Too soon for powder/off-piste skis?

[Bsheresq]

Hi there -

New member here looking for advice, please! I’m a GenX East Coast skier who learned as an adult and is working very hard to get better from that intermediate rut. I spent this season in VT and with some clinics and Carv2 got better on piste. Next year, we’re looking to spend most of the season in Utah, where I want to learn how to ski powder & bumps and trees properly. To this end, with all the recent spring sales, I’m considering buying skis more cut out for that. For the last 3 seasons, I’ve been on Renoun Earhart 88s 149cm (I’m 5’0”), which I adore, and which I also credit with helping me get better, as they are super light, turn so easily and really dampen chatter and actually did well in the Powder Monkey trees in Park City last year and in some easy trees on Killington this year. But I’m not sure how’d they’d fare in deep Western powder.

What makes me hesitate about buying powder / off piste skis just now is that I’m worried they will exceed my ability too much, as while I’m now decent on groomers, I am still kind of terrible on ungroomed terrain other than easy soft bumps (I also intend to take some lessons in Utah). Moreover, there doesn’t really seem to be women’s models of these skis, just unisex, and most sizes start in the mid-150s, so I’m a little concerned about the additional length, as I have just begun being able to make short turns. Additionally my Renouns are really light, and I wonder, now that I’m accustomed to that, how a heavier ski would affect my performance. (Renoun does make a powder type ski (Citadel 106) that is well reviewed but it starts at 163cm). Should I wait until I get better in these areas and then get the skis, or will the skis be able to assist me in getting better?

Thank you for reading and I’d really appreciate any thoughts or comments you might have for me! If you think I should go for it, any ski recommendation you might have is also appreciated (in addition to the Citadel, I was looking at the Salomon QST).

 

[floatingyardsale]

A powder ski will make skiing powder easier. But you're not, IMO, going to be out of your depth on the Renouns most of the time. 88 is a versatile width out here --- when you get powder days demo some skis and see what you like best.

 

[diymom]

My opinion is not to rush it and demo when you get to Utah. Yes, there might be deals now, but it will only be a deal if it is a ski that you enjoy on snow in Utah. The best way to know what skis will work for you there is to demo there.

 

[marzNC]

As a petite skier (5'0", 110 lbs) who has been doing multiple ski trips in at big mountains out west for a decade, plus spring break trips to Alta when my daughter was young, I didn't bother to buy "powder skis" until a Diva offered a deal that was too good to ignore. I didn't become a solid advanced skier until several years after I started doing adults-only ski trips that included lessons at destination resorts about a dozen years ago. The few times I caught a deep powder storm when I didn't have my own powder skis, I rented Demo or Performance skis for a few days. For example, during a Big Sky trip I rented skis that were 106 underfoot in the Performance category (previous season demo skis) for 3 days. About $100 so cheaper than current model year Demo skis.

The issue with owning powder skis is that means taking two pairs of skis to the airport. I live in the southeast. Although I have a double Sportube and a double sock ski bag, I only bring my all-mountain skis and pack other stuff in the extra space. I'm lucky that my powder skis live in the west with my primary ski buddy, who drives to meet me for ski trips.

The most I've ever used my powder skis is 6 days. That's out of 50+ days, usually 25+ at big mountains out west. My technique has improved enough that I only feel like changing skis when fresh snow is over 8-10 inches and isn't fluffy.

 

[marzNC]

For the last 3 seasons, I’ve been on Renoun Earhart 88s 149cm (I’m 5’0”), which I adore, and which I also credit with helping me get better, as they are super light, turn so easily and really dampen chatter and actually did well in the Powder Monkey trees in Park City last year and in some easy trees on Killington this year. But I’m not sure how’d they’d fare in deep Western powder.

The width of your skis is fine for 6-10 inches of fresh snow. However, might be better to have longer skis. The skis I use in the east are 10cm shorter than the all-mountain skis I take out west. Currently I'm using Volkl Yumi, 84 underfoot, @149cm and Stöckli Stormrider 85 @159cm. The Yumis are somewhat wider than the skis I was using before in the east. However, the deal offered by another petite Diva was too good to pass up. As an adventurous intermediate my eastern skis were 75-78 underfoot and 148-154cm.

 

[Pequenita]

I think longer, too, unless (1) you are well under 100lbs or (2) you are skiing someplace that doesn't turn into crud quickly - I am your height. Realistically, even at western resorts you will get only a few runs of untouched snow, and then after that you are skiing some sort of chop or crud, on which I have found that slightly longer skis are more forgiving with respect to fore/aft balance.

 

[MissySki]

I also say bring your skis with you and then demo some wider skis while in Utah when conditions warrant it. You might be surprised how often your 88 underfoot skis are just fine out West, though hopefully it’ll be a very snowy year for you there and you can find what you like for that too.

When I have gone West the past few years I have an 86 underfoot skis with me. Have had no issues needing to rent wider as they are fine up to around a foot of snow. However, that’s just the roll of the dice on whether you get bigger storms given you’ll have all season versus just a weeklong vacation. I’m sure you’ll have occasions when you want wider if you are skiing there a ton.

 

[snoWYmonkey]

For sure rent rather than buy unless the deal is great. I would actually demo them on a groomer day to make sure you can ski bumps and groomers with them as most western powder days end up a mix of all those conditions unless you only ski the first couple of hours in the fresher pow. I do prefer owning and getting to know each ski I own well as the technique required from ski to ski can vary a little bit, if only to have the most fun. Some carve, others skid and schmear better.

For bumps, you will not want to ski a wide ski. If anything a narrow short ski is nice at first, unless there is powder on top of the bumps.

As for length, both my over 100 powder skis are at least 10cm longer than my narrower skis. Most powder skis are much softer in the tip and tail, and they have shorter contact points. The idea is that width and length help with flotation. If the goal is to buy one pair and keep it for years, then it is OK to go a bit longer and grow into it. If you need short note that some companies make junior powder skis.

 

[marzNC]

I would actually demo them on a groomer day to make sure you can ski bumps and groomers with them as most western powder days end up a mix of all those conditions unless you only ski the first couple of hours in the fresher pow.

Good point!

I used to demo skis at the annual demo day in early April at Alta (no longer happens). It was very rare that snow conditions were anything like powder skiing. Most of the skis at the demo tents were wider than my all-mountain skis. Made it easy to learn which powder skis I could still turn on a groomer, sometimes a frozen groomer for skis I took out first thing in the morning. That's a big reason the powder skis I bought are 106 underfoot instead of 110+.

The fat skis I've tried as demo skis have had so little side cut and so much rocker, they are hard to turn on a groomer. That's okay when renting, especially if renting on mountain so that it's easy to change out at lunch time. Not worth owning and transporting when flying to big mountains for the hope of powder skiing during a trip that lasts a week or two.

That reminds me of a story . . .

During the 2010 Diva West in North Tahoe, my ski buddy Jason and I rented skis for the entire week at a shop in town. Neither of us were skiing enough days at big mountains to justify owning good skis. We had basic skis for skiing in our home regions, southeast for me and midwest for him. He opted for regular rentals, which were pretty narrow. The day the Divas West skied Palisades Olympic (then Squaw) was a snowy day with deep fresh powder. There was over a foot of new snow on the rental SUV when we left mid-afternoon. In the morning Jason skied with the group of advanced skiers guided by a local Diva on the upper mountain. He gave up on his rental skis and opted to get demo powder skis. Around lunch time, he opted to get wider powder skis for the rest of the afternoon.

I was doing the special 3-morning Diva clinic set up for that Diva West. That included demo skis. I was on skis that were 75 underfoot with a wide shovel, 127/75/108, 154cm. I have clear notes about that model because after those three days I managed to get a good deal during the next off-season because I knew what to look for (no longer made). Fair to say that after that experience being taught by a very experienced instructor, I knew it was possible to make turns in deep fluffy untracked powder when skis are under the snow.

 

[santacruz skier]

I just spent 8 days in a row at Heavenly on my Sheeva 10's - 102 underfoot in a 156 (this included 3 powder days after a 2 ft dump). Skied groomers, bumps and fresh untracked snow during the week and have to say these skis were so much fun. Of course they excel in the powder but skied several soft bump runs and had a blast. I bought a couple of years ago from another Diva barely used and only used them a few times until this year!

On another note, I demoed the Fischer Ranger 84W at Sun Valley for two days (yikes $97 a day) and thought they were great on the Sun Valley groomers and in some trees (no new snowfall for 3 weeks at the time I was there).

 

[Bsheresq]

Thank you, ladies, for all your responses! Lots to think about. I think I may hold off and try some demos as many of you suggested, and demoing them on a groomer day makes a lot of sense. On length, about 20 years ago on a trip to Whistler, the rental shop had set me up with a pair of skis that were mid160s in length, which were just way too long for my skill level then, and which has put a fear of longer skis in me. But now I’m a much better skier than I was then, so I makes sense that I should probably try a longer pair first and see how it goes. (I just wish it was easy to demo Renouns, but while you can try them out, you have to buy them first and send them back if you don’t want them, which is an expense and a bit of a hassle).

 

[Verve]

Thank you, ladies, for all your responses! Lots to think about. I think I may hold off and try some demos as many of you suggested, and demoing them on a groomer day makes a lot of sense. On length, about 20 years ago on a trip to Whistler, the rental shop had set me up with a pair of skis that were mid160s in length, which were just way too long for my skill level then, and which has put a fear of longer skis in me. But now I’m a much better skier than I was then, so I makes sense that I should probably try a longer pair first and see how it goes. (I just wish it was easy to demo Renouns, but while you can try them out, you have to buy them first and send them back if you don’t want them, which is an expense and a bit of a hassle).

You’re a better skier AND ski technology and shapes have changed a great deal. Most skis 20 years ago were a bunch of camber and a very intense parabolic shape that catered to a specific type of turn. Totally understand the frustration of trying to turn a ski that’s wrong for you and how that memory would live on! but you’ll find any soft snow ski designed with deep rocker lines much easier to turn, even at 160+.

Also people do like the Renoun skis but they’re not the only game in town for light skis that a still somewhat damp. Hope you have fun trying some different things! In your shoes, the Volkl Blaze 104 would be on my list

 

[badger]

I agree that demoing skis would be most practical. The Renoun Citadel is not available short enough for your size, and may be more ski than you need. I am 5'1 95 pounds , and would never consider the Citadel, and have owned the Earharts before. The Earhart 88 is a good tool for learning powder. As everyone else has said, the snow becomes a different beast after the pow hounds chop it all up.

Last season I did purchase a ski to learn powder. I had a trip coming up that was going to be days of snow falling heavily, therefore I wanted to be prepared for immersion into the necessary techniques for powder.
Because I drive to resorts, rather than fly, having the extra skis was not something I had to contend with, nor would I have to hope a demo ski would be available in my size when the bevy of other renters would be seeking similar demos.

My ski purchase was a DPS Foundation Grom ski. 159 99 wide. DPS makes very fine skis and this one was a bargain at under 300 dollars with a profile that is perfect for my size. It's junior ski with the same construction as the adult version. Love the ski. So, as mentioned above, you may find a junior demo available when you travel that could be great for you, as powder days can be busy in the rental shops where the adult skis are all gone or too long for you.

 

[Bsheresq]

You’re a better skier AND ski technology and shapes have changed a great deal. Most skis 20 years ago were a bunch of camber and a very intense parabolic shape that catered to a specific type of turn. Totally understand the frustration of trying to turn a ski that’s wrong for you and how that memory would live on! but you’ll find any soft snow ski designed with deep rocker lines much easier to turn, even at 160+.

Also people do like the Renoun skis but they’re not the only game in town for light skis that a still somewhat damp. Hope you have fun trying some different things! In your shoes, the Volkl Blaze 104 would be on my list

Good point. & I’ll definitely check out the Volkl. I used to have Luna and I liked them a lot.

 

[Bsheresq]

I agree that demoing skis would be most practical. The Renoun Citadel is not available short enough for your size, and may be more ski than you need. I am 5'1 95 pounds , and would never consider the Citadel, and have owned the Earharts before. The Earhart 88 is a good tool for learning powder. As everyone else has said, the snow becomes a different beast after the pow hounds chop it all up.

Last season I did purchase a ski to learn powder. I had a trip coming up that was going to be days of snow falling heavily, therefore I wanted to be prepared for immersion into the necessary techniques for powder.
Because I drive to resorts, rather than fly, having the extra skis was not something I had to contend with, nor would I have to hope a demo ski would be available in my size when the bevy of other renters would be seeking similar demos.

My ski purchase was a DPS Foundation Grom ski. 159 99 wide. DPS makes very fine skis and this one was a bargain at under 300 dollars with a profile that is perfect for my size. It's junior ski with the same construction as the adult version. Love the ski. So, as mentioned above, you may find a junior demo available when you travel that could be great for you, as powder days can be busy in the rental shops where the adult skis are all gone or too long for you.

I never heard of that ski - will put it on my of ones to try.

 

[Christy]

Lots of great advice here already but I'll beat the dead of horse of "go longer." The best "powder ski" I've had was only 88w but it was a ski that was too long for me, except on a powder day. I didn't realize how good they were at the time and I sold them and got a wider but more appropriate length, thinking they'd be even better. They weren't and I still miss my too-long skis on real powder days.

 

[OrDreamer]

I live in Utah but I’m new to skiing as well and don’t like deep deep powder cause I tore my acl in it … so I like the few inches depths

I think 88 for the first few tries will be ok , then if u r feeling it’s not enough I would demo once u here

I have Santa Ana 98 and lux 92 which I use more

btw let me know when u come to Utah , we are a group of carv users and u should def join us on a ski meetup

 

[Bsheresq]

I live in Utah but I’m new to skiing as well and don’t like deep deep powder cause I tore my acl in it … so I like the few inches depths

I think 88 for the first few tries will be ok , then if u r feeling it’s not enough I would demo once u here

I have Santa Ana 98 and lux 92 which I use more

btw let me know when u come to Utah , we are a group of carv users and u should def join us on a ski meetup

Thank you so much, I will do that! So glad I got Carv this season and I’m excited to try it out West next year. It clearly helped me improve, although it was a bit frustrating at times (it does not sense snow surface well and I feel like I get penalized for East Coast conditions). Would have been fun to talk to someone about it other than my snowboarder husband who couldn’t really appreciate. Hope to have a Utah place lined up over the next couple of weeks, so I’ll definitely contact you next year!

 

[OrDreamer]

Thank you so much, I will do that! So glad I got Carv this season and I’m excited to try it out West next year. It clearly helped me improve, although it was a bit frustrating at times (it does not sense snow surface well and I feel like I get penalized for East Coast conditions). Would have been fun to talk to someone about it other than my snowboarder husband who couldn’t really appreciate. Hope to have a Utah place lined up over the next couple of weeks, so I’ll definitely contact you next year!

haha - tell you husband to switch to ski...if u have any questions about the app ive been with it for several seasons (and i have a little carv ladies leaderboard and fb group we just started and talk about it there and plan meetups and such so if u want to join lmk

 

[Bsheresq]

He almost took a ski lesson with my niece this year, but decided not to. I was glad; he’d likely irritate me by getting better than me in short order! I‘m not on FB but would love to join your Carv group. Sadly, I think I have maybe one, possibly two days left on skis this year, which would be the next two days, and conditions are suboptimal. Winter has beat a hasty retreat from the East Coast this year.