Good ski for a light weight

[gr8outdoors]

I am currently skiing on K2 First Luv. I have been skiing a lot for the last 3 years and have improved, so I am thinking about getting new equipment. The thing I am most worried about is finding a good ski for me because I only weigh 95 pounds and am just barely 5 feet tall. I live in Western New York and so far have only skied in New York. I tend to ski everything at my "home mountain", but consider myself a strong intermediate - still a little nervous on the more difficult stuff, although I can make it down the double black without problems (may not look pretty, though) Any suggestions? My husband thinks the One Luv may be a possibility, but we are not sure. Thanks.

 

[jaydog]

I recommend looking into the Dynastar Exclusive line. They have some very good women-specific adaptions, and the skis tend to be pretty light in weight. And of course, demo if you can.

 

[climber.girl1]

What's the home mountain? What sort of stuff do you ski? Do you want more of a groomer/carver ski? Chop and crud? Powder?

If you're a strong intermediate and skiing blacks (even if it's survival skiing), then you're likely to see a big jump in your ability when you move up to a ski that's not a "beginner" ski...

Other than that, I'd say look for something in the 150 cm length range probably.

 

[MaineSkiLady]

I recommend looking into the Dynastar Exclusive line. They have some very good women-specific adaptions, and the skis tend to be pretty light in weight. And of course, demo if you can.

Second this. I'm not sure how short they go, but the Exclusive 10 is a ski that accommodates a broad range of abilities. I can carry mine between thumb and forefinger. Try that with a Volkl! Or K2! Hardly compromises the ski's capabilities, though - mine go everywhere except deep (where nothing narrow would work anyway). They love steep, stick like glue, love to turn. I've had a blast on mine. Defintely worth a look, and lots of deals online (once you've hopefully gotten a chance to demo). For some odd reason, Dynastar is just not a hot selling ski in the US. Which is okay w/me - I've discovered them (actually 20+ years ago), and this leaves the deals to the "Brand Loyals" like me !

 

[fatoots]

The First Luv was my first beginner ski as well, and since I liked it so much I stayed with the K2 line. They have great flex. The One Luv would certainly be a good place to start. I've been wanting to demo the Dynastar Exclusive line, but haven't have a chance yet. Another you may want to compare to is the Atomic women's line, like the Foxy or Sweet Mama.

 

[fatoots]

For some odd reason, Dynastar is just not a hot selling ski in the US. Which is okay w/me - I've discovered them (actually 20+ years ago), and this leaves the deals to the "Brand Loyals" like me !

Tell me about it. SR sports doesn't carry them. Jack Frost does, but he hasn't had them in for me to try!

 

[MaineSkiLady]

Tell me about it. SR sports doesn't carry them. Jack Frost does, but he hasn't had them in for me to try!

Frost has always been a dealer (thank goodness). I've referred lots of people there to demo the E Legend, know a couple of ladies who wound up buying them. The line has branched out considerably since taking on Jeannie Thoren, diva of women's skis. They are very big in Europe (made in France, in the mts). New this year is Exclusive 11, another truly difficult model to locate. The 10's are my easy-going groomer skis, Legend the crud skis (i.e., last weekend, perfect match). Methinks 11 would bridge the 2 perfectly. Which would put me at #4 Dynastar... ....I really have to diversify!! At least I can do River demos next Thanksgiving, or will try. Silver passes won't be blacked out, for once (always had been in past, will be pass #8 for me). Sugarloaf's demo days are later, I'm too antsy to wait.

 

[fatoots]

Frost has always been a dealer (thank goodness). I've referred lots of people there to demo the E Legend, know a couple of ladies who wound up buying them. The line has branched out considerably since taking on Jeannie Thoren, diva of women's skis. They are very big in Europe (made in France, in the mts). New this year is Exclusive 11, another truly difficult model to locate. The 10's are my easy-going groomer skis, Legend the crud skis (i.e., last weekend, perfect match). Methinks 11 would bridge the 2 perfectly. Which would put me at #4 Dynastar... ....I really have to diversify!! At least I can do River demos next Thanksgiving, or will try. Silver passes won't be blacked out, for once (always had been in past, will be pass #8 for me). Sugarloaf's demo days are later, I'm too antsy to wait.

Oh, the troubles of a Ski Diva! If only I could have as many skis as I have shoes in my closet. :p

 

[MaineSkiLady]

Oh, the troubles of a Ski Diva! If only I could have as many skis as I have shoes in my closet. :p

I'm almost as diverse with shoes as I am with skis! Can you say MERRELL? Okay, Keen's catching up.

 

[Randi]

The First Luv was my first beginner ski as well, and since I liked it so much I stayed with the K2 line. They have great flex. The One Luv would certainly be a good place to start. I've been wanting to demo the Dynastar Exclusive line, but haven't have a chance yet. Another you may want to compare to is the Atomic women's line, like the Foxy or Sweet Mama.

I'd normally agree with this for her level, but those Atomics are a pretty heavy ski, especially the Foxy Mama. Heavier than the K2 One/True's, and those are already heavy themselves.

 

[MaineSkiLady]

By contrast, Dynastars are light as feathers. Hard to believe something that light could actually perform well. They do.

 

[Randi]

By contrast, Dynastars are light as feathers. Hard to believe something that light could actually perform well. They do.

You heard the lady! If you're not too far from Okemo they're having a demo day on the 8th (this Sat). Also, if Ski Butternut isn't too far from you they have standing demo days on the weekends and have Atomic, Dynastar and Volkl available.

 

[Jilly]

Atomic's are going to be too heavy. Foxy Mama is actually a Metron. (Meg-a-tron in our shop). Some more recs: Salomon Topaz if you can stand the colour, Fischer Vision Breeze, Rossi Attraxion V's and Nordica Victory.

 

[gr8outdoors]

My home mountain is Bristol Mountain and I would consider myself a strong intermediate skier. Not much powder in western New York - mostly packed powder (at least on good days).

Thank you for the recommendations. I will have to see what they have available to demo.

Sherry

 

[fatoots]

Well I feel pretty stupid now, guess I shouldn't speak so much on what I'm not certain. :( I rode the Sugar Mamas recently and thought they were much lighter than my K2s, and assumed the others would be too. My experience on the Fischer skis seem to be the opposite of what every one else says too. Or I just don't know wtf I'm talking about.

I'll go sit lurk in a corner now...

 

[Jilly]

Sugar Mama's are a different ski than the Foxy Mama's. Yes they are lighter. There is also the Sweet Mama. Softer than the Sugar.

 

[MaineSkiLady]

Well I feel pretty stupid now, guess I shouldn't speak so much on what I'm not certain. :( I rode the Sugar Mamas recently and thought they were much lighter than my K2s, and assumed the others would be too. My experience on the Fischer skis seem to be the opposite of what every one else says too. Or I just don't know wtf I'm talking about.

I'll go sit lurk in a corner now...

Don't be silly!! This is why we all encourage demo to the max - because everyone's different, even in perception! I recently demo'd, and a ski that most say is heavy (and specs confirm) felt light and airy to me. We're all going to have a different opinion and perception -- this is all just a starting point/springboard for the rest of the ski choice process.

 

[Randi]

Well I feel pretty stupid now, guess I shouldn't speak so much on what I'm not certain. :( I rode the Sugar Mamas recently and thought they were much lighter than my K2s, and assumed the others would be too. My experience on the Fischer skis seem to be the opposite of what every one else says too. Or I just don't know wtf I'm talking about.

I'll go sit lurk in a corner now...

It's relative; I only said the atomics were too heavy for her because I'm a lightweight as well, and I know from experience they'd be too heavy

 

[Pequenita]

I just wanted to point out, though, that the skier being a lightweight does not automatically rule out the ski being heavy. I've gotten great performance out of the heavier K2s, Atomics, and Nordicas; it's all a matter of preference.

 

[num]

I second Pequenita's statement about it being a matter of preference. I'm a heavyweight skier who likes a lightweight ski.

As far as the Breeze goes, I've never been on it, but I have been on it's sister the Vapor. The Vapor rocked and was very lightweight. I've heard nothing but good things about the Breeze. I have last season's Fischer Vision 70s and am quite pleased with them, but felt that the Vapor was lighter even with demo bindings.