Some advice on suitable skis would be much appreciated

A snowHead

Morning all,

as posted in previous threads I have not been on skis for 16 years as I have spent this time snowboarding. Next year I am due to go on a trip and would like to ski again. As part of this I had gathered together some memorable skis of my youth, just for fun. However, I suspect that a pair of Fischer GS skis from 2008 and some Bandits from 2006 may well not be the best idea long term. I think that I will be skiing a lot during the next 10 years so I really would like to get my next ski purchase right. The problem is that I haven't really paid any attention to ski tech and new developments for a long time.

I was rather hoping that if some of you have the time you could advise me on what could be a good fit for me?
I am 6ft 1 and around 15 and a half stone although by the time I go I will be around a stone lighter. Back in the day I really enjoyed cruising the piste, mostly long turns and opening up on lovely stable skis when it was safe and responsible to do so (mostly). I didn't really look for off piste as I have a snowboard for that although the odd tree run did present itself.

As I was usually leading a school group I liked to have something that could cruise at lower speeds as well. I'm not looking for a formula one racer, just something that's stable, not too soft and not too short. I have noticed that there is a penchant for shorter skis these days but I don't think I'd feel too happy on anything much under 180.

Thanks for taking the time to read this and my genuine thanks for any advice to point me in the right direction

A snowHead

What skiing will you be doing primarily and what is your budget? As a snowboarder I would expect you to want something that will also be good off piste (based on experience with several ex-snowboarding mates). That will change the recommendation vs if you want a primarily piste oriented ski. Stiff piste Slalom/GS skis typically ski shorter (170-180) than rockered all mountain skis (185-190). Length estimates based on your height/weight.

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

Certainly much happens in relatively shorter lengths within current ski design, and so wouldn't impose a hard match in overall length to get what you had before.

A particularly good example would be a Kastlè FX 96HP as a very accomplished design with a huge gateway for varying conditions (obviously other makes have competitive issue skis too) but there's a wide range of reviews available to let you get an informed feel of what this ski can do. Worthwhile reading about that one across differing experiences as it will update your thinking without loading too many comparison initially.

Forming a broader picture and then giving view to competitor skis will give decent insight to maybe form a test selection of demo skis if possible.

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Thanks, I will have a look at some reviews on the Kastle. Most of my skiing is going to be on piste as it's something that I really used to enjoy, love getting those long, lazy turns in and also love the option of opening them out and getting some good pace up when the mood hits. Never really been one for off piste really.

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

@Huwphill, The 188cm race GS skis you got are a good length for your height and weight, they are really designed to be used when there is nobody else on a piste. Most ski brands also make some models that are labelled as "GS" skis with similar graphics to the real race models but a sidecut radius below 20m, you would probably want something around 180cm for one of these.

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My suggestion would be Dynastar Speed Zone 12Ti in a 182 - which is a Piste Ski with a 17m radius. These would be excellent as stable, On Piste Cruisers, that are more user friendly than a full on GS Ski.

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

After all it is free

+1 for the Atomic Redster G9. 68 side cut and 18.5m radius (mine are 177). I’m 176cm and 83kg, but picked a ski, having tested a few, that would challenge a bit.

Really stable at speed, surprisingly “turny” (much helped by narrow side cut) for a fairly stiff ski. Also quite fun just bimbling about. They do require a bit of concentration at times. They seem to cope really well with most of the conditions I’ve come across in the season or so I’ve had them.

If it helps, I was also quite taken with the Salomon iRace...a similar option. For me, the Atomics just ‘felt’ a little more of a challenge.

Help!!

Some advice on suitable skis would be much appreciated

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