Need Gear: Overcoming the Intermediate Plateau

[tinymoose]

@MissySki Maybe you'll be able to sort it out by simply getting an aftermarket liner? Keep us posted! I'm always up for a good boot saga story, as someone who has had many herself. lol

 

[MissySki]

@MissySki Maybe you'll be able to sort it out by simply getting an aftermarket liner? Keep us posted! I'm always up for a good boot saga story, as someone who has had many herself. lol

Certainly one of the things I will be asking about, yes!

 

[RandomSkier]

It certainly does sound like you need new skis, though I would caution that I am not sure that will really change much about what you are concerned with here for where you find yourself plateaued. Have you taken any lessons recently? Investing in lessons or a clinic is an important thing to consider if you are feeling stuck. You can discuss your goals/concerns with a high level instructor and form a plan to move in that direction.

Also, not that you have to want to learn moguls, but I will say that for me.. I avoided them for a very long time and once I finally started working on them a whole lot more of the mountain opened up to me. They certainly bring in the aspect of skiing that you said you do like which can be slow, tight, very technical skiing. I am never bored on the mountain because I am almost always looking for spots to work on more technical skiing. This can also be on greens and blues. Where do you ski? I am curious if where you are has blacks more ungroomed or is it the steepness, what part is causing your confidence to fail there when greens and blues are a walk in the park?

For skis, I do think demoing is the way to go for sure. I am a big fan of the Sheeva 9, they are good everywhere but especially in softer snow and off piste is where they shine in bumps/trees/a bit of snow, etc. So I'm not sure they fit the bill for what you are saying your preferences are, unless you do want to dabble in these other areas. Otherwise something more frontside oriented may serve you better as a one ski quiver.. You will not get the edge hold of say the BP 88 in the Sheeva. I ski in the East and do use the Sheeva on ice, but when it is super icy I go to my Stockli Stormriders which are skinnier and stiffer. This may go back again to where you ski, if you are not facing ice often then this might not be a big deal for you.

Have you by chance tried the 2023-2024 Sheeva 9? The changed the construction to metal at the edge running the full length of the ski and every reviewer says the edge hold and firm performance is much improved. The 2024 is suddenly a good contender.

 

[AJM]

Have you by chance tried the 2023-2024 Sheeva 9? The changed the construction to metal at the edge running the full length of the ski and every reviewer says the edge hold and firm performance is much improved. The 2024 is suddenly a good contender.

A friend demo'd them the other day and loved them !!! Quite a different ski to the previous model, lighter, grippier and even friendlier if that's possible x

 

[MissySki]

A friend demo'd them the other day and loved them !!! Quite a different ski to the previous model, lighter, grippier and even friendlier if that's possible x

I haven’t gotten on them yet, but that sure sounds kind of strange.. It’s wider with more rocker, but now it’s better gripping on ice? Will have to see I guess. Should be able to demo around Thanksgiving. I’m definitely curious about the new version.

 

[AJM]

I haven’t gotten on them yet, but that sure sounds kind of strange.. It’s wider with more rocker, but now it’s better gripping on ice? Will have to see I guess. Should be able to demo around Thanksgiving. I’m definitely curious about the new version.

I know, the metal now goes along the edge rather than through the middle and tapering out so I guess thats where the edge hold comes in. I'd love to try them but at 96 under foot its just too wide for me now.
Im sadly selling my old Sheevas as I've come to the conclusion that my knees will no longer be happy on them

 

[Makakio]

IME: sooooo many skiers run too-soft, or too-cushy, or too-big (or all three) boots that *literally* limit them to intermediate-level performance, not to mention barring them for accessing even basic performance differences ski to ski. And if you're not feeling a difference between skis I'd suspect boots. Advice: simply take a lesson to get baseline feedback on technique and boots (any pro can look at your skiing and talk to both) and THEN think about skis as a last factor in the equation.

In my advancement through the decades it wasn't until I went with a pro-recommended customizable boot (I thought too stiff and too narrow for me) and had them fitted and adjusted to give me a glass-slipper fit with proper forward lean, canting - and no pain or need to pop buckles during the day. My skiing advanced more that season than it had in the previous 20 years. The bonus: all of that fitting comes with your purchase at a good shop, as do lifetime adjustments.

 

[Elizabeth.I]

I am a solid intermediate. Effortless blues; blacks make me earn it. I want new skis (more on that), but I can't figure out how I want to progress. I have good technique, I am strong, I am coordinated and athletic. I should be way better than I am, but I have been stuck at the intermediate plateau for years due to more of a mental hurdle than anything else. From my skill, I feel like the only ways to improve are to embrace high speed, learn moguls, become a park rat, or go off piste/back country. None of which appeals to me. As such, I have also become bored on greens and blues because I can already ski them with ease. Skiing is sort of "blah" for me now. I enjoy slower, more technical skiing, with tight turns and good edge hold. I thrive anywhere in good snow, but completely fall apart in icy conditions (or flat, grey light). I am sort of big and lumbering, vs. skiing with finesse, lightness, and grace.

I am seeking an all mountain ski around 88-93 mm wide (don't get much powder). I am 175 cm tall (5 ft 9 in.) and 130 lbs. I currently ski a 10 year old 164 cm, 78 mm wide, soft beginner ski (Dynastar Exclusive Idyll). Never skied anything longer. They're a cheaper all mountain ski with system bindings. Maybe a Nordica Wild Belle equivalent? My skis only do one thing well: carve groomers at moderate speeds. So that's what I have done for the last decade and it has made me lazy. I don't know if I have ever even felt what pop, energy, float, or dampness feels like... I want an interesting ski, a ski with some fun, a ski that challenges me to push myself. I want to rediscover my love of skiing, rather than defaulting to "meh, conditions sort of suck today, I'll just go cruise a green".

I demoed the Black Pearl 88 and the Santa Ana 88 both in 165 cm. And the BP88 felt... Exactly the same as my current ski. I waited *10 years* to upgrade, was super excited to try the best selling women's ski ever, expected it to be amazing, and it was sort of a let down because I barely felt any difference. And why would I?! Same length, same flatter tail, directional build, similar width for groomer carving, probably only mildly stiffer. I melded with the BP88 like I had skiied it forever; it was, easy, compliant, stable, predictable, good edge hold, and let me get away with all of my bad habits. In fact, I had a good day on it. My concern is just that if I buy the BP88, I will just ski it the way I always have, never pushing myself, never testing the limits, just cruising around... I want more out of a ski. But I don't exactly know what that is. I want all of the edge hold and stability I liked in the BP88, but in a more exciting, versatile, and fun package.

So I tried the SA88 hoping I might jive more with the freeride feel as a change. I also liked that ski; I found it equally as easy to ski and handled similarly to the BP88. I am tempted to get the SA88 (maybe the 93) just because the tip and tail rocker profile are at least a bit different than my current set up. I am also considering the Kenja 88 (power carving) or a Sheeva 9 (playful), just to inject some difference into my style.

Yes, I need to demo more skis. That is abundantly clear. But my current skis are ready to fall apart and I need SOMETHING. My plan was to get a summer sale, then keep exploring over the next season or two. Put the sale savings to lessons.

What is more exciting than a Black Pearl 88, but still accessible to a strong intermediate? I keep telling myself I want edge hold, ice grip, power, and the ability to handle high speed. But that is what I perceive as my deficits as a skier. And I figure if I get a ski that handles those deficits better, I will progress. When the truth is, I would probably enjoy a more playful style of skiing. I just don't want to be limited by a playful ski that doesn't handle hardpack well as that is our main snow condition.

If you have read this far, I sincerely appreciate it. I am so lost in skiing right now. Any advice or ski recommendations are welcome. Anyone ever been through something similar?

You should have a ski your height or 5 cm shorter. You may feel more comfortable going faster on a longer, more stable ski. I'm sure it would break you out of your plateau! 164cm skis are very short for your height and therefore less stable!