I'm Downgrading Skis: Elan Black Magic or Atomic Sweet Mama or Neither?

[Simone29]

I just recently posted about how I just began skiing last year and quickly progressed to a intermediate level 6 skier. I'm 5'3, weigh 144 lbs and am skiing on Volkl AC3s. These skis are out of control, and just way too fast for me. Everyone so far recommended that i buy a softer intermediate ski and stash the Volkls for 2 yrs or so..

So the 2 skis that have been recommended to me by my local ski shop were the Elan Black Magic and the Atomic Sweet Mama.

I am leaning towards the Elan Black Magic, anyone have any experience with these? It has a reflex sidecut, anyone know what that exactly means? Its also called a slalom type ski- does that mean its really fast?

Still part of me feels like i should just stick it out with the Volkl AC3's and just learn to deal with them, but they kill my legs, i can't even do a run without stopping and laying down on the snow since i spend the whole time trying to slow these downs. Even the lower end Volkl like the Ac2 and luna seem stiff and am not sure they're will be much of a difference.

Any thoughts?

 

[abc]

Demo?

Oh by the way, what length you have the AC3?

 

[Jilly]

First why not try a lesson and see if the problem is technique. If not then, demo some skis instead.
Elangirl and I have tried the Black Magic. Quick turner and quick sidecut. This ski is a true parabolic and craves really nice on the groomers.
Atomic Sweet Mama, I'll know a little more in a few weeks, once I've demo'd them. But I watched SkiMave on them on Tuesday and they seem to carve well. But this is an all mountain ski. Not as fast edge to edge and longer turns. So the two skis are completely different in sidecut and construction.

 

[num]

If you were looking to get a shortlist to demo I'd say check out the Dynastar Exclusive line, particularly the 9. They're a bit softer and more forgiving but still a lot of fun and though they won't punish you for making mistakes or wanting to go slower, they won't hold you back either.

One ski that I haven't been on but comes to mind as being along the lines of what you're looking for is the K2 True Luv. I'm sure you can find some first hand insight on them on here.

 

[Elangirl]

First, I will tell you what the Elan website says about Reflex Sidecut:

reflex sidecut enables female skiers to accomplish effortless carving turns. The symmetrical ski shape enables controlled and harmonius turns. Furthermore, the reflex Sidecut allows for a central mounting position of the binding, distributing power equally for easier turn initiation and execution.

I have skied the Black Magic and it is a great ski for carving turns. A slalom type ski is a ski made for races with gates--and thus--lots of turns. A slalom ski turns easily.

I will give you my own experience from ten years ago. I had a stiff ski then too--an Atomic---and I was not flexing the ski very well at all. When I joined ski school, one of the older instructors convinced me to buy a ski that was softer and easier to flex. Eureka!! I immediately began carving my turns and enjoying skiing much, much more.

Ten years later, I think the AC3 is an awesome ski, but I think it is too much ski for you. Sell it now while it still has value and buy the softer ski. I think the Elan Black Magic would be a perfect ski for you and one that will help you move forward with your skiing. You will feel so much more relaxed when you are on a ski you can flex.

I cannot tell you how many women I have encouraged to get softer skis---and how happy they are when they make the change!!! I think your pleasure will increase and really, what if life all about?

The Atomic ski is an more advanced, all mountain ski---the Elan ski is primarily for groomed skiing. If you want an Atomic, I would choose a different one than the one you are looking at. Can you demo the skis? Take them out on the mountain and you will immediately see what I am talking about. Your skiing will improve with the softer ski.

 

[Jilly]

Oops, just reread that title. SkiMave was on the Sugar Mamas. The Sweet Mama's are not as stiff . So you are in the right area of the line if you want an all mountain ski.

 

[Simone29]

I am skiing on Volkl AC3's in a 149 length, they come right up to my chin.

Good call on demoing- I'll do that so i'll add the K2 True Loves, Dynastars. Any other suggestions.

I'm so bummed, i spent so much money on these Volkls last year, and only skied it a few times. I still feel like maybe if i hit the gym and get my legs stronger i might be able to ride the Volkl AC3, but i simply don't have the technique. I associate the word "carving" with a turkey rather than skiing.

As for lessons, i take them regularly, every week- I'm learning pole plants this week.

 

[Simone29]

I'm going to go yell at the Pelican Ski Shop that said that these Volkls Ac3's were the perfect ski for someone like me who only has 15 days of skiing under her belt.

Thanks for the advice everyone

 

[Simone29]

Ohh..and i messed up the title, i meant i was looking at Atomic Minx not Sweet Mamas...so many skis, so many names, its confusing.

The Atomix Minx had a softer flex than the Elan's. I demoed the Atomic 5:3 Balanze last year, a very soft ski. It scared me, it was very light and unstable. This Minx ski reminds me of that Balanze ski.

 

[Jilly]

Minx is the replacement for the Balaze. But they changed it too. I left all my stuff at Tremblant. I'll be at the shop tomorrow, so I'll grab a brochure and check them out. Minx makes more sense as its a carver too.

 

[Simone29]

There are 2 minx skis....an Atomic Hot Minx and the Atomic Minx....no idea what the difference is

 

[Jilly]

OK - 4 minx really - Minx, Cool, Hot then Royal. I think that the Cool Minx might be the one for you.

 

[Simone29]

Wow, There are 4 Minxes?!! Ok, i'll add the Cool Minx to my list.

 

[perma-grin]

Wow you should yell extra loud!! What jerks! That ski (AC3) is a very poor choice for you! It is very wide under foot! Volkl makes a lot of really nice ladies skis I don't know why they picked that one for a novice? If the Atomic Cool Minx replaced that Atomic Diva model Or the (9.6?)that would be a great choice. But I do have a student on that black magic and she is really coming along nicely on it!!! I think you'll find a ski that has a narrower waist with a fatter shovel will much improve your ability to tip your feet and knees into the turn and get that ski up on edge. And I agree a softer ski for an proggressing skier will make your learning curve a whole lot easier. PS Elangirl is giving you good advice "sell them while they still have good value". Goodluck.

 

[Jilly]

The top ski in that line is the Royal. I think I'd look at the Black magic too. I loved the way it work. Also you mentioned the Siam 5. Its a great ski too. I skied both it and the 10. The only difference was the stiffness of the ski. This year its the Jewel Amber.

 

[Simone29]

I actually just went to the Pelican Ski Shop and yelled at them just now...they were like, "who in the world sold you these skis and they were surprised themselves"

You know what's bad is that i broke my ankle on this ski the 2nd day i used them and was in a cast for months, i went to the ski shop on crutches and told them that this ski was too advanced and i wanted to trade it in for the AC2's, the guy was like, trust me, the AC3's are the perfect ski

I think he worked on commission and wanted me to buy the expensive ski

**Volkl girl says that i should hang on to the AC3's for the future**

I want to keep the ski, it will sit in my closet and rust and i'm going to work at it until one day maybe years later i will be able to conquer the mountain with this ski

 

[perma-grin]

Ha-Ha! I've done the same thing with a couple of engagement rings that I've saved! Even though I'm never going to use them. I keep them in my jewlery box. I take them out every once in a while and try them on. And then say to myself WHAT WERE YOU THINKING! And remember never to make that mistake again! Hope you have better luck( and a better time) with your new skis!

 

[Simone29]

HAHAHAH...that's hilarious!!!

 

[IntheClouds]

Tons of great advice already given. Glad you're already doing the lessons regularly. Sell the ski's. No need to try to conquer them just because they broke your ankle. There are so many wonderfull choices out there that as you advance, you will pick something else much better than the AC3 that will by then be outdated. Just ask SnowHot, she collects ski's by the season she finds so many nice & fun ones

Last year was my 1st real ski season so I felt like a beginner. The ski's I really like were the K2 True Luv & the Solomon Siam 8. The Siam 8 was amazingly easy to ski & turn on the groomers. It's been improved & renamed this year to I believe the Topaz. I'm going to try it. In the mean time I have the True Luv's, they are a little heavier than the Siam's were. Both would be easy to ski at your level & still have something left as you improve. And then as you demo, well,,,, let us know what all ski's you fall in love with. Oh, you should also try some of the Dynastar Exclusives, they are supposed to be fun & easy to ski also.

 

[SnowHot]

I hate to sound negative, but I agree with Intheclouds. Sell the skis. The way the ski industry is moving in technology for womens skis, (all skis for that matter) you'll have a ton more options and lost of things you're interested in when its time to upgrade. Right now the AC3 is new technology and you'll be able to get your $$$ out of them. Wait a few years and it will be a garage sale pricing.

I can't top the advice above when it comes to the ski lines you're looking at. I'd give you another vote for the Black magic.
The Nordica Olympia Fox is the softer version of the Firefox. The olympia line is awesome!!!
One more you may want to try is the Nordica Olympia Drive. With 74 underfoot and an intermediate flex, you'll get more than a few grins out of that, and it will follow you to the next level lf skiing.