Hello,
I took advice from my last post and got some boots before looking for new skis. I settled on a pair of Atomic Hawx Ultra 95s. They're not perfect but they've already made a huge difference compared to rental options so thanks for that suggestion.
I am 5'8" (172 cm) and about 125 lbs and would categorize myself as a level 6 skier based on this site (
https://www.steamboat.com/plan-your-trip/lessons/ability-levels). I ski and the PNW and I can ski all blues comfortably and have ventured onto a few black diamond runs. I also like to dip into the trees a bit. My goal for next year is to ski all blacks comfortably and ski some double blacks. I also like to do some jumps off of natural features and take a few laps in the terrain park if conditions aren't great. So about 50% on-piste/35% off-piste/15% park skiing.
Skis I've Tried
Based on the few skis I've tried, I really enjoy a ski that is a bit heavier and feels stable. These
Salomon QST Myriad 85 (161 cm) - I had a lot of fun on this ski. It felt stable and was easy to lay over, get a high edge angle and make some large turns. If I could find a used one in 169 length would get it as a designated carving ski,
Rossignol Smasher (92 mm width; 160 & 170 cm length) - I found these skis to be very easy to carve but unstable. I didn't like how unstable they were in variable snow. I took the 160 cm skis on a black which was pretty sketchy haha. I enjoyed the 170 cm length much more because I could finish a carving turn instead of skidding but the ski still felt very unstable at speed.
Atomic Maven 93 (165 cm?) - I didn't like this ski very much. It was super light and didn't feel stable. I hated skiing through the crud and uneven snow. I think the 172 length would have been ore stable but the weight is probably more of the issue.
Rossignol Experience 80 (158 cm) - This ski felt very short to me and confirmed I might want something 165-170 cm
Options
I wanted to get some feedback from women because I heard about/been suggested a lot of skis by men but I figured people here have actually tried them so I wanted to get some input. I'm gravitating towards skis that are mid 90s in width. I think wider would be less fun to carve, and I wonder if I really need that wide of a ski to float reasonably well. Regardless, these are the skis I've been considering, in order of interest.
Ranger 94 FR 171 cm- Seems to check all my boxes but pretty difficult to find in the right length. I would probably ski the 170 cm length, which has an actual width of 92 mm?
Rossi Black Ops (98mm) Blazer/Holyshred 170cm- This has been on my short list because people have mentioned it's a good carver but is also a twin tip. Possibly on the wider end for me.
Black Crows Camox Birdie (97mm) 174 cm - Described to me as a twin tip that also carves, but was also described as on the "softer end".
Blizzard Sheeva 9 - Has been recommended to me by men but I also wonder if that's because it's one of the more well known women's skis?
Liberty Origin/Genesis 96 - I don't know much about this brand, but seems affordable and fits my needs
Salomon QST 92 - Another safe choice I guess?
Volkl Secret 96 - Possibly too heavy for the few park laps I do.
K2 Mindbender 98Ti Alliance - seems like a good fit because I've read it's more approachable than the Santa Ana so it could be okay off jumps.
Salomon QST 99 - probably a safe choice but I'm not sure how this would do in the park.
Elan Ripstick 94 - I've read this ski is not great in crud.
Nordica Santa Ana 93 - probably not great in the trees or park.
Thanks for reading!
