I don't know what to choose

[Capucine]

Hi ladies,

I'm so happy to have found this forum. I'm an advanced skier from Montreal, QC. We don't have huge mountains but we still can have plenty of fun.

I am looking into buying new skis and am wondering which one I should choose. I never skied carving skis before. I still have my long (very long and heavy) skis from another generation and really need new ones. LOL. The store I went had last year Atomic Izor 7:5 on sale at 389$ instead of 649$. They are man skis but the salesclerk said I shouldn't have problems handling them with my level. The other possibility would be Head Cool Thang at 599$. My budget is limited but I don't want to buy skis that won't be appropriate. To compensate the fact that they are designed for men not women, the tech can install the fix a little more forward than they usually do.

The length he recommended is 150. I am 5'4'' and weight 140 pounds. Is it the right length? I guess that if I choose the Atomic skis, the fact that they are a bit heavier than women skis, 150 would be okay. As for the Cool thang, 153 might be better suited (I am an advanced skier after all). What do you think?

Thanks for your help
Isabelle

 

[Jilly]

Welcome Isabelle, Capucine. Just where are you skiing, and what shop are you shopping at, Sport Expert?? I'm from eastern Ontario and a Tremblant skier. I'm very familier with Atomic as I live in Atomic town - Belleville, Ontario, the North American warehouse is here. The Izor's are an unisex ski. The 7.5 is the middle of the line. I would think you might like the 9.7. Also there is a women's version of the 9.7 - Balanze 9.7 - black/green colour. I tried a 160cm length last Feb and found them OK and not too soft. That said, I ski a 154 Rossi Z5, I'm 5'5 and 160 lb. So the length shouldn't be an issue. I don't know enough about Head to be of help, so maybe another Diva can tell you about the "Cool Thang". Yeah 4 Canucks now on the Ski Diva's!!!!

 

[Capucine]

You're right, I went to Sport Expert. I know they're probably not the best but we just stopped by to see if there was any special. I never been to Tremblant. We were supposed to go last year but with the winter we had....no chance. We have the passe-partout, a passport that contains 10-40% rebates to all Qc mountains. My personal favorites are Le Massif (if you never been, you have to try it one day), Bromont and Whiteface. Maybe after this season, Tremblant will be in this list. I mostly ski blue and single black diamond slopes. Depends on the mood.

Thanks for your reply. I'll look into this Balanze 9.5 but unfortunately it will probably be outside my budget (we are planning on buying a house so I have to control my expenses). I know Belleville, ON a little. Every summer we go camping at Sandbanks (labour day weekend). Nice town. Do you go to Tremblant often? It's what, a 5 hours drive?

 

[ski diva]

Isabelle, I don't know a lot about the Cool Thang, though I have heard that they're not for skiers who want to ski very fast or agressively. Have you considered the Head Fast Thang? I hear it's a lively ski with great edge and a good carver. Is that a possibility?

 

[SnowHot]

I have demoed the Izor 7.5, as well as the 9.7. I liked them but not as well as I did the Volkl 5 star or the Atomic Metron line.

I have friends who've gotten on the izors and would never ski anything else. That goes to show you that demoing is the absolute best way to go if you can.
As for the unisex line. There are differences but not so much that you would be inhibited by them. Go for it!

Now about Size! 150 is too short. Please get a 160 ish ski. You will thank me later!

Sorry, I don't know much about the Head skis:o

 

[Jilly]

Capucine, the Sandbanks are about 20 minutes away. We sea-doo in West lake most weekends. Labour Day is not one of them though. And its 4 1/2 hours to 5 depending on the traffic and which way we go. Also it depends on whether we meet Constable Morin(OPP)again on the road north to Lachute from Lancaster. Sport Expert is not the best ski shop and I can't think of the other one in Montreal. And Hubby's not being any help either. Well there is no strike this year, so Tremblant should be better than last. Think snow though!!

 

[eng_ch]

If you are advanced, then I would normally say the Cool Thang isn't high enough range for you. I consider myself to be intermediate to advanced intermediate and love my Fast Thangs - but I would suggest that if you look at those and have never skied on carvers before then you should take a lesson in "new technique". Likewise, from the various comments, I would steer away from the Metrons until "new technique" is more familiar to you.

In fact, you should probably take a lesson on whichever new skis you buy - a friend of ours didn't, still skis very old style on carvers, jumping every turn and it looks so tiring as she isn't actually using the ski as it was designed.

I would actually start with defining where and what you want to ski - all on-piste? Some off-piste? Park? Lots of ice? Powder? Tell us that and we can probably advise better, but the Head Monsters might also be worth a look

 

[Quiver Queen]

Choices

For my "Eastern" (carving & ready for ice) skis I have the Volkl 5-Stars (which are S5's this year) and at 5'2.5" they're 154's--Terrific skis & always highly rated. For softer snow, my Salomon 1080's are 151's. Both are "Men's" skis. "Women's" skis have the reputation for not being able to keep up with advanced/expert women skiers, tho', happily, that is changing; K2 Burnin' Luv would be a terrific one to try, and I agree about the Head Hot Thang instead of the Cool Thang, as well Volkl has some worth looking at, both the unisex and Attiva (women's) S5's and AC3's. I suggest developing a list of 3 - 4 possibilities then demo each one for comparison.

A good rough estimate of proper ski length is chin height for novice, bridge of nose for most people, and middle of forehead for true experts, tho' an awful lot of experts will go closer to the nasal bridge.

You can get a lot of good ski reviews & other info on realskiers.com, which is a paid subscription, but well worth it, as Ski Diva has elsewhere raved. It reviews most skis and is without commercial bias. The reviews cover real-world issues and give clear indications of the conditions for which each ski is best suited.

 

[Capucine]

I am SO happy to have found this site. Thank you so much ladies for helping me.

The conditions I ski in are mostly 'hard' snow and ice (aka Eastern conditions) so I'm thinking that carving skis will be the best. Also, I don't ski off-piste or do muggles.

I think I will follow Dawn's advice and make a list of your favorites to demo. I know a little store in St-Sauveur (north of Mtl) where they are real specialist (unlike chains like Sport Expert). You can rent any pair for the day and when you made your choice, they deduce the cost of renting (once, twice or more) from your total. If only we had some snow! I really want to buy my skis before the Holidays so that I can have them when I go to Mont St-Anne and Le Massif (Jan 2 and 3)! I might also subscribe to the review website. Thanks for the link.

Jilly: I know that Belleville is 20 minutes away from Sandbanks but we spent some time there while camping (to go shopping, eat at restaurants, go to the movies, etc. -- especially when it was raining). Every summer I am excited to go back in your region! Do they sell skis at Atomic wharehouse?

 

[Quiver Queen]

Choices

I skied on Head Fast Thangs today--loved them. I think they're the first true all mountain women's skis I've tried. They should also do well where you are in the frozen north.

If you rent/demo for a day, don't hesitate to trade skis several times during the day--most demo centers expect this. One run should be enough to tell you if a ski is not for you, but to choose one to possibly purchase will take more than that. Most demo centers allow more than one day's rental fee to be applied to a purchase so don't feel pressured to make the decision in one day.

 

[SnowHot]

Don't sell yourself "short" either.
I'm close to your size
5'6" 130 lbs, and I still think you should give something between 160-170 cm a try.

Now Dawn makes me want to try those "thangs" Darn you Dawn. Don't I have enough skis?

Nah........one more won't hurt.........will it?

 

[Quiver Queen]

Never enough

SnowHot--
There's always room for more in the quiver--didn't you know they're made of Spandex?

 

[SnowHot]

SnowHot--
There's always room for more in the quiver--didn't you know they're made of Spandex?

True story:
Night before last we had company over. One of the kids wanted to see my skis, so I took him up to the attic to see them. He actually counted and returned to my husband to say........."Tricia has two more pair of skis than you. You need to catch up"

That's NOT how I look at it at all:D

 

[Quiver Queen]

Quiver

Capucine--
As you can see a few of us are into our gear, but even if you're not the "Techie" type you still deserve a collection of skis, a quiver. After all, you wouldn't just have one pair of shoes, would you? Besides, as a Diva in training you deserve to be indulged, and know full well nobody will indulge you as well as you can indulge yourself!

But please don't use SnowHot as a true example of a ski lover. Yes, she's really into it, but we all should be disappointed she keeps her skis in the attic (of all places!) instead of the bedroom!:D

 

[SnowHot]

Okay, I have an excuse!
My husband is a Gear Whore. My on line buddy Phil is a Gear Whore, and I had NO CHANCE! of escaping the Phil-itus.

As far as My attic. That's what I call it but really, we live in a 7 bedroom Farm house. We remodeled the lower lever with 2 bedrooms and always planned on finishing the upstairs(old lathe and plaster) but never got around to it because we found BIG issues with the foundation. Really, my skis have their own bedroom in the unfinished part of the house.

We will be building new, and my gear will have its very own room complete with tune bench and Warren Miller Mural.

 

[Quiver Queen]

Jealous

Good for you, SnowHot! Post photos when you're done! Just be sure in your gear room you have plenty of slots for skis--would hate for you to have to get rid of some skis. You've now given something to which we all can aspire, and you've given me a new idea for our cabin plans.

 

[eng_ch]

SnowHot, you definitely have to try some of the Thang range Wild and/or Fast I would suggest (ooer missus)

 

[MissDemeanour]

I tested quite a few skis recently, no surprises which were my favourite, but there were some other strong contenders.
Head Fast Thang
K2 Lotta Luvs (Burnin' Luvs just weren't as good).
Dynastar Exclusive Carves
and (I really need to test these again)
Elan Wave Magic Fusion-these were a dream to ski on, and were my all-roud choice, till I tried the Missy's over three days, and learned to really carve them.


If I were to have two pairs it would be the Missy's and the Elan's. All ladies skis, but it is hard to try shorter lengths in anything else.

 

[volklgirl]

If you rent/demo for a day, don't hesitate to trade skis several times during the day--most demo centers expect this. One run should be enough to tell you if a ski is not for you, but to choose one to possibly purchase will take more than that. Most demo centers allow more than one day's rental fee to be applied to a purchase so don't feel pressured to make the decision in one day.

Yes!!! Also, find my Demo Scorecard, print a bunch off and take notes. Then write us a demo day review !

 

[ski diva]

Elan Wave Magic Fusion-these were a dream to ski on, and were my all-roud choice, till I tried the Missy's over three days, and learned to really carve them.

If I were to have two pairs it would be the Missy's and the Elan's. All ladies skis, but it is hard to try shorter lengths in anything else.

I don't know anything about Elans or these skis in particular. What can you tell us about these? More specifically, what'd you like about them? And do you know anything about the Fire Magic? I'm wondering how these two compare.