women skis seem to be popular on this site. i know manufacturers are getting better at making authentic high end skis for girls and not just cuting up dumbed down intermediate skis. but this still occurs i think. what do you all like about women skis over uni if there is a choice? do some brands do a better job? some mount bindings forward some don't. is this key?. is this feature tacked on or built into the entire ski? some say they move the whole side-cut forward (i forgeet who). does this work? what are we compensating for? anatomy or technique? i have heard so much nonsense about these skis from reps and sales that it is not to be trusted. these skis are really being pushed this season. if you go into a shop they won't even show you the regular. also don't stock shorter skis in the regular. i don't like feeling forced into a product. but if theyre a good product why? and which design elements actually do what it is trying to accomplish. some ideas must wrk and others must be a wash or a negative. what do you all think?
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women's skis
- Thread starter treebunny
- Start date
totally not an expert here, but getting womens skis was the best thing that happened to me! i am 5'2", 110 lbs, and i was almost flying - they were just SO great. the unisex olins i used were way too heavy and too stiff.
on the other hand, last weekend i was at the ski shop and the sales guy told a girl not to get womens ski. she is very muscular and he think the womens would be too soft.
if its possible try to demo some and see if you can feel the difference.
on the other hand, last weekend i was at the ski shop and the sales guy told a girl not to get womens ski. she is very muscular and he think the womens would be too soft.
if its possible try to demo some and see if you can feel the difference.
Check through some other threads regarding skis. You'll see that some are good and some are just plain wussy!! And depending on skiing ability, height and weight, women's skis may not be the answer. Some of us on unisex skis and some are women's skis. But basically women's skis are softer flexing for the lighter weight. Most mount bindings a few cm in front of centre. Also most women's skis come in shorter length again because most women are shorter. But as said before, the best thing is to get out to a ladies day that has a demo and try some of the stuff. I you like - buy!!
smpayne
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
From what I have read, the manufactures are actually looking at the female anatomy. The new skis seem to be trying to take into account that our center of gravity is different, our weight distribution is different (guys weight is in the upper body, ours is in our hip area), etc, all of which can effect our technique. They have assumed that many of female skiiers are quite a bit lighter than the men and therefore the skis are more flexible and come in shorter sizes.
I think K2 is one of the manufactures that actually moved the side cut forward. K2 doesn't even make the unisex ski in the smaller sizes.
Volkl is said to have actually stiffened up their upper end women's skis this year. They do make thier unisex in the smaller sizes.
Dynastar has a very cool description of what they have done and why on their website.
Personally I prefer the womens skis, but as I'm very heavy and pretty agressive (not as much as Snowhot & Volklgirl), so the stiffness factor cuts my selection way down. Then again, there are so many skis for so many different conditions - that is a whole different can of worms.
I think K2 is one of the manufactures that actually moved the side cut forward. K2 doesn't even make the unisex ski in the smaller sizes.
Volkl is said to have actually stiffened up their upper end women's skis this year. They do make thier unisex in the smaller sizes.
Dynastar has a very cool description of what they have done and why on their website.
Personally I prefer the womens skis, but as I'm very heavy and pretty agressive (not as much as Snowhot & Volklgirl), so the stiffness factor cuts my selection way down. Then again, there are so many skis for so many different conditions - that is a whole different can of worms.
Treebunny, I had the Metron B5 as my main ski in 2006. I put the bindings on the center mount position and skied half the season. When I moved the binding to the forward mount, I got a lot more out of the ski. This will lead me to believe that the forward mounting of a womans binding lends to some placement for a better controlled carve.
On the other hand, I have demoed and liked several women's skis but when skied back to back with the unisex counter part, the unisex ski wins me over. I don't think this is because I'm an amazing skier, but because I have extremely strong legs and overpower the ski if its too soft.
As for the ski manufacturer that has excelled in women's specific skis..........K2 and Volkl.
I believe this is because of the Glen Plake influence in K2 which also owns volkl. GP's wife is a dynamic skier and I think he wanted to see the manufacturer acknowledge the strong female skier in their market line.
I am extremely eager to see what happens with Elan over the next few years with their women's line;)
I'm sure that Glen, Kimberly, and Kim Reichelman's influence will bring it to a whole new level.
On the other hand, I have demoed and liked several women's skis but when skied back to back with the unisex counter part, the unisex ski wins me over. I don't think this is because I'm an amazing skier, but because I have extremely strong legs and overpower the ski if its too soft.
As for the ski manufacturer that has excelled in women's specific skis..........K2 and Volkl.
I believe this is because of the Glen Plake influence in K2 which also owns volkl. GP's wife is a dynamic skier and I think he wanted to see the manufacturer acknowledge the strong female skier in their market line.
I am extremely eager to see what happens with Elan over the next few years with their women's line;)
I'm sure that Glen, Kimberly, and Kim Reichelman's influence will bring it to a whole new level.
smpayne
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
I did have my bindings moved forward on my unisex skis and it did help, I felt the difference immediately. It was much easier to get out over my tips and make the skis really carve. My brother immediately quit telling me "get out over your tips" (He ALWAYS has something to say about my skiing - we've moved on to other issues).
It is hard for me to do a true comparision because my unisex skis are a much older GS shape and that has not been what I have demoed.
I do believe that the actual shape differences and binding placements, etc. really do make a difference. I'm sure they will continue to make improvements and tweak stuff in the years to come, but they seem to actually be using science, logic & female testers for the changes.
The definite marketing gimic, is the top sheet designs. I can live with that. Have you seen the K2 park skis? Can you say over the top.
As far as how to really tell: SKI THEM!! What is right for one person may not work for you. Well fitting boots make the biggest difference.
It is hard for me to do a true comparision because my unisex skis are a much older GS shape and that has not been what I have demoed.
I do believe that the actual shape differences and binding placements, etc. really do make a difference. I'm sure they will continue to make improvements and tweak stuff in the years to come, but they seem to actually be using science, logic & female testers for the changes.
The definite marketing gimic, is the top sheet designs. I can live with that. Have you seen the K2 park skis? Can you say over the top.
As far as how to really tell: SKI THEM!! What is right for one person may not work for you. Well fitting boots make the biggest difference.
Salomon's women's skis are up there too. The Rush 10 and Siam 10 are their top of the lines and if I hadn't already bought unisex skis last year I would buying them. I found Rossi's Attraxion and Passion series just plain wussy. I wasn't that pleased with the Atomic line for my type of skiing. Nordica has some good stuff too. I'm going to try the K2's and maybe the Dynstar's this year.
now that is some interesting info! the first hand experience with the binding placement is invaluable. interesting tidbit about plake and wife. always liked him. the comparisons of the relative success of the brands is good too! i skied one of the attractions and got right off it. i liked the nordica conqueror and the victory and liked them both. going to ski them again for longer period of time. realskier gives good marks to the salomons listed and to the siam origin and the scarlet. but i can't find these anywhere. actually, have only seen the siam 8 in the shops.
Taking the Rush 10 and Siam 10's (I think that the Siam 10's are sold out in most places) this weekend from our local shop. But he did them up for us girls that help out. Someone will buy them before the season ends. I liked the Nordica Speed and Victory. But I'm skiing mostly groomed stuff here in the East, not some nice powder days like you gals get.
smpayne
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Treebunny:
When I was at Mt Baker in Dec, they had an extremely wide range of the Volkl women's skis, including the Queen Attiva and Aura for demo. They did not have the K2s for demo. Give the other resorts a call and see what skis they have available and try to reserve them.
If I'm not mistaken you guys are still getting dumped on up there, last report I saw this evening, it was snowing in Seattle - Lucky You! Mt Baker had about 90" when I was there in early Dec, now the levels are at about 160", that is insane. The resorts up there must be near record snow fall levels. Good Luck in your ski search, Have Fun & SKI LOTS!!!
When I was at Mt Baker in Dec, they had an extremely wide range of the Volkl women's skis, including the Queen Attiva and Aura for demo. They did not have the K2s for demo. Give the other resorts a call and see what skis they have available and try to reserve them.
If I'm not mistaken you guys are still getting dumped on up there, last report I saw this evening, it was snowing in Seattle - Lucky You! Mt Baker had about 90" when I was there in early Dec, now the levels are at about 160", that is insane. The resorts up there must be near record snow fall levels. Good Luck in your ski search, Have Fun & SKI LOTS!!!
dumped on
yes we are getting dumped on and have been. i've been reluctant to say so since so many of you are east coasties and i gather it hasn't been a great winter for you so far.but maybe these clouds will ride the jet out your direction. it is supposed to move south in your area tomorrow? so it should drag some nice cold air in for you. we'll try not to be greedy and let some of the moisture pass. and i'd be glad to share with anyone who came out this way! and thanks for the tip on baker. i rarely go there but it might be worth it for demo's.
yes we are getting dumped on and have been. i've been reluctant to say so since so many of you are east coasties and i gather it hasn't been a great winter for you so far.but maybe these clouds will ride the jet out your direction. it is supposed to move south in your area tomorrow? so it should drag some nice cold air in for you. we'll try not to be greedy and let some of the moisture pass. and i'd be glad to share with anyone who came out this way! and thanks for the tip on baker. i rarely go there but it might be worth it for demo's.
