edelweissmaedl
Angel Diva
I like mine better in crud than my BP's. Congrats on the new skis!
^^^ 100% agree!They are even more stable in crud.
Mine are definitely not heavy, in fact, they are the lightest skis I own by quite a bit. 160 is long in that ski for you, though. They ski pretty long IMO. Did you demo them prior to buying them?Continuation of the Stockli Nela 88 conversation...
I have the 160s with a Salomon DMX 11 demo binding. I've had out them twice so far in different conditions. I am not feeling the love for them. I usually ski 158-163cm skis, am a intermediate-advanced skier, 5'1", 165 lbs. They feel stable but heavy, different from feeling damp. I'm wondering if the demo binding is what is preventing me from enjoying the Nelas. What is also worrisome is that I felt twinges in both knees after a couple of hours on them.
I saw these skis as a replacement for my obsolete Black Pearls, 159cm with a 88mm waist, which while I concur they were not great in crud, were a lot more fun overall. I'm thinking I'll probably sell the Nelas.
Re: Taos, I'll take my 159cm Fischers, 79mm under foot. I have an aging pair of 152cm Dynastars too, which are a bit short for my taste. If they pass a binding check, I can take them.
@contesstant and @MissySki thoughts?
I didn't demo. Wish I had.Mine are definitely not heavy, in fact, they are the lightest skis I own by quite a bit. 160 is long in that ski for you, though. They ski pretty long IMO. Did you demo them prior to buying them?
That actually sounds so short to me, but obviously everyone has a preference that works for them with skis and sizing.I am 5’3”, 140lbs and my Nela 88 is 152. They are my all mountain skis this season and a great crud buster. Not sure why I am seeing more and more people going longer than necessary on skis.
Have they been tuned?I didn't demo. Wish I had.
Have you tried skiing with the bindings a cm or two forward, since they are demo bindings?Supposedly - they're from Ski Essentials, and I think they're pretty legit. I had the bindings checked and adjusted locally. Good question.
Sounds like they might be edge high. That can make a ski feel really locked in, heavy, and harder to turn. Might be worth just getting a base grind either way@contesstant I haven't -- I'm not sure I am qualified of doing this myself, but I'll take them up to ski shop in Mammoth next time I go and ask their advice. It's still before the Taos trip, it's worth it. Thank you!
It’s always worth a tune … but, correct me if I’m wrong… you tried them out in the middle of that last heavy, wet Sierra storm? If so, try them again before deciding.I didn't demo. Wish I had.
Crossing fingers they work out for you!@contesstant I haven't -- I'm not sure I am qualified of doing this myself, but I'll take them up to ski shop in Mammoth next time I go and ask their advice. It's still before the Taos trip, it's worth it. Thank you!
You are skiing Taos. People tend to ski lots of bumps and trees, which is why most regulars have skis shorter than at other big mountains in the west.I am 5’3”, 140lbs and my Nela 88 is 152. They are my all mountain skis this season and a great crud buster. Not sure why I am seeing more and more people going longer than necessary on skis.
Recap from above: I have the Nela 88 160cm with a Salomon DMX 11 demo binding that I was not feeling the love for. I usually ski 158-163cm skis, am a intermediate-advanced skier, 5'1", 165 lbs.
I'd sell and get the 152. I think you will fight the 160s more than would make you happy.Update from a trip after posting above: per comments (thank you), I had the mounting point and the tune checked by a trusted shop, and both were deemed fine. I was the one who got the side eye. At 5'1", they would have put me on a 152cm ski, and thought that the longer length was the problem.
Day 1 - Skied my Nela 88 160cm skis and started to understand what they like and what they are. They like me keeping my weight well forward. They like an early and committed weight transfer to the new outside ski for the turn, and an active leg bring the new inside ski in. Not sure if I'm describing this clearly. Give them what they like, they are responsive, smooth, damp and powerful. They're not especially forgiving for less than good skiing, for example in completing a turn, the edge of the new inside ski felt grabby if I wasn't careful.
Day 2 - Skied my Fischer My Mtn 80. I am comfortable and familiar with this ski but this time noticed how well it too would reward good ski technique on my part, though it was more forgiving of my less-than-stellar turns.
Day 3 - Rented Nela 88 152cm demos. They felt stable, manageable, and were a lot of fun. It was a positive experience.
Now...what to do. I could:
Build on my ski conditioning, improve my ski skills, and hope that the 160cm length I own will be just fine. Realistically I'm not in great ski shape and this last ski trip was the first good test.
- or -
Sell the 160s or trade them for a 152.
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