seeking great carver / great boot fit

[deervalleygirl]

I have a chronic irritation in my left IT Band at hip. My Dr. has prescribed that i get the very best turning ski i can find and the very best in proper alignment in boots i can find. (Nice prescription-huh?;) ) Also, i have no cartiledge in that knee. The idea is to maximize equipment performance so my worn down body can continue to ski.
i'm a Deer Valley local, ski black/blue groomers, spend the winter on the mountain. (My current, very worn out skiis are Rossi B2W Bandit -160) . I am definately done with these -too slow, chattery,and not responsive any more .
The goal is to get a ski that will react quickly so that I wont have to force the turn.
I'm 5'4", 120. I was thinking of Burnin Luv or One Luv?. I welcome any ideas you have..

 

[Elangirl]

I have a similar knee/IT band history and find that I can't really deal with a wide ski. I have skied the burnin luv and it is fun---you have to love the K2 feel, which is very damp and smooth. This ski rocks though and I think K2 has done a great job in making skis just for women.

I am currently skiing the Speed Magic which is made by Elan. I love this ski---it is the best woman's ski that I have ever had. The wave technology puts a corrugated sheet of metal on top---giving torsional rigidity while allowing easy flex. This ski is really for experts only---it has bucked me off a few times---but when you are on it is pure heaven. I love the pop that I get at the end of the turn--it just rolls over for the next turn.

I ski at Big Mountain--we have some big, wide cruisers like you do at Deer Valley--but yours have better grooming!! They are like cream. I have had the Speed Magics off groomed a few times this year--I am thinking of getting a pair of Wave Magics just for bumps since the stiff tail is not helpful in bumps---but we don't have alot of bump skiing, so far I have just gone through on the Speed Magics. Give them a try, I think you will love them too.

 

[volklgirl]

You might also really like the Nordica Olympia Speed.

 

[deervalleygirl]

i will demo the Elan ASAP..thanks for your help. Is there anything else you have done to improve your IT situation??

 

[Jilly]

elangirl - I think I missed something on the Magics. I tried the fire and speed versions last year and really didn't like them. There was suppose to be an Elan demo night next week, but the local hill hasn't opened yet - no snow. Hubby and I know the Elan tech rep for Quebec so maybe I can get into his trailer and try some. Hubby did pick up the Speed wave 10's and really likes them. He's getting old and not the skier he used to be, so the 10 is the perfect one for him.

 

[smpayne]

My Dr. has prescribed that i get the very best turning ski i can find and the very best in proper alignment in boots i can find. (Nice prescription-huh?)

Does that mean it's tax deductible as a medical expense? ***I know keep dreaming.***

 

[Elangirl]

Jilly---why don't you try the Wave Magics? They are not as high performance as the Speed Magics, yet are still a great carving ski. I have a pair of Fire Magics, but I don't ski them very much--I always hop on the Speed Magics, which are demanding skis---but, I ski almost every day--last winter 125 days. I love the Speed Magic because it is so stable, I can arc and carve the tightest turns I have ever made---several people at my ski school have commented on my great angles this year.

But, if you don't ski that much the Speed Magic might be too much, I skis the Wave Magic last year and liked it a lot--then got confused and ordered the Speed Magics this year---which as it turns out was a good thing for me. But, I have been there when only skiing on weekends--try the Wave, I think they initiate the turn really easily and I love the pop you get at the end of the turn.

 

[Elangirl]

Oh yes, the IT band issue--since we slump our legs all winter, the IT band tightens up and the spring is hard!! I try to stretch every day, I lie on the floor with my legs bent--feet on floor and then put one leg in front and pull from the back---I hope this makes some sense!! I can feel the stretch in the IT band. My Pilates teacher helped me with this---every spring I go through Physical therapy to stretch out my IT. Are you going to PT? If not, try it because it really makes a difference in my case.

I never thought of it before, but I bet that is one reason why I don't like really wide skis either. It is snowing really light powder right now, but I just took out my Speed Waves and they were awesome.

 

[SnowHot]

You might also really like the Nordica Olympia Speed.

I'll second this vote. Having just skied on the Nordica Speedmachine, this ski is a great carver and holds up at speed, without getting an unstable feeling.

Although, I'm a bit intrigued with the elan speed magic as elangirl has suggested. This will be on my demo list.

Wow, so many awsome skis and so little snow for demo time!

 

[deervalleygirl]

thanks for all your insight. i've been in PT, but only to deal with the inflammation at insertion point. We cant even get to stretching and strenghtening until the pain subsides..but i'll persevere. Acupunture seems to be helping a bit..

 

[deervalleygirl]

Elangirl..i appreciate your imput. When healthy, i ski about 50 days a season..i used the interactive Elan ski selector, and they seem to agree with your pic of Wave Magic or Speed Magic or even Black Pearla? for me. I am hoping to demo next week.