Need some ski picks for this non-dainty diva!

[snohflake]

Wow, this site is fab! I just came stumbling on in this week . . . just in time to get some divine Diva direction prior to leaving for SLC this Friday (yay!).

Okay, here's some quick background. I'm 39, 5'2" and 145lbs . In my prior life I had been a competitive figure skater. I skied for the first time in 1996 at Snowbird. I took a few private lessons. By the end of the week I was skiing off the tram and handling groomed black with some panache (thanks to my instructor and my figure skating background). Over the next 3 years I spent 2-3 weeks out in Utah each year. I had Salomon Evolution Performa 8s and the classic K2 red and blue 4s (158). I was skiing powder and black runs, groomed and ungroomed. Never a fan of the bumps. At that time I was actually 160 lbs.

After a loooong time away, my DH and I are getting back to the sport . My last time skiing was in 2000 except for a "banish the cobwebs" day at Elk Mountain a few weeks back. After a run or two I felt good. However, my Salomons were history as they were too soft and packed out. After much searching here and the recommendation of a local boot guy I bought the Attiva Flame and have fine tuned the fit.

We are leaving next week for 9 days out in Utah . I'm leaving the old K2s in the basement and will be doing demos out there.

Oh, one big thing, my head got ahead of my body and so while I have decided to return to the slopes, my body has not caught up w/ the brain. Uh, my point is is that I haven't done any conditioning, my legs were wobbly after a few hours at Elk, but I want to make the most of our trip.

So, I had been a fairly strong skier, and now I need a ski that is fun, won't kill my quads, is fairly forgiving, can handle my weight and can handle some aggressive action.

Suggestions?

Thanks Divas!

 

[jaydog]

Try the Nordica Olympia Victory or Conquer. Those are some seriously tough skis and they handle ANYTHING.

 

[toughgirl]

My friend loves the K2 burning luvs.. she's a fairly aggressive skier. I went for the K2 one luv's because I thought they'd be a bit more forgiving. I'm also 5'2 and 145. I love my k2's but they are very flexible... i know the burning luvs are stiffer.

 

[rangergrrl]

I did a demo with both the Nordica Olympia, K2 One Luv and Burnin' Luv back in December. For me the Nordica were twitchy and stiff. The One Luv seemed a bit soft and the Burnin' Luv was quite nice. Quick and lively, but still a bit stiff and twitchy. I came back to the demo to swap those and the only skis left were ROXY Joyrider and Bliss. The Joyrider being a bit more stiff and the Bliss a bit less. I'm 5'2 and pushing 200lbs. I had an injury that put me out of skiing for quite awhile and I found that the Roxy Bliss was the ski for me. Quick, lively, great turn initiation and a feeling of confidence. I will most likely be outskiing this ski by next mid season but I love it anyway. My best advice would be to demo demo demo. You never know what ski will give you the "that's the ONE" feeling.

 

[lucine]

There are several sites that you put in your ability and stas and they pick out some skis for you.
I'd ask at your rental/demo shop. Most of them are familiar with their skis. Make sure yiou get the right length for you and If your old skis are long......you get to learn again on shorter!
Nordica, Volkl, Head seem to used by a lot of athlethic Divas.
Have fun and let us know what you find out!

 

[vanhoskier]

OK, I'm officially jealous! 9 days in Utah! My teaching schedule won't allow me to take that much time off (but I'm saving up my personal days!)

Anyway, I demoed the One Luv's, Lotta Luv's, and Burnin Luv's last October (yes, October) at Loveland. (I sneaked a day away from a conference in Denver to ski!)

Burnin Luv's are stiffer and faster and quicker turning than the other two. I think the Lotta Luv's would be your best choice. It's got a wider waist so will be better in powder and soft stuff that you will see in Utah (scurvy dog, you!:p ) It's a solid ski that is fun rip down groomer, too, if that is what you're in the mood for.

Check out k2skis.com for the specs on these. I find that the manufacturer's websites do help.

I just bought Line Celebrities and they are AWESOME! Twin-tip, 90mm waist, semi-stiff, carves hard and is supposed to love powder too (but here in PA, testing for that doesn't happen often!) Just another option if it is available to you.

Are you looking to purchase, rent, or demo while you're in Utah? You could call ahead to where you'll be and see what they have available for demo and purchase.

 

[SnowHot]

Try the Nordica Olympia Victory or Conquer. Those are some seriously tough skis and they handle ANYTHING.

I'll second that vote.
Rangegrrrl, if you found them to be skiddish, then you likely needed to adjust the binding setting. I'm guessing you were too far forward on the mount.

Snohflake! Welcome!!!
I'd suggest that you get your 5 posts in so you can visit the Get ToGether(GTG) threads.
There is an Official Trip to Solitude for the ski divas and you stand a really good chance of bumping into some, including LolaDiva's husband who will be serving up some Hart Demos. This is a great opportunity to meet some SkiDivas, and try out some great skis.

https://www.theskidiva.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2069

 

[snohflake]

Thanks ladies for all the responses. I have to repeat myself, this site is AMAZING!

And yes Vanhoskier, I am indeed a scurvy dog :D I am crazy excited about our trip. I kinda feel like a little kid anticipating Christmas! After too many years of getting chewed up on the treadmill of life I made a decision to step back, take some inventory, and return to the things I love. Since I'm only 39 now, I still have another good 25+ years on the slopes ahead of me. And looking at those trip pictures from one of the divas here that did the extreme camp at Aspen, and was surrounded by all those strong women of different ages, well it's really inspiring. I've already told my DH that I'm doing the Snowbird women's camp next year!

For our ski situation, I have a demo reservation w/ Utah Ski and Golf on East Fort Union Blvd. The demo price discounted 20% for the online reservation comes to $28 a day with poles. Not bad. When looking around I had a tough time finding places that demo a wide variety of ladies skis. And we decided against getting the demos at the mountain since we are going to be hopping around and doing separate daily demos at each mountain is ChaChing, yes?

Based on recommendations from my guys at D&Q here in Cherry Hill I have put in an initial request for the Volkl Attiva Tierras. But I started second guessing that since I read a few of the ladies here complain about it being a heavy ski that had their quads a burnin'. Now one of the other guys at the store (they like to debate w/ each other) thought the Lotta Luv would be better since more flex and give.

Looking at the products US&G carries, I was thinking of trying the following:

Lotta Luv 153
Nordica Olympia Conquer 154
Nordica Olympia Victory 154
Salomon Jewel Jade 156
Salomon Origins 156
Elan Wave Spice 152

and now perhaps the Roxy Bliss based on Rangergrrl's experience

I would really like to try the Fischer Breeze but I don't think they carry it. Actually I wish I could haul like 5 of these up to the mountain w/ me and switch off throughout the day vs 1 ski a day.

I will wind up buying whatever I like best, depending on the deal.

And thanks for the big warm welcome SnowHot! I'll have to hurry up and get some posts in pronto! I would love to meet some divas at Solitude.

 

[canadaf35]

I just demoed alot of different skis at Whistler two weeks ago and have kept going back to the Head Monster IM 82....the IM 78 is a close comparison. They came way ahead of everything I tried. I will be buying the 82's soon.

 

[w.ski]

I bought the Monster 82 this year and love it. I never tried the 78; figured the 82 would compliment my Volkl Fuego (73 waist) better.

 

[SnowHot]

I bought the Monster 82 this year and love it. I never tried the 78; figured the 82 would compliment my Volkl Fuego (73 waist) better.

Very nice quiver start!

I skied the Wild Thang at ESA Stowe and really enjoyed it. Thought about giving the 78 and 82 a try when I get the chance.

 

[snowgem]

As I posted elsewhere before, loved the way the Lotta's handled the Utah snow, on and off groomers (thanks to all who helped on that decision)! And, my BL's just fly on thru the varied Eastern stuff (What do you call all that on the slopes lately - some great sections of groomers then hardpack with intemittent ice patches, cookies, ruts, piles of granular, fluff, crud!). I might have been tempted toward the Atomics or Nordica's, but found the K2's way discounted online so went for them and haven't had a minute of regret!

 

[MaineSkiLady]

I just quick demo'd the Elan and Lotta and totally enjoyed both. Wishing you a great demo and lots of fun!

And yeah, we are a hoot, eh? Join the party!

 

[vanhoskier]

Snohflake -

Kudos to you for taking off for Utah! You have a good list of skis and you'll find a great pair. I've also heard great reviews on the Salomon Origins....if you like pinkish flowery skis (mine are flowery with pink bases, so....)

Like you, I joined skidivas.com not that long ago and in this short period of time, I've discovered that there are GREAT women here! I've also learned a lot. I hope you get to catch up with some of these divas at Solitude.

I'm hoping to meet some of them next year at the Snowbird camp...and you, too!

Let us know how your trip was when you get back, or perhaps fire us a message while you're in Utah!