I finally got a chance to demo skis, although choices were a bit limited due to the end of the season rapidly approaching. Sharing for others who may be looking to upgrade their beginner skis. I wasn't sure I was good enough to tell much difference between skis, but I absolutely could! Definitely try different skis--even my husband, who is brand new to skiing, demoed a pair he liked way better than his rentals (and bought them).
• Your ski level: 3.5 - I stick to greens and hate all things steep, but I've gotten a bit faster this season
• Previous skis: Salomon Lagoon Origins from 2012. 72mm waist and 151cm long.
• Boots: Salomon S/Pro 90W in 24.5
• Location & conditions: Sierra at Tahoe, groomed greens, typical California spring snow that's slightly icy early in the morning and super slushy by afternoon
• Your size (height, weight): 5'5" 130lbs
Demos were done over two days of similar conditions. I'm starting with my least favorites and will count down my top 3.
Volkl Yumi 84, 161cm
I really wanted to try the Yumi, but these were just too long for me and were the only pair left. I was not comfortable on them at all. I expect 154 would have been a much better experience.
Rossignol Experience 86 Basalt, 157cm
I now get what people mean when they describe skis as planks. I found them hard to maneuver and exchanged after one run.
Rossignol Experience 82 Basalt, 159cm
I liked these much more than the 86 version, but I found it hard to stay forward on them. I wondered if I was just getting tired, but as soon as I switched to different skis, the problem went away. Could be the bindings, but this model comes with a pink Look binding.
And now the top 3...
3. Blizzard Black Pearl 82, 159cm (2021 version)
I skied on these four total days, so they were also tried on a colder packed day and a powder day. I liked them best on the very first day I used them. They were totally fine the other days, but these didn't hold an edge as well for me as the next two, and this weekend, they got jostled a bit by the slush lumps. These didn't feel long at all due to the amount of tip rocker. I think I would like the newer version better (more camber), but I was never able to find a pair to try.
2. Head Absolut Joy (79mm), 153cm
Bought these to assuage my disappointment from two cancelled trips a month ago. I've skied on them five days in total. They are very nimble, hold an edge well, and perform surprisingly well in 4-5in of powder for a 79mm ski. The only problem I had was a tendency to catch the inside edge of my uphill ski. I fell 3/5 days due to catching an edge. These have a lot of camber (11mm) which might contribute, though I know my technique is more to blame than the skis.
1. Nordica Wild Belle 84, 156cm
I exhausted what Sierra's demo center had to offer that I felt was appropriate for me yesterday. Today, I peeked in the regular rental shop just to see what was there, and I was surprised to see the Nordica Wild Belle 84. I didn't have high expectations--the Experience 86 made me think I just prefer narrow skis plus I thought it might be too advanced for me. However, I was pleasantly surprised from the first run. They turned easily without the edge fears of the AJs. They were very stable through the slush lumps, and I even took them to the baby park.
I ended up alternating between my top three skis throughout the day, mostly on the same run which required short turns at the top and long ones at the bottom. In the end, I thought the Wild Belles were the right choice for me--easy enough for my skill level while still feeling solid. Plus I was able to negotiate the price down due to some top sheet damage. The AJs were a close second, but I just caught an edge on them too many times. According to SoothSki, most of the Wild Belle's specs fall in the middle of the AJ and BP, other than width.
• Your ski level: 3.5 - I stick to greens and hate all things steep, but I've gotten a bit faster this season
• Previous skis: Salomon Lagoon Origins from 2012. 72mm waist and 151cm long.
• Boots: Salomon S/Pro 90W in 24.5
• Location & conditions: Sierra at Tahoe, groomed greens, typical California spring snow that's slightly icy early in the morning and super slushy by afternoon
• Your size (height, weight): 5'5" 130lbs
Demos were done over two days of similar conditions. I'm starting with my least favorites and will count down my top 3.
Volkl Yumi 84, 161cm
I really wanted to try the Yumi, but these were just too long for me and were the only pair left. I was not comfortable on them at all. I expect 154 would have been a much better experience.
Rossignol Experience 86 Basalt, 157cm
I now get what people mean when they describe skis as planks. I found them hard to maneuver and exchanged after one run.
Rossignol Experience 82 Basalt, 159cm
I liked these much more than the 86 version, but I found it hard to stay forward on them. I wondered if I was just getting tired, but as soon as I switched to different skis, the problem went away. Could be the bindings, but this model comes with a pink Look binding.
And now the top 3...
3. Blizzard Black Pearl 82, 159cm (2021 version)
I skied on these four total days, so they were also tried on a colder packed day and a powder day. I liked them best on the very first day I used them. They were totally fine the other days, but these didn't hold an edge as well for me as the next two, and this weekend, they got jostled a bit by the slush lumps. These didn't feel long at all due to the amount of tip rocker. I think I would like the newer version better (more camber), but I was never able to find a pair to try.
2. Head Absolut Joy (79mm), 153cm
Bought these to assuage my disappointment from two cancelled trips a month ago. I've skied on them five days in total. They are very nimble, hold an edge well, and perform surprisingly well in 4-5in of powder for a 79mm ski. The only problem I had was a tendency to catch the inside edge of my uphill ski. I fell 3/5 days due to catching an edge. These have a lot of camber (11mm) which might contribute, though I know my technique is more to blame than the skis.
1. Nordica Wild Belle 84, 156cm
I exhausted what Sierra's demo center had to offer that I felt was appropriate for me yesterday. Today, I peeked in the regular rental shop just to see what was there, and I was surprised to see the Nordica Wild Belle 84. I didn't have high expectations--the Experience 86 made me think I just prefer narrow skis plus I thought it might be too advanced for me. However, I was pleasantly surprised from the first run. They turned easily without the edge fears of the AJs. They were very stable through the slush lumps, and I even took them to the baby park.
I ended up alternating between my top three skis throughout the day, mostly on the same run which required short turns at the top and long ones at the bottom. In the end, I thought the Wild Belles were the right choice for me--easy enough for my skill level while still feeling solid. Plus I was able to negotiate the price down due to some top sheet damage. The AJs were a close second, but I just caught an edge on them too many times. According to SoothSki, most of the Wild Belle's specs fall in the middle of the AJ and BP, other than width.
