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