veggielasagna
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Well, today was demo day at Gore Mt. Perfect conditions to search for a carving ski. Hardpack, ice beneath (and on top in some places). Unfortunately the 40+mph winds did not keep people away from the demos so I'm left with one bit of uncertainty still.
Here's the deal, after trying many skis, testing only two I was really interested in: Volkl Fuego and the Nordica Firefox. The Fuego was a 154 and the Firefox a 162 with a very poor tune (aka no base structure and the edges were pitting).
Both were great, even w/ the condition of the Nordica. I really wish that had been in better shape because it was a great ski; I could really lay down some tracks with it and didn't find it demanding (unless I wanted it to be : )). On to the Fuego...sharp edges and all. Niiiice. It was great, everything I'm looking for, quick short/medium turns, easy to ski, easy to flex etc etc. I was motoring along bombing down some blue cruiser groomers at Gore (my fave). Some how I think I hit the top speed in the 154. I really did not expect this because most Divas on here about my size (5'5", 130 lbs), found the 154 to be plenty of ski. I pushed it to its max whipping down the slope and the tip started to chatter. Pretty sure it was not the snow because until the bottom is was pretty consistent, then it turned into small heaps..which the ski handled pretty well for the length (very impressive).
Sooooooooooo I called around, no one in the area has a 161 to demo which I think is rrreally pathetic. It's bad enough there were so few women's skis at the demo. There were at least 6 pairs of Tigersharks (10+12) and 1 Fuego that I saw. WTF?
I'm pretty aggressive on groomers and all of my strength is in my legs (distance runner), so I suppose a 161 isn't too far of a stretch? FYI the 154 was only up to my chin, the 161 is to my nose; I stopped in a shop on the way home to see if they had demos, and checked the lengths.
Do you think the extra bit of length will eliminate that bit of chatter without changing the quick energetic effortless feel of the ski? I've never been so comfortable charging full speed down a run in control carving turns everywhere
The Firefox's tip definitely was damper (the skis as a whole as well). I felt I had the correct length in the Firefox which surprised me because I figured I'd need the 154. Interestingly I demoed the Speed in a 154, definitely too short, would have like to have tried it in a 60 something, but alas refer to the above rant.
Sierra Jim has a great deal on the Fuegos right now...I really want to pull the trigger on the 161...I was having sweet fuego visions on the way home. As a matter of fact I'm still a bit giddy about the ski..it was so much fun!
-Veggielasagna
Here's the deal, after trying many skis, testing only two I was really interested in: Volkl Fuego and the Nordica Firefox. The Fuego was a 154 and the Firefox a 162 with a very poor tune (aka no base structure and the edges were pitting).
Both were great, even w/ the condition of the Nordica. I really wish that had been in better shape because it was a great ski; I could really lay down some tracks with it and didn't find it demanding (unless I wanted it to be : )). On to the Fuego...sharp edges and all. Niiiice. It was great, everything I'm looking for, quick short/medium turns, easy to ski, easy to flex etc etc. I was motoring along bombing down some blue cruiser groomers at Gore (my fave). Some how I think I hit the top speed in the 154. I really did not expect this because most Divas on here about my size (5'5", 130 lbs), found the 154 to be plenty of ski. I pushed it to its max whipping down the slope and the tip started to chatter. Pretty sure it was not the snow because until the bottom is was pretty consistent, then it turned into small heaps..which the ski handled pretty well for the length (very impressive).
Sooooooooooo I called around, no one in the area has a 161 to demo which I think is rrreally pathetic. It's bad enough there were so few women's skis at the demo. There were at least 6 pairs of Tigersharks (10+12) and 1 Fuego that I saw. WTF?
I'm pretty aggressive on groomers and all of my strength is in my legs (distance runner), so I suppose a 161 isn't too far of a stretch? FYI the 154 was only up to my chin, the 161 is to my nose; I stopped in a shop on the way home to see if they had demos, and checked the lengths.
Do you think the extra bit of length will eliminate that bit of chatter without changing the quick energetic effortless feel of the ski? I've never been so comfortable charging full speed down a run in control carving turns everywhere
The Firefox's tip definitely was damper (the skis as a whole as well). I felt I had the correct length in the Firefox which surprised me because I figured I'd need the 154. Interestingly I demoed the Speed in a 154, definitely too short, would have like to have tried it in a 60 something, but alas refer to the above rant.
Sierra Jim has a great deal on the Fuegos right now...I really want to pull the trigger on the 161...I was having sweet fuego visions on the way home. As a matter of fact I'm still a bit giddy about the ski..it was so much fun!
-Veggielasagna
