Well I've finally decided it's time to get a ski that's under 100mm underfoot for those days when it hasn't snowed in a while so I don't have to stay home or go sideways down the firmer bits. Especially since I've signed up for weekly lessons and that means probably having to ski whatever the conditions.
I'm after a thinner all-mountain ski that'll handle firm groomers and hold an edge, but will also work for off-piste bumps and trees. I tend to prefer short to medium size turns - I'm working on making longer turns, but I'd rather have something fun and nimble than a charger that demands to be skied fast. The ideal would be something that allows me to improve my technique but isn't just a groomer ski.
From what I've read here, the Volkl Blaze sounds like a good option - ie nimble, holds an edge, forgiving compared to something like the Secret - does that ring true for those of you who've skied it? I'm looking at the men's version in either 166 or 173 - leaning towards the 166, but would that be too short? For reference, I ski the Rustler 10 in a 172 and I'd say I'm advanced unless it's icy! It's been years since I skied anything much below 100 underfoot so don't have a reference point.
I'm after a thinner all-mountain ski that'll handle firm groomers and hold an edge, but will also work for off-piste bumps and trees. I tend to prefer short to medium size turns - I'm working on making longer turns, but I'd rather have something fun and nimble than a charger that demands to be skied fast. The ideal would be something that allows me to improve my technique but isn't just a groomer ski.
From what I've read here, the Volkl Blaze sounds like a good option - ie nimble, holds an edge, forgiving compared to something like the Secret - does that ring true for those of you who've skied it? I'm looking at the men's version in either 166 or 173 - leaning towards the 166, but would that be too short? For reference, I ski the Rustler 10 in a 172 and I'd say I'm advanced unless it's icy! It's been years since I skied anything much below 100 underfoot so don't have a reference point.