AJM
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
I'm going to contact Gnomes shortly and find out. I know there are no changes to the Sheevas for 2024, I even had sneak peak at the new top sheets which look pretty fancy.
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Volkl Blaze 86w
- Thread starter MissySki
- Start date
AJM
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
I only got a quick peek but they are brighter and have these faded out lighter areas, sorry that isnt the best description
They look pretty cool anyways 
kmb5662
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
I demoed the Blaze 86W last year at Killington and also loved them (also a fellow Sheeva 9 owner hahaha). Agree that they're a great bump & tree ski, especially here in the east. I demoed the 159 if I remember correctly and I'm 5'2" 130lb. Own the Sheeva 9 in the 157.
lisamamot
Angel Diva
Favorite quote of the week, following our demo day in the rain, "What skis are you and Lisa buying this year?" I am still smiling over that! Once again we fell for the same ski.Haha right?? Dangers of demoing.
ride_ski
Angel Diva
Well that sounds like an offer I couldn't refuse
Mine are usually mid-160's , so since both you and Lisa sized down that would probably be right for me too
santacruz skier
Angel Diva
Come to Taos so I can try yours.....
MissySki
Angel Diva
I was actually going to ask you if you had tried them. I fear you may not like them since you seem to like a quite stiffer ski than I do though. Would be very interested in your review.
tinymoose
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
I don't know that it's that I like stiffer skis anymore? I do prefer damper skis, and I definitely prefer a more traditionally cambered ski, and a more traditional tail (not super rockered, a little on the stiffer side). The Yumis I had were definitely stiffer than my race skis, though, and they're not one of Volk's stiffer skis in the line-up.
MissySki
Angel Diva
I didn't find the current iteration of the Yumis stiff at all, which is why I was willing to try them as I don't like overly stiff or damp skis. The exception being Stocklis I guess, I love my stormriders and I liked the Nela 80 as well when demoing this weekend. Stocklis just seem to have a nice blend of dampness that agrees with me as they aren't at all lifeless. I have always tended to find the stiffer Volkls very planky.
I would like to try the Nela 80 again in a longer size. They only had the 157 which felt very short. I thought the ski was pretty fun, but I was finding myself wanting more ski also, so I'd need to get on a longer pair to further assess.
MissySki
Angel Diva
Today I chatted with the manager of the shop at Sunday River and he agreed to selling me a pair of demo Squires, yay! They were the same price as the regular Squires they carry, and I get a passholder discount, plus the skis are already with them and just a short walk or ski from my condo, so all very convenient. They are going to mount this week (I told them to just mount as they would their demo skis obviously) and then I'll just bring in my boot when I pick up this weekend so they can do a release test.
So excited! I'm not sure if I'll ski them this weekend as the little rocks in the snow have been plentiful currently.. but excited to have them ready to go.
So excited! I'm not sure if I'll ski them this weekend as the little rocks in the snow have been plentiful currently.. but excited to have them ready to go.
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former-boarder
Certified Ski Diva
How did you decide on the demo Squire bindings?
The reason I ask is that I bought the Blaze 94w for a touring ski and mounted them with a lightweight tech binding. Prior to taking them out in the backcountry, I spent some time on them in-bounds. Wow! What a fun ski!
So, now I think I need a pair for resort skiing w/ proper alpine bindings, but I'd like to put on a relatively lightweight binding. My current alpine setup is the Salomon Lux 92 with Tyrolia Attack bindings. Those bindings are massive and heavy.
Of course, I don't really need another alpine setup...
The reason I ask is that I bought the Blaze 94w for a touring ski and mounted them with a lightweight tech binding. Prior to taking them out in the backcountry, I spent some time on them in-bounds. Wow! What a fun ski!
So, now I think I need a pair for resort skiing w/ proper alpine bindings, but I'd like to put on a relatively lightweight binding. My current alpine setup is the Salomon Lux 92 with Tyrolia Attack bindings. Those bindings are massive and heavy.
Of course, I don't really need another alpine setup...
MissySki
Angel Diva
So I have a history of really liking skis when I demo, and then not as much when I buy and mount various regular bindings. They just feel different. At this point I feel it must be the ramp angle and/or the stack height of the demo binding that I like, and the regular Squires (and Attacks which I also have mounted on some skis) are very different in those regards from the demo binding.
This time I've decided that I am going with the exact binding I demoed the ski with, so hopefully that will alleviate any chance of the different feelings of the demo ski versus the one I bought. I want to say the Squire demo is the lightest demo you can get in general, but I'm not 100% on that assertion. I do know that the setup I demoed felt plenty lightweight though, so I have no qualms about weight concerns with this setup for me.
Mary Brosnan
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
I am thinking of getting the same skis with a tech binding for touring. Which binding do you have on them? Also glad to hear you like how they ski as I don't think I'll be able to demo them first.
former-boarder
Certified Ski Diva
Ah, that makes sense! Thanks for your explanation!
former-boarder
Certified Ski Diva
I got the ATK Crest 8 binding because I have a pro deal with Black Diamond. I have yet to tour with them, though, which will be the real test of functionality.
ride_ski
Angel Diva
You forgot one thing----you wanted to get the demo bindings so that other ski divas could try out the new skis
ilovepugs
Angel Diva
This is the exact same set up I have — 94W and ATK Crest 8. Also looking forward to your impressions as I haven’t toured with them yet either…
contesstant
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
I'm working on scoring a pair of these with the 2024 graphics (because I love the 2024 graphics!) You ladies have convinced me that I need to give these a whirl for progressing in crud and bumps, so I am also going with the 159 as it sounds like the rubber inserts help smooth out the ride quite a bit. Hoping I might have them by next week!
