womens all mountain advice - help!!

im all confused. Read loads, seen some deals and still cant make up my mind. Anyone help dig me out of this hole? Probabaly need women specific being vertically challenged - 5ft 3 and 53kg, so prbabaly after 150 ish. Getting happy on most black and trying to crack moguls, also moving further from the piste and hope to develop this direction. Loved Rossi B78 w (until hit real hard packed / iciness), perversly loved Rossi S3 twin (although bloomin hard work on piste after a few days of leg burn with 90 waist), hated K2 Burnin Luvs (07/08). Never really tried some real sturdy skis, but friend recommends K2 One Luvs but they are reported to be a bit hefty and not sure they will handle soft fluffy stuff with a 74 waist. On the heavy-ski point is it a question of getting used to it, or are people just heavy-ski, light-ski preferers or is it a matter of typeof skiing? Help!!!!!!!!

bitoffluff wrote:im all confused. Read loads, seen some deals and still cant make up my mind. Anyone help dig me out of this hole? Probabaly need women specific being vertically challenged - 5ft 3 and 53kg, so prbabaly after 150 ish. Getting happy on most black and trying to crack moguls, also moving further from the piste and hope to develop this direction. Loved Rossi B78 w (until hit real hard packed / iciness), perversly loved Rossi S3 twin (although bloomin hard work on piste after a few days of leg burn with 90 waist), hated K2 Burnin Luvs (07/08). Never really tried some real sturdy skis, but friend recommends K2 One Luvs but they are reported to be a bit hefty and not sure they will handle soft fluffy stuff with a 74 waist. On the heavy-ski point is it a question of getting used to it, or are people just heavy-ski, light-ski preferers or is it a matter of typeof skiing? Help!!!!!!!!

I've found my B78's to be pretty good on the hard packed/ice. Sorry can't comment on the K2 One Loves, never tried them, but i'm sure someone will be able to help you. Bandit usually has good advice. :-)

bitoffluff wrote:im all confused. Read loads, seen some deals and still cant make up my mind. Anyone help dig me out of this hole? Probabaly need women specific being vertically challenged - 5ft 3 and 53kg, so prbabaly after 150 ish. Getting happy on most black and trying to crack moguls, also moving further from the piste and hope to develop this direction. Loved Rossi B78 w (until hit real hard packed / iciness), perversly loved Rossi S3 twin (although bloomin hard work on piste after a few days of leg burn with 90 waist), hated K2 Burnin Luvs (07/08). Never really tried some real sturdy skis, but friend recommends K2 One Luvs but they are reported to be a bit hefty and not sure they will handle soft fluffy stuff with a 74 waist. On the heavy-ski point is it a question of getting used to it, or are people just heavy-ski, light-ski preferers or is it a matter of typeof skiing? Help!!!!!!!!

I'm 5ft 4 and 65kg and use 3 different pairs of skis at the moment. The shortest lightest pair is 158, the longest is a 172 twin. I tested the Burnin Luv's ages ago, and found them uninspiring. K2's do have a reputation for being a bit heavy, though you could probably keep the weight down, if you avoid a binding package on a rail, and go for a flat binding.
I have friends who like a heavy ski, others like light and nimble. I have some Head Monsters in 163, with a RailFlex binding, and while they are a great ski, the binding weight makes me tired if I take them off piste. They will however, charge through crud and don't get deflected easily.

Here's a couple of skis to consider...

http://shop.backcountryuk.com/dynastar-exclusive-legend--nx-lifter-plus-bindings---womens-1712-p.asp

I tested these in a 172 a year ago, and had a great time on and off piste.

http://www.movementskis.com/pages/index_prod_girls.html

Movement should be of interest, as they make lightweight women specific skis. I tested the Black Rose in a 175 on the Swiss Ski Test back in November, and thought they were wonderful. Other skis in their womens' range are available in shorter lengths. I have used Movement skis now and then over the past 4 years or so, and I would say that they make good quality lightweight, perky skis. The Spicy is available in a 153 (for example).

If you fancy some Movement's, here's a link to the importer Noble Custom. They have good clearance deals every year, and you can buy direct.

http://www.noblecustom.co.uk/clearance.html

thanks for the advice theres a few more to throw into the mix of possibilities ;-) Maybe i need to be patient and hone down what i want really. I did day tours on Movement a few years back there felt plank-like by they were the "unisex" aka mens ones in 160 so longest id ever been on, n didnt really get on with them, bbut i assume the girly ones are robably lighter and more flexible?

bitoffluff wrote:thanks for the advice theres a few more to throw into the mix of possibilities ;-) Maybe i need to be patient and hone down what i want really. I did day tours on Movement a few years back there felt plank-like by they were the "unisex" aka mens ones in 160 so longest id ever been on, n didnt really get on with them, bbut i assume the girly ones are robably lighter and more flexible?

I'm surprised that you found the Movement's plank like. They make specific touring skis, and I tried some Red Apple 74's mounted with Fritschi's a couple of winters ago, and found them quite snappy. I almost purchased some Demon Flame's, but thought they were a little too twitchy at speed.

Yes, the women's range is lighter, however they are a performance ski mfr. The safest way to choose is to make a shortlist, and do some testing. :D

Right, I have been looking for some all mountain skis for Mrs H and Sport Conrad have got K2 Misdemeanours in the right length (159s) with Marker M11 bindings fitted for 159 euros. Now, I am sat here thinking that that really is a ridiculously good bargain, especially with delivery at 25 euros extra.
Am I right, and should I snatch their hand off whilst they still have them, or can I get a similar kind of deal on something similar here in the UK? I know exchange rates are not good, but that really does seem a good deal, especially as the bindings are on sale at 89 euros on their own!!!!

Anyone able to offer any advice on this -Pablo? bandit?

It's a very well respected ski, for an amazingly good price. The main thing is, will they suit the way Mrs H skis?
I'd have a pair, but my OH would have a cow if I got yet another pair of skis....narrowly missed out on a pair of 2010 season boots today....they didn't fit right :cry:

Thanks Bandit. Well they are an all mountain ski, wider underfoot, thats the main reason to consider them. The reviews seem good. Mrs H is a very tidy and competent skier, I under rate her ability sometimes to my detriment. Her current skis are Head C220i, 66mm under foot, and these babies are 80mm - the difference I found going from 67mm to 78mm underfoot was massive. AND these are twin tips. She wont start hanging around the park or doing jumps off the edge of the piste, but they may well be a hell of a lot more fun for her.
How do I know if they will suit her without her trying them out?