k2 tru luv vs. Head Cool thang v.s atomic 5:3

[katie]

I am 5 foot tall 155 lbs. I am an intermidiate skier who skis on groomed runs. I am learning to carve but am cautious and I dont ski too terribly fast. I have been skiing now for 6 years. I have a pair of 146cm and 160cm 6 years old rossignol and dynastar's. the 160cm are way too big for me and I fall constantly, I learned on 150's 6 years ago and would like to go back to that size range but am having a hard time trying to find a womens ski that is light and bindings that are light and meet my needs.

I definately do not want to go more than 153cm seeings how i have tried 160's, not sure how a 153 would work, what really is the size difference in a 150 and 153? is it just the 3cm?

what ski would you guys recommend since you probably have way more exerperince on the mnt and buying? again i would like a ski that is appropriate at my skill level and lightweight.

thanks:o

 

[Jilly]

If you've read any of the threads, first thing is to demo skis. That said, I'm not too familiar with the K2's and Head (though I'm learning alot about them from the Diva's)But Atomic - I live in Atomic town. The main warehouse is here. So I've tried most of the Atomic skis. Last year I demo'd the 2007 ladies skis for our local shop. I'm taller than you and have 5 lbs on you. So, I tried the Balaze 9.7 in 160cm. It liked long turns and I found it wasn't too soft. So going down to the 5.3 may be the answer for you. But don't buy before you demo. Now I'll leave the rest of the thread to the K2 and Head gear heads!

 

[SnowHot]

I really don't have a lot of experience on skis that would be suited for your current desires. I would say you're on the right track in the K2 and the Atomic you've selected.

both of those would be easy to resell if you kick it up a notch in a few years and want something a bit more agressive.
Between those two(understanding that I don't know anything about the head skiyou listed), I'd get the Luv.

I believe we have a few divas on that ski who've been tremendously happy.

 

[katie]

I have been leaning towards tru luv because of the reviews on real skier. The Cool Thangs did not get the greatest reviews and there are no reviews on the Atomic.

 

[SnowHot]

I have been leaning towards tru luv because of the reviews on real skier. The Cool Thangs did not get the greatest reviews and there are no reviews on the Atomic.

Atomic has given little effort promoting their womens line.
Look around you at the mountain. Most of the womens skis you see on women are K2's. Part of that is marketing and part of that is the quality of the product.

The few women I know who've gotten the balanze skis have really appreciated the properties they bring to their skiing experience. The only balanze skis I've been on are the B11(great ski, but kind of aggressive) and the Diva(total noodle)

If you can find the tru luv in your budget, go for it! You shouldn't be disappointed.

 

[Bonni]

I'm probably on your level ski-wise. I'll post a review of the True Luv's when I get back from a trip from Washington.

I haven't skied them yet, but they're gonna get a big, fat workout in about 3 states! Woof!

 

[volklgirl]

Demo, Demo, Demo!!! Try not only different makes and models, but different lengths as well. The skis from the last 2 years tend to be softer and have more sidecut than the ones you're on and can easily be skied in longer lengths. When doing your demo, if you find a ski you like, try 1 size up and down if posible...you may be very surprised at the differences. Plus, a longer length may be just as easy to ski yet stable enough to give you the confidence to go faster.

 

[Elangirl]

I've skied all three of those skis---let's see if I can give an objective review.

The Atomic 5:3 is the beginner end of the Atomic line--I think that Atomic has not been innovative in the woman's line--they feel like smaller men's skis--I don't think that they have adjust the ski shape like K2 has to accomodate the forward mounting position. Atomics come from the race ski tradition and tend to be on the stiff side. the 5:3 is a softer ski, but it did not feel lively to me--it was too quiet. I like to feel a pop at the end of the turn and the Atomic was too quiet for me. I did not like the ski in crud or powder since the tip is soft and it deflects easily. It felt chattery on ice. This ski was made to carve on easy runs on nice days!!

The True luv is a nice ski, but I think the One Luv is so much more awesome, that I would step up to the One Luv. The True is the introductory level ski and I don't think it will work that well for you. K2 has done a great job of making the shape of the ski fit a woman's body. The sidecut is altered to reflect the forward mounting position of the binding, which makes it easier to initiate a turn. The One Luv skis so smooth and damp (quiet and stable) that I would recommend it to you. The K2 feel is smooth, smooth, smooth. And I think you are right on about the size--152 is what I would recommend in this ski.

The Head Cool Thang is another fairly soft ski--but I think it is twitchy---it does not feel smooth and stable when I skied it. I love the Wild Thang, which is an awesome woman's all mountain ski. It is burly and probably too stiff for you right now. But, the Cool Thang was a disappointment. I did not like it at speed, and it seemed sluggish when I would initiate a turn.

Of the skis you have chosen, I would stick to the 150-152 size and I would also demo anything that I might buy. I think the One Luv might be a ski that you would like; but having said all that, I would also recommend the Elan White Perla. I first skied this ski as the Elan Whisper five years ago. A friend and I each bought a pair--we called them the dancing skis because they turned so easily we felt like we were dancing down the slopes. They are a little more lively than the One Luv and would definitely merit a try in my book, especially since they are about $100 cheaper. (But then, as you can see, I am prejudiced towards Elan!!)

 

[Jilly]

Well if we're going to add to katie's confusion and demo list, I'd like to add the Salomon Rush 8 for her. Atomic and Rossi have a long way to go on their women's skis. There is another Atomic the 7.4, but I haven't seen it in too many shops. So add the Elans and Salomon's to your list to demo.