Help Needed: Need skis-K2 Sweet Luv or Dynastar Ex Active?

[skidoc120]

Learned to ski in college many, many moons ago, striaight skis, intermediate level, some black diamonds back East, nothing too giant. Then nothing for 23 years! Finally skiied for 3 days in Park City, just as I was moving from Utah to Southern California, and fell in love with skiing all over again. I have been dying to ski ever since! I am moving back to Utah in the fall, but I want to get some practice here at Mt. High (manufactured ice) or Mammoth, and I would like to buy some skis on clearance. Here's the clincher: I am 5'4", over 200 lbs., and a bit of a cautious skier at this weight. What do you suggest that would make the transition to Utah? Sierra Ski & Snowboard has Dynastar Active for $197.70, and I thought maybe a 153 was too short, but it has been a long time for me. Are Sweet Luv's beginner? Is there another line I should be looking at with my low budget constraints? I will be skiing on ice here, but obviously some powder next winter. Shout out some ideas, I would greatly appreciate it! (Almost forgot, I already have Dalbello boots that fit, and don't have much opportunity to demo where I live, though that would obviously be the best thing.)

 

[valli]

I posted on another thread about the sale that's going on at www.sierraskis.com. I think they have the K2 True Luv's and Sweet Luvs at 70% off. The Fischers are a little more but are a really nice ski. If you are on a budget you may want to check out the K2 Misconducts in a 158, a twin tip will ski a little shorter and gives you a lot of versatility to ski all over the mountain. At your size and experience level, I think you would quickly outgrow the Sweet Luv's. I'm 5'2 and found a 158 twin tip was very manageable.

 

[skidoc120]

So you're the culprit, Valli! I saw that thread on SierraSki.com and have been obsessing over the thought of new skis ever since. The Missconduct is a great deal, but I've never skiied twin tips and picture myself sliding backwards down the mountain. The True Luv's were only available in a 146, and the Fischer is a White Heat, the right price but a men's ski. In general, what length do you think I should shoot for?

 

[valli]

Well, my experience after taking a decade off from skiing and starting up again a couple of years ago was that if you've skied black runs before you will again, and more easily. The newer skis are much easier to ski on than skis from even ten years ago, and you would probably outgrow a beginner ski quickly and get frustrated with a ski that was too short. I love my Fischer Visions, and sometimes you can get a good deal on them on ebay, so that's one thought. I'm 5'2 but around 115 lb, and I have the Fischers in 154 and rented twin tips last weekend that were 158. When I first started back skiing I bought a pair of used 149 Volkls, but I quickly found I wanted something a little longer for greater stability and speed. Don't listen to salesguys who might try to put you in a really short ski. I would definitely go up at least one size if I were you and go for something in the 155-160 range, and twin tips ski somewhat short because there is less ski hitting the snow. If you think you will spend more time on groomed cruisers or powder you might want to go on the longer side, but if you like making short turns or doing moguls go on the shorter side.

 

[skidoc120]

Thanks for the feedback, valli.

"Don't listen to salesguys who might try to put you in a really short ski."

Boy, that is a fact. :mad: I always skiied longer skis and liked the stability.

"I would definitely go up at least one size if I were you and go for something in the 155-160 range, and twin tips ski somewhat short because there is less ski hitting the snow."

What is the biggest difference you feel using twin tips? Is there any advantage to using them if you're not going to ski a terrain park?

 

[volklgirl]

At your weight and previous ability, don't buy beginners skis and don't buy too short. You'll over power anything below intermediate to advanced and you'll quickly outgrow beginner skis in ability. I'd suggest you look farther up the line than either of these.

 

[skidoc120]

Auras??

OK, volklgirl, would I be insane to look at Aura's? Yes, I did some black diamond runs, but I didn't say it was pretty!

 

[volklgirl]

Absolutely not!! The Aura is very user friendly and makes an incredible 1-ski quiver. However, if you're coming from straight skis, you'll want to book a lesson or 2 to get the most out of them. Their 94mm waist takes some commitment to get them to really shine on hardpack. That said, though, they're pretty darn happy to just smear around all day, too. Unfortunately, "budget" and "Aura" don't usually belong in the same sentance together. :(

The advantages to twin tips when you're not planning on using them in the park? The turned-up tails release turns with ease and allows you to back-slide and skid out of stuff easily if you get in over your head. The "twin tip" design means they ski about 10cm shorter than you would expect while maintaining the stability of a longer length when on-edge and carving. They tend to be somewhat softer and have a balanced flex so they skid and steer really easily. They're wide enough to handle cruddy conditions and pow with aplomb. And they help even the most klutzy skiers do 360s and ski switch.

 

[skidoc120]

Yeah, I've noticed budget and Aura don't mix! It has got me thinking that I may wait to buy until I'm back in Utah and can demo different skis with ease. I just have the bug so bad and don't want to wait! And I hate rental skis. Mb I need to look harder for demo skis around here. The "budget" idea is if I buy now to avoid renting, and then get better skis later. Does that ever work for people, or are they usually sorry they didn't wait? :Cry:

 

[valli]

I know everyone says demo, demo, demo, but I have small children, a fact that is often inconsistent with having time to demo skis. I have had decent luck just buying skis that are rated well by the divas and that sound like my type of ski. If they are cheap enough I figure I can always resell them on craigslist if necessary. I am petite, so I like light snappy skies that are easy to turn and have good edge grip and float. I had never skied on twin tips before last week and am not a devotee of the terrain park, aside from the occasional hop off a jump, but I found they were very forgiving in all sorts of terrrain and we ended up skiing moguls, powders, and steeps. I would venture to say I was skiing above my level, but I never felt out of control and never fell on them. By contrast, the first day I rented at Big Sky I had Rossignol B3's, which I hated. They felt clunky and hard to control, and I was fairly miserable on them. I do wish I had gotten to try either the Lotta Luv's or Tough Luv's, but the place we rented from was about six miles from the resort, so it wasn't easy to just trade them in every day. I didn't think the twin tips were quite as good at cruising at high speeds, but they were very versatile and fun. I was skiing on the Salomon Mynx twin tips, which were fine for me, but they are fairly soft and better for very light skiers. As you will see from surfing the forums, lots of divas really like the Fischers, and I can't remember anyone disliking them. I bought a pair of new Fischers Visions with bindings for around $270 a couple of years ago, so if you can find a deal like that I think it's worth just buying. After having fun with the twin tips I would like to buy a pair for myself, but I'm trying to limit adding to the quiver.

 

[skidoc120]

Valli, volklgirl, thanks for the tips; you have helped me calm down enough to not make a completely rash decision. Mt. Pilchuck had the Auras for $811 with Griffon bindings, delivered, a price which he gave me because of ski diva, but I just can't do it. Not now. I need a used, demo or clearance ski for around $200 so I can ski now, even if I grow out of them in a year or so. They don't need to be my soul mate skis, just better-than-rental skis which will allow me to improve. (Does anyone else spend more time obsessing over skis than actually skiing?) If anyone else can chime in with suggestions for demo-ing in SoCal, please do so. Thanks! I love this forum, am enjoying it immensely.

 

[skiaddict]

Skidoc120,
I am an advanced skier with your same stats, 5'4 (on a tall day) and 195. I just bought last year's Atomic Sugar Mamas in a 157 and couldn't be happier. They are stable, turn and grip, and a lot of fun (fast). As with many of the midfats, level seems to have more to do with how you ski them and where you ski them, rather than the ski itself (I could be wrong about this generalization, but from my experience with demoing, this is what I have found). There do not seem to be levels of skis once you enter the larger widths. So far, I've skied them on ice, hard pack, and recently some powdery conditions (not deep). I've read on this site that they are good to at least boot high powder. I ski in the east most of the season and do one big western trip each year. This year, I may haul them out just to test them in the deeper powder. The ski is 117-79-103. It's very light for a midfat and performs wonderfully. I've never written a review, but since I know what your body type is and took a long time to find the right ski, I thought I'd share my findings. Oh, the skis ran about $350 which is about 60+% less than this year's version, The Seventh Heaven. You can buy them new on Ebay or at some local ski shops who have stock left over...

Good Luck.

 

[pinto]

I need a used, demo or clearance ski for around $200 so I can ski now, even if I grow out of them in a year or so. They don't need to be my soul mate skis, just better-than-rental skis which will allow me to improve. (=

Go to levelninesports ... they buy good stuff by the container, and sell at unreal prices.

There are quite a few Head skis in your size that are cheap cheap cheap!

 

[pinto]

Head Monster 72s

Take a look at these ... they are good for a wide variety of ability levels: skinny enough to help you learn how to use the new sidecut, but also geared toward some off trail use. And $169 includes bindings.

 

[skidoc120]

Thanks, skiaddict, I didn't know Sugar Mamas were 7th Heavens. If I can find a gonga deal on those, that might be the ticket.

Pinto, thanks for chiming in. That's the kind of deal I'm talking about. I saw levelninesports popping up, but didn't know if they were reputable, or if their skis were hammered. $169 would definitely get me back up on skis. I'm not too familiar with Head Skis but I'll give that one a look see.

 

[pinto]

Pinto, thanks for chiming in. That's the kind of deal I'm talking about. I saw levelninesports popping up, but didn't know if they were reputable, or if their skis were hammered. $169 would definitely get me back up on skis. I'm not too familiar with Head Skis but I'll give that one a look see.

THey are all new skis, in plastic. New old stock. (Is that what you meant by hammered? Used?)

They are reputable ... I've bought a couple pair from them, and referred to friends. They're almost unbeatable on price, if you can find what you need.

And Head makes a high-quality ski ... I am mostly a Volkl addict, but I've loved the Heads I've tried. Bought a pair of Monster 77s off Level Nine last season, in fact.

 

[skidoc120]

Oh, new in plastic! Even better! I thought you meant used skis, and yes, I was worried about buying skis online that might show up with very little life left in them, or gouged beyone repair. New old stock suits me just fine. Thanks for the tip, Pinto, I'm headed there right now!

 

[skidoc120]

Hey, Pinto!

I checked with levelninesports, they do have the Head Monster 72 available for 169, can get it to me quick. I'm not sure if I should start a new thread on this, but I know so little about Head skis. Since this is a unisex ski, and I haven't skiied in a long time, it might be too heavy or stiff since I'm not an aggressive skier. However John at the shop thought it would be good on ice (here) and conditions in Utah, and that I would not grow out of it right away in Utah. But I'm just not feeling excited about the Head skis, I think because they look most like the old style skis I used to use. After looking at Geishas, fat skis, twin tips, etc, these skis look boring! I know, I'm skiing, not dating them, but I'm sure you know what I'm feeling. Also, should I consider the next level down due to lack of recent experience?

 

[skidoc120]

Ouch. Hope I didn't offend any Head skiers with my last post. What I really need is to hear more about the line so I can get excited about them, as I do when I hear about other peoples' reviews. Please chime in if you have any experience with Head Monster or the women's line of Head skis. Thanks for your help so far!

 

[valli]

I've heard good things about the 07 Wild Thangs, and that is more of a midfat ski but still very reasonably priced. If you look on the Barking Bears forum I think there are some reviews of it. It's also a more advanced ski, so it should be a bit stiffer. I had a good experience ordering kids Head skis and boots from levelninesports last year for my daughter.