA certification.

For what it's worth, I like the BP88, but for some reason the BP82 never felt that as much fun when I had a chance to demo them. I have the Volkl Yumi, 85 underfoot, for skiing short slopes in the southeast. Not as easy to carve compared to the 78mm skis that I had before. But in the last few years my technique has improved to the stage that I can carve my 106mm powder skis on groomers when I feel like it. After doing that one day, it feels really easy to carve mid-80 skis the next day.

Here are a couple videos about ski width as you start exploring the options. Have you ever watched videos by Deb Armstrong?

April 2020

December 2023

Super cool you’ve learned to carve on wider skis! I’d love to get to that point. Just given what can be a short Ohio season and that I mostly only get out on the weekends due to work, I’m hoping a more specialized tool can help me make some breakthroughs which could translate to other skis.

I LOVE Deb’s videos! Actually had not seen these ones but saw another where she said some similar things. These are great.

As a competitive person myself, I vote R14 in a length about 10cm shorter than you and take more lessons AND continue to work on off-mountain strength

Thank you! The length advice lines up with what I’m looking for. Lessons have been a game changer so def continuing that. And good call - I usually focus on cardio off mountain (or off hill in Ohio haha) but need to strength train more!

 

[marzNC]

I usually focus on cardio off mountain (or off hill in Ohio haha) but need to strength train more!

As someone who didn't take lessons to improve ski technique until after age 55 when I was retired and had more time for ski trips and practice based on lessons, my focus for ski conditioning exercises off-season was on 1-leg balance, flexibility, and core strength more than leg strength or cardio. I put some of the most relevant exercises into a blog for reference. You might get some ideas. I get bored easily so I don't do any type of exercises all the time. I tend mix up what I'm doing for a given time period of 3-4 months.

Over 50 Fitness For Skiing Adventures

over50skifitness.blogspot.com

Have you ever tried skiing on one ski? I've watched the kids' race team do a run or two at my home hill while leaving a ski behind. Ski instructors didn't cover even going straight on one ski on on very flat terrain until I became an advanced skier. First time I did a drill that requires picking one ski while moving, I fell over because my weight was not at all distributed properly. The drill was called "flamingo" by that instructor and is called "pencil" by an instructor I've worked with in recent years.

 

[contesstant]

I own the R13 ti, I have skied the R14 ti. The 14 is quite demanding. If you have ANY tendency to be apprehensive, that ski might be a bit overwhelming. The 13 is still a stout ski, but less demanding meaning it still allows for gaps in technique but will reward good technique. Don't go too long, no matter what ski you choose. Skis with little to no rocker have a much different feel with the majority of the length of the ski in direct contact with the snow, vs. your Black Pearls, where several inches are only in contact with the snow if it is soft and they sink in.

 

[Jilly]

@edgy - listen to @contesstant, she demo's skis for SkiTalk.

 

[edgy]

As someone who didn't take lessons to improve ski technique until after age 55 when I was retired and had more time for ski trips and practice based on lessons, my focus for ski conditioning exercises off-season was on 1-leg balance, flexibility, and core strength more than leg strength or cardio. I put some of the most relevant exercises into a blog for reference. You might get some ideas. I get bored easily so I don't do any type of exercises all the time. I tend mix up what I'm doing for a given time period of 3-4 months.

Over 50 Fitness For Skiing Adventures

over50skifitness.blogspot.com

Have you ever tried skiing on one ski? I've watched the kids' race team do a run or two at my home hill while leaving a ski behind. Ski instructors didn't cover even going straight on one ski on on very flat terrain until I became an advanced skier. First time I did a drill that requires picking one ski while moving, I fell over because my weight was not at all distributed properly. The drill was called "flamingo" by that instructor and is called "pencil" by an instructor I've worked with in recent years.

Love it! I’ll check out these conditioning tips more.

And yes, my lessons introduced practicing skiing with the outside ski. I’ve heard flamingo, stork - many bird naming options haha. But this drill and others focusing on the outside ski have helped a lot.

 

[edgy]

I own the R13 ti, I have skied the R14 ti. The 14 is quite demanding. If you have ANY tendency to be apprehensive, that ski might be a bit overwhelming. The 13 is still a stout ski, but less demanding meaning it still allows for gaps in technique but will reward good technique. Don't go too long, no matter what ski you choose. Skis with little to no rocker have a much different feel with the majority of the length of the ski in direct contact with the snow, vs. your Black Pearls, where several inches are only in contact with the snow if it is soft and they sink in.

This is very helpful and exactly the feedback I was looking for. My gut is telling me the R13 Ti makes way more sense for where I’m at currently. Out of curiosity, do you think getting too stiff a ski would hinder skill progression? Or is the concern more that it would be a frustrating learning process?

 

[edgy]

@edgy - listen to @contesstant, she demo's skis for SkiTa

Thank you - I knew I’d find knowledgeable ladies here!

 

[Jilly]

This is very helpful and exactly the feedback I was looking for. My gut is telling me the R13 Ti makes way more sense for where I’m at currently. Out of curiosity, do you think getting too stiff a ski would hinder skill progression? Or is the concern more that it would be a frustrating learning process?

Yes to too stiff will hinder your progression for sure.
Get the R13 ti!!

 

[edgy]

Yes to too stiff will hinder your progression for sure.
Get the R13 ti!!

Y’all are convincing! Thank you for your guidance

 

[elemmac]

I’ll echo advice for the R13 based on your description of where you’re at and where you want to be. If you keep it for a year or two, learn to carve, and want something more demanding…sell it then and buy a new ski at that point.

Big difference between the two is one sheet of metal vs two. Learning to carve will be easier with something that bends a bit easier and doesn’t require intentional input to get performance of the ski. The R13 still has a high performance ceiling, it just won’t punish you as much for minor imperfections in form.

 

[contesstant]

I’ll echo advice for the R13 based on your description of where you’re at and where you want to be. If you keep it for a year or two, learn to carve, and want something more demanding…sell it then and buy a new ski at that point.

Big difference between the two is one sheet of metal vs two. Learning to carve will be easier with something that bends a bit easier and doesn’t require intentional input to get performance of the ski. The R13 still has a high performance ceiling, it just won’t punish you as much for minor imperfections in form.

Yep, they still have a high performance ceiling for sure!