I’m 5’4”, 145 lbs, intermediate. I ski in the Eastern US, where we see boilerplate and ice regularly.Thanks for the warm welcome! After reading all of the other ladies' comments, thinking maybe I should demo some skis this season. I can always return the QST within a year if I end up with other demo skis
Also - would you mind sharing weight/ height and what made you decide on the Black Pearl 82 vs a 88 for example ?
@Rachoo what is on your current demo list? It sounds as if we have have similar stats in terms of being intermediate, west coast and size. I'm slightly taller and lighter.
I'm on BP 88 at 153.se
I own these, and exclusively ski them when I go to the Rockies (Sun Valley, where they get little snow and it's usually hardpack, in particular). I have never--not once--skied them here in the PNW. Our snow is soft and we get lots of it. I took them to Lake Louise once, not knowing how much it would snow (it was April), but it did, and the skis were so much work. No flotation in new snow. They just sink.Head Joy 85
I have! The biggest differences that you will feel between the skis you've been on and the skis that are being recommended to you is that it is easier to get away with twisting or rotating skis that are shorter than long skis. Also, a 76mm waisted ski will tip onto its edge faster than a wider ski, so they will feel like they are more responsive. You will also move downhill faster on longer skis and be more stable at speed than on short skis. On the other hand, on the shorter skis, you would have been honing your balance.Sorry late reply! I had to fish my skis from the shed. I've been skiing the Elan Zest 140 (3 inch / shy of 76mm waist) so I guess children's skis? Not exactly woman skis... Thanks for your input! I think maybe my 110lb should help with skis over 150... Also, have you tried skis with 85 vs 90 waist?
Hey Vancouver Gals! I was on Yumis 147s but now they've delaminated, so I've been at several ski shops trying to figure out what's my next ski. I loved my Yumis because they were easy to ski, and the waist was 84 so I never found them to be too much. My only issue with them was that they were too soft when I did need more performance out of them. I'm in the same boat, I'm 5'0 and 95lbs, but an advanced skier. However, I've also found that I hate long skis because I don't have the ability to drive them from tip to tail without working extremely hard, and at the end of an instructing day, I just don't have the energy to do that.Hey there Vancouverite! It's a major struggle for us small gals... The ski shop surprisingly didn't mention anything about the length. Why do you not think it's worth going down to mid-80s just curious.
Add the Kenja 88 and Santa Ana 88/93 to the list as well if you haven't tried them and discounted them already. Both are stiffer than the Yumi, but not inaccessible. I know many smaller women had trouble flexing the "old" versions of both skis, but the more recent years have less metal. And don't be put off by the slightly longer length of the Santa Ana, they are more rockered and ski short.Hey Vancouver Gals! I was on Yumis 147s but now they've delaminated, so I've been at several ski shops trying to figure out what's my next ski. I loved my Yumis because they were easy to ski, and the waist was 84 so I never found them to be too much. My only issue with them was that they were too soft when I did need more performance out of them. I'm in the same boat, I'm 5'0 and 95lbs, but an advanced skier. However, I've also found that I hate long skis because I don't have the ability to drive them from tip to tail without working extremely hard, and at the end of an instructing day, I just don't have the energy to do that.
The ones that the local ski shops recommended for me were the K2 Mindbender 88tis, the Volkl Secret 92s, BP88s, and Elan Ripstick 88s. So basically all within the 88-92 range. It seems that it was based on the fact that most skis are made within that waist range now, and it's a good all-mountain mixture for both powder and groomers.
hey @vivian.wc which local Van ski shops did you go to? Will you try and demo anything?Hey Vancouver Gals! I was on Yumis 147s but now they've delaminated, so I've been at several ski shops trying to figure out what's my next ski. I loved my Yumis because they were easy to ski, and the waist was 84 so I never found them to be too much. My only issue with them was that they were too soft when I did need more performance out of them. I'm in the same boat, I'm 5'0 and 95lbs, but an advanced skier. However, I've also found that I hate long skis because I don't have the ability to drive them from tip to tail without working extremely hard, and at the end of an instructing day, I just don't have the energy to do that.
The ones that the local ski shops recommended for me were the K2 Mindbender 88tis, the Volkl Secret 92s, BP88s, and Elan Ripstick 88s. So basically all within the 88-92 range. It seems that it was based on the fact that most skis are made within that waist range now, and it's a good all-mountain mixture for both powder and groomers.
I went to North Shore Ski and Board, The Destination, Comor, and West Side Sports. And I checked in with the rental shop at Grouse, where I work, to see if I could demo the Elan Ripsticks. Unfortunately, because of my stats, they weren't able to find anything in my sizes that I could demo, so I have a feeling I won't be able to demo before I buy skis, since I desperately need them before I can start work as an instructor again... obviously whoops.hey @vivian.wc which local Van ski shops did you go to? Will you try and demo anything?
I need something stiffer for sure, so the Kenja 88s have been on my watchlist. How do you think they compare to the Secrets? My friend LOVES her Santa Anas, but you're right I was put off by their length, especially since I hated the 150 Roxy Shimas that I used, I felt like they were just so long. They ski short, you say? In all conditions?Add the Kenja 88 and Santa Ana 88/93 to the list as well if you haven't tried them and discounted them already. Both are stiffer than the Yumi, but not inaccessible. I know many smaller women had trouble flexing the "old" versions of both skis, but the more recent years have less metal. And don't be put off by the slightly longer length of the Santa Ana, they are more rockered and ski short.
@vivian.wc - thanks yes more difficult to demo for petite ladies for sure!I went to North Shore Ski and Board, The Destination, Comor, and West Side Sports. And I checked in with the rental shop at Grouse, where I work, to see if I could demo the Elan Ripsticks. Unfortunately, because of my stats, they weren't able to find anything in my sizes that I could demo, so I have a feeling I won't be able to demo before I buy skis, since I desperately need them before I can start work as an instructor again... obviously whoops.
If you're planning to demo, I chatted to several people to see what the best option was, and it seems that Whistler is the only option for us shorter ladies
I haven't managed to get on the Secrets yet - but Kenjas compared to the Yumis are SO much more stable and secure, although they do like more aggressive driving generally and some people find them hard to flex. I am 120lb, and currently ski the 2019 version (90 under foot with 2 sheets of metal) in a 156cm as my daily driver. I demo'd the Kenja 88 in 156cm 2 years and 10lb ago (110lb) and I think it would have been the right length for me, but I was struggling a little on it off piste then (related to moguls and lack of confidence). I also own the 2019 Yumis in a 154 and find them a bit soft but very easy to turn.I need something stiffer for sure, so the Kenja 88s have been on my watchlist. How do you think they compare to the Secrets? My friend LOVES her Santa Anas, but you're right I was put off by their length, especially since I hated the 150 Roxy Shimas that I used, I felt like they were just so long. They ski short, you say? In all conditions?
Definitely try Whistler, but I've heard their sizes are still the 154+ range@vivian.wc - thanks yes more difficult to demo for petite ladies for sure!
Is this the Canski WB demo hut that might have options to demo this year at WB? Or other stores? Thanks!
Good luck with your search for your perfect ski!
Thanks! As unlikely to find much to demo in my size and what I want to demo I just went ahead and bought the Ripsticks 94w in 146cm (If I am remembering the length correctly - it's under 150cm whatever it is).Definitely try Whistler, but I've heard their sizes are still the 154+ range
Yay! Good luck, hope you love them!Thanks! As unlikely to find much to demo in my size and what I want to demo I just went ahead and bought the Ripsticks 94w in 146cm (If I am remembering the length correctly - it's under 150cm whatever it is).