Become a ski pro


What is the Best Ski for You?

When life was simple and skiers woresnow conditions, ability, and
stretch pants or jeans to ski in, weexperience. Also, read about the best
only had to choose between 3 basic typesskis in the 2006-2007 ski season.
of skis, all based on racing. However,The buzz word for a while has been the
now that we are enjoying the engineering"One Ski Quiver" – the one ski for all
marvels of the shaped ski, the focus ofconditions, a.k.a. the All Mountain Ski.
ski design has become more complex.I think this almost works. Almost, but
When it comes to actually looking atnot quite, because there has to be
skis, reading ski publications orcompromises across the broad spectrum of
walking through a ski show can beconditions from pure powder to
overwhelming. For example, Ski andboilerplate ice. However, that said the
Skiing magazines tests at least 300Atomic Metron series is still among the
models, while Ski Press may test 500best through all levels of abilities.
different ski models in a year. YouThe Atomic Metron II B5 has shed some
could ski every day for almost a yearweight and opened up its turning radius
and a half and never use the same skisthis year. The Elan Magfire group also
twice!works well for all level of experience.
So, is finding the right ski easy? NotPowder Skis
as easy as it was when we walked up to aFat and either inny or outy waists is
ski sales clerk and said we wanted athe 2007 trend in powder skis. Powder
Giant Slalom, Slalom, or Downhill skiskis don’t have a lot of the differing
then raised our arm so he could find theflexing construction built into skis of
right length.graduating abilities for other
Finding skis is certainly doable though,conditions. The K2 Pontoon is built to
as long as you stay focused on yourfloat with reverse camber tapering to
search.the tail
Reading ski reviews is helpful. ITry the Goode Scoop, also reverse
believe the major ski publicationscamber, but available down to 173 cm,
approach testing seriously. Ski Presswhile all the others stay a lot longer.
uses a percent of recreational skiersI would also demo a traditional camber
chosen at random to test skis, while theVolkl Sumo, new for 07, and much
others use pros only. The pros arechubbier than the Mantra.
almost all certified instructors so theyGroomed Powder
know their business.Groomed powder is where every major ski
Narrow the playing field to the fieldmanufacturer shines – and it is the
you're playing on. Don't grab that greatmajor scope of their sales. Start with
deal on super fat powder skis if youthe Rossignol Bandit series for both men
only intend to ski the mid and easternand women, and then try the Dynastar D
U.S. Focus, instead, on skis engineeredStinct. K2 still ranks with the women
to that snow.for The T-Nine series. A new look from
Talk to your favorite ski shop owner.the one of the majors comes from Elan
Ski shops are in business to stay inwith their WaveFlex ski construction
business and 99% of them have qualifiedwhich available for varying abilities. I
people who know local conditions. Bringhad the opportunity to try this stub
your ski test wish list, but, listen tonosed, wavy top ski last spring and
their advice. They usually have goodreally liked it.
advice on what you will need.Packed Powder
Most top name brands will have a ski forIn deference to the groomers who work
you. If you look at the models availablewhile you sleep, or party, I will also
from the top 10 or 15 ski manufacturers,call this corduroy - sometimes. This can
you are almost guaranteed to find a skibe the easiest stuff to ski on, but, if
to meet the snow conditions where youis done too early at night and the temp
typically ski, your type of skiing, anddrops after grooming you could call it
your ability in each brand.frostbite. In this snow, you like to
Try before you buy. This is important,have sharp edges and a ski that won’t
because you know when a ski is good forchatter away or run wide through the
you when you ski on it, not before. Whenturns. Look to the traditionals with the
you're trying the skis and you think theGS and S models; the whole Head GS
skis can read your mind, you'll knowseries is always big with the pros in
that you have found your skis.the East. In the Fischer CTX series,
Demo, demo, demo - because that is howalong with Atomic SX, and SL you will be
you will be most happy with the ski yousure to find a flex for your size and
buy. I believe I could ski on similarlyability. For women specific skis
designed models of the 3 or 4 top brandsRossignol, K2's, and the Elan Pearls
and be hard pressed to pick “therank high in these conditions.
best.” Focus on your typical skiing(And remember...)
conditions, your ability, and yourDemo, Demo, Demo
experience. I look for the best ski forRemember the mantra – demo, demo,
the conditions I usually ski. Those mostdemo. Try before you buy. You can almost
important to consider in skis designedalways have the cost of renting demo
today are – Pure Powder, Groomedskis deducted from the price of the skis
Powder, and the catch-all Packed Powderif you purchase them. In fact, I
Conditions. You will find thesewouldn't demo from any shop that didn't
conditions in varying degrees and timesoffer a discount. If you research you
at most resorts. However, in generalcan find some shops (usually at a
terms powder reigns in the west and theresort) that let you demo 2 or even 3
east hopes for the best. Your nextskis a day for a decent price. Check
consideration should be your skiingwebsites and bulletin boards for free
ability and your experience. Experiencedemo days at resorts near you. They are
only comes with time on the snow, but,usually crowded but you typically get to
it is the end product of our learningtalk to ski manufacturer's reps. It's
how to use our skis in a variety ofdefinitely worth working hard to demo a
conditions. This ability improves withskis - after all, skis are an
proper instruction and review.investment, and you should spend your
On the next page, read about choosingmoney on skis that are a pleasure to ski
the best skis for you and weighing inon.



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