too many skis to choose from-help!

[scottishskier]

Hi

Firstly I want to say what a great forum this is! I'm actually from Scotland but we don't have anything like this on any british or european sites. Ski gear is, however, similar on both sides of the atlantic, so I'm hoping someone might be able to give me some advice!

I'm looking to buy skis for the first time, although I've been skiing for nearly 10 years and I am confident in pretty much all conditions except deep powder. I like to ski the steepest slopes on the mountain but always like to be in control of my speed. My problem is that there are so many skis to choose from and even though I've narrowed down my choice a bit, I'm still lost.

Firstly I would like to know if you think it would make a big difference if I get female specific skis or unisex ones. I'm 23, 165cm (approx. 5'5") and 55 kg (approx. 120lbs). I've heard that for smaller/lighter women, it makes sense to go for a womans' ski. Is this true and do I fit into this category?

This winter I will be spending nearly two months in the alps and next winter I'm hoping I'll have a job in Chamonix, so I want a ski that will allow me to progress and that I won't grow out of too quickly.

The skis I've been looking at so far are (in no particular order):

K2 Burnin luv (how much of an expert ski is it? will it be too much for me?)
K2 One luv (will I grow out of it too quick?)
Salomon Jewel Jade (I think this is new this season and I can't find out much about it, can anyone tell me anything about it or maybe an older model?)
Dynastar exclusive legend (I've read good reviews about this on this site, but I'm not sure if it'll be too heavy)
Fischer vision tempest (again I think this is new this season, does anyone know anything about it or an older equivalent model?)
Fischer vision zephyr (new model again (I think!))

I want a ski that has excellent performance on groomed slopes but that will allow me to occaisionaly experiment and improve my off piste technique. I will get the chance to test k2, salomon, dynastar and fischer skis. Can anyone give me any tips on the above skis or others? Any advice or opinions would be very much apprieciated!

PS. Sorry about the long thread!

 

[Native Vail Gal]

Well, I'm biased, but I love my K2 One Luvs!!!! LUV LUV LUV them!!!

I've skied for over 38 years, and I don't think they are too easy or too much for me. Just right!

Welcome to the Ski Divas! Glad you are here!

 

[Jilly]

Welcome to the forum lassie. I've got relatives in Inverness, so I know that you don't ski much in Scotland. I've demo'd the Fischer Vision Breeze and loved it. Also I think you should be looking up the line at it. Salomon Jade, I'd go up to the Topaz. But demo, then you'll know how the ski performs to your style. Check out some of our demo threads in the gear sections. Many of us got to try this years stuff, last winter.

 

[MaineSkiLady]

Dynastar Exclusive Legend

Welcome to the forum! You're so right - there are more and more choices for us, but Hooray! It was long overdue I'm sure you will get a lot of input regarding the skis you have listed.

I'll put in my good word for my favorite brand, possibly my favorite model ever, the Dynastar Exclusive Legend. Heavy? Not. These skis were specifically designed (by women's skiing advocate Jeannie Thoren) to be 20+% lighter than men's/unisex. They are an absolute joy and WILL handle powder when required. On-piste, they are a joy. Ditto the Look Nova Exclusive binding. I was used to the much heavier PX10, also a great binding. I can literally carry my skis between thumb and finger, they are that light. Additionally, Dynastars are made in the Chamonix Valley and will be a common sight should you be there as you stated. They are not as widely seen in the States.

However, I've been skiing Dynastars almost religiously for the past 23 years. I've had forays into other brands but somehow always seem to come back to Dyna's. The Exclusive series (I also have 10's) are wonderful. I'm in about the same height/weight category as you, a little taller and heavier, and 165 works great for me. I'm advanced, not expert, slowing down a bit. These skis will do whatever you wish. I highly recommend the Legend, have done so to others who have been very happy.

 

[Lori_K]

Ah, what a beautiful country, Scotland is! We spent a wonderful 2-week vacation there a few years ago, and have been itching to get back again.

I'm surprised it hasn't been mentioned yet... but how are your boots? If you own a pair of good, snug-fitting boots then go ahead and check out skis. Otherwise, top priority should be boots, then skis.

And I think you are just right for a women's ski. There are a wide range of women's skis available now, from beginner to expert. I wish I could help you narrow down your selection, but I don't have any direct experience with the skis on the list. It looks like your list is a good starting point-- all-mountain type skis that will perform off-piste as well. Good luck, and enjoy!

 

[ski chick]

Hi SS,

I too felt like you when I began reading about gear on this forum! However, I have found the members to be extra knowledgeable (sp?) and so very helpful. I started by evaluating my size and needs and then explored by brand. It took me a just a little bit of time but I feel I narrowed down the list down to about 4. I am getting new skis this year for the first time in 8 years! wow. I have never demo'd but plan to at a rare ladies only demo day on a local mountain and I will definitely be getting women's skis. I have longed for them!
I wish you luck and get happy for new skis and your new adventure! Yahoo! Please let me know what you decided about your gear.

 

[jaydog]

I am another Exclusive Legend skier, virtually identical height/weight as you, advanced, and I ski the 158. Definitely not heavy. I've only taken them out 3 days, and they've handled crud, powder, spring corn, and ice like a champ. Not sure how they'll perform on groomers, since they have a wider waist.

Dynastar has some of the most pointedly women specific technology- it's helped me out a LOT. Another thing about the EL, it's not a forgiving ski. It won't let you get lazy with your technique.

 

[scottishskier]

Hi again!

Thanks for all the advice and quick replies!

Scotland is a beautiful country but the skiing isn't great. If you can be flexible though, you can get some great days!

I bought my boots last year (Nordica Olympia SM8) and they've been great. Last season I had no problems at all, the flex isn't that stiff, which makes me think I maybe should have gone for a stiffer flex but they fit really well so I'll keep them til I really notice that I need a stiffer flex. They guy in the shop also said that for off piste skiing it's better to have a softer flex, is this true?

I was wondering if "jaydog", "maineskilady", "jilly" and "native vail gal" could maybe tell me a bit more about your skiing style/level and where you ski, as this would maybe help me judge if the legend, breeze or one luvs are suited to me.

I will only have 1 or 2 hours to demo the skis so I want to try to limit my choice to 3 skis, which is proving very difficult!

Thanks again!

 

[MaineSkiLady]

Hi "scot!" Thought I'd reply quick before heading out to "dig out." More snow in Maine, which is where I primarily ski. We have a lot of hardpack here, some ice to contend with, although this season is a lovely departure thus far, with lots of pow and packed pow.

The Legend has been way up there in ratings since its inception, though there are now many "contenders." The 75 mm waist, while narrow by many of this year's standards, is still narrow enough to bite into hard pack and ice, but wide enough, coupled with its wide shovel, to deal with cut-up, crud, etc. As for powder, well, that's generally not something I have had to worry about here, as I am forever missing out on the few and elusive powder days in northern New England (even this year!).

On the 1-10 scale, I'd put myself, in typical conditions in which I ski, at a 7+-. I base this on any given day, 3 will be better, 6 will be lesser in ability. I prefer advanced black diamond slopes and take on the expert stuff when I'm "in the groove." My style is forever trying to adapt to new school wide-track, having come from an era when we were legs dead-locked together and foot steerers. The legends will tail skid if you really must - they definitely take off happily when edged as designed. I should factor my age into this equation: I'm 58, so I have to behave myself (and sometimes I don't!!), but I'd say this is a first-rate ski in terms of its versatility.

Again, hope this helps, I'm sure you'll get other great input from the aforementioned Divas on their preferences.

 

[Bravosarah]

I luv my One Luv's don't worry about out growing them. I think they're perfect. I've been skiing for 30 years (OMG!) and I outweigh you by...well let's just say I'm heavier than you are!

 

[perma-grin]

Hi I thought I pipe in here. I don't like to make recomendatoins if I'm not up to speed on your do and don'ts, wills and won'ts, loves and hates. You really haven't provided me with enough information about your ability, likes and dislikes to offer you a suggestion. A. What are you skiing on now w/ length? B. How would you rate your ability? C. What conditons and terrain do you tend to ski with ease, and what do you struggle with? D. How many days a season do you get out and will you be taking lessons or not? It is easier to make a recommendation if you have provided a better picture of your skiing ability. As for Womens specific skis yes I strongly recommend them for 90% of my female students. And a few of my lighter weight more senior men. Your boot is fairly soft so I would be cautious of matching it with a stiffer ski. Think of your ski and boot combination like a car body and engine match up. You woudn't put a 4 cylinder engine in a suburban body because it woudn't have enough power. You need to have an appropriate boot flex ski response match up.

 

[Jilly]

I was wondering if "jaydog", "maineskilady", "jilly" and "native vail gal" could maybe tell me a bit more about your skiing style/level and where you ski, as this would maybe help me judge if the legend, breeze or one luvs are suited to me.

Well scottishskier, I'm a level 2 CSIA instructor that skis at Mont Tremblant Quebec. So we have snow, hardpack snow, ice, and man-made snow. I'm currently skiing the Rossi Z5. Like our SkiDiva, I work part-time in a ski shop. We sell Salomon, Rossi and Atomic. So last winter I got to try 2008 skis. I concentrated on ladies skis, as the owner of store is male and he's not goin do it. I listed all the skis and my views in the gear thread, under Demo Days 2008.
The Salomon I tried was the Origin. Last year it was the Siam10. Also I tried the Rush, which was the Rush 10 last year. Both are the top of the line skis. The Origin is their all-mountain ski. You might want to try the Topaz, the next one down. Rush is a craver for the groomers.
Breeze - loved this ski. Tried it again a couple of weeks ago. Its all mountain and loved the icy stuff too. Last winter I put the ski on edge, started my turn and the edge held in some really hardpacked icy snow. I couldn't belive it. My Rossi's don't hold like it. I think the Vapour is the next one up. I haven't tried it yet.

I don't think you would go wrong with any of the skis on your list. Have fun and let us know what you think!

 

[Native Vail Gal]

Hi again!

Thanks for all the advice and quick replies!

Scotland is a beautiful country but the skiing isn't great. If you can be flexible though, you can get some great days!

I bought my boots last year (Nordica Olympia SM8) and they've been great. Last season I had no problems at all, the flex isn't that stiff, which makes me think I maybe should have gone for a stiffer flex but they fit really well so I'll keep them til I really notice that I need a stiffer flex. They guy in the shop also said that for off piste skiing it's better to have a softer flex, is this true?

I was wondering if "jaydog", "maineskilady", "jilly" and "native vail gal" could maybe tell me a bit more about your skiing style/level and where you ski, as this would maybe help me judge if the legend, breeze or one luvs are suited to me.

I will only have 1 or 2 hours to demo the skis so I want to try to limit my choice to 3 skis, which is proving very difficult!

Thanks again!

I love to ski intermediate/advanced runs....some bumps, but not so much any more. I ski in Colorado mainly, so not a lot of ice. Groomed runs and trees. I've skied since I was 2 (I'm not even CLOSE to 2 now!) :D

Hope this helps!

 

[jaydog]

Exclusive Legend

I'm 5'5", 125 lbs, 28 years old, very athletic. I'd call myself an advanced skier, hopefully to improve to expert soon. I've gotten to the point where I can charge fairly fast down a non-moguled black diamond. I ski in the Pacific Northwest, where the snow is heavier and wetter, and runs the gamut from ice to good powder.

 

[scottishskier]

Hi

Thanks again for all the answers!

I have a question (which I think might be dumb, but nevermind!). For some reason the place where I will be testing with doesnt have the Fischer vision breeze, which after reading lots of reviews I'm very interested in. If I tested a couple of other fischer skis do you think I could still get an idea of what the breeze would be like? Is there a unisex equivalent of the breeze that I could maybe demo?

Regarding my boots, the three skis I really like the look of just now are the K2 burnin luv, Fischer vision breeze and dynastar exclusive legend, would any/all of these skis be too stiff for my boots?

Now some more info about how I ski. I've never skied in the U.S or Canada so I'm not familiar with your piste grading scheme. In Europe we have green (beginner slopes), blue (low intermediate), red (high intermediate/advanced) and black (expert). I like to ski blacks or steeper reds. I quite like playing in bumps but I tend to slow down here and I think my technique there could do with some work. On ice or hard packed snow I think my technique is good, as normally my brother skis a hell of a lot faster than me, but when it gets icey, I'm faster (and more controlled!) than him. (The advantage of having learned to ski in Scotland!). Like I said before I don't have much off piste experience but would like to learn and will probably take a lesson or two this winter. I have always had regular lessons and will definately take more to tackle particular problems.

I don't really have "a mountain" like some of you, I try to go in Scotland as often as I can, but the conditions there can be extremely changeable and in Europe I have been to many different resorts in France, Italy and Austria. I "learnt" to ski when I was only about 4 but when my brother was born my mum did her back in and we didn't ski again for about ten years, then my dad and my uncle started taking us (me, my brother and sister) again. Since I was 14 (I'm now 23) I've skied one week a year on a family holiday and every other weekend/day possible! it probably works out at about 10-20 days a year. This year though I will be spending the best part of two months in the alps, woohoo!!

I always plan to write a really short reply and end up writing tonnes, sorry!

 

[Native Vail Gal]

I would probably be skiing your steeper reds and blacks. It sounds like we may like to ski the same type of runs.

Colorado Skiing is not icy most of the year. We have powder and packed powder most of the time and lovely snow! Just lovely! I'm lucky!