Help Needed: Intermediate thinking about 2nd pair of skis - advice on carving skis

[Nvmsto]

Thank you for letting me join. I am a former snowboarder turned skiing (intermediate now) and have really loved the switch. I currently have Blizzard BlackPearl 88 but working on my carving has been a bit difficult on these (got too excited and bought them without doing more research ;). Trying to do better this time.

I had an instructor tell me that it would take more finesse to carve on these especially in the midwest hills I'm on most of the time with one annual trip out West. The hills get quite hard and icy during the winter months and while at times I feel like I can get an edge, I ultimately just skid on the ice and zig zag my way down. (Though the current skis were great on pow days that I was fortunately able to go after winter storms.) I know I still need to develop my skiing skills, which is probably the bigger issue, but hoping to get a little help with carving skis. I've been researching like crazy but there is a lot and the deals I'm finding now aren't exactly what reviews are about. I have no idea how big of a difference a ski model or the same ski model with a ti after it is. Any advice? I went to local shops but they didn't have much of a deal, online is better, and the rentals locally are horrible so trying them beforehand is difficult. Facebook marketplace was also a mess with most people not knowing which ski model they are selling.

Hoping to get some knowledge and recommendations here. I'm not an aggressive skier, but just enjoy getting out there 1-2 times a week during the winter. Blues and greens are great. Blacks are fine but admit I go pretty slow on them so only go on them when there is hardly anyone around.

Thanks!

 

[Jilly]

The Black Pearls are not really meant for our "eastern hardpack" aka ice.

You should be looking at skis that are 76mm and under. Front side carvers.
Rossi Nova series
Atomic Cloud series
Blizzard Phoenix
Salomon S/Max series
Nordica Belle
Head Real Joy or Super Joy
Dynastar E lite series

 

[Sarabeth]

I'm at a roughly similar stage, maybe slightly more advanced than you, and saving up for a pair of frontside skis to complement my Blaze 86s. My demo list includes several of the skis that Jilly recommended, plus the Stockli Laser Mx.

 

[BlizzardBabe]

I love the Laser MX, @Sarabeth. Just sayin'.

 

[badger]

Love the Laser MX too. But, if you are not going to use them most of the time, then these are not worth the price. You can find so many options in the narrower spectrum that will work just as well.
I think too many people use the word CARVING when they are really looking for a good frontside groomer ski. Carving is not a ski type; carving is a technique that is far more than parallel skiing.

 

[Nvmsto]

The Black Pearls are not really meant for our "eastern hardpack" aka ice.

You should be looking at skis that are 76mm and under. Front side carvers.
Rossi Nova series
Atomic Cloud series
Blizzard Phoenix
Salomon S/Max series
Nordica Belle
Head Real Joy or Super Joy
Dynastar E lite seri

Based on this list and current sales, I'm thinking either the Atomic Cloud C9 or the Dynastar E lite 8 - thoughts between the two?

 

[Sarabeth]

I love the Laser MX, @Sarabeth. Just sayin'.

Definitely very interested in them! But they are expensive enough that I definitely need to demo first.

 

[BlizzardBabe]

Love the Laser MX too. But, if you are not going to use them most of the time, then these are not worth the price. You can find so many options in the narrower spectrum that will work just as well.
I think too many people use the word CARVING when they are really looking for a good frontside groomer ski. Carving is not a ski type; carving is a technique that is far more than parallel skiing.

True that. I love them but they are a self described “ one trick pony.” Don’t expect them to be appropriate for anything other than tight slalom type turns on a frontside groomer. Fantastic for what they are but they are limited in applicability.

 

[VickiK]

Perhaps explore what Fischer Skis are out there in the 76mm range. They don't get much press but the skis are solid.

 

[Knitjenious]

Perhaps explore what Fischer Skis are out there in the 76mm range. They don't get much press but the skis are solid.

I have demoed the '25 Fischer The Curv 76 multiple times (on WNY hills, so very similar to Midwest conditions) and can vouch for it as a solid intermediate carver/frontside ski.

 

[Bsheresq]

I highly recommend checking out the Renoun Earhart 88. It’s a small brand out of Vermont. They are super-light and turn so easily. I used to have Volkl Luna, which I liked, but I definitely credit the Renouns with helping me become a better skier. They are excellent on Northeast conditions, but I took them to Park City last year and they were awesome in the powder and trees there too.

 

[Jilly]

The Renoun, could be an issue if it's not in stock. Renoun skis are made in Quebec and exported to the states. $$

Also a front side carver that the OP is looking for needs to be able to handle icy conditions. Many of the "all-mountain" category of skis can't match the edge hold on hardpack that a true front side ski can.

 

[Ms Mia]

The Black Pearls are not really meant for our "eastern hardpack" aka

That's what I thought, too. But interestingly, here in Sutton, Québec, the BP88 is THE ski of choice for women over 60s! I see them everywhere - once I saw four women skiing together who all had them. Granted they are probably advanced skiers, with many decades of experience, but I've asked and been told they love how nimble the BPs are. That said, I would follow @Jilly 's advice any day, and she's given you a list she'd recommend

 

[Bsheresq]

The Renoun, could be an issue if it's not in stock. Renoun skis are made in Quebec and exported to the states. $$

Also a front side carver that the OP is looking for needs to be able to handle icy conditions. Many of the "all-mountain" category of skis can't match the edge hold on hardpack that a true front side ski can.

Whoops, forgot about the exercise in stupidity to tank the economy! But Renoun actually are still selling some of this years Earharts, on sale at $699. & they are truly excellent on ice. They’ve helped me increase my confidence because I know they are going to hold well in most conditions we see in the NE.