Ski recommendation for Sheeva 9 lover

[Skiing2BFreeInYYC]

Hello,

Looking for some recommendations of skis for me to consider if I’m looking for something to add that is a little easier and knee friendly than my Sheeva 9s?

I’m 5’3” 125lbs and have the 162. I’m not an aggressive skier, or in general a very athletic person haha (coordination is hard for me!). I’ll go all over the mountain chasing my teens but take my time getting down. They have been a fantastic ski for me for a few years now. I love them for the mixed conditions I see all the time with Lake Louise (west conditons) as my home hill. Rode them in 12” of powder a few days ago and had a blast!

But - on icier groomer conditions or when mylegs are tired I find them heavy and hard to keep on edge, especially on steeps. I’m getting knee pain and this never used to be an issue for me. Almost fell bad today in Whitefish on a black as my knees hurt, it was icey and I just couldn’t get a good grip.

overwhelmed with the choices out there so if you have some suggestions, thank you

 

[contesstant]

Hello,

Looking for some recommendations of skis for me to consider if I’m looking for something to add that is a little easier and knee friendly than my Sheeva 9s?

I’m 5’3” 125lbs and have the 162. I’m not an aggressive skier, or in general a very athletic person haha (coordination is hard for me!). I’ll go all over the mountain chasing my teens but take my time getting down. They have been a fantastic ski for me for a few years now. I love them for the mixed conditions I see all the time with Lake Louise (west conditons) as my home hill. Rode them in 12” of powder a few days ago and had a blast!

But - on icier groomer conditions or when mylegs are tired I find them heavy and hard to keep on edge, especially on steeps. I’m getting knee pain and this never used to be an issue for me. Almost fell bad today in Whitefish on a black as my knees hurt, it was icey and I just couldn’t get a good grip.

overwhelmed with the choices out there so if you have some suggestions, thank you

Which year of Sheevas? They were 92 under foot for a long time, but the past two years are 96 under foot. My answer will vary based on which width you have now.

 

[ski diva]

You might want to check out the Volkl Blaze 86. I have the Blizzard Sheeva 9's, too, and love them. But for days when I want something a bit narrower, the Blaze really delivers. It's a great ski for a wide range of conditions, including ice.

 

[Skiing2BFreeInYYC]

Which year of Sheevas? They were 92 under foot for a long time, but the past two years are 96 under foot. My answer will vary based on which width you have now.

I had the earlier version (92) in 158 and then I upgraded to the new version is 162 when it came out

 

[contesstant]

I had the earlier version (92) in 158 and then I upgraded to the new version is 162 when it came out

So they are 96 under foot. Do you want something versatile, or more groomer-focused? Can you demo? There are a ton of options in the mid-80s under foot that are very versatile.

 

[MissySki]

You might want to check out the Volkl Blaze 86. I have the Blizzard Sheeva 9's, too, and love them. But for days when I want something a bit narrower, the Blaze really delivers. It's a great ski for a wide range of conditions, including ice.

I second this… as an original Sheeva lover. That was my daily driver for a good number of years. I now ski the Blaze 86 because I fell in love with them at a demo day. It’s been a few years now, I take them everywhere out West and it’s my daily driver in the East… I still feel it is the most versatile ski I’ve ever had. Bumps- check, Trees- Definitely, Carving groomers- yes please, short turns on steeps- super fun, 18 inches of cold smoke pow at Big Sky- no problem, hiking at Taos- so nice and light, and so on... It’s seriously awesome! When I swap them out it is usually for the extreme ice days where I want something heavier and with a bit more bite.

 

[contesstant]

And I hated how much feedback I got from the lack of dampness of the Blaze 86, and I am a Sheeva 9 owner and fan LOL! So, demo if you can because we all have different tastes. The Blaze are super playful for sure and I enjoyed them in soft snow, but they beat the crap out of me in mixed conditions (caveat: I also started the "My body is falling apart" thread, so I'm a fan of damp skis ) I tend to gravitate towards skis with metal in them because of this.

 

[MissySki]

And I hated how much feedback I got from the lack of dampness of the Blaze 86, and I am a Sheeva 9 owner and fan LOL! So, demo if you can because we all have different tastes. The Blaze are super playful for sure and I enjoyed them in soft snow, but they beat the crap out of me in mixed conditions (caveat: I also started the "My body is falling apart" thread, so I'm a fan of damp skis ) I tend to gravitate towards skis with metal in them because of this.

I’m surprised at this designation versus the original Sheeva 9 though (you are talking about the original right?)… the Sheeva 9 imo is floppier than the Blaze 86 and certainly isn’t a damp ski by any means. I would argue it is less damp than the Blaze personally. That being said, I do prefer skis that more translate the terrain to my legs versus dampening it out… outside of on very rough refrozen surfaces which is when I do use a damper heavier ski like my Stocklis. I want to feel connected to the terrain I’m skiing, especially 3D terrain, it helps me feel how I want to ski it whereas damper skis sometimes make me feel disconnected from what the snow is doing and how I want to ski it. I usually dislike most Volkls because I find them too damp/stiff/boring feeling because of that… I specifically love the Blaze because it is the least Volkl like ski I’ve ever been on. If one is very into damp skis I wouldn’t recommend the Blaze, but I also would not have recommended the original Sheeva 9 to them either. It’s usually something I specify when someone asks me about the Blaze. BUT if someone was on the original Sheeva I would assume they might very well like this type of ski for the same reasons I do. I see them in the same category with the Blaze having a bit more chops.

I personally did not care for the new Sheeva 9 enough to want it, and thought it lost a lot of the playfulness I loved in the original.

In any case, yes it is always imperative to demo. We are just here giving ideas for skis to try out.

 

[lisamamot]

Hello,

Looking for some recommendations of skis for me to consider if I’m looking for something to add that is a little easier and knee friendly than my Sheeva 9s?

I’m 5’3” 125lbs and have the 162. I’m not an aggressive skier, or in general a very athletic person haha (coordination is hard for me!). I’ll go all over the mountain chasing my teens but take my time getting down. They have been a fantastic ski for me for a few years now. I love them for the mixed conditions I see all the time with Lake Louise (west conditons) as my home hill. Rode them in 12” of powder a few days ago and had a blast!

But - on icier groomer conditions or when mylegs are tired I find them heavy and hard to keep on edge, especially on steeps. I’m getting knee pain and this never used to be an issue for me. Almost fell bad today in Whitefish on a black as my knees hurt, it was icey and I just couldn’t get a good grip.

overwhelmed with the choices out there so if you have some suggestions, thank you

Based on your ski style description and preferences, another vote to add the Blaze 86 to your demo list! I am also a Sheeva 9 lover (I have two pairs of the original 92mm as my first pair are now my rock/teaching skis). Caveat that I have not been on the new 96mm waist so cannot compare.

I ski in the east but like others I have also put them through the paces out west, including Taos in the Wild West Glades where they were wonderful - added bonus, they were lovely to carry. I believe @MissySki did her whole trip on them, including a hike to Juarez where I had switched to my Santa Ana 93....and definitely regretted when I was carrying them on the hike, lol.

 

[MissySki]

Based on your ski style description and preferences, another vote to add the Blaze 86 to your demo list! I am also a Sheeva 9 lover (I have two pairs of the original 92mm as my first pair are now my rock/teaching skis). Caveat that I have not been on the new 96mm waist so cannot compare.

I ski in the east but like others I have also put them through the paces out west, including Taos in the Wild West Glades where they were wonderful - added bonus, they were lovely to carry. I believe @MissySki did her whole trip on them, including a hike to Juarez where I had switched to my Santa Ana 93....and definitely regretted when I was carrying them on the hike, lol.

Yes indeedy, I spent the whole of my trip to Taos on them (my cardio stinks enough as it is hiking at altitude so the light ski helps so much with that), as well as to Big Sky, Alta, Snowbird, Steamboat… they’ve seen some stuff! Not to mention all of their days in the East. I should probably get a backup pair soon… @diymom haha, … before they are totally skied out.

 

[contesstant]

I guess my post wasn't lighthearted enough. I intended it to be and apologize if I offended anyone. My point is that I bought the Blaze based on the love here and I personally did not care for it..for me. So, word to those who are asking, as usual, demo as much as you possible can. It's very possible that with my injuries and hypermobility, I prefer a ski to absorb as much energy as possible without being a tank. I have yet to find a ski that lacks metal that does this. I do not equate some tip flap with lack of smoothness. The Sheeva has metal under the foot which smooths out the ride and adds some stiffness, while keeping the free ride feel in the tip. For me, it's about what the whole ski absorbs beneath my feet. I also did not care for most iterations of Atomic Maven and Salomon powder-centric skis likely for the same reason.

 

[3beeches]

...So, word to those who are asking, as usual, demo as much as you possible can. It's very possible that with my injuries and hypermobility, I prefer a ski to absorb as much energy as possible without being a tank. I have yet to find a ski that lacks metal that does this. ...For me, it's about what the whole ski absorbs beneath my feet....

I've enjoyed reading this conversation. I agree demo-ing is the way to go. @contesstant I am wondering what you'd recommend to demo for "icier groomer conditions".

 

[contesstant]

I've enjoyed reading this conversation. I agree demo-ing is the way to go. @contesstant I am wondering what you'd recommend to demo for "icier groomer conditions".

How much ice? Patches of ice and hardback with soft between (west coast/Utah) or an entire sheet of ice? How versatile do you want the ski to be? What skill level? I picked up a pair of Atomic Cloud Q12s last season that I have barely skied. I did demo them and the wide tip made them quite versatile. They have metal so are smooth and absorb a lot of feedback. Ironically, the tune is a bit too aggressive for me at a .75 base bevel so am waiting to get them tuned to a 1 degree base which is what I am used to. There are soooo many great skis out there! It really depends on personal taste, skill level, and specific conditions.

 

[Verve]

I’m in @contesstant ’s camp in thinking you might want to try a ski with more metal in it, based on the White Face moment you’re describing. The “heaviness” you describe could be the work you’re doing to edge over a fairly wide ski on firm conditions, rather than the weight of the ski itself. I think it’s worth testing a heavier ski but narrower ski and seeing if the benefits (edge hold, dampness) outweigh the downsides for you.

You’ll keep your Sheeva’s for soft snow days so curious if you’d like something like the Volkl Mantra 84W for icy days. Edge hold to the max, and not difficult to ski for those who are good at driving a ski. Or if we wanted to keep closer to the shape of the Sheeva’s, a Nordica Santa Ana 87?

Other, lighter ski options would be the Blizzard Black Pearl 88, Black Crows Captis Birdie, and on the very light end of the spectrum, the Volkl Blaze others have mentioned.