 Poster: A snowHead
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So I'm looking at getting some skis for the girlfriend for christmas in a bid to get her to the mountains more often 
So my question is, can anyone recommend a good set of skis?
She is a good skier (capable of doing pretty much anything but the hairiest of blacks) but lacks a bit of confidence after breaking her arm falling over, snowboarding of all things.
Height wise I would say she is about 5'5 and I'm not even going to get on weight but about 50 - 60kg
As for my budget it's pretty limited as I don't want to spend a pretty penny on some decent skis and for her not to use them, so I'm probably looking at just a good second hand pair.
Ideally we would just rent skis for her, but she has been harping on about a set for a while so if the right ones come up I may just take the bait.
Thanks
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Depending on what happens at the ski test in Hemel this weekend, I may be able to offer you my wifes Volkl Fuegos at very reasonable rates... 
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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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Can you get her to one of the ski tests this weekend? Other people's opinions are no substitute for trying them out yourself...
You might just still manage to pick up a pair of last year's colours on sale, so have a look what's available. Are you looking for a pure piste ski or something fatter?
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@Richard_Sideways, I like the sound of this.  Keep me posted on what happens.
@Scarlet, I was trying to do that as I desperately want to convince myself its okay to buy a new pair for myself, but it's her mums birthday party and I'm not entirely sure what she is doing so currently in limbo as to if we can make it. Saying that last year there was one at Milton Keynes, not sure if anyones has heard of a planned test there yet?
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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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@Dzmarc,
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As for my budget it's pretty limited as I don't want to spend a pretty penny on some decent skis and for her not to use them,
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Your girlfriend will need to get on some skis and test them --- so you can have an idea of what to aim at
Just buying a set of "good" skis which she may not get on with does not come without risk...
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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| Dzmarc wrote: |
So I'm looking at getting some skis for the girlfriend for christmas in a bid to get her to the mountains more often
So my question is, can anyone recommend a good set of skis?
She is a good skier (capable of doing pretty much anything but the hairiest of blacks) but lacks a bit of confidence after breaking her arm falling over, snowboarding of all things.
Height wise I would say she is about 5'5 and I'm not even going to get on weight but about 50 - 60kg
As for my budget it's pretty limited as I don't want to spend a pretty penny on some decent skis and for her not to use them, so I'm probably looking at just a good second hand pair.
Ideally we would just rent skis for her, but she has been harping on about a set for a while so if the right ones come up I may just take the bait.
Thanks |
My perspective is obviously biased by my knee injuries..... But I have just changed my bindings on my skis (only bought in March) to knee bindings which have a lateral release at the heal to reduce likelihood of wrecking the ACL (I have half of a reconstructed ACL left on one of my knees). However it is one of those things that if I knew 11yrs ago what I know now (and they were available then!) I would have bought my own skis a LOT sooner and bought those bindings and I might actually still be able to play hockey and not have knee which I have been told the next time I do something to it I will need a complete knee replacement.
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| ski wrote: |
Just buying a set of "good" skis which she may not get on with does not come without risk... |
I agree. I've tested loads of skis – some of the most highly regarded and recommended I did not get on with at all, and others which on paper don't fit the criteria, are my favourites!
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@NickyJ, is there much evidence (studies, papers) that the Knee binding has a protective effect?
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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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@ski, @Scarlet, Totally agree with you, and although I got lucky with the very first pair of skis I brought, I wouldn't go out on a whim and purchase like that again; which sounds quite ironic, since I would for her. However I see it more as a way for her to want to go more regularly, which would obviously make me one happy man with multiple trips.
If she has a pair, then I'm hoping she will want to get out more, even to the snow domes, were as currently we hire and she's not really fussed and it can require some nagging on my behalf. Then when we can go more regularly together we would get her a proper pair which she actually try out and wants.
Probably won't happen like that, but I can try. 
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| under a new name wrote: |
| @NickyJ, is there much evidence (studies, papers) that the Knee binding has a protective effect? |
Certainly the insurers seem to like them as they have now insisted on the Vale (I believe) instructors having them, in an attempt to reduce the amount they are paying out on ACL injury claims.
It certainly makes a lot of sense and I can't see it hurting to go for these rather than normal one which only release in the one direction on the rear.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I don't want drift the thread overmuch ... it's a nice concept but I feel that the website is a bit overdone - long on hype and anecdote and short on evidence...
But you know, if you are worried and have an already unstable joint, and you need bindings (which pretty much should last the average holiday skier forever), well, why not?
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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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@under a new name, that's the thing my knee is unstable due to only having half an ACL so for me it is a no brainer. I had been a little concerned by that same hype looking aspect however when I got a chance to really examine them in the flesh at the piste office I was sold as there is no down side that I can see to going with them and increasing your escape angles strikes me as only sensible? Hence wh suggesting if you are considering getting new skis highlighting that it was worth looking at getting them with that style of bindings.
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Would agree that you won't really know until you've tested them out yourself. Boyfriend recommended me a few pairs, and the sales rep in Ellis Brigham picked out "the most suitable for me" to demo, neither of which I liked using. boyfriend mocked me for wanting to try the pretty pink ones, that were just a wee bit too advanced for me, but they were actually the perfect pair (salomon q98 lux's). I've grown into them and they suit my skiing style perfect. If you're near one of the Indoor fridges, I recommend taking her and getting her to try a few!
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You know it makes sense.
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I would also suggest that "wimmins" skis are a marketing gimmick...unless you really care whether they match your boots/trousers/underwear, whatever.
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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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@under a new name, indeed, although some of us who aren't very big need to make use of the shorter lengths not often offered in "unisex" models.
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Poster: A snowHead
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@under a new name, agreed! I'm hoping to put the theory to the test this weekend, as apparently Dynastar are bringing both Cham 2.0 'men's' and 'women's' versions 
I'm a women, but only 1 of my 3 pairs are 'women's' skis (Scott Lunas - and I love and adore them, just bought my second pair) - I've never had any problem handling 'men's' or unisex skis. Though I am pretty tall (1m72).
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@fixx, yup, I have "men's skis" but then I'm a hefty weightlifter. Lots of women are much lighter than me and the skis that are short/light enough for them tend to get branded as "women's"
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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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@Dzmarc,
I'm looking to sell my Scott Mayas (155s) if you (or anyone else) are interested...
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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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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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I like wearing my wife's skis .. but don't tell her.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@fixx, the skis don't know how tall you are...
Nor for girls how big your bum is/n't
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I loved my old Dynastar Legend Idylls. They had a 78 waist so were good for carving but coped with boot deep fresh snow or slush very well. Great all-round skis - just a bit chattery at high speed.
The new range of Dynastar skis sounds excellent, the closest ones to my old pair would be the Glory 79. Worth demoing if she can.
The Head Joy series also gets great reviews and they are super light. Have a look at the the Total Joy (74 waist carvers) or Absolut Joy (79 waist).
I've just bought the 2016 Rossignol Temptation 80 without demoing, as all the reviews rave about them. My mate has last season's 84s and loves them. Very easy to turn thanks to tip and tail rocker, but great edge grip and enough waist to cope well with fresh snow and crud on piste.
I would have loved Volkl Charismas, but they're SO expensive. Volkls tend to be known for their edge grip on hard snow.
I find men's skis only tend to come in longer lengths for obvious reasons, and are generally heavier than women's skis as well. I tried a pair of men's Head Supershape something-or-other's last year. They weighed an absolute TON and killed my legs.
I know it's best to demo, but if not just do as much research as you can.
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@HoneyBunny, horses for courses... I have the Head Titans and LOVE them, I don't find them heavy to ski at all, they just glide! I don't even have them in the shortest available length. I am 165cm/60kg and also ski men's/unisex skis. Light has always seemed to equate to 'flappy' 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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@Maireadoconnor, Happy Birthday!
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@HoneyBunny, how can something that's weight is fully supported by the surface you're standing on kill your legs?? It's not the weight of the ski that's the problem...
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@Gämsbock, thanks! 
I shall NOT be buying myself any skis at the ski testing as a birthday present. No no no no no.
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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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@Gämsbock, surely it's about the stiffness, not the weight which equals flappy? The Head Joy line is very light - but I've never heard them described as flappy or soft.
@under a new name, I don't know, they just did. I felt like I was hauling them round the mountain. They were the heaviest skis I've ever tried and I could feel the difference.
Anyway, horses for courses as you say, I can only give my opinion, it's not right or wrong.
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