 Poster: A snowHead
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I got some Blizzard Bonafides. Too short for me but too long for other half. Other half is very strong and clean skier. Skis off piste sometimes on heavy 165 Salomon X-wings or more easily on Dynastars something or others but they are light, not especially wide. She's light and technically strong so doesn't need snowboards in drag.
I was thinking around 80-90 but fairly stiff 'cos she can really hold a line and where we ski mostly ski involves two longish mogul slopes going back to base.
Ideas?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Völkl Kenja?
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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I've only tested last year's Kendo not the Kenja but this is the ski I would buy if I was in the market for a true all round performer on and off piste. The Kenja still feels a beefy ski when I looked at it in a shop. Maybe slightly softer flexing than the Kendo but definitely feels like an experienced female skier ski. I skied the 170 Kendo down some bumps and didn't find it a handful but I've skied quite a bit...I'm small and female as well.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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If she is light, then I reckon she will need a lighter ladies ski?
I'd get her to test some, my wife has hated all/most "mens' skis that she has tried...
She has a pair of K2 Superburnin now for most things 72 underfoot, then a 100mm pair for "real" off piste days
I guess the real question is how often she goes off piste vs piste
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Nickski, how tall/heavy she is?
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| Megamum wrote: |
| Nickski, let her pick her own.... |
Not a good idea in this situation as IME when a lady wants a ski for this purpose & is left to her devices she will invariably choose a ski that's too short, especially if it's a rockered design, which this will be. Not saying that a finite decision should be made for her but that a selection of 'suitable' lengths/widths are offered up for her to select from. An explanation of the benefits of rocker & a longer radius for off piste skiing is also a must to avoid going too short.
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kitenski, The Kenja is a women's ski... 
spyderjon, also, if you want to have them accompany you to the shop, you have to undo all the chains to the sink. Get her shoes. And make sure the morning sickness hasn't kicked in like last time and the 9 times before that.
And surely "An explanation of the benefits of rocker & a longer radius for off piste skiing is also a must to avoid going too short" - can often be shortened to "They're pink and have pictures of flowers on them"
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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The Blizzard black pearl is another one with "girlie" graphics if that's important
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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| Quote: |
Women are quite capable of doing their own research and usually know what feels right to them!
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Hear! Hear!
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You know it makes sense.
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spyderjon, I seriously thought you were being funny!!
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Poster: A snowHead
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spyderjon, I think that you providing impartial advice as the "expert" is fine, having the (potentially just as clueless?) partner as the intermediary is not.
I have seen Nickski and his (lovely, very slight, terrific skier) partner on the piste. I would be very surprised if she went for something too short for her. She struck me as knowing what's what. Perhaps Nickski is looking for suggestions to look at together or to do research that she hasn't time to do?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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spyderjon, I think that you providing impartial advice as the "expert" is fine, having the (potentially just as clueless?) partner as the intermediary is not.
I have seen Nickski and his (lovely, very slight, terrific skier) partner on the piste. I would be very surprised if she went for something too short for her. She struck me as knowing what's what. Perhaps Nickski is looking for suggestions to look at together or to do research that she hasn't time to do?
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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spyderjon, is the number of women picking a ski that is too short for them matched by the number of men picking a ski that is too long, fat or stiff for them?
I would also recommend the kenja or aura, I have the Aura and it really is good on piste. Other than that all the blizzard flipcore range seem to get good write ups. If she wants to read more reviews of women specific skis I would recommend joining theskidiva.com, loads of reviews of womens skis there by, gasp, women who may even have chosen the skis themselves
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I'm always happy to give completely unbiased (no manufacturer hook ups) info on any of the skis that I've tested for fun. I think I know what I'm talking about as a reasonable level female skier. I'm not an equipment specialist for the day job though! Feel free to PM too.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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| lynseyf wrote: |
| spyderjon, is the number of women picking a ski that is too short for them matched by the number of men picking a ski that is too long, fat or stiff for them? |
To be honest I've not had that request & I'm often encouraging men to go longer whereas I'm encouraging women to go longer the majority of the time - but that may just be the nature of the market I specialise in.
In Nickski's opening line he states that he's got skis that are too short for him & that's someone with a 2500+ post count on a ski forum so it's easily done (no offence matey  ).
| lynseyf wrote: |
| I would also recommend the kenja or aura, I have the Aura and it really is good on piste. |
Without knowing the users weight/height/usage/ability recommendation can't really be made. You need width underfoot to support weight (fat gits like me need width) & length for fore/aft stability unless the user stays very well centred. Adding tip rocker requires additional length 'cause otherwise the running length on firm snow is likely to be too short. Adding tail rocker as well usually means going even longer. The affects of the amount of camber underfoot, turn radius & swingweight & overall weight then need to be factored in.
The Kenja's/Aura's are great skis but is this going to be users only ski? If yes then maybe as they're a great ski however if the user is going to keep her Sallies for piste/hard snow days then based upon the OP they're likely to be too heavy due to their metal layer construction.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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| spyderjon wrote: |
| Megamum wrote: |
| Nickski, let her pick her own.... |
Not a good idea in this situation as IME when a lady wants a ski for this purpose & is left to her devices she will invariably choose a ski that's too short, especially if it's a rockered design, which this will be. Not saying that a finite decision should be made for her but that a selection of 'suitable' lengths/widths are offered up for her to select from. An explanation of the benefits of rocker & a longer radius for off piste skiing is also a must to avoid going too short. |
The Piste Office has been added to the list of places we will not buy kit from. An offensive, sexist comment. Actually surprising how many (bike and ski) shops have this type of attitude in this day and age.
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You will have a short list of possible shops to buy from if you continue to confuse observation with sexism.
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I love my Blizzard Black Pearls. They're hugely fun.
I'm just over 5'9 and 60kg, the 178's are perfect for me.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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beequin, there are plenty of shops in which I have not encountered such an attitude. I'll spend my cash there thanks.
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Edited to post below.
Last edited by Ski the Net with snowHeads  on Fri 4-10-13 17:03; edited 1 time in total
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| Quote: |
fat gits like me need width
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I thought you were much thinner these days, spyderjon?
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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| Batman_123 wrote: |
| beequin, there are plenty of shops in which I have not encountered such an attitude..... |
I'm sorry if I've offended anyone - I certainly don't mean to - the written word is not my strong point & I can see how you can perceive that. I can assure you that what you accuse me of is not my nature.
| beequin wrote: |
| .....confuse observation with sexism. |
It is factual observation that I meant to portray based upon the knowledge I have gained from actual 'real life' experiences & certainly not any personal prejudice.
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| MeMyselfandI wrote: |
I love my Blizzard Black Pearls. They're hugely fun.
I'm just over 5'9 and 60kg, the 178's are perfect for me. |
Sounds perfect to me too.
I had a customer in recently with stats almost identical to yours who was looking at a very similar ski (tip'n'tail rocker/90mm underfoot)& who originally wanted it in 158cm. This is the message I was attempting to convey above.
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You know it makes sense.
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To be fair the last time I skied them I was 5kg heavier but I didn't find them long at all. On the other hand the 156 Volkl Feugos I was sold when I was about 40kg heavier now feel waaaaaaay too short.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Batman_123, beequin, I don't agree with what spyderjon, put, as you saw above, but I have met the guy, and he doesn't come across as sexist in real life. He is an expert in his field (if not the written word - and that might apply to many of us!  ). He was, for example, quite happy to recently provide me with 'on the level' advice regarding ski servicing kit and I was happy to buy from him. Though I still find his remark surprising, please don't let it put you off doing business with him. FWIW I tend to pick skis which are probably too 'manly' for me, I have done several holidays on a set of Elan Magfire Ti's in a 170cm and now have a set of Elan Amphibios waveflex 12's in a 168cm, I am 5 ft 9' and technically still overweight  - both are probably a tad on the stiff side for me
Last edited by Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name: on Fri 4-10-13 19:32; edited 1 time in total
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Poster: A snowHead
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| Megamum wrote: |
| I have done several holidays on a set of Elan Magfire Ti's in a 1870cm |
Sounds like you're not one of the ones buying skis too short
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| Batman_123 wrote: |
The Piste Office has been added to the list of places we will not buy kit from. An offensive, sexist comment. Actually surprising how many (bike and ski) shops have this type of attitude in this day and age. |
... so hubby not entitled to make up his own mind then?
FWIW I don't doubt Jon's sincerity here. Because in general women are less geargeek inclined there is just a smaller amount of information out there about women's skis from web reviews, demo stock etc etc. And a misguided general market impression that short is good in skis because they're still working on a message that was put out 16 years ago or so. Most people (male and female) don't appreciate that rocker/twin tips substantially impact effective edge of skis until you actually show them. So I don't see why his well evidenced personal observation is sexist.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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As a practical suggestion might I suggest that the OP points their OH at theskidiva.com where their will probably be plenty of informed advice about ladies skis and skiing.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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charlie.wilkinson, that could well have been a tripe-o
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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| MeMyselfandI wrote: |
| To be fair the last time I skied them I was 5kg heavier but I didn't find them long at all. On the other hand the 156 Volkl Feugos I was sold when I was about 40kg heavier now feel waaaaaaay too short. |
WOW
And well done
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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MeMyselfandI, I thought the Black Pearls only come up to a 173? have you got the Unisex one (Bushwacker?)
spyderjon, I'm sure you didn't mean any harm but it does read as really condescending. I agree it is difficult to recommend a ski for someone you have never met but I thought my recommendation of women's specific skis I have actually skied would maybe be a bit more useful than recommendations by men of skis they have never skied? I also recommended skis that seem to be generally pretty well liked by decent female skiers from all the reviews I have read, by women. There are loads of skis out there that I'm sure would be a lot of fun but the Kenja, Aura and Black Pearl have had some of the most universally positive reviews I have read for women specific all mountain skis.
fatbob, While there may be a shortage of ski reviews in general on Snowheads and female specific ski reviews in particular there are loads on other websites. The site I mention above has tons of reviews and I have pointed other women that have posted here before in that direction. I think even Epic has quite a few reviews of women specific skis and Blister certainly have a few female reviewers as does Wildsnow for touring options.I am tall enough to mainly ski unisex skis but if I was a small women I would rather get advice from a woman of similar size who has actually skied the ski she is recommending.
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| lynseyf wrote: |
spyderjon, is the number of women picking a ski that is too short for them matched by the number of men picking a ski that is too long, fat or stiff for them?
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Hee hee.......
I have the Kenjas (and a "men's" pair of Nordica Soulriders). www.theskidiva.com is good for wimmin's view on various skis (even though it does suffer from an over abundance of North American style earnestness and corresponding lack of wee wee taking- hence my more frequent presence on this forum!)
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lynseyf, Yes I'm aware of women's skis reviews and I'm not suggesting it is impossible but given as you say some women ski unisex skis and even on epic there are considerable moans about reps not carrying large enough demo fleets of women's models in a range of sizes it has to be more of an uphill battle.
I'd absolutely agree that you need to try to find a reviewer who is similar size, sex and ability as you for the best advice or better still demo.
Jon's fundamental point though is a sound one. Most men seem to gun too short these days - there's plenty of threads on here from 6 ft 14 stone guys asking if 180cm will be too long for them so I see Jon's challenge in getting highly competent women onto the skis in the lengths that were designed for their skill level. I never try to advise on women's skis because I know my knowledge and experience is irrelevant but given that Jon gets to fondle considerable numbers of skis and talk to lots of reps and manufacturers it's shortsighted to write off his view under a general banner of sexism.
now put the kettle on etc etc
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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I've just remembered that spyderjon recommended Burnin' Luvs to me..... Now I've got 2 sets 
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my missus likes a relatively long stiff one with a wide tip for playing around with most of the day, never one to miss the chance of a base grind and hot wax if offered , but when it comes to ploughing up the back country she gets the skins on and prefers something with a bit of give in it but insists on it being a bit shorter in length albeit as fat as possible.
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