Dynastar Exclusive Legend?

[Acadia07]

Hi again,

So I'm still reading up like mad on skis, and I just saw a great deal on the Dynastar Exclusive Legends, which seem to be fairly well-reviewed. They're $280 at sierrasnowboard, and I'm tempted to take the plunge.

But before I do, I need some reassurance that I won't grow out of this ski right away. It seems to be a pretty good go-anywhere ski, which is what I'm looking for, and sounds like it likes speed enough, edges well, and is in the advanced level range. I ski the Northeast and mostly groomers, some trees & moguls.

For those who didn't read my post from a couple days ago - I'm 5'6" and 115 (I was also looking for a lighter ski because I'm so small-boned), and I'm and advanced skier that could easily progress to expert if I get back out there enough. I'm coming off a 3-year break, but skied 17 years before then.

I had narrowed it down to these:

K2 lotta luv
Atomic Foxy Mama
Atomic Royal Minx
Fischer Vision Breeze
Volkl Luna (also considered Fuego but it's out of my price range)
Salomon Topaz
Dynastar EL

My other issue is price. The Lotta, Fuego and Atomic are a bit on the high end for me - I'm looking to stay under $400. The good thing about the Dynastars are that I wouldn't feel so bad replacing them if need be with that price.

Thoughts, advice please? And thank you!

 

[Acadia07]

PS - Anyone know why they are purple/white on some sites and orange on others?

 

[MaineSkiLady]

Hi and welcome! Because it's in General Skiing, you may have missed the very same discussion from yesterday:
https://www.theskidiva.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3674

I just bought these from the same merchant last night!! Difference: I did demo and I did love these! So it was "kismet" that they happened to go on sale when they did and be the best-priced of all my demo "finalists!" (Actually something of a splurge for me - the most I've paid for skis in about 5 years ).

Your list is a very complete and solid one - you won't go wrong with any of these. We're similarly sized, I've got a few # on you but probably a whole lot more years, so light and responsive (and affordable) is the name of my game. I'm capable of muscling a damp, heavy ski, and there surely are times when it's worth it. But that's more work than I want to put into skiing at this point in time.

I was looking for a very versatile type of all-mountain and hope these fit the bill based on my 2 run demo last month. Good luck w/your decision!

 

[MaineSkiLady]

PS - Anyone know why they are purple/white on some sites and orange on others?

Purple/white is 08 model, orange is 07. Only difference is the graphics, not the ski construction.

 

[MaineSkiLady]

P.S. There was also a nice deal Buy It Now on eBay for the Fischer Vision Breeze, 379 + shipping. You might check that. The ski gets great reviews here.

 

[Acadia07]

Ohhh my, Maine! I totally missed that thread. And now I have a panicky feeling in my gut - the feeling that if I don't buy them soon, I'm just missing out on a really really good deal. ACK!

 

[MaineSkiLady]

Also - just hunted down your other post where you were asking about various K2 - based on your skiing description, you'd probably love the Burnin' Luv, possibly the Lotta (more input/muscle required, IMO) -- but there are so few good deals on these skis. FWIW, I have been skiing Dynastars here in Maine for the last 7 years, and they have always done right by me. My first ones here were the 01 Dynastar 69L, they rocked. 167. Dynastars "ski short" - so don't go too short, you'll like having the edge length. I went w/158 in the EL, I'm same height as you, ax 125#. Current ski is a Dynastar Ski Cross 09 162. Mad bomber.

 

[Acadia07]

Thanks SO much for the advice. I was just going to post again asking you what size you went with. I think the 158s would be perfect for me. I'm getting a little excited - I think these would be a great first ski to have. I also read your post about the K2 Lotta vs. this ski, and I'm happy to hear you liked these a little better - because the Lotta was on the top of my list, but I couldn't find a deal on them anywhere.

I looked into the BL, too, but I like the wider waist. I love to mess around in powder (when there is powder around here), and DH has a pair of Public Enemys, and I want to get something somewhat comparable, but more on the 'all mountain' side.

Thanks again for your help.

 

[MaineSkiLady]

Ohhh my, Maine! I totally missed that thread. And now I have a panicky feeling in my gut - the feeling that if I don't buy them soon, I'm just missing out on a really really good deal. ACK!

I'm not sure what's going on w/this merchant, but based on your post here, I just checked again, and they are still showing 4 in stock of each of the 2 available sizes.

It doesn't look like they are updating their system?? Ah, believe in fate: that if these are "meant to be" for you, there will be a pair in stock?? Any other questions, just holler. The Exclusive line is a JOY to carry around, and this lightness factor sort of turns some people off. I initially thought "no way." Skiing is believing. I got off the chairlift on these, made one turn off the chair and KNEW. Ah, but I was lucky indeed. Again, any other questions, just ask. I'll do my best, but I'm so doggone non-objective!!!

 

[MaineSkiLady]

I did 2k vertical on these. Conditions were tracked/pushed around almost to mogul status, exposing VERY hard packed (tricky), to a section of dreamy 4-5" untracked and lightly tracked, to a nice little headwall shot. Wow.

 

[MaineSkiLady]

another amazingly great deal

And now, just to further complicate your life:

https://cgi.ebay.com/New-FISCHER-Vi...ZWD1VQQ_trksidZp1638.m118.l1247QQcmdZViewItem

Excellent merchant, I have dealt with him many times.

 

[Acadia07]

You're killin' me!

Just kidding. Thanks for the tip - I am torn between the two but leaning toward the Dynastar. I'll let you know what I decide - we're going to try to fit in one last local trip if I get them within a week!

 

[MaineSkiLady]

ups picture pending?

Mine are shipped and on the way!
Met the UPS guy at the bottom of my driveway today - I was just coming home from skiing, he was behind me - just a stupid sump pump for DH. But my UPS guy is great and will be happy to have pic taken. So I'm waiting for full tracking info from sierrasnowboard and will try NOT to be skiing on the day they arrive!!

 

[Acadia07]

YAY! You'll have to tell me when you get them. What day did you order them?

I ordered them TODAY! I spoke to someone at a local shop and also to someone at Sierra and they both recommended them over the Fischer Breeze. I was sold. I'm so excited! We're probably going to hit a mountain next weekend if they get here in time - whatever's closest with decent snow! I can't wait to get them - and compare notes!!!

 

[MaineSkiLady]

YAY! You'll have to tell me when you get them. What day did you order them?

I ordered them TODAY! I spoke to someone at a local shop and also to someone at Sierra and they both recommended them over the Fischer Breeze. I was sold. I'm so excited! We're probably going to hit a mountain next weekend if they get here in time - whatever's closest with decent snow! I can't wait to get them - and compare notes!!!

I ordered mine the same night that you posted your inquiry!! 3/23, 8:53 p.m. Had the page open on my browser, too. That's when it first went down from 50% to 60% off. That was the magic number, and even stingy old DH agreed. (Now I have to find him HIS favorites from that demo day!!) Tracking info doesn't yet give details, only "electronic billing info received." Hopefully more details tomorrow?

That's very interesting that these were recommended to you over the F V Breeze. Anyway, the EL's are just a ton of fun and will be even more so in the spring snow. "Hints" of corn at Sunday River today!! Another few degrees, and we're there.

BTW, re your screen name---are you in Maine???

 

[Acadia07]

BTW, re your screen name---are you in Maine???

I'm actually in NY, but Acadia is my most favorite vacation spot ever! I've been going there with my family since I was a little tyke, and started going on trips with DH the last few years. We'll be heading there for our first anniversary this October.

Where in Maine are you? I'd LOVE to ski Maine - maybe we'll take a winter trip next season!

 

[MaineSkiLady]

I am strategically located halfway between Sunday River and Sugarloaf! :D (add Saddleback to that list also, it's just a different turn en route to Sugarloaf) I've been here 7 years.

We are amassing a good-size diva group out here! Sure would be fun if you could join us sometime.

Unbelievably, it took me 6 years of living here to get to Acadia (last fall)! Nice, but a little busy for my style. Now if you REALLY wanna see wild mountain country---THIS is the place! (although I sometimes get extreme shopping withdrawal but deal with it by going skiing)(or buying skis online )

 

[Acadia07]

That's very interesting that these were recommended to you over the F V Breeze.

Yeah, I was surprised at how quickly they both jumped at the EL. The first guy (they were both men!) said the EL is more versatile and I won't outgrow it so fast. He called the FV Breeze an "intermediate-level cruiser," and said that if I was looking to advance and take the skis to other places, the EL was the one to do it on.

The guy at Sierra started off by saying the EL has a good carve for the East, which surprised me a bit, because I know the FV's are supposed to have real easy edges and be great on groomers. But he said the EL's are also easily edged and are more of a take-anywhere ski. He also said that I would outgrow the Breeze before the EL.

So, that was all I needed. This morning was a ping-pong game in my head - constantly back and forth! That's when I decided to go to the pros. And I feel good about it! I can't wait to see them. I'll be thinking snow for the next week and a half in hopes that I get out on 'em at least once! Wheee!

 

[MaineSkiLady]

Either that or you'll just have to drool at them all summer!! OR go someplace "exotic?" I'm buying these primarily as my "powder-light" skis. My carver groomers have limitations in freshies. And crud. The demo was enough to prove to me that the EL's could handle the variety and VERY rapid transitions in the snow conditions. Couldn't believe we lucked out to get 5" of fresh for a demo!! Figure 8'd the whole run multiple times. Wow. Just a little, lesser-known ski area out here, too, we did this at NIGHT (was a blast). Only had 3 hours to demo, we hustled. Got 6 demo's in, with 2 pairs (at least for me) taken on 2 runs. What a hoot.

Really happy to hear there is concurrence (and by people way more knowledgeable than I) on the versatility of these skis, which is exactly what I commented when I wrote the review.

 

[MaineSkiLady]

Mine are here! Unfortunately, the bindings are still in Chelmsford, MA :( - neglected to check the ups status of those. Had hoped to get them mounted tomorrow and ski them on Thurs. Oh well, maybe in time for the weekend??