Shellski
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
We went up to Mt Hotham on the weekend, they'd had a nice fall of new snow, it snowed consistently all weekend. The snow was almost as good as it gets here, light and dry.
On Saturday morning I was stoked to discover it was a demo day, so I took out a few pairs of skis. I'm not great at describing ski characteristics, I just know what I like and what I don't like. However, I took a ride on:
Volkl Attiva Tierra - just didn't suit me at all, I thought the tips got pushed around quite a lot in the bumpier deeper snow, on the groomed parts I found them a little squirrely and unstable.
K2 Misdemeanor - I've never skied a twin tip before, I didn't hate it, I'd like to spend a bit more time on these.
K2 Burning Luv 2008/09 model - my friend beat me to these, she also loves her first edition BL's. The K2 guy assured me they are an improvement on the previous models so I was keen to find out if they are, the first few turns made me think he might be right. They certainly do handle the whole mountain well, from the groomed, bumps, crud to a foot of fresh snow.
Nordica Olympia Drive - these are a nice, nimble, easy turning ski.
I didn't push any of these particularly fast, the day was all about cruising through the abundant fresh snow. I wanted to try out another couple of skis my friend raved about - the Atomic Seventh Heaven and the Elan Magic Spice, but I ran out of time on the Saturday and the demo guys didn't set up on Sunday, something about the weather being too harsh for the tents.. :soft:
We were having quite a wonderful day until I had an experience I haven't had for many years, in fact I sometimes feel a little smug that it seems to happen to so many other people when it should be easy to avoid.. I got cleaned up from behind by an out of control boarder in a very high traffic area, copped the board across the back of my legs, knocked me clear out both skis and down the hill a fair way. I wasn't at all hurt, but I found out when I returned the skis (the demo Burnin's) that the heel piece on one of the bindings was broken, and that night I found a big gash in my almost new favourite Spyder ski pants. :Cry:
I retrieved my old BL's, and the first few turns convinced me, they are still my soul mates. We spent the afternoon putting these tracks in:
Mr Shellski:
Me:
I was awoken very early Sunday morning by the sound of torriential rain, which at the foot of the hill is a very good sign indeed. We had to fit chains (on 2wd) at the very base of the hill which is very rare, we were overtaken by a few 4wd's including an older Subaru, which we encountered again a few minutes later:
And yes, it is a sheer drop over the side, there is no guard rail. The occupants were unhurt, but needed a change of underwear I think.
By the time we got much further, they were fitting chains on all vehicles including 4wd's, it is a dangerous road.
As predicted, the snow was coming down thick and fast, some more photos:
On Saturday morning I was stoked to discover it was a demo day, so I took out a few pairs of skis. I'm not great at describing ski characteristics, I just know what I like and what I don't like. However, I took a ride on:
Volkl Attiva Tierra - just didn't suit me at all, I thought the tips got pushed around quite a lot in the bumpier deeper snow, on the groomed parts I found them a little squirrely and unstable.
K2 Misdemeanor - I've never skied a twin tip before, I didn't hate it, I'd like to spend a bit more time on these.
K2 Burning Luv 2008/09 model - my friend beat me to these, she also loves her first edition BL's. The K2 guy assured me they are an improvement on the previous models so I was keen to find out if they are, the first few turns made me think he might be right. They certainly do handle the whole mountain well, from the groomed, bumps, crud to a foot of fresh snow.
Nordica Olympia Drive - these are a nice, nimble, easy turning ski.
I didn't push any of these particularly fast, the day was all about cruising through the abundant fresh snow. I wanted to try out another couple of skis my friend raved about - the Atomic Seventh Heaven and the Elan Magic Spice, but I ran out of time on the Saturday and the demo guys didn't set up on Sunday, something about the weather being too harsh for the tents.. :soft:
We were having quite a wonderful day until I had an experience I haven't had for many years, in fact I sometimes feel a little smug that it seems to happen to so many other people when it should be easy to avoid.. I got cleaned up from behind by an out of control boarder in a very high traffic area, copped the board across the back of my legs, knocked me clear out both skis and down the hill a fair way. I wasn't at all hurt, but I found out when I returned the skis (the demo Burnin's) that the heel piece on one of the bindings was broken, and that night I found a big gash in my almost new favourite Spyder ski pants. :Cry:
I retrieved my old BL's, and the first few turns convinced me, they are still my soul mates. We spent the afternoon putting these tracks in:
Mr Shellski:
Me:
I was awoken very early Sunday morning by the sound of torriential rain, which at the foot of the hill is a very good sign indeed. We had to fit chains (on 2wd) at the very base of the hill which is very rare, we were overtaken by a few 4wd's including an older Subaru, which we encountered again a few minutes later:
And yes, it is a sheer drop over the side, there is no guard rail. The occupants were unhurt, but needed a change of underwear I think.
By the time we got much further, they were fitting chains on all vehicles including 4wd's, it is a dangerous road.
As predicted, the snow was coming down thick and fast, some more photos:
)!! 
Darn, too bad about the PANTS! (Any advice for her, geargrrl, re repairs?) More important: you are okay. Sounds like the Burnin' Luvs are definitely YOUR ski. Hey, if it ain't broke....you know...Thanks for sharing, it's such fun to read reports in what is summer (although waning) up here.
