maggie198
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Hi ladies! I've just joined this forum, after lurking for a couple of seasons. I could really use some advice. I'm in the market for some new skis and need suggestions. I did my first demoing over Thanksgiving weekend, and I have to say it was quite an eye opener. Each ski skiied so differently. I didn't think that there would be such a noticable difference between models. I can see how your skiing experience would totally change depending on what boards you've got under your feet. I'm looking for suggestions on models to demo.
Some info about me: I'm a level 6/7 intermediate skier, about 5'7" and 148 lbs. I returned to skiing at the age of 49, after a good 20 year absence (too many kids, not enough $$), and I love it. But now I'm 53 and I'm a lot more cautious and careful, not as adventurous or risky as when I was a bit younger (I do NOT fall, it's too hard to get up!). I also don't have the strength I used to, so I'm more of a gentle, finesse kind of skier, decent parallel skier working on carving better turns. I also try to do ladies' clinics when they're available around me, and am usually one level down from the most advanced group. Right now I'm skiing on 160 cm 04 Rossi Bandits, they're ok, but not the best choice for me, I think.
What I demoed:
Elan Wave Magic Fusion- not for me. I believe they needed someone more energetic or stronger.
ThenI tried the Elan Black Magics at 150cm, I think. What an easy turning ski, they almost skiied themselves! Though I found I was skid turning at times because they were sooo light, but it could have been that they were also short. I think a longer lenth would've solved that. They cut through crud well (my ski's weakness) and held well on "hardpack", aka ice(another weakness). It was my favorite of the day, but is it enough ski for an advancing skiier? I'm concerned that it might be too soft.
Third demo was K2 One Luvs. These were a disappointment for me, as they were high on my list of possibilities. Compared to the Elans they felt like turning cement trucks. In fairness to them, I also had a longer ski, like 162 or 164cm. My daughter did say that my carving looked best with these, but that's because (to me) they felt so heavy I had to really work to get them on edge. Couldn't lift them off the snow if I wanted to. They were stable at faster speeds, though. But I didn't enjoy these.
The last of the day was Dynastar Exclusive Fluid (hoping I remembered correctly!). These felt squirelly to me, and had a very small sweet spot. And don't dare get back on your tails or you WILL be on your butt! Fun in some ways but definitely not stable enough for me. I wanted to try the Legends, but ran out of time. Didn't get to Volkl, or Salomon either. I was pretty tired by this point, so judging skis might not have been accurate anyway.
As I said this was an eye opener for me, because so much comes down to how you like to ski. My daughter is a lower level skier than I, yet she liked the K2 One Luvs a lot even though they were too long for her (she's 5'1"). But she's strong and athletic. So reading those ski reviews, while somewhat helpful, aren't going to tell you what ski YOU like the best.
Thank you, divas, for any suggestions you can give me to add to my demo list.
Some info about me: I'm a level 6/7 intermediate skier, about 5'7" and 148 lbs. I returned to skiing at the age of 49, after a good 20 year absence (too many kids, not enough $$), and I love it. But now I'm 53 and I'm a lot more cautious and careful, not as adventurous or risky as when I was a bit younger (I do NOT fall, it's too hard to get up!). I also don't have the strength I used to, so I'm more of a gentle, finesse kind of skier, decent parallel skier working on carving better turns. I also try to do ladies' clinics when they're available around me, and am usually one level down from the most advanced group. Right now I'm skiing on 160 cm 04 Rossi Bandits, they're ok, but not the best choice for me, I think.
What I demoed:
Elan Wave Magic Fusion- not for me. I believe they needed someone more energetic or stronger.
ThenI tried the Elan Black Magics at 150cm, I think. What an easy turning ski, they almost skiied themselves! Though I found I was skid turning at times because they were sooo light, but it could have been that they were also short. I think a longer lenth would've solved that. They cut through crud well (my ski's weakness) and held well on "hardpack", aka ice(another weakness). It was my favorite of the day, but is it enough ski for an advancing skiier? I'm concerned that it might be too soft.
Third demo was K2 One Luvs. These were a disappointment for me, as they were high on my list of possibilities. Compared to the Elans they felt like turning cement trucks. In fairness to them, I also had a longer ski, like 162 or 164cm. My daughter did say that my carving looked best with these, but that's because (to me) they felt so heavy I had to really work to get them on edge. Couldn't lift them off the snow if I wanted to. They were stable at faster speeds, though. But I didn't enjoy these.
The last of the day was Dynastar Exclusive Fluid (hoping I remembered correctly!). These felt squirelly to me, and had a very small sweet spot. And don't dare get back on your tails or you WILL be on your butt! Fun in some ways but definitely not stable enough for me. I wanted to try the Legends, but ran out of time. Didn't get to Volkl, or Salomon either. I was pretty tired by this point, so judging skis might not have been accurate anyway.
As I said this was an eye opener for me, because so much comes down to how you like to ski. My daughter is a lower level skier than I, yet she liked the K2 One Luvs a lot even though they were too long for her (she's 5'1"). But she's strong and athletic. So reading those ski reviews, while somewhat helpful, aren't going to tell you what ski YOU like the best.
Thank you, divas, for any suggestions you can give me to add to my demo list.
), they just seem to suit a wide range of skiers. Nice waist width (75), very versatile ski, light as a feather (but strong turning - how do they do that??), I'm thrilled and have passed recommendation to others who bought and were equally happy. Please demo first. Might not be your "thing." K2's tend to ski "heavy" as they are damp. Just a different feel. Exclusive Legends won't kick back/rebound as strongly as a Volkl, but, as I said, they are wildly versatile in terms of terrain they will handle w/ease. Just a thought.
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. Any other recommendations?
