Trying to find "My Ski"

[Sambagirl]

After many years of renting, I have finally decided to get my own skis. I am an intermediate mellow skier, skiing mostly blue trails. I want to advance to the next level (beginner moguls) and I am looking for a ski that will take me there but still respect my low-key style. I have been reading reviews and have identified a few possibilities:

Dynastar Exclusive Legend
Volkl Attiva Sol
K2 Tru Luv

Would love some help in finding "my ski". I really just want one pair of all mountain skis. Most of my skiing is done in Utah and California.

 

[MaineSkiLady]

I'm a big fan of the Dynastar Exclusive Legend, and here's why: it is incredibly versatile in terms of its range: it will perform at low speeds but won't wash when amped up. At 75 underfoot, it will definitely tackle crud and light powder (but probably not the super-deep) - but it will sail through anything groomed/blue and does moguls very nicely.

What I - and most of us here - suggest is a trial/demo. It will cost $ but this is money VERY well spent (a little more than rental). Ski shops in either your home region or nearer to where you ski generally have a wide variety of demo's for rent -- and many of them will let you "switch out" over the course of a day. So your mission is thus to find said shop and give one or more of these skis a try. Because, for all we might say or recommend here, it really is a super-personal choice -- and if you get the chance to go through this process, you will know VERY QUICKLY if a ski is meant for you Good luck, let us know how it worked out.

 

[Sambagirl]

Thank you, MaineSkiLady. I think I am going to invest in a pair of boots first and then test out some demo skis this season. I did try out the K2 Burnin' Luvs last weekend at Heavenly (that was all the renter had). I felt stable on them and that they were forgiving, but I also felt like I wasn't taking advantage of all of the power in that ski. I'm hoping to find a Dynastar Legend demo and a K2 Tru Luv or One Luv demo. I'll keep you posted. Thanks for the advice and happy skiing!

 

[Squaw]

SambaGirl,

Sounds like you are skiing the Tahoe area. Dave's will have some good prices on demo's -- but the trick is since they are in town and not at the mountain, you cannot change skis midday. It is likely that the Squaw Valley Ski Shop will have the K2's, as it is a line they consistently have -- and it sounds like the Tru Luv or One Luv may be right up your alley. You might also take a look at the Volkl Attiva line. They've shifted the models --- I think the Luna and Viento may be comparable.

good luck!
Jen

 

[Nimbis]

Women's Specific

When I started skiing again I really enjoyed the Women's Salomon X-Scream's. I also used to work in a rental shop and these were a part of our demo packages. All the ladies that I put on this ski from intermediate to advanced were happy with the performance of the ski and had a great time. It also came with a binding that allowed flex under the riser plate so that there wasn't a dead spot in the ski as there is with most.

Women's specific models these days are great for girls that like a lighter, softer ski, that caters towards their center of balance. Try looking around at the demo packages available and renting a few pairs before settling on something.

 

[flygirl]

When I started skiing again I really enjoyed the Women's Salomon X-Scream's. I also used to work in a rental shop and these were a part of our demo packages. All the ladies that I put on this ski from intermediate to advanced were happy with the performance of the ski and had a great time. It also came with a binding that allowed flex under the riser plate so that there wasn't a dead spot in the ski as there is with most.

Women's specific models these days are great for girls that like a lighter, softer ski, that caters towards their center of balance. Try looking around at the demo packages available and renting a few pairs before settling on something.

I agree with what everyone has said on here. Demo, demo, demo. I bought my first pair of women's specific skis last year. I had never liked any of the women's specific skis that I had demoed before. It's a very personal choice as MaineSkiLady said. Personally I like a slalom sidecut, and rent some demos when I get powder. If I lived in a mountain community, I would probably own 3 pairs of ski, but I don't so have to have a wider waist for powder days. I bought a pair of Nordica female specific skis. (they call them the Olympia line). My style of skiing is different than yours, so I won't mention which model. It wouldn't be the right ski for you. But I definitely would check out the Nordica's, since I'm very impressed with what they've done. Before buying the Nordica's, I had skied Volkl's and Rossi's for years. I wasn't hung up on which manufacturer to buy..I just demoed a lot of skis with the sidecut that I was looking for. K2 sells a lot of women's specific and people must like them, although I've never skied them. Most shops will credit your demo cost to the cost of whatever you purchase, so be sure to ask. Try to find a shop that has several pairs of demos in your size and also the new pairs for sale in your size. That would be the economical way to go, if they will credit you for the demos. Most shops will and most skis are on sale this time of year as well. You didn't mention length, but I recommend staying in the 150 cm range. I am a petite woman who is lightweight, but I'm a strong skier and ski fast. My Nordica's are 146 cm, the shortest I've ever been on but ski faster than my 150 cm Rossi slalom race ski. They don't chatter or wash out at high speed and are amazing in the bumps. I would recommend not going longer than a 154 cm ski. If you need boots, then that should be your first purchase. (with custom footbeds). Then go out and demo and have fun!