| When life was simple and skiers wore | | | | snow conditions, ability, and |
| stretch pants or jeans to ski in, we | | | | experience. Also, read about the best |
| only had to choose between 3 basic types | | | | skis 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 of | | | | conditions, 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 at | | | | not quite, because there has to be |
| skis, reading ski publications or | | | | compromises across the broad spectrum of |
| walking through a ski show can be | | | | conditions from pure powder to |
| overwhelming. For example, Ski and | | | | boilerplate ice. However, that said the |
| Skiing magazines tests at least 300 | | | | Atomic Metron series is still among the |
| models, while Ski Press may test 500 | | | | best through all levels of abilities. |
| different ski models in a year. You | | | | The Atomic Metron II B5 has shed some |
| could ski every day for almost a year | | | | weight and opened up its turning radius |
| and a half and never use the same skis | | | | this year. The Elan Magfire group also |
| twice! | | | | works well for all level of experience. |
| So, is finding the right ski easy? Not | | | | Powder Skis |
| as easy as it was when we walked up to a | | | | Fat and either inny or outy waists is |
| ski sales clerk and said we wanted a | | | | the 2007 trend in powder skis. Powder |
| Giant Slalom, Slalom, or Downhill ski | | | | skis don’t have a lot of the differing |
| then raised our arm so he could find the | | | | flexing 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 your | | | | float with reverse camber tapering to |
| search. | | | | the tail |
| Reading ski reviews is helpful. I | | | | Try the Goode Scoop, also reverse |
| believe the major ski publications | | | | camber, but available down to 173 cm, |
| approach testing seriously. Ski Press | | | | while all the others stay a lot longer. |
| uses a percent of recreational skiers | | | | I would also demo a traditional camber |
| chosen at random to test skis, while the | | | | Volkl Sumo, new for 07, and much |
| others use pros only. The pros are | | | | chubbier than the Mantra. |
| almost all certified instructors so they | | | | Groomed Powder |
| know their business. | | | | Groomed powder is where every major ski |
| Narrow the playing field to the field | | | | manufacturer shines – and it is the |
| you're playing on. Don't grab that great | | | | major scope of their sales. Start with |
| deal on super fat powder skis if you | | | | the Rossignol Bandit series for both men |
| only intend to ski the mid and eastern | | | | and women, and then try the Dynastar D |
| U.S. Focus, instead, on skis engineered | | | | Stinct. 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 in | | | | with their WaveFlex ski construction |
| business and 99% of them have qualified | | | | which available for varying abilities. I |
| people who know local conditions. Bring | | | | had the opportunity to try this stub |
| your ski test wish list, but, listen to | | | | nosed, wavy top ski last spring and |
| their advice. They usually have good | | | | really liked it. |
| advice on what you will need. | | | | Packed Powder |
| Most top name brands will have a ski for | | | | In deference to the groomers who work |
| you. If you look at the models available | | | | while 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 ski | | | | be the easiest stuff to ski on, but, if |
| to meet the snow conditions where you | | | | is done too early at night and the temp |
| typically ski, your type of skiing, and | | | | drops 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 for | | | | chatter away or run wide through the |
| you when you ski on it, not before. When | | | | turns. Look to the traditionals with the |
| you're trying the skis and you think the | | | | GS and S models; the whole Head GS |
| skis can read your mind, you'll know | | | | series 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 how | | | | along with Atomic SX, and SL you will be |
| you will be most happy with the ski you | | | | sure to find a flex for your size and |
| buy. I believe I could ski on similarly | | | | ability. For women specific skis |
| designed models of the 3 or 4 top brands | | | | Rossignol, K2's, and the Elan Pearls |
| and be hard pressed to pick “the | | | | rank high in these conditions. |
| best.” Focus on your typical skiing | | | | (And remember...) |
| conditions, your ability, and your | | | | Demo, Demo, Demo |
| experience. I look for the best ski for | | | | Remember the mantra – demo, demo, |
| the conditions I usually ski. Those most | | | | demo. Try before you buy. You can almost |
| important to consider in skis designed | | | | always have the cost of renting demo |
| today are – Pure Powder, Groomed | | | | skis deducted from the price of the skis |
| Powder, and the catch-all Packed Powder | | | | if you purchase them. In fact, I |
| Conditions. You will find these | | | | wouldn't demo from any shop that didn't |
| conditions in varying degrees and times | | | | offer a discount. If you research you |
| at most resorts. However, in general | | | | can find some shops (usually at a |
| terms powder reigns in the west and the | | | | resort) that let you demo 2 or even 3 |
| east hopes for the best. Your next | | | | skis a day for a decent price. Check |
| consideration should be your skiing | | | | websites and bulletin boards for free |
| ability and your experience. Experience | | | | demo 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 learning | | | | talk to ski manufacturer's reps. It's |
| how to use our skis in a variety of | | | | definitely worth working hard to demo a |
| conditions. This ability improves with | | | | skis - after all, skis are an |
| proper instruction and review. | | | | investment, and you should spend your |
| On the next page, read about choosing | | | | money on skis that are a pleasure to ski |
| the best skis for you and weighing in | | | | on. |