Question: Ski suggestions

[skilove1]

Hello, I'm new to ski diva but have been reading posts and finding all of the ski reviews very helpful. But...I need help buying skis!

I'm mid-20s, 5'5" and 130 lb, I am an ability level of 7-8. I go very fast, mostly on diamond groomers, but want to be able to explore more all-mountain. Right now, I avoid all moguls because the skis I'm using are super long and just don't work for me -- they are old Rossis, I think Freerides, maybe from 2002 and were bought for my mother who no longer skis.

I live in Mass, and usually ski in VT, ME or NH, but have dreams of going other places too (Midwest, Canada-BC, South America-Chile)!

I went to Tremblant a couple weekends ago and they had a 2-day demo weekend where I was able to try a few.

I tried:
1/ K2 one luvs, i think in 149 because it felt SO short, but when I got out on the slopes I didn't know what to think because it was the first ski I had tried pretty much ever. Not good or bad.

2/ Roxy Joyrider in 154, these were okay but heavy (to carry). Also not good or bad.

3/ Dynastar Exclusive Fluid (not Ltd) in 158, these were A LOT of fun. I felt like I could go super fast in these, with no effort at all.

4/ Dynastar Exclusive Fluid Ltd in 153 and 158, I preferred the 153s but if i want to improve i'd probably need a 158.

This first demo experience (ever) left me feeling like I knew more of what I needed, but now that I'm searching online trying to find skis that fit into what I think I need, I'm lost!

I've read the Ski Press reviews for this year so many times I think I've got them memorized. Right now I think these sound good for me:

Dynastar Exclusive Legend, 158
Atomic Cloud 9, 158 -- i couldnt find any reviews on skidiva
Fischer Vision Vapor or Breeze, 155
Elan Speed Magic, 155
Head Every One, 156
(Dynastar Exclusive Fluid, 158 -- if the price drops!!! i see only 1 store online carrying them)

Help!!

--Lucie

 

[MaineSkiLady]

First of all: welcome aboard! Hope we can help you out.
Ah, the eternal dilemma....as I'm sure you've seen by the number of similar threads !

Really glad to hear you got a chance to demo -- sure is interesting, isn't it? Looks to me like you should probably try a few more, just to satisfy your curiosity. As it stands right now, you DO have a ski (#3) that "spoke" to you....despite its big price? Fear not, sales will begin to happen, and I, being the die-hard Dynastar diva around here, will keep an eye out.

Don't be afraid of length on a Dynastar. With your specs/ability level, 158 for SURE. (I have similar height/weight/ability as you.) I hope you are able to try the Legend and compare it mentally with the E-Fluid, which you liked so much. The Legend is a very lovely all-mountain ski and WILL get and keep you grounded in the bumps (as I happily learned after buying these skis last March). As I have said many times in the past, wildly versatile skis. The 75 under foot is really great in the NE.

Atomic: Heaven's Gate and Seventh Heaven are worthy as well.
Fischer: hoping to get my demo opportunity on as many models as possible in late Feb, so I'm clueless here.

I'm sure you have already experienced and enjoyed the difference that this evolving technology provides. Frankly, if it was me and a ski really totally "did it" for me, I'd splurge. But I hope you can at least try a few more before you commit. (I demo'd in late Feb, found my "price-point" on what I wanted in late March.)

Good luck, let us know how it worked out for you!

 

[Jilly]

Glad to got up the demo weekend here at Tremblant. Fun isn't it. I missed it this year. They do this every year and always the weekend before Christmas.

As for Atomic - I agree with trying the Heaven's Gate. The Ski Diva has a review on the Cloud 9 somewhere. It should be a groomer ski. The Heaven is a tuned down race ski.

I've tried the Breeze and loved it. It held the hardpack we get here in the east. There is spot just above the Duncan chair on the north side that is always icy. I put that ski out there on that ice and it held. I just couldn't believe it.

And MSL is our Dynastar Diva!

 

[skilove1]

Decisions, decisions...

Thank you for the input! I will let you know what happens.

 

[skilove1]

on a whim....

I bought some 08 fischer vision vapors I found new (w/bindings) on ebay for .... wait for it ... $220! They are 160cm and I'm excited to try them out this weekend in Vermont.

I leaned towards these because of the price, mostly. And was considering buying another ski to try out, then sell whichever I liked least. But I haven't committed to the second pair yet....

While I was searching I fell in love with the design of the Speed Magics from last season, which I've also found new w/bindings online, but for $500.

I'm not cold, but this little guy's so cute!

 

[michpc]

Congrats on the purchase! I was eyeing these as well. Let us know how they work out! I also ski the east, a little lower level than you though, and slightly heavier, but I'm interested to hear how you like these! Do you have new boots? All the Divas here will tell you to invest in those, and I think I'm going to be very happy that I just did.

 

[Severine]

Of those mentioned, I only have experience with the Joyriders (which I ADORE) but I'm also lower level skier. Yes, they are heavy.

MSL is definitely THE source for Dynastar info on here. :D

Sounds like you have a good start. Sorry I can't offer more advice. Good luck!

 

[Swamp Dog]

While I was searching I fell in love with the design of the Speed Magics from last season, which I've also found new w/bindings online, but for $500.

I liked the Speed Magic (last year's) as well but couldn't find any when I went looking for it. I ended up with the Wave Magic which is very similar, maybe just a lower speed limit. The price was right and I love them!