Advice on skis

Hi,

I'm looking for some advice on which type of ski I should be looking for. I've been looking for sometime now to upgrade my skis (mine are about 12yrs old) and the customer reps at the local sporting goods stores when I ask them questions give me a blank stare.

I just started sking again after taking 10 yr break. (parabolic skis were just coming out when I quit). I would have rated myself an expert skier when I stopped skiing but now I would say I'm just an advanced skier given the time off I took. Back in the day I would be the mountain skier that was looking for the virgin power, climbing into the back country and sking the trees. That was then, now I'm lazy. I will only ever be sking the groomed runs, on occasion through some nice power, and taking on the black diamond and intermediate runs for relaxation.

That is why I need some advice on skis. The equipment has changed alot in that time and I really have no idea why brand/model of ski I should get, how wide at tip and tail they should be, length, what type of turn radius and flex I should be looking for. Hell, i'm not even up on the lingo anymore and don't know what I should be concerning myself with and what i should. I'm a fan of Volki, Salomon, and Rossi skis but not necessarily against anything

Can someone give me some advice on this?

Thanks
Frost

Are you thinking about getting back in to the powder or are you going to keep at the groomer skiing?

I would suggest the powder :lol:

How heavy are you?

At this point I would say I'd be staying on groomed runs more, but I would be getting into the power now and again. Really, I just need a great all around mountain ski that will handle the different types of sking depending on what is available. I'm on average about 215lbs.

215, you will be looking for something pretty stiff with a longer radius (probably 15-20m). It will be pretty hard to get the groomer performance you are looking for with some powder performance thrown in. Length wise I would be going something in the region of 175-185 for a flat tail.. really any groomed performance is going to be compromised upon for powder performance so I would say get a stick for blasting the pistes and rent on (rare) powder days!

I have some Vist Superfront Twos which would fit the bill nicely but I won't sell.. maybe you can get a new pair? What is your budget?

Apart from that I haven't really looked at a ski less than 90mm in a long time.. maybe someone else can give some suggestions.

(Just had a thought, Stockli Stormrider?)

How is that for a ramble :roll:

I would recommend Salomon 2009 X-Wing Tornado TI with the Z14 Bindings. I bought a pair for this season (having hired the old model last season) and they are absolutely fantastic - good for all conditions. I have done 12 days on them so far. Cant wait to get back on them again - next week...

For budget, I'm always looking for a deal but that's what Ebay is for. :D I don't need to break the bank on skis, but you certainly get what you pay for so I'm no opposed to spending a little extra to get the ski that will make me smile.

I should also add that I'm from Western Canada and so the conditions on the mountains I ski can change quickly and I will hit ice now and again.

I have looked at the Salomon 2008 X-Wing Tornado, is there much difference with the 2009?

Boots and Binding are also something I need to know about. I'm not asking much am I. :oops:

You are from the West and looking for some hard pack skis... are you sane, man;)

Where abouts do you ski? My every day ski out there would be the Volkl Mantra for sure but that is a 96 waist.. especially with the amount of snow you get.

I ski mostly Marmot basin (that's where the ice comes in) Power King and on rare occation Sunshine or Lake Louise. Those are the hills I see mostly all year.