Help me pick a ski? Thinking Head Monster?

[Melissa]

Hi Ladies,

I'm fairly new to this message board, but I would love to get some of ya'lls input regarding what ski to buy! I know, I should demo, but that is not an option where I live right now (shops either don't demo or don't stock them).

A little about me... advanced skiier (beyond intermediate, NOT an expert!). I can ski anything at my home mountain, and I've been told that this means that I could ski anything in Pennsylvania. I still fall every once in a while, and I still have a lot to learn (it would serve me well to get out of PA and get some experience on other terrain!). I'm 5'2, and weigh approximately 140 lbs.

I'm looking for about 155 on length. I'm looking for a stiffer ski--I have pretty strong legs/am powerful. I ski groomed runs (and like to carve), but the blacks at my mountain are often ungroomed. I need something to get through crud and that will ski through ungroomed powder (90% of the time manmade). Right now, price is important!

I've done some research, and I thought the Head Monster would be a good option. I found an awesome deal online from last year's model: https://www.levelninesports.com/head-2006-monster-chip-railflex-skis-156cm-p-880.html

Waist and size that I want, plus, it has most of Head's top of the line technology. With bindings and shipping it comes to $360. Awesome.

I thought I was sold on these, but then SnowHot posted about Sierra's great deal on the Vapors! I checked them out, and they seem like a ski that would suit me well! https://www.sierrasnowboard.com/Fischer-Vision-Vapor-System-Womens-17699.asp

Price shipped? $360. Can you see the dilemma? The Vapors are this year's model, plus they are women specific. On the other hand, I've read awesome reviews of the Monster, and I think I ski fine with a unisex ski. And, it has crossed my mind that the Monsters would match my boots (DreamThang 10s). Not that important, but it did cross my mind!

Care to offer your two cents? All input is appreciated!

 

[pinto]

I have the Monsters (bought them on Level Nine, as well). I think they are great all-around skis! But I haven't skied the Fischers, so I can't compare. They are a little heavy, which is only a drawback if you're hiking with them ... but it helps them blast through crud. As long as the crud is not terribly deep. But in PA, I think you're okay.

 

[Sheena]

I bought a pair of Head iM 88 at the end of last season. I was skiing in PA at the time, and they handled everything well there.. and were awesome in the spring conditions.

Now that I am in Utah, the rip through everything. I love them!!! They tear through the crud and tracked out powder. Basically they handle all conditions well. They are incredibly stable on groomed slopes.

I attribute these skis to gaining confidence to get into more off piste stuff, and ski faster.

Fantastic skis. recommend them 100%

 

[Melissa]

Ladies, thanks so much for the input on the Monsters...

Once of the things that attracted me to the Fischer Vision Vapors is that everyone raves about how well they hold an edge. How does the Monster do on icy/skiied off conditions?

This is such a stressful decision! Ah, if only I had money for both... sigh.

 

[pinto]

Ladies, thanks so much for the input on the Monsters...

Once of the things that attracted me to the Fischer Vision Vapors is that everyone raves about how well they hold an edge. How does the Monster do on icy/skiied off conditions?

This is such a stressful decision! Ah, if only I had money for both... sigh.

I skied the 77s here in Colorado during Thanksgiving, when it was very hard manmade snow, and they were great.

Tune makes a big difference here, though. The factory tune was amazing ... when I took them in and got another tune, I was disappointed. We haven't had hard snow since then, but I plan on getting them redone.

 

[Melissa]

Well Ladies, it's almost official--I'm buying the Head Monster 77s! I spent a lot of time over the weekend debating over whether I should go with the Monster or the Vapor. I spoke with techs from a few shops, and one guy who had skiied the Monster and the Vapor (and used to be a rep for Head) told me that they skiied almost identically. I decided to go with the Head Monster because of the technology they put in the ski--Liquid Metal and the Intelligence + Chip (for more details... https://www2.head.com/ski/technology.php?region=us). We'll see how it works out! I hope that I get to ski on them this season! Thanks for all of your input, and I'll be sure to post a review once I get on them! Yay!

 

[SnowHot]

Glad you found the help you needed here. Sorry I didn't chime in.
I can say that I skied the Head Wild Thang at Stowe and really liked it in the bumps, and the soft snow.
The unisex version offers a little more where the Wild Thang leaves off!

Enjoy!!!

 

[num]

Congrats on the new skis. I haven't been on the Monster 77s but if they ski like Fischer's Vapors you're in for some fun!

Doesn't sound like you could go wrong either way.

 

[Native Vail Gal]

Enjoy your fabulous new skis! :cheer: