ski now work later
Angel Diva
I did a lot of research last season to find a twin tip powder ski that I could use to learn how to ski powder and mixed conditions. I settled on the Solomon Scarlet but was unable to find one to demo or even see in a shop here in the East. I purchased a pair in late April on sale (internet sale from Al's Ski Barn in Maine).
I had a chance to take them out on their virgin runs on Friday 12/14 at Stowe, and then used them all day on Sunday 12/16 at Stowe. Here's my review:
Skier type: I'm 5' 7" tall, 145 lbs., 48 years old, strong intermediate skier with virtually no powder experience.
Ski stats: 154 length, 130-94-123, 12.8 turn radius, mounted 70% freeride and 30% park with Solomon Z10 bindings which are sleek, light, and easy to step in and out of. Although the length is short for me, the next size was 164 with a 94 waist, and I thought that would be too much ski for me to learn with. I was very pleased with the length and found the skis easy to carry around and to ski with. Loved the short turning radius.
Conditions: Some shallow untracked powder (4 - 6"), and lots of deep powder in piles and bumps.
Review: This ski sailed through the powder with ease. I can't wait to use them on untracked powder again. They also gave me great options in the mixed snow -- giving me a choice of riding the varied terrain on top or cutting right through it, with equal skill at either task. They are fast and stable. On flatter areas, they zipped forward without much effort, and with a moment or two of hesitation, went on edge easily. As my powder skills progress, I will probably find them to be short, but for now they are a perfect learning ski for me and gave me the confidence, stability, and tools to tackle new terrain. I highly recommend this ski for anyone who is new to powder and it's a decent all mountain ski as well. I haven't had a chance to ski switch with them yet or try them in the park, but I think they'll be fun for that stuff too, making them even more versatile. The reviews that I read said that the tips can wash out on hard steeps, so I wouldn't try them in that setting, but I am looking forward to bringing them to Big Sky in February and who knows? Maybe we'll have a few more powder days here in the Northeast this season!
Final note: I much prefer the graphic on the '07 ski to the '08 ski.
I had a chance to take them out on their virgin runs on Friday 12/14 at Stowe, and then used them all day on Sunday 12/16 at Stowe. Here's my review:
Skier type: I'm 5' 7" tall, 145 lbs., 48 years old, strong intermediate skier with virtually no powder experience.
Ski stats: 154 length, 130-94-123, 12.8 turn radius, mounted 70% freeride and 30% park with Solomon Z10 bindings which are sleek, light, and easy to step in and out of. Although the length is short for me, the next size was 164 with a 94 waist, and I thought that would be too much ski for me to learn with. I was very pleased with the length and found the skis easy to carry around and to ski with. Loved the short turning radius.
Conditions: Some shallow untracked powder (4 - 6"), and lots of deep powder in piles and bumps.
Review: This ski sailed through the powder with ease. I can't wait to use them on untracked powder again. They also gave me great options in the mixed snow -- giving me a choice of riding the varied terrain on top or cutting right through it, with equal skill at either task. They are fast and stable. On flatter areas, they zipped forward without much effort, and with a moment or two of hesitation, went on edge easily. As my powder skills progress, I will probably find them to be short, but for now they are a perfect learning ski for me and gave me the confidence, stability, and tools to tackle new terrain. I highly recommend this ski for anyone who is new to powder and it's a decent all mountain ski as well. I haven't had a chance to ski switch with them yet or try them in the park, but I think they'll be fun for that stuff too, making them even more versatile. The reviews that I read said that the tips can wash out on hard steeps, so I wouldn't try them in that setting, but I am looking forward to bringing them to Big Sky in February and who knows? Maybe we'll have a few more powder days here in the Northeast this season!
Final note: I much prefer the graphic on the '07 ski to the '08 ski.
