Ski recommendations?

[Jfrost353]

Hey all, buying my first resort uphill/backcountry setup and looking for some recommendations on skis. I currently ski Sheeva 9s and Salomon 106s in bounds and love having a stable ski with little chatter.
Will be splitting use of these skis between resort uphill and mellow backcountry, so looking for something that stays stable on downhills/steeps and can cut through crud and chop well. Located in CO so pretty much looking at all conditions.

some that I’m considering:
Nordica unleashed 98
Vokllblaze 94
Salomon mountain 96

thanks!

 

[SarahXC]

I have the unleashed 98 for resort and like them a lot. The do pretty well in the crud/fun playful balance in my opinion. I do feel like it is a more center mounted ski and with the twin tip might be challenging for skins (you can get twin tip tail clips but it’s one more thing to figure out) and might be hard for kick turn in the skin track with there being more ski behind your foot. I don’t know this for a fact since I have alpine bindings on mine but maybe someone else with chime in….

 

[echo_VT]

People I know tend to like the Atomic Backlands or the Volkl Blazes for that first step into backcountry. I just saw a Nordica Santa Ana backcountry specific ski that the owner seems to like well.

That said, the heavier the ski, the harder it is to do laps unless you're quite strong. On the counterpoint, the heavier skis will be helpful in variable snow conditions and it sounds like you prefer to prioritize that.

Best of luck @Jfrost353 and let us know what you do.

There's also the matter of bindings! And skins. Both of which should not be overlooked

 

[Verve]

What length do you like? They discontinued the Blizzard Hustle but I think there are still lots kicking around at a discount. For your stability desires (and for the resort skinning focus) I think a 50/50 ski like the Hustle makes sense - with a Shift, Duke, or similar binding.

I think the Nordica @echo_VT is thinking of is the Unlimited, which I agree could be a good option. They are on the light side of the 50/50 spectrum.

 

[Pequenita]

I ski the Volkl Blaze 94W inbounds with alpine bindings and have contemplated putting tech bindings on them for backcountry (I'm not a fan of 50/50 setups, but that's a me thing). They have been great when there is fresh snow, deep snow, and when all that gets skied out. I've used them in both Tahoe and Utah. They are a little too wide (knees) if the day is spent doing groomers.

 

[3beeches]

I started to think about buying AT skis + two years ago. I ended up with boots that are AT binding compatible but everything else is downhill only. Over Christmas was with family members who have AT set-ups so I have started to think again about buying. Appreciate input on the forum. I found SkiMo website with a line-up for women. Wondering about Movement Alp Tracks 85 Ski - Women, Movement Alp Tracks 85 Ski - Women - 2021/22, Dynafit Blacklight 88 Ski - Women. They are lighter than other skis which appeals to me for uphill. I ski in new england so do worry about downhill. With bindings I leaning towards ATK bc of what I have read but wonder which model to go with. Anyone have a good experience with a shop in new england?