Humor me... ski recommendation?

[Severine]

Being that I'm kind of unable to demo skis at the moment, and I have copious amounts of time to spend browsing end of season ski deals, anyone want to humor me and give me some recommendations?

Me: 30 years old. 5'5" 194 lbs and losing. Plan on being about 50 lbs lighter for the next ski season. I have 2 seasons on skis with a total of about 34 days accumulated experience. Low-Intermediate to Solid Intermediate. Picking up speed every time (but can't land jumps, even on smallish bumps, LOL!). 99% of my time is spent at the local ski hill (675 ft vertical drop ) on groomers. I ski green-black there, though I'm not totally comfortable on the blacks at this time. Would like to ski trees and I've dabbled a little in the moguls at the ski hill (hubby is a huge fan so I know they're in my future).

I currently have Dynastar Marie Martinods 165cm (112-78-102) w/Look NX10 bindings. These were purchased sight-unseen based on reviews I read online and I LOVE these skis. But, they don't like quick turns and they're not great on hardpack. I'd like more of a carver.

I was browsing the deals at sierrasnowsports.com and this is what I've come up with (granted, some of it was wishful thinking ability-wise and hubby isn't sold on the fact that I need more skis either)... any thoughts or further recommendations?


2008 Fischer Vision Vapor System Women's (V9 RAILFLEX / 155)
US$359.00

2008 Fischer Vision Breeze System Women's (V9 RAILFLEX / 155)
US$397.50

2008 Atomic Sugar Mama System Women's (157 / 3:10 DEMO)
US$497.50

2008 Salomon Topaz System Women's (Z10 TI / 158)
US$447.50

2008 Roxy Joyrider System Women's (NX 12 / 154)
US$479.50
(The Joyriders in particular I'm not sure about length... maybe longer?)

Wanted to add that at the start of this season, we hit the ski swap and I purchased a pair of Dynastar Nova 154cm because I *thought* they were an intermediate ski. They were OK the first time out, but when I tried skiing them again after using the Maries, I HATED them. Didn't feel stable at all, and there's just something about them that sucks.

Alright, have fun! :D

ETA: I had also been considering Line Celebrity skis because of their touted all mountain abilities (plus I thought they'd be nice for the occasional trip to MRG). But I'm thinking now that they're probably not so practical for what I am truly seeking, and there's probably some overlap between them and my Maries.

 

[MaineSkiLady]

Of those listed, I'm familiar only w/the Fischers. Great hardpack carving skis, no doubt. Too bad you didn't get in on the overstock.com deal that was going on awhile back - they are already sold out and were like under $200.

 

[TahoeJanine]

Severine,
Read my review of the Roxy Joyriders 154. I bought them after demoing them. They're great! I tested them on hardpack, slush, semi-icy conditions and loved them. I'm just under 5'3", 125 pounds, and the 154s were very stable at high (for me) speeds. Since you're taller, you might want the 162s. They're incredibly easy to turn.

I also wanted to check out the Fischers but couldn't find demos anywhere, and I never again will buy skis I haven't demoed. I just can't afford any more mistakes.

TahoeJanine

 

[Jilly]

I've skied the Fischer Breeze and Salomon Topaz. Of those two I'd take the Breeze. Also $ 50.00 < . Breeze really liked our hardpack and the Topaz not as much. Also you will use the Breeze's longer than the Topaz in skill development. Win, win all around.

 

[pb&jane]

Have you considered Volkls? Nice price on the Attivas. https://www.sierrasnowboard.com/Volkl-Attiva-Fuego-System-Womens-17429.asp
My husband skis here in the east on Volkl supersports and they're really turny. He's light for a guy: 5'8" and 140 (in boots) and bought these when he was still an intermediate. They're not great out west, but he's been very happy with them at Okemo, Pico, Killington, and MRG.
I also like my Salomon Bandits (now B series), which are a bit stiffer but GREAT for turns, bumps, ice, etc. Lots of good deals on those too. Oh the decisions!
pb&jane

 

[Severine]

Have you considered Volkls? Nice price on the Attivas. https://www.sierrasnowboard.com/Volkl-Attiva-Fuego-System-Womens-17429.asp

The thing that scares me about those is this quote:

This is not a ski for a developing skier. Some pretty good game is required to get the most out of it.

Decisions, decisions, is right! :D

Now the big problem with the Fischer Breeze? No 160s left. If I decide to go with those, would the 155s be okay? Probably not and this is a REALLY good deal on those... can't seem to find a price even close elsewhere online.

 

[Jilly]

The Breeze I tried was 160. I'm 5'4 and 160 and found that length perfect. So I don't know if I go down to 154's!!

 

[Severine]

Length is definitely more important than a great deal. But if I can't get the right length in that ski, may look to a different one....

Then again, hubby hasn't exactly agreed to spending money on skis right now. But it doesn't hurt to investigate, and then make a knowledgeable case. :D

 

[num]

What length are you on now? I know a lot of people like a longer ski, personally I like a shorter one. I'm 5'4 ~180 and really enjoyed the Vapor in a 155.

 

[Severine]

My Maries (which are twin tips) are 165. The Novas were 154 (but I've heard since that Dynastars ski short?). Prior to all of this, my beginner skis were 140 (that was Jan 2004). YIKES!!!!

 

[Severine]

I have to admit, the more I read and ponder over it, the more I want those Roxy Joyriders. Though when I tried to discuss it with hubby, he first said they're too much ski for my ability, then said I don't need them that I need more skill.

Not practical to be buying skis if I can't go out the rest of the season... just hate to miss out on good deals, KWIM? And I really do think there's a place for a ski like this in my quiver. But who knows? Maybe I just trying to justify...

 

[jaydog]

Never discount a ski merely because a member of the male persuasion thinks it's too much ski for you! If you're advancing in ability, then you need a ski to grow into. Here's what's wrong with your husband's logic: you can't use advanced skills on an intermediate ski. Having a ski of a lower ability level will hold you back from developing more advanced skills, because the ski won't perform when you try to push it. I've found that my greatest skill advances have come from getting onto more advanced skis.

Based on your height/weight and current ski length, you'd probably want to go longer than 154.

As for Dynastars, count on them being a couple centimeters shorter than their stated length.

 

[TahoeJanine]

In the Roxy Joyrider wrappings, it says "expert" on the back, and they won Ski Magazine's Women's Expert Front Side ski award (or something like that). But I can assure you, I am nowhere near an expert. I have very good technique on intermediate slopes that degenerates into hill-clinging on steeper stuff, but I've skiied a lot the past two seasons and am getting better. When I tested the JoyRiders, there were three times when I caught myself sitting back on the skis, and many skis are not nice to me when that happens. The downhill ski takes off on its own....crash. Or I point myself straight down the hill at the top of a steep run just to get started, and my skis take off without me because I was leaning back.Crash. I did not experience that with the JoyRiders at all when I was sitting back. What IS advanced about them is that they WANT to go fast. That's why I think I'll have plenty of years of growing in these.

Since you're on the East Coast, you might appreciate that JoyRiders hold their edge on ice really well. The one thing that is different--and probably accounts for my having such a good time on them--is that the sidewall (the white stuff underfoot???) is not thick all the way under the foot. It's thick at the front of the binding, and thick at the back of the binding, but thin mid-foot. I think that's one reason they're very easy to turn.

(By comparison, I demoed the Nordica Olympia Victory in 146, and they have fat sidewalls. They were very stable at speed but weren't made, I don't think, for short turns--at least not by me!)

 

[Jilly]

TahoeJanine you are right in your assesement. Front side means carvers. The Victory is an all mountain ski. Likes loose stuff etc. The Joyriders would be better in the east. But the Victory's aren't lacking either. I've skied the Victory's and like them for eastern conditions. Haven't tried the Joyriders, but I know the Rossi (Roxy is part of Rossi) rep and he might be able to get me a pair. Roxy not big in my part of Ontario yet.

 

[SnowHot]

Have you considered Volkls? Nice price on the Attivas. https://www.sierrasnowboard.com/Volkl-Attiva-Fuego-System-Womens-17429.asp
My husband skis here in the east on Volkl supersports and they're really turny. He's light for a guy: 5'8" and 140 (in boots) and bought these when he was still an intermediate. They're not great out west, but he's been very happy with them at Okemo, Pico, Killington, and MRG.
I also like my Salomon Bandits (now B series), which are a bit stiffer but GREAT for turns, bumps, ice, etc. Lots of good deals on those too. Oh the decisions!
pb&jane

The thing that scares me about those is this quote:


Decisions, decisions, is right! :D

Now the big problem with the Fischer Breeze? No 160s left. If I decide to go with those, would the 155s be okay? Probably not and this is a REALLY good deal on those... can't seem to find a price even close elsewhere online.

I'll second the thought on the Fuego for a front side carver, as well as the Nordica Firefox, but both are definitely advanced/expert skis.
Both skis that perform profoundly, and expect you to be in the driver seat at all times.
Both, also, love to initiate turns and can carve, so nice you think you can carve out a nice pumpkin with them next october!

 

[Severine]

I'm not sure why he changed his mind, but this morning when I tried to make a logical case for these skis, he said, "Just buy them." So it's done. I ordered the Roxy Joyriders in 162cm length. :D I should be set with skis for a few years now, right? ;)

Thanks for your help, ladies!

 

[SnowHot]

:D I should be set with skis for a few years now, right? ;)

Thanks for your help, ladies!

Don't be so sure.........some have said that SkiDiva is contagious.
Some have called me a Temptress..........some have even called me satan Good SnowHot< >Bad SnowHot

 

[Severine]

You're definitely an enabler!

I should be set for next year anyway. Especially since those Joyriders will still be brand new when the next season starts and my Maries will only have 13 days on them. :(

 

[Daria]

Skis are like potatoe chips - you can't stop after just one So now you need to start working on your quiver ... a bump ski, a powder ski and use your old ones for your rock skis

 

[Native Vail Gal]

Wish I could help ya' here....I'm a K2 gal!