 Poster: A snowHead
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 I'm trying to convince my french girlfriend she needs new skis and boots. A bit difficult as she is already a far better skier than me with her 15 years old rear entry boots and 10 years old Rossignol something piste skis. The French aren't gear whores like us but I think I'm getting there.
She's 46 about 165 cm and athletic. She has skied since she was very young and her parents have owned an apartment in Alpe d'Huez for 40 years. She's a teacher so gets to ski a lot, perhaps 5 weeks plus some weekends. She doesn't really do off piste as she is risk averse but loves (and is very good at skiing) moguls. She skis very fast on piste. She does however fancy skiing La Grave this year but not when it is knee deep in pow.
I think something in the 80 - 85 mm range would suit. Any suggestions?
Grrr women. After talking to the owner of her favourite shop in Alpe d'Huez she's decided she wants a pure piste ski rather than All Mountain. Thinking Dynastar Intense 12. Rossignol Famous 10 was possible but longer lengths unavailable. Anyone know these skis or any other suggestions?
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Sun 7-01-18 9:35; edited 2 times in total
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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So something fairly stiff then? Atomic Vantage maybe, or for something a bit more all mountain I think the Nordica Santa Ana comes in a 90... Or if you want more racey, try Kneissel white/red/black stars.
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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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Two possible skis:
Rossignol Temptation 84 HD
K2 ThrilLUVit 85
They were winners in the SCGB AM test for this season. If of interest, I can summarize their description.
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Cheers. I think stiff yes but I suspect the ones she has are anything but now. I think 90s may be too wide and the K2s not advanced enough. Not sure whether Kneissels are available in France I'll check. Rossignols are a good call, the French love French brands, the Atomics too. What about Head, Total Joy?
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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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| Claude B wrote: |
| Cheers. I think stiff yes but I suspect the ones she has are anything but now. I think 90s may be too wide and the K2s not advanced enough. Not sure whether Kneissels are available in France I'll check. Rossignols are a good call, the French love French brands, the Atomics too. What about Head, Total Joy? |
Are you sure about the K2s (and you may well be)? According to the review: "At speed they are incredibly stable".
On the stability front, the Volkl Flair 78 was also a winner....only 2mm short of width.....and looks like it had the best On Piste performance in the AM catagory.
Last edited by Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do. on Sat 28-10-17 20:20; edited 2 times in total
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@Claude B, I’ve tested lots of women’s skis and they can be a bit noodly for advanced skiers but 165cm isn’t really big enough to get into men’s ranges. However, I’ve found generally, that if you go for the most advanced (read: expensive) model in a given range of piste/all mountain ski, they’ll probably be ok.
If you want Kneissl skis, contact @Swiss Tim directly.
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@Scarlet, Cheers. Her current ones are probably 168/170 so in her mind she think she wants similar. Colour is important too though 
I know when I bought advanced piste skis for my daughter when she did her BASI1 at 16 it was a problem as she was so light finding ones short enough was a problem.
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@Old Fartbag, i looked briefly and they were badged, beginner to intermediate. I'll look at the Volkls too.
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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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@Claude B, probably want about 160s 
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@Scarlet, I'm sure she'll want to test a few. I've still got to convince her but we were talking about it this week whilst she was here.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| Claude B wrote: |
| @Old Fartbag, i looked briefly and they were badged, beginner to intermediate. I'll look at the Volkls too. |
I see what you mean.I was going by the SCGB assessment, which said they were suitable for Experts.
The Volkl certainly looks as if it might fit the bill better.
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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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Claude B
Check your mailbox
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You know it makes sense.
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@Awdbugga, cheers, saw that earlier where I got the idea of Head Absolut Joys.
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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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| Scarlet wrote: |
| So something fairly stiff then? |
Resisting the urge to comment... 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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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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@under a new name, I daren't ask 😊 she's not stick thin. I think she'd resist anything wider tbh.
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I have to disagree with the notion that 165cm height is too small for "men's" skis. I'm 165cm tall (5ft 5 in old money), female, 60kg nearly 52 😖, and largely ignore the "men's/women's" designation. I'm a good advanced skier, but probably not as good as your girlfriend. We go ski testing each November to Zermatt. The stand out ski for me over the last 2-3 tests was the Blizzard Brahma in 173 length. Despite the width-88mm- it was amazing on piste and held its edge magnificently. In the end I could resist no longer and bought a pair in the sales at the end of last season- yet to have the bindings mounted so counting down to my first go on them.
This season's Brahma has been tweaked a bit and they have two versions. It's quite a stiff ski, but I think it's been softened ever so slightly in one format. I think the female version is the Black Pearl, though I have to say I wasn't blown away when I tried it- possibly because I went for the 166cm at the time.
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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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@Claude B, you don’t know till you try. She seems to have enough snow time, go testing. It’s fun.
I’m afraid I have no French brand suggestions. Despite being a long time Rossi fan, I am now very much in the Volkl/Blizzard camp.
I also love skiing bumps and find my 98mm Bonafides like them too. Provided you ski with reasonably modern technique, they are pretty awesome all round.
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I think we will have a day testing, probably in Alpe d'Huez. She needs to change her boots first though. Hers are positively archaic 😯 Some good suggestions.
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@Claude B, boots haven’t really changed tech. If they are still snug... don’t change.
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Can't imagine they are, similar to these, 15 years old 😯
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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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@Claude B, ah.
Your task is ...
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@under a new name, Yes I think she's recognised it's time for a change.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@Claude B, Kastle LX82, ......
the blurb........"The Kastle LX 82 is a lightweight and smooth ride for the strong intermediate to expert skier. A Silver Fir Woodcore is encased in Fiberglass and a Titanal Layer above and below it that provides a sturdy longitudinal flex, with a stiff torsional flex that makes the LX 82 highly responsive and energetic when you want to hit top speed carving short to medium radius turns. Kastle's Hollowtech Technology pulls heavier material away from the tip of the ski that reduces vibrations and lowers the swing weight of the ski to improve maneuverability. Rocker in the tip of the LX 82 provides you with lightning quick turn initiation, while the camber underfoot delivers edge hold and rebound. If you like skiing fast, and want a lightweight ski that will keep you stable at fast speeds, the Kastle LX 82 will be a great ski for you."
Mrs Skimastaaah demo'ed the Kastle LX82 a couple of seasons ago and really loved them for their versatility on piste. However she went and bought the LX92 as a more "all-round" ski that performs exceptionally well on piste even with the slightly wider footprint that works well in the soft stuff.
Kastle skis are not cheap in the shops, but clever searching can get these skis at bargain prices.
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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 wrote: |
@Claude B, you don’t know till you try. She seems to have enough snow time, go testing. It’s fun.
I’m afraid I have no French brand suggestions. Despite being a long time Rossi fan, I am now very much in the Volkl/Blizzard camp.
I also love skiing bumps and find my 98mm Bonafides like them too. Provided you ski with reasonably modern technique, they are pretty awesome all round. |
You should try some Dynastar's now they've ditched the Cham stuff and brought back the Legends.
Old Legend 2000 were some of the best skis I've used in bumps, and the new Legend 96 would probably be right up your street.
Legend W88 could be spot on for the OP's gf.
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@clarky999, I know it’s not the right answer but I don’t need new skis...
I haven’t been a Dynastar fan since the original Course with the red shock absorbers, which were lovely.
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You know it makes sense.
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@under a new name, not suggesting you should update on the Blizzards; just think they're the sort of ski that might tempt you back towards French brands in future, with a more Völkl/Blizzard build than Rossi/Salli
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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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@clarky999, ah, indeed, thanks for the tip. 
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Poster: A snowHead
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Managed to drag her into a large Decathlon near Marseille this week. She tried on 3 pairs of boots, advanced women's Rossignol and Salomon. Just to get a bit of a feel really. Declared all were far more uncomfortable than her existing pair which she thinks are actually nearly 30 years old 😯 Reasonably large feet for a woman, 25.5 probably. Next stop a proper bootfitter in Alpe D'Huez or Les Deux Alpes I think.
Looked at a few pairs of women's skis (Rossignol, Salomon, Atomic, Head) in the 77/80mm range. She's convinced she wants 165cm+.
This is not going to be easy 😯
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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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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@clarky999, I don't necessarily think she does need shorter. The piste skis she has now are taller than her. If she gets some boots I'll probably get her skis for Christmas. Although she's skied for ever she knows nothing about modern equipment 😁 I'll put the Dynastars on the list. Once the season has started I think she'll get some advice in resort she knows some of the shop owners.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| Quote: |
Edit. Left field choice - Head Titan.
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why is that a left field choice? Would have thought it was an obvious all mountain option for an accomplished skier?
My boy is 15, 168cm but only 50-odd kgs.
He'll be on rossi experience 88's in 172 this season - quite a stiff all mountain ski.
Arguably it is a bit much for him but it won't be in practice - he's athletic and has the technique to apply plenty of edge angle so he'll bend them fine.
Can't imagine @Claude B's gf wouldn't be able to handle something like Head Titans given the description.
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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'd say definitely 165 plus length is a good plan. Don't let the ski shops sell her shorter ones just cos she's female, esp anything with rocker.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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@Perty, I'd like to see them try anything she doesn't want 😯
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Ummm, particularly for a piste ski, little advantage in going longer than you need...
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@under a new name,
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Ummm, particularly for a piste ski, little advantage in going longer than you need...
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I think shape is more important than length though. Shorter skis tend to be less rewarding on longer turns because of their natural radius
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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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@jedster, shape, aye, and torsional rigidity.
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Head Total Joy = 84mm waist.
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FAQ
