Loved Blizzards but too long for petite skier

[JaneB]

I posted previously about finding a good fit for me. I tried the Blizzard Sonic IQ yesterday in a 153 (shortest they come) and loved the ski but felt it would be too long for my favorite short radius turns. The snow was icy/hardpack/death cookies so they really stood the test of holding on that surface, often mine to bear in VT.

I also demoed the Nordica Olympia Drive and didn't like them at all after the Blizzard experience.

I am 5' 105# level 8 skier so I can't really use my weight; I think that was the problem with the Nordicas. However, I don't want a ski to wash out on me and the Nordicas did this, although the Blizzards did not.

Any suggestions as to what might be similar to the Blizzards (great carvers, but stable thru crud) I might try in a shorter length?

JaneB-----------

 

[IcyBum]

I am 5'2", 120-5 lbs, and have the Nordica Firefox in 154 w/integrated bindings. In 154 it has a slightly smaller waist (120-70-103) than the Drive, and smaller (12m) turn radius. Compare that with the Drive's 13m in 154cm (119-74-104)...maybe give the Firefox a shot? Another option: why not try the Drive in 146 (12m)?

I love the Firefoxes. I find it very lively, never boring, very grippy on hardpack. Asks a lot of me (7/8 aggressive, fall-line, short-turn skier) and I like that. I ski best and most often in VT hardpack and of the 2 days I've used my new Firefoxes, those are exactly the conditions I've skied them in. (Check the reviews section for more complete reviews of the Firefox by Divas far more knowledgeable than I.)

Today a friend far more expert than I borrowed them today while I tried her tele skis and it was hard to get them back from her! And - according to others, the Firefox is also great in those other (rarer in New England) non-hardpack conditions, too. How do you pronounce that? ppppppooowwwddderrr?

 

[Jilly]

I'll put in a word for the Fischer Vision Breeze. Great carver and loooooves ice! As do most Fischers.

 

[ski diva]

I agree about the Fischers, and I'm not much bigger than you (5'1", 110 lbs) and I ski in Vermont. I also love the Nordica Conquers and the Volkl Auroras -- both are a little bit wide, but can really hold an edge in the hard-pack and bust through just about anything.

 

[skidaup]

I am 5' 2" and #150 lbs, I have the Blizzard GS IQ's and positively love them. I have ski'd on them 3 times this year and just can't get over how nice they are, they are just so smooth I call them butter. You may want to consider a Junior ski, I am hearing a Jr. ski is good up to at least #135 lbs. I know the IQ comes in a Jr. ski and they are a lot cheaper, lighter too. I ski in a Jr. Technica boot, 22.5, they are awesome.

 

[volklgirl]

I'd second the motion about looking at the junior skis. They'll handle your light weight very well and are soft enough that you can get a longer length so you're not sacrificing stability at speed like you will in a stiffer but shorter ski.

 

[JaneB]

Any suggestions for jr. race ski brands? I was on a Rossi but don't want to go with the foam core again; it was done within two years.
I like a wide shovel....lots of sidecut for short radius turns.

Also, length suggestions? I'm advanced; 5'0" 105#.

Jane

 

[lucine]

What about the Volkl Fuegos? they come in a 149 and are very zippy carving skis. The shorter length is still out there in last years version-updated cosmetics but the same ski (I think)

 

[volklgirl]

For short turns, check out the Racetiger SL Jr. My mom is on the older version of this (P60) in a 150cm and just adores it. Beware, though, that it's not really an all-mountain ski.....it's VERY skinny and super turny, so you'll not like it anywhere other than the groomers.