Help Small Woman Needs New Skis

[Advisorr]

Hi,
I am an advanced skier. Live in NE, so ski all conditions, learning trees and bumps and expect to ADVANCE. I like to turn lots, want something that I can make neat, tight turns on the steeps and bumps, trees, but I will still enjoy skiing on the groomers. I have a pair of T-9 163 -- borrowed from a friend. BUT, she is 5ft 2 and probably 140 lb. I am 5 ft 1 and 105 lb. Does anyone have advice for me? I am pretty strong, but I think my light weight and weight balance (not heavier in the legs) makes me really wonder . . . what will be most appropriate.
THANKS!

 

[MaineSkiLady]

You have just described your perfect ski for your stats - and I'm beginning to sound like a broken record here - DYNASTAR. Model TBD. You'd probably love the Exclusive Legend. Any chance you could demo?
Good starting point for research:
https://www.skipressworld.com:80/Sk...languageId=1&section=skifinder&type=skifinder

 

[Advisorr]

Thanks and Why

Thanks for the reply -- why do you think Dynastar? What is it about the legend that would work well for me? The smallest length is 165 . . ., would that be short enough? Additionally, how about turning radius, do I want less than 13 cm -- which is what my T-9s are? I was thinking I did, but that is the radius for the legend?

 

[MaineSkiLady]

Do you mean that's the shortest available to you? It's made in quite a few shorter lengths, including 152 (best for you), 158, 165. It's the lightness of this ski that is so appealing. I'm just not a "heavy" ski fan. Too spoiled by these. (Entire Exclusive line is similarly light.) I have no idea what the turn radius is, but the Legend is not an exaggerated sidecut, which is what gives it the versatility (which was specifically what I was looking for, I already have a groomed terrain carver).

Here's some info from online:
from https://www.techsupportforskiers.com/ski_reviews_dynastar.htm

Exclusive Legend
Great, versatile all mountain 1-ski-quiver for strong female skiers. Two comments tell the story: "User friendly for a wide range of abilities, this ski does it all." and "Favorite of the day!"

from https://www.sierrasnowboard.com/Dynastar-Exclusive-Legend-Womens-17815.asp
Katherine says: A legend in the making, the Dynastar Exclusive Legend is back again for another season with one of the best cosmetic treatments EVER I might add. Still with the same great shape and construction, the Legend offers a reliable companion for the advanced to expert female skier who enjoys all parts of the mountain. The Exclusive Legend, with a waist width of 75mm, has the ability meander off into the trees and bowls but, still will feel quite at home on trail. This ski does prefer medium to long size turns because of its sidecut yet, it will feel stable in whatever conditions the mountain throws at you. I enjoyed the 165 for my size and ability but for a smaller gal the 158 may seem a little better.

Dennis says: The Dynastar Exclusive Legend returns for another round in 2008. In 2007, the Exclusive Legend was one of our top women's skis in the 70% on trail / 30% off trail category for a few simple reasons. The Exclusive Legend is stable and forgiving because of the 75 mm waist and Autodrive Exclusive double platform. The wide freeride sidecut and wood core make for great float in all kinds of snow.
Terrain Preference = 70% Groomed / 30% Other
Shape Category = Moderate
Skier Category = Ez Expert
Speed Range = High
Side Cut = 114-75-104

15m @ 165cm (note: there's the sidecut stat)

 

[Little Lightning]

I'm the same size as you, 5'1" and 105 lbs and I really like my Lotta Luvs. I ski a 153 and wouldn't go any shorter or longer. I use them for everything, trees, bumps, powder up to 5-6", groomed, etc.

I've not skied the Dynastars so I can't help you there.

 

[MaineSkiLady]

K2 Lotta, great ski, tons of fun - just not as happy on the hard New England snow as the Dynastar. Also not quite as happy at lower speeds (though thrilled to dial it up). Demo'ing these 2 back to back for 2 runs each was one of the neater ski experiences I've had this season. (among other skis demo'd, but these 2 stood out for me)

 

[Little Lightning]

I've skied the Lotta Luv in such a variety of conditions that I can vouch for its versatility. I have over 60 ski days on it and it seems to ski better and better.

I kept my narrower waisted Volkl for hardpack days but wind up on the Lotta Luv's most of the time.

 

[canski]

Advisorr,
I have 2 friends who rave about their Nordica Olympia Drives (154 length) - that they handle anything that Northern NH throws at them - They are about 5'1 and 5'4 and weigh about 110/115. Both advanced and expert skier ability. One woman just got hers this weekend, and had been trying to do short turns better (on her 3 year old Burnin Luvs) - instantly she could do them with the Nordicas. She is so excited about these skis - has never had a pair of skis that she has been so in love with (and she has been skiing a long time) - and it was icy this weekend - no problem for her - great edge, control, and can go fast, too. The other woman has had them since Xmas and loves them in everything. They are not changing for next year (except flowers instead of winged goddess graphics). If you can find them, demo, and you can get great deals now.

 

[num]

Advisorr, were you looking at the Exclusive Legend? It's available in a 152 (12 m radius) 158 (13 m) 165 (15 m) and 172 (16m). Maybe you were looking at the unisex Legend line, many of which start at longer lengths.

 

[MaineSkiLady]

The bottom line: a demo day is really the best - and often ONLY - way to make the differentiation for any of us, as our skiing styles and preferences vary so widely. At least we can provide OP with a list of candidates here to use as a point of departure. A lot of Volkls would undoubtedly serve her needs as well, waiting on those owners to chime in.

 

[mollmeister]

The bottom line: a demo day is really the best - and often ONLY - way to make the differentiation for any of us, as our skiing styles and preferences vary so widely. At least we can provide OP with a list of candidates here to use as a point of departure. A lot of Volkls would undoubtedly serve her needs as well, waiting on those owners to chime in.

^^^ So true.

I am another *wee one* (5'2" on a good day, 108-110lbs on a good day. Right now more like 115. :( )on the Lotta Luv, in a 153. I've skied it probably 35-40 days, and it does good work. I actually want to go wider and a little longer -- Volkl Aura or *likeminded* ski in a 163-- but that's b/c I mostly have been skiing ski off-piste, progressively steeper terrain for the last couple of years, with very variable conditions.

Lotta Luv is pretty good in its own right as a crud buster, though, and it's very versatile on different types of terrain. I haven't tried the Dynastars recently (skied the unisex versions a bunch probably 4-5 years ago and liked them), but I constantly hear good things, especially for smaller skiers!

 

[Little Lightning]

Last night I found this information on Sierra Jim's website.
https://www.sierrasnowboard.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=576
Good "food for thought" on how to chose skis.

I was thinking of going wider too, but I also have an older pair (04-05) of Phat Luvs, 90 mm waist, that I rarely ski unless it's a powder day. I'm wondering if I should use them more except they're not as fun in the bumps as the Lotta Luvs but more fun in the bowls and powder.

 

[Advisorr]

What do people think about Junior Skis for petite woman?

A friend who is a ski instructor suggested I try some junior skis. Thoughts? and THANK YOU !!!!! For all the suggestions!

 

[jaydog]

What you described sounded exactly like my demo experience on the Lotta. Breezed through moguls like they didn't exist, and gripped turns on the steeps like glue.

I will also advise looking at the Exclusive Legend- I had a pair but advanced out of them this winter. I'm on the lighter side for my height, and they performed very well for me. I also demoed the Exclusive 10 last year and was just blown away by how responsive yet stable they were. Re: Volkls, it has been my (and some other divas here) experience that lighter-weight folks don't like them as much. But hey, ya never know!

 

[Pequenita]

A friend who is a ski instructor suggested I try some junior skis. Thoughts?

Vehemently, NO, NO, NO. Do not try junior skis. There are plenty skis available for women your size.

EDIT: btw, what do you mean when you write T-9 -- K2's T-9 (aka, Luv) series?

 

[Little Lightning]

Jr. skis, it depends. I was told that some Volkl women's models are very similiar to Jr. skis. The advantage would be that you could then buy the skis flat, no binding. Volkl's women's models come with a system binding.

My issue with Volkls is the system binding. With my small foot, size 22 boot, and light weight I can't pressure the tips enough. My bootfitters solution was to drill a 3rd hole in the binding to move me forward.

Being more forward helps but I really have to keep the skis underneath me in order to pressure the tip.

With my Lotta Luvs I don't have this issue because the ski tip is so much softer and it has a larger sweet spot.

Technically, I'd probably be a better skier if I skied the Volkls more but I have more fun on my Lotta Luvs.

 

[oragejuice]

My issue with Volkls is the system binding. With my small foot, size 22 boot, and light weight I can't pressure the tips enough. My bootfitters solution was to drill a 3rd hole in the binding to move me forward.

Being more forward helps but I really have to keep the skis underneath me in order to pressure the tip.

Thats the same problem I found with the Volkl Tierras this year. I had them mount the bindings as far forward as they could, and I still felt like I was skiing on my heels, even with the lifts in my boots. I'm getting a pair of Auras next year though. No binding systems for me!

 

[Pequenita]

Sigh.

I recant my vehemence, but I wouldn't look first to junior skis unless you already know you have problems with adult skis. As you're borrowing 163s (shaped?) and haven't indicated problems with them, it seems like starting with adult skis is the way to go.

 

[Advisorr]

Issues with My Current Skis

Thank you again for all the input!!!!


Ok, I so my K2 T-9s 163 cm that are probably 6 yrs old. I do find them difficult to edge and find the turning radius to large. I really have to power to turn them on edge instead of sliding my turns. In deeper powder I felt like my tails were catching (but that could be my poor technique) and I feel like they are too long for short tight turns on steeps, bumps and in the trees. Maybe I am asking to much, but I can really only afford to buy one new set of skis and as many of you NE skiers know, we just have to be prepared for VARIABLE conditions between and within ski days.

I am also curious about getting a flat ski and having the bindings set so that they match my posture/weight balance