I need some new skis – help...!

All good points Gaz ... wouldn't it be a boring world if we were all the same -)

When I got my neo's 4 seasons ago I thought they were going to be wide at 82mm underfoot.
They perform perfectly well enough, but they're getting bettered now and I think I need to go a little longer than the current 166 so I'm considering a possible change for next season.
Again, far too much choice, but I'm in the 50/50 camp where I buzz about resorts on piste and then spend time off piste for a couple of hours but mainly want performance on piste so Gaz makes some interesting comments, and I do think if you are looking to play off the piste orin the deep stuff then its sensible to go for wider waists.
Twin tips of course really only help when skiing switch, something I keep trying to teach myself without much success. I'm doing a kind of backwards snowplough carve manoeuvre lol

A mate of mine is a very very good skier and up until a few years ago he'd never considered venturing anywhere away from the piste and skis on GS skis 63mm underfoot. However since I've had the urge to play elsewhere he has joined in. He can manage off piste because he has very good technique, but I know for sure he'd benefit by having wider skis. But he will never ever admit to that ;-)

So there must be a suitable ski for him, Lynn, me and anyone else who wants the perfect one quiver ski to enable them to ski where and when they want to. It's just there are so many variables to consider.
I suggest taking advice from a wide range of sources, including people on here who usually give sound and considered suggestions.

i guess my point was you don't need the fat boys to ski powder :cry:

Yesterday I ended up in powder, blown up by the wind, far deeper and softer than I expected or could safely handle (at Stubai). I fell and lost a one of my old, narrow skis twice. Both times a ski sank without trace in the snow. It took a fair amount of digging to locate the lost ski. So if you plan to ski deep snow, maybe a wider ski than floats rather than sinks makes sense :x

Thanks all, more very useful comments.

I'd read quite a few reviews on Ski Diva and not come across too many problems on hard packed snow, in fact a few people mentioned they were pretty good and very forgiving? There was one link to a 'European' skier who hadn't got on with them but I couldn't get it to work. Maybe I'm missing something? It was also interesting to note that many of the women who liked them were quite light/petite. I'm neither of these but am used to a soft ish ski (including the men's ones I demoed) so thought the BPs may work well for me. They also seem to improve the more you put into them.

It's always tricky to gauge your own skiing ability and I don't want something I can't handle or is difficult on piste, as that's where I'll be most of the time. This is why I'd provisionally ruled out the Volkl range as they seem quite unforgiving unless you're pretty good (although I'll probably end up buying a pair now I've said that, have a habit of saying 'no way' to a particular product and then buying it...) Also most reviews seem to come from good skiers so although they love a particular model doesn't mean it's for everyone.

With regards to finishing turns as Verbier mentioned, yes I do, at least when the piste isn't a total mess. I think my technique on piste is pretty solid (and my instructor agreed during a lesson last year) though I struggle carving turns properly in one direction due to a hip problem. Generally happiest skiing short ish turns on steeper slopes, longer when it's safe to ski faster. Unlike most people I actually enjoy skiing hard packed pistes and on my current skis at least, don't find it difficult. My technique in powder is almost certainly appalling. I tend to unweight one of my skis a lot to help me turn but no idea if this is correct – it does, sort of, work. I will be getting lessons to improve.

It's amazing how much difference a 'helpful' pair of skis can make though. Like Gaz (different conditions) I went from enthusiastic but not overly good to feeling amazing with different skis. Great to know that sometimes you can blame your equipment!

I've looked at the Fischers (think they, or similar, were also recommended by Bandit when I was looking a few years ago (2010?) but obviously models have moved on since). Also look a good option (as does the Scott range). As if I didn't have enough choice already...
:cry:

Ian, interesting point about dodgy knees. Mine are borderline being in this category. Used to ski with a support till it vanished into thin air (an on-going mystery as I'm SURE it came home from our first Arabba trip, husband thinks otherwise....) Have managed fine without since 2009 and hoping to stay that way as long as possible. Also interesting to have another vote for twin tips despite not (I assume) being used to ski switch. Out of interest what does Mrs W ski on?

My current skis are 65, short and are hopeless on anything but smooth (preferably concrete) pistes so definitely want to go wider, even if not for powder then to get me home through end of day moguls and crud with less pain. 80mm felt great and most of the options are around this (or at least sub 90 mm) so should be OK in this respect?

Agree that decent skiers can manage on anything but for us mere mortals that ski a couple of weeks a season we need all the help we can get! -)

I guess I'm going to get marketing and sales hype whenever I buy which is why I'm looking at independent reviews as much as possible. At least this way I'm not walking in blind and susceptible to it.
Definitely going to have to last me a few years, especially if I go with the BPs which = expensive. Current models have done 10 weeks for £275 so not bad at all. However can't waste too much valuable ski trip cash on equipment - It's my 30th next year and my plan is 4 weeks on snow (unless I win the lottery in which case I'll be there all season.)
:D

Tony – happy ski hunting, it's a mine field out there!

Ive got my eye on some already ;-)

Sounds expensive :D

Which ones if you don't mind me asking? And how did you narrow it down? Just reviews and knowing your requirements?

Lynn_D wrote:Sounds expensive :D

Which ones if you don't mind me asking? And how did you narrow it down? Just reviews and knowing your requirements?

Kind of.
I do spend a fair bit of time researching this kind of stuff. My wife says its an illness.
I knew before I got the Neo's what I was looking for, having spoken to some experienced skiers, people on here, reading online and magazine reviews, etc.
You can build up a list of features for your ideal skis IMO.
Mine were for at least 80mm underfoot, good stiffness to handle well on piste, be able to handle powder and crud, and be twinned or semi twinned (just so I could spray snow on the person skiing behind me ...... :wink: )
I came up with a shorter short list, and having read specific reviews I came to the conclusion that at the time the Scott neo was the right ski for me. I've had great fun on them, they've done exactly what I've asked of them, and I really like their style which helps too 8)
But 10+ weeks on and they're showing signs of wear, tear and damage, and I'm also thinking I need to ski something longer, and possibly fatter as well. But I still want an all mountain 50/50 ski so I can use them anywhere and not worry about different skis for different conditions,
Sounds to me that's exactly what you're looking for too?

Talk to people. Bandit and Ross on here were really helpful. Online reviews were good too, fall line in particular and other forums like Teton Gravity are full of good advice. And talk to people you see when you're skiing about their skis, the rental shops in resort are always happy to talk to you about what's what, and wander into Ellis Brigham or snow n rock and ask about what they think would be suitable.

Then go on sport conrads website and find something in that bracket for a discounted price......k2 miss demeanours were at the ski show this year for £329 without bindings I believe, I bought the wife's for 149 euros with marker bindings fitted.

You've got to do your homework :wink: