Newbie - desperate for diva help!

[SuperMoe]

OK, let's see how long it takes for me to spit all this out. I just started skiing (downhill) a few weeks ago...got hooked up with some free lessons at our hill, found out I liked it. I've cross country (skate) skiied for nearly 20 years, am very athletic coach/play sports for 20+ years. I'm about 5' 7-8" and 170 (although hopefully this thyroid medication I've just started will take care of 10 of those pounds)

I've had two lessons: the first lesson was on baby hill, by the 5th time down, I was carving turns and I really liked how responsive DH equipment is...made it seem effortless.

My 2nd lesson, very experienced instructor...we went to the top, nearly died looking down...but I did 3 blue runs...only falling on the 1st one. LOL He really complemented my form and was really surprised this was only my 2nd time on downhills.

The ski hill where I will be doing the majority of skiing is pretty tough. They show some easy runs, but they're not. It's a very steep hill with shorter runs. They say that if you learn to ski on this hill...you can ski anywhere. Here is a link...if you're interested. https://www.skimontripley.com/trailmap.shtml

Conditions: my 1st lesson was after a thaw, we had about 3ish inches of snow on ice. I actually didn't mind skiing on that, but that was the baby run. My 2nd lesson, less than 1 week later was in out 6-8ish inches of powder (same hill) We get a ton of lake-effect, so the majority of snow is light/fluffy, but the hill is groomed. On my first blue run, the top of the hill was ice (wind-swept) but then I "hit" the powder.

I wish I knew how to ski better, because those conditions looked really fun!

My problem is that I want to ski kind of aggressively. I find that I can't make those really slow turns like some of the newbies make, and once I learn more control, I think I will enjoy my speed better. But, I still need tons of practice. I am going with friends to a more beginner/intermediate place in a few weeks.

So, I've decided to buy some equipment...there are some great deals out there...but I don't know what to look for, etc. And I'm just dying to spend some money. I also figure, my 12 year old daughter (who skis this hill, has since she was 8) can grow into my equipment if necessary.

So, I found this diva site, very cool.

I actually get to demo a pair tomorrow. Here they are:

https://archive.skireviews.co.uk/en/atomic/2007/b-5-3/b-5-3-review.html

But, because we are a small market area, there just aren't the chances for demos like some others have opportunities for

My all-time favorite bike/ski shop sells fischer, atomic, and roxy. I am a die-hard fischer XC ski person, but don't know how they are for DH. I was in earlier this week looking at a demo pair of Vision 70, went back a few days later...they were gone. After reading the reviews here, I was disappointed...but my guys at the shop think they screwed up and sold them out from me, so I might get some good suck-up. Anyway, they called me at home, and ran me a pair of the above atomics to the ski hill for me to try tomorrow.

I'm just afraid of buying too much ski for what I need.
Other choices...one ski shop sells Rossignol...super huge discount right now.

Another choice I'm looking at is Head. They have a great package price for either the C210 with an EZon 8.5 boot (I did like the boot fit)...or a Fine Thang ski. I'm a huge proponent of women's specific equipment, but would it really matter at this point?

But with prices what they are now, I'm hoping to slide this one by the hubby. Did I mention that I love all sporting good stores, and the smell of a fresh leather mitt is enough to put me into sports heaven. Don't know how many more equipment purchases I can keep making Gotta spend wisely

What I really want is a fairy diva to tell me exactly what to do. But, if you've made it through this stupidly long post...maybe just some simple advice?

This site look cool, bet it would be fun to hang with most of you

 

[Jilly]

As a ski instructor I'm not surprise that you picked up downhill fast after XC skiing. You have the sliding forward on long sticks down already. So now its just controlling everything. So, Atomic B5's are really heavy. Not the ski for you yet. And look for boots first. The ski hill site you mention is in Michigan, so SnowHot, volklgirl, help us out here, where can this diva find boots first? As you look through the forum you will see our mantra - boots first and make sure they fit. Don't ever go for "a package". The boots may not be the ones for you. Any good ski shop will make a package for you based on your needs, boots and skis. Check out our reviews on skis. And what does the shop that you like have for stock!! Atomic and Head?? Look at the Foxy Mama, Hot Minx in the Atomic line. Tomorrow I'm demo'ing the Royal Minx so I'll let everyone know tomorrow what I think of that ski.

 

[SuperMoe]

I realize that the boots are the most important...that doesn't bother me as much because I'm already picky with my XC boots. These guys are getting desperate to clear out inventory because bike season will be there, so even on a package deal, I think I can negotiate for a better boot (if there is one)

I demoed the atomic skis, didn't like them but it may have been the length (165) So, I went back to the rental and tried a different length/different ski also (145)...went down the same hill and I just felt like I was shredding the hill...skidding down, etc And what does it mean that the ski is "too heavy" I once tried a much lighter ski (XC) and hated it because with my technique (good but not Really good) I gave up control because of the lighter ski.

The hill I was skiing down was labelled as green(LMAO)...it was about as wide as my XC trail, trees and dropoffs on both sides, very short but steep hill...I would probably classify it as blue. But how much was due to the ski and how much was due to my technique?

You talked about some of the skis you were going to demo, but I'm concerned that skis like that are too much for my ability. I guess most of the skiiers here have way more experience than I do. I'm also wondering if I should just stick with Fischers because that is my fave XC brand also.

So, would a Fischer V20 be a good ski for me...or will I need something more based on my athletic ability/aggressiveness? Should I just jump into a ski at the higher end figuring that my ability will catch up to my ski quick enough?

Also, do I really care about women's skis vs general. Am I not good enough to notice a difference?

Inquiring minds want to know!

 

[volklgirl]

You're at Ripley? Wow! I've heard stories about how steep that is .

Don't know about the others, but I don't know anyone that far north for fitting. A bike friend of mine swears by the service of the shop in town, and I think she XC and maybe DH skis too. Maybe she can help you out (talk to Di_bear at MMBA.org).

 

[Lilgeorg]

I like a women's ski. I started out on unisex skis and knew no better. Then I found women's skis and find that they are built different for our different center of gravity. I will never go back!

I am far from a gear expert here. Trust the advice you get from Vogelgirl and Snowhot. They really know their stuff.

 

[sleddog]

The Head EZon 8.5 boot is one of the widest boots on the market - so make sure you're not getting "slop" in the fit - it should fit like a good glove - no side to side movement of your foot in the boot. There's a boot fit "sticky" here on DIVA that you should read before purchasing. You should also make sure you get a boot with an adjustable upper cuff (also called a cantable cuff). This will allow your boot fitter to tilt the upper cuff of your boot to accomodate your leg shape. It's the first thing to be adjusted after purchasing boots to help with your stance on the skis.

 

[perma-grin]

Hi I think I can clear one thing up. The "B 5" Metron from atomic is a heavy ski. The ski that moe was taking about was a B 5:3 this is a chick ski not in the Metron line up, but I think it is was from last season? It is much lighter, but I wasn't hot on the sidecut.:(

 

[Jilly]

Yup, that would be last year's Balaze 5:3. That would be a better choice.

 

[SuperMoe]

some questions

OK, my favorite shop wants my business...they're willing to throw some bindings on a pair of skis for me to demo. I've been reading through most of the posts etc. but I'm still pretty confused, probably because I'm still a fairly crappy skiier on a tough hill. But, if they're willing to please me...who am I to turn it down.

I'm just going to stick with the Fischer brand right now...here are some options:

Fischer Aspire...the only thing is the length...all they have left are 155s. Would this be too small for me (5' 7-8"ish 170...but my weight is coming down now because of my medication...I figure I'll wind up around 160)

They also have Fischer Vision 20...those are 160s. Don't know if this will be too little ski for what I want.

They do have the Fischer Exhale, but I think they only have 150s, so probably not worth demoing...although they just went on closeout, so I could get a good price if it's a worthwhile ski, they'll just order it.

I think I'm going to try the Atomic skis again. The pair I had tried this weekend were 165s...I didn't think I liked the length, but my one boot wasn't on right and my foot might react better. Also, I noticed that after I finished going down on bigger pitch, I left some really nice curves in the snow...and maybe they handled better than I thought.

I know there was an earlier post about the Aspires/exhale, but they didn't seem to give me too much info. If anyone else has anything to add, I'd appreciate it

On the positive side...just found out I'm going to give an hour presentation at a conference in a few weeks...probably $150 for doing it...sure makes it easier to think about buying stuff. Just wish the hubby would see it that way