Thread: clueless noob seeks ski advice

Clueless noob here:

I'm looking for a new ski. I've been searching all over the forum for the last week and have some ideas but, inevitably, I'm now looking for some specific input.

I've been skiing for a long time and put my skill level on the upper end of "mediocre". My first setup was a pair of Salomon X-Scream 700s at 196 length, some crappy Marker bindings, and a pair of Lange boots. I skiied on these for several years. I now think the boots are too big and the skis too long and stiff.

Then I bought an alpine touring setup: K2 Shuksans, 181 length, with Dynafit bindings and Garmont Mega-Lite boots. I found that I like skiing on this setup so much that I also used it for almost all my in-bounds skiing the last two years.

But I want some normal alpine skis for resort skiing, and I think I'm probably losing something skiing on such soft boots. I tried demoing some skis last year but the selection was crummy. Here's what I skiied:

- Rossi B2s: Hated them. Couldn't stay out of the back seat and didn't feel in control.
- K2 Apache Recons: Hated them. Same as the B2s.
- Salomon Pocket Rockets: Kind of liked them, but not as much as my Shuksans.

I think I like the Shuksans because they're light, not too long, easy to turn, and fairly soft. My style is sloppy and I find when I get messed up, I can muscle these skis back into place pretty easily. I guess they're a little unstable at high speeds, and get deflected pretty easily in harder snow but it doesn't really bother me, I just stay on top of it.

I live in Seattle and rarely see real powder. Any serious backcountry will be done on my Shuksans. So what I want is a fun ski I don't have to work too hard with, for groomers, hardpack, crud I guess, and maybe a little time in the park. I like the idea of a twin tip... maybe that is silly, I'm not sure.

So from what I've read, here is what I'm thinking about:
- Rossi Scratch BC
- Bro 183 (soft, probably, when that exists?)
- K2 PE
- Volkl Gotama or Mantra?
- ??

So I'm looking for any ideas about skis, or commentary on any of the crap I wrote above. Also if you know a shop near Seattle that rents demos, I'd like to know. Thanks!

Did you get boots that fit yet?

That should be your first step and a chance to find a store that can advise you on ski choice and provide demos. There aren't that many places to choose from once you've discounted the sporting goods stores and REI. it really is not that difficult.

oh and

Originally Posted by efjellanger

I live in Seattle and rarely see real powder.

you have not been trying very hard, or at all.

go to www.epicski.com

seriously.

this is not the place for you.

Originally Posted by PNWbrit

Did you get boots that fit yet?

That should be your first step and a chance to find a store that can advise you on ski choice and provide demos.

Yeah, that is my next step. ProSki is the shop I've used and trust and I'm dropping by tonight.

Originally Posted by PNWbrit

oh and you have not been trying very hard, or at all.

Pretty true.

Originally Posted by Core Shot

this is not the place for you.

Thanks for the tip.

height and weight are a good starting point.
also... pow is plentiful in the PNW.

bootfitter is obligatory. don't bother buying skis without boots that fit right.

Originally Posted by dre66

height and weight are a good starting point.

Right, sorry- 6'2", 160 lbs.

since different people define everyday skis different ways (depends what "everyday" means to you) and people have different preferences its stupid to tell you what ski to buy... also every company pretty much makes a ski that fits into the "niche" you are looking to fill. that having been said here is a list to get you started.

scratch bc, gotama, bro, salomon gun, armada arv, line prophet 90, etc.
go twin if you ride switch or plan to, useless if you don't...