Santa Ana 88- Did I buy the wrong ski?!

[TammySki]

Sometimes it takes a few times to dial into a ski. I allow myself extra time, especially if I'm tentative.

I've taken a lesson in the past when I'm on new skis as it helps with my comfort level.

That's quite a width to get used to so might take a little more time. If still uncomfortable after a few days bring them to your shop. I had a burr once in mine that was giving me a hard time releasing from a turn.

Makes total sense, I guess I just need to be more patient! And a lesson may make all the difference

 

[contesstant]

Thank you for the info! I have nordica boots my size is 22.5 I believe (I’m a 5.5 women’s so small feet). Love my boots which is great Many people mentioned that the width is a big difference and so that is most likely what I’m feeling. So I guess Question for experienced skier, would it make sense to try and sell them and get smaller skis since I’m fairly new to skiing? Or just give it time since I loved them in terms of stability and fresher/ choppier conditions?

Give them time. And a 22.5 is indeed small so the lower delta (heel in relation to the toe) of that binding should be helpful but might also take some getting used to.

 

[mustski]

I second the idea of getting a fresh tune. A bad tune ruins a good ski and it happens far too often. The squires are a light binding and - as already pointed out - a slightly negative delta. I personally love a negative delta and feel like it's less work than a binding with a positive delta. Get a tune, and try them again. If it's the binding delta a good shop can remedy that. What are the bindings on your current skis?

 

[TammySki]

Update: I’ve taken them out two more times and did some drills that some of you mentioned and I’m starting to love them! I’m definitely getting more used to the width. I really do think it was just adjusting to the width and learning how to move them compared to my super skinny skis. I’m excited to get good on these, so thanks for all the advice

 

[contesstant]

Update: I’ve taken them out two more times and did some drills that some of you mentioned and I’m starting to love them! I’m definitely getting more used to the width. I really do think it was just adjusting to the width and learning how to move them compared to my super skinny skis. I’m excited to get good on these, so thanks for all the advice

Fantastic! It really is a great ski for progressing on well into an upper advanced level.

 

[SnowHot]

Thanks for the reply! Old skis were 150 these are 151. Bindings are demo so I bet that makes quite a difference in terms of weight etc? These skis were used 1 season as demo.
I really hope they end up working too… maybe a few more days and I will adjust to weight and just more turn effort. It’s still a great ski, but possible I’m just not that skilled yet

I believe, not positive, that Marker Squire Demo bindings have negative delta (heel lower than toe) whereas Marker non-demo and nearly every other binding has some amount of positive delta.
Some people like @MissySki love that negative delta for their flexible state and anatomic proportions. I don’t particularly, but I’ve skied it for a full day on heavy for me skis (Secret 96), and it forces different technique/muscle use for sure.
You’re on similar length as previous ski and not too long for your height and weight.
I think give it more days, drills, a lesson before coming to any conclusions.
Understanding how changes in equipment make you feel is part of becoming a better skier.

20mm wider is a LOT. What size boot are you in? As DebbieSue stated above, the Squire demo bindings have negative delta (heel is lower than toe) but in a smaller boot, you might actually prefer this (I do.) BUT it also can take time to adapt to. If you are still struggling after several days on the skis, then it would be worth a lesson. OR there could be a tune issue. I skied the SA 88 for several seasons and it is not a demanding ski and handles variable conditions beautifully. You can often determine if there is an issue with the tune by sideslipping both directions. If the ski won't slide smoothly in a sideslip, something is amiss. Fighting a poorly tuned ski is exhausting.

All of this is likely the reason.
I had the Nordica Proto ski last year which came with the negative delta Marker demo binding on it. We took it off after just one day on snow and replaced it with my usual binding and I absolutely loved it.

The newer Griffon Demos no longer have a negative delta.

 

[SnowHot]

Update: I’ve taken them out two more times and did some drills that some of you mentioned and I’m starting to love them! I’m definitely getting more used to the width. I really do think it was just adjusting to the width and learning how to move them compared to my super skinny skis. I’m excited to get good on these, so thanks for all the advice

This is awesome!!

 

[Pequenita]

I was gonna say...if you continue not to like them, I'd buy them off you. But it sounds like you're moving in the right direction!

 

[TammySki]

I was gonna say...if you continue not to like them, I'd buy them off you. But it sounds like you're moving in the right direction!

I will let you know if anything changes! I’m trying out a friend’s skis in a week or so and will probably know better at that point

 

[HuntersEmma57]

That seems like a very short ski for an intermediate skier and ditto on demo bindings being notably heavier. I do agree a lesson could be helpful and hopefully get some advice from the instructor who can see firsthand what's going on with your stance and equipment. Skiing development is iterative and by advancing technique, it will help you turn a bigger ski in a more efficient way. As others mentioned, tired legs are common in early season especially if you're not actively conditioning ahead of time. Good luck!

 

[santacruz skier]

That seems like a very short ski for an intermediate skier

@TammySki is only 5'2 and an intermediate so think that length is fine for her.. My good friend is about 5'3 and an advanced skier, and she has the Santa Ana 88 in a 151...

 

[Pequenita]

I will let you know if anything changes! I’m trying out a friend’s skis in a week or so and will probably know better at that point

I'm half kidding. But, I also ski Sugar Bowl, so another thing we could do is meet up and swap skis for a few runs if you want to try out something different. I just bought a pair of last year's 149 Kenja with demo bindings after skiing a pair of 156s for about a dozen years. They are great on groomers. I was a little meh about them on ungroomed, but I'm not sure if that's me, the ski, or the length.

 

[santacruz skier]

I'm half kidding. But, I also ski Sugar Bowl, so another thing we could do is swap skis if you want to try out something different. I just bought a pair of 149 Kenja with demo bindings after skiing a pair of 156s for about a dozen years. They are great on groomers. I was a little meh about them on ungroomed, but I'm not sure if that's me, the ski, or the length.

Why did you go down in size on the Kenjas? I had some about 10 years ago in 149 (when they were a lot stiffer) and thought they were great on groomers but did get tossed around a bit in heavy clumped up snow.....

 

[Pequenita]

Why did you go down in size on the Kenjas? I had some about 10 years ago in 149 (when they were a lot stiffer) and thought they were great on groomers but did get tossed around a bit in heavy clumped up snow.....

I'm trying to make my life easier, including effort to ski. I'd been waffling on 149s and 156s for this next pair and by the time I decided to buy them, only used 149s were available. So, my plan is to ski them this season and see how they work, and if they aren't right, sell them. I need something to fill the gap between SL skis when it's firm and the other days when I'm never on a groomer and am on the wider Blazes.