What To Demo in 2009

[SouthernSkier]

What do you do once the 2008 ski season has wound down for you? Start planning for 2009, of course. :D

I'm looking for some ideas on what skis to demo for next year. I know that some models will change and there will be new ones, but I figured I'd go ahead and get an early start, anyway.

Me: 48 years old, 150lbs, intermediate skier (blues cruisers, easier groomed blacks). I've started to try easier bumps, and I'm looking to start exploring some some off-piste trails this coming year. I ski at moderate speed, and ski 5-10 days a year. Although I live in the southeast, I ski more out west than anywhere else (if you have to travel to get to a decent slope anyway, why not?).

Any suggestions for skis to try out? I want to get something I can grow with, but don't want to be overpowered and don't want a ski that is too demanding. I've been mostly considering skis with a 73-76mm waist. Here are a few on my current short list (in alphabetical order):

• Dynastar Exclusive Legend
• Elan Mag Spice
• Nordica Olympia Drive. Weird thing is, the Nordica site recommends the Olympia Drive for a beginner, and the Olympia Victory for an intermediate, which doesn't seem to jive with what I've read elsewhere. Would the Olympia Victory be a better choice?
• Volkl Fuego

Anything I should add? Or anything that I might want to skip, or swap for a different ski in a given line given my skill level and goals?

 

[SnowHot]

My 2009 Demo list includes:

Hart F17
Hart Twisted Twin
Blizzard Magnum - 8.1, and Magnum 7.6

I'm waiting to hear more from Blizzard on what they have to offer.

 

[Pequenita]

[*]Nordica Olympia Drive. Weird thing is, the Nordica site recommends the Olympia Drive for a beginner, and the Olympia Victory for an intermediate, which doesn't seem to jive with what I've read elsewhere. Would the Olympia Victory be a better choice?

Eh...Try 'em both if you can, and see which one makes you grin. One person's or manufacturer's "intermediate" is another person's "advanced," and so on.

I want to try out some skis with mid-80s waists.

 

[SouthernSkier]

Eh...Try 'em both if you can, and see which one makes you grin. One person's or manufacturer's "intermediate" is another person's "advanced," and so on.

Good point - I'm hoping I get the chance to. I'm just trying to eliminate skis that are obvioiusly too far above or below my level that I would absolutely hate them.

 

[Melissa]

Fischer Vision Vapor (76mm waist)

 

[num]

I'd add in Fischer Vision Breeze (74 mm waist) and Volkl Attiva Luna (72 mm waist but give it a try anyway )

 

[volklgirl]

If you're truly looking to start exploring off-piste, I don't think the Fuego would be the ticket (although I LOVED it!!). The Fuego is a high-end carver and is just too narrow to really shine anywhere other than firm groomed snow. Maybe take a spin on the Tierra instead, or at least add it to the list?

 

[volklgirl]

Good point - I'm hoping I get the chance to. I'm just trying to eliminate skis that are obvioiusly too far above or below my level that I would absolutely hate them.

You may be surprised by some of the skis that are "above" or "below" your ability. Some of them just rock, no matter what they're classified as.

 

[volklgirl]

I want to try out some skis with mid-80s waists.

You'll be in for a treat! This year's crop of 80+ waists were stellar and way more fun on the groomed stuff than I expected.

 

[veggielasagna]

I demoed the Volkl Aurora yesterday while waiting for the Fuegos to come back. Awesome ski. I believe it's supposed to be 50/50 on/off piste. It turns surprisingly quick for an 85 waist and I never felt like it wasn't quick enough on hardpack groomers. Damper than the Fuego, but not lifeless, it will give you some pop yet remain stable. At 5'5" and 130 lbs. I found the 163 length to be perfect. Its the unisex counterpart to the AC50 which looks to be a popular ski with the men. I will definitely be recommending this ski to anyone looking for a bit wider ski and smooth ride!

-veggielasagna

 

[Kiragirl]

anyone ever ski on the Rossignol Attraxion ? Skiing mag gave it highest rating of those tested for 08-09. they sound like they might be good for me.

 

[oragejuice]

My list includes everything fatter than a 90 waist.... Just kidding. =) I'm 90% sold on the Volkl Aura, but you never know what they will do to skis over the summer.

 

[veggielasagna]

anyone ever ski on the Rossignol Attraxion ? Skiing mag gave it highest rating of those tested for 08-09. they sound like they might be good for me.

Which one? I demoed the III the other day, I could not get off of it fast enough. Could have just been a bad tune, but I'm thinking it just was not my style. Interestingly though, my first pair of skis were the Rossi Passion III's, great ski, I would still ski it if it were longer. You know though sell the newbie the 146's grr. : )

-veggielasagna

 

[lucine]

Which one? I demoed the III the other day, I could not get off of it fast enough. Could have just been a bad tune, but I'm thinking it just was not my style. Interestingly though, my first pair of skis were the Rossi Passion III's, great ski, I would still ski it if it were longer. You know though sell the newbie the 146's grr. : )

-veggielasagna

I demoed the 5 and wanted to walk down the hill- dead dead dead.
I started on Rossi STS a million years ago--and thought that I would be a Rossi girl when I looked at skis but .......

 

[Pequenita]

I think the Attraxion III is probably a good intermediate ski. I tried the 06-07 version, and I'm not sure how the boards have changed since then, but I flexed the hell out of it, and the ski felt dead underfoot. I'm not all technical when it comes to ski talk, but I could tell that it just wasn't a good ski for me.

 

[Kiragirl]

It is the Rossi Attraxion XI Mutix, it includes some kind of weight/length bar that can be adjusted for stiffness.

 

[HotChocolate]

IMG]https://www.hartskis.com/images/Mt%20Hood/PhilP.jpg[/IMG]

weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

 

[Jilly]

Heh Hot Chocolate - where you been??

 

[Jilly]

It is the Rossi Attraxion XI Mutix, it includes some kind of weight/length bar that can be adjusted for stiffness

Tried them and think that the arms are a gimmick. No where near my Z5's even, with the same geometry. Too soft and too $$$$.

Also go with the Victory's in the Nordica.
Try the Opal from Salomon too.
Can't remember the Atomic names. But I know that a few of us got to try some of the 2009, so there should be some reviews in the gear section.

 

[skikiwi]

I demoed the rossi attraction III last weekend but didn't like them at all in the bumps and at high speeds. May have been skiing too short so this might have had something to do with it.