Freeride Ski Recommendations

[jdanko]

Hi! I've been skiing Blizzard Black Pearls for 7 years. They were my first pair of skis, and I feel like it's time for a change! Searching for skis is a bit overwhelming--it feels like all of the reviews say the same things, so it's hard to tell the difference. I was hoping someone could impart some wisdom.

I am 5'1" and 120 lbs. I would classify myself as a moderately advanced skiier. I prefer to spend my time in the trees, and like to dabble in moguls. I don't like to ski especially fast, and when it comes to carving, I could take it or leave it.

I want a ski that lends slightly more towards powder, but still all mountain. Probably around 100 waist. I've looked at the Blizzard Sheeva 10s, Nortica Santa Ana 104 Free, Volkl Secret, and icelantic maiden 101. If you were me, what would you go for? Or would you recommend something else?

Thanks so much!

 

[santacruz skier]

I'm about your size, though lighter, and demoed the Sheeva 10's for 2 days in Tahoe a couple of years ago. They were a blast ! Haven't tried the others, only other powder ski I tried was the Nordica Santa Ana 100 from several years back. Tried it in both a 153 and 161 and wasn't impressed but that ski has changed over the years. Demoed the Santa Ana 93 last year in Taos with two sheets metal in a 161 and really enjoyed it.
Where are you skiing?

 

[jdanko]

I typically ski a trip to Colorado/Utah, and a trip on the east coast. Generally looking for something more tailored towards Rocky Mountain skiing than Appalachian.

I have black pearls, and my husband has bonafides and is looking into rustlers. We are definitely blizzard fans. What would you say we're the pros and cons of the sheevas?

 

[santacruz skier]

What would you say we're the pros and cons of the sheevas?

I didn't take any notes but skied two days in a row with fresh powder and tracked up ungroomed snow. I liked them a lot but couldn't honestly give you pros and cons from 2+ years ago. I'm not sure of any divas who have tried them? paging @contesstant ?

 

[marzNC]

I am 5'1" and 120 lbs. I would classify myself as a moderately advanced skiier. I prefer to spend my time in the trees, and like to dabble in moguls. I don't like to ski especially fast, and when it comes to carving, I could take it or leave it.

I typically ski a trip to Colorado/Utah, and a trip on the east coast. Generally looking for something more tailored towards Rocky Mountain skiing than Appalachian.

I have black pearls, and my husband has bonafides and is looking into rustlers. We are definitely blizzard fans.

Welcome! I'm a bit more petite. Bought the original Black Pearl (purple bulls) in 2012 and still have them as rock skis.

For powder skis for trips out west, here's a list of what I've rented in recent years based on what I've found fun demo'ing in the last decade. I usually am around at Alta in for the Demo Day in early April. When I rent powder skis, I often change midday or at least check out out something new in the late afternoon.

DPS Nina 99
DPS Zelda 106
DPS Yvette 100, 112
Blizzard BP98 (2019)
Nordica Santa Ana 93, 100, 110
Rossi Soul 7HD 106

In comparison to the Yvette, the Zelda and Nina are better on groomers. My notes for the Santa Ana 100 say it wasn't that great on groomers, although all the shop had was on the short side. I liked the SA93 a lot that morning in a variety of conditions from groomers to chopped up powder. I only get over 100 widths when there is 30+ inches of deep powder. Hasn't happened often but just enough for me to have learned the value of having really wide boards for extra float when the snow isn't super dry and fluffy.

Recently had a chance to demo Black Crow skis for the first time: the Atris Birdie 106 and Camox Birdie 97. The Atris Birdie wasn't great on hard packed groomers (Alta early season) but were fun for powder turns (15+ inches fresh snow). I think Black Crows would be worth considering.

 

[santacruz skier]

Forgot to mention I have the Black Crows Camox Birdie in 156 from 2017 (stiffer than the current model) and ski them everywhere. They really could be classified as a one ski quiver.

 

[contesstant]

I didn't take any notes but skied two days in a row with fresh powder and tracked up ungroomed snow. I liked them a lot but couldn't honestly give you pros and cons from 2+ years ago. I'm not sure of any divas who have tried them? paging @contesstant ?

Hard to give pros vs. cons, they are a really fun, playful ski, very versatile. They ski pretty darn short.
I'd stay away from the Secret at her size--they're a great ski, but stiff and I think require more weight to get the most out of them. I also think they'd be a handful in moguls.

Keep those older Black Pearls. The construction in those first-year models (for the first 3 or 4 years) is fantastic. I wish I had not sold my original purple bulls! A friend has a pair of 2014s and she and I swapped skis last year so she could try my Santa Ana 88s, and I almost didn't want to give her Black Pearls back because I had forgotten how much fun they were. (I still love my SA 88s a ton.)

 

[MissySki]

Keep those older Black Pearls. The construction in those first-year models (for the first 3 or 4 years) is fantastic. I wish I had not sold my original purple bulls! A friend has a pair of 2014s and she and I swapped skis last year so she could try my Santa Ana 88s, and I almost didn't want to give her Black Pearls back because I had forgotten how much fun they were. (I still love my SA 88s a ton.)

I still have my bulls as rock skis, love them!

 

[jdanko]

Thanks for your responses! Interesting that you recommend keeping my black pearls. I had never considered keeping them, but now I just might! Also, interesting about powder depth and ski width... My husband kept saying I need a 100 width, but it sounds like maybe he wasn't taking our size difference into consideration lol.

We are going to Colorado in two weeks and I plan to demo the Sheevas since it seems that's a good way to go. It sounds like Santa Anas may be a good back up plan

 

[cskis88]

I really enjoy the Sheeva 10s. Super fun, easy to ski and pretty forgiving. They are not the greatest crud busters, nor are they damp, super stable skis for high speeds, but they don’t profess to be. Agree that they ski short, but that’s fine by me in trees and bumps. They don’t need to be driven like my K2 Mindbenders, but again I am fine with that.

 

[Covie]

Can you demo the Fischer FR 102?

 

[lisamamot]

We are going to Colorado in two weeks and I plan to demo the Sheevas since it seems that's a good way to go.

Demo the Sheeva 9 if you can, as well as the 10. I took my Sheeva 9 to Big Sky a couple years ago and we had a nice amount of new snow so I demoed the 10 for a day. The Sheeva 10 was good, but the 9 was better!

 

[MissySki]

Demo the Sheeva 9 if you can, as well as the 10. I took my Sheeva 9 to Big Sky a couple years ago and we had a nice amount of new snow so I demoed the 10 for a day. The Sheeva 10 was good, but the 9 was better!

Same experience at Jackson Hole! Demoed the 10 on a pow day and they were fun, but was happiest back on my Sheeva 9. I’m so obsessed with them

 

[jdanko]

Demo the Sheeva 9 if you can, as well as the 10. I took my Sheeva 9 to Big Sky a couple years ago and we had a nice amount of new snow so I demoed the 10 for a day. The Sheeva 10 was good, but the 9 was better!

Same experience at Jackson Hole! Demoed the 10 on a pow day and they were fun, but was happiest back on my Sheeva 9. I’m so obsessed with them

I considered the 9... But I'm worried that there wouldn't be a significant enough difference between the sheeva 9 and the black pearl to be worth making the jump, especially since I plan to keep my black pearls... Am I wrong?

 

[jdanko]

Can you demo the Fischer FR 102?

I've not heard anything about that ski!

 

[santacruz skier]

I considered the 9... But I'm worried that there wouldn't be a significant enough difference between the sheeva 9 and the black pearl to be worth making the jump, especially since I plan to keep my black pearls... Am I wrong?

I've tried them both and purchased the Sheeva 9 (not yet mounted as need new boots but that's another story)
Here's a thread
https://www.theskidiva.com/forums/index.php?threads/blizzard-black-pearl-88-vs-sheeva-9.23996/

 

[Après Skier]

I really like the Fischer Ranger FR series. Try to demo if you can.
Ranger 90 FR
Ranger 94 FR
Ranger 102 FR

 

[Skiing2BFreeInYYC]

Hey, I see you mentioned the Icelantic maiden 101. Not a lot on here about those skis, but I love mine! I have the 162 Cm 2020 version with the shark on them. I haven’t ridden any other ski wider than 92 so don’t have comparisons, but I do know I’m happy with mine!

I am 5’3” 125 lbs, I’m an intermediate trying to move to advanced who skis mostly blues, dabble in blacks and when I have my kids have to spend most my time on greens or easy blues. Starting to do more off piste now too and liking tree runs. Ski mostly at lake Louise, sunshine, & fernie in Canadian Rockies. I moved to the icelantics from the 2018 black pearl 88. I wanted something more fun for fresh snow days, but that I could also ride when it’s been a week plus without new snow on the resort. Their grip on ice is great for how wide a ski it is. Compared to the black pearl they were more stable for me and gave me the confidence to go faster, knowing they could blast through the crud but still be manageable for me to stop if needed. My one regret is I think I should have got the shorter length, but that’s ok. It’s really only navigating moguls or chasing my 4 kids around on a green run when I find myself wanting them a little shorter.

 

[Après Skier]

P.S. Oopsies... I posted before finishing. My favorite ski for a playful one-ski quiver for tree powder and bump fun is the Fischer Ranger 90FR... it’s a fun and easy ski. Designed and marketed for tweenagers, it works well for me because I am small and light and I enjoy having a ski that is easy to flick around in trees and bumps.

I always recommend demoing before buying whenever possible. Good luck and have fun

 

[lisamamot]

I considered the 9... But I'm worried that there wouldn't be a significant enough difference between the sheeva 9 and the black pearl to be worth making the jump, especially since I plan to keep my black pearls... Am I wrong?

Not a lot of width difference between the Black Pearl 88 and the Sheeva 9, but a huge difference in how they ski. Bumps, trees, new snow and soft to firm groomers the Sheeva 9 tackles it all. With your specs you may find a 100mm+ ski more than you need or want. The Santa Ana 93 or the Black Crows Camox Birdie may be good options too; I haven’t been on the new versions yet, but I am excited to try them both. You seemed initially unsure about keeping your Black Pearls as well; if you want to travel with one ski, the low-mid 90s is a great all around width.