 Poster: A snowHead
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Recommendations on a piste ski for a 170cm/58kg advanced lady. I already have some skinnier AM skis (Volkl Yumi 84, 167cm), which are fun but.... flippy, and hard to push in the thicker moguls. Jack of all trades, master of NONE. I can carve fine in them, but.....
I took some lessons this year (we can ALL benefit from lessons!) and my instructor and I happened to have the same sole length, so switched skis (don't worry, DINs were checked before switching!). I was riding her FIS slalom skis (Head SL JR, I think -- I'm pretty sure they were 165?), and they were amazing. Like my edge control, speed, ability to just shift my weight, and even depth of carve improved like 200% just on those.
I'm a strong skier (will ski anything on piste without fear, need to develop off piste skills but I have no friends and my family are all.... not at my level). I'll admit mostly, I have confidence problem, so I don't push things as much as I could, but I want control and some stiffness, which I think will, in turn help with confidence. I gravitate more to short-med turns (probably b/c most of my skiing is at high season and it's always crowded). Currently spend my time mostly on piste due to family and the fact I don't have any friends who are capable (I just found the events page on this blog and I'm IN for next year).
Anyhow, I clearly don't need actual FIS/ race skis, as I'm old (46) and not about to start all that now. But I'd like something similar. I'm sort of medium heighted, but am probably on the somewhat lighter side for my weight (58kgs or less, depending on how much cheese I've eaten  ). So I probably will struggle to flex a super burly ski, but I don't want floppy girly skis either.
I know this is a "how long is a piece of string" question.... but... any suggestions on models?
I was looking at the Head World Cup e-race pro, but not sure if those are overkill? Also the Volkl racetigers were recommended (but they are SO UGLY). Not going to not buy skis based on the topsheets, obviously, but some of these designers need to get their software out of the F1 pit, I swear.  Also heard good things about the Atomic redsters, but as with all these skis, there's like 42 versions and I'm confused.
Also, I know that I could try renting some models, but even then I'm not sure which ones, and often the rental shop ones are crap.
Not skiing again til next winter (probably Tignes in Dec x2), so I have time to think about it, but since I just discovered how lovely and helpful y'all are, I though I'd ask... 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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Had a couple of variants of volkl race tigers and tiger sharks on rental on my first few ski holidays and absolutely loved them. They're hard work noodling about at low speeds but if you ski them hard and fast(ish) they're incredible.
Bought AC30s as my first skis and since moved a bit more all mountain with the M6 mantras recently but would wholeheartedly recommend the racetigers if you can test them out somewhere!
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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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Piste only for an advanced skier, Stockli’s on-piste range are a good bet. And their current top sheets are pretty benign 
I think the Stocklis you can rent are the same as the retail models so if you can find them in a rental store you can try what you will end up buying unlike some other brands.
Is there a Demo centre in Tignes? I couldn’t find any on a quick google search and the only thread that came up here was over 10 years old. Someone might have some up to date info on that.
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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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@mrssneak, if you like the Heads, why don’t you buy some?
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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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@mrssneak, 46 is a happy memory ---- I have some 155 FIS Racetigers as telemark skis. They are so much fun, and I don't look at the topsheet when I use them. They do ski a bit like the Mantras I used to have, so if you like the Yumis.... Also note that Volkl have about a billion varients of Racetiger --- you want the ones with a 12M radius
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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I have a friend who is a brand ambassador for Atomic, she says for Women Cloud 9 is always the answer if they want something stiffer then Redster S7. She reckons anyone asking questions isn't ready for the S9, anyone ready for that knows what they want. On the other hand at least 50% of my colleagues who have Atomics have had delamination issues in the last few year but it must be said we probably do the same mileage in one season as the average holiday skier does in over 5 years.
I personally like Racetigers and don't find them hard to ski slowly unless the snow is soft but they really do reward you when you push them hard. I am also much heavier than you so you may not feel the same.
If you go to a decent ski shop that has rental and hire then you can often hire the latest skis or sometimes if you tell them you are looking to buy they will take new skis off the rack in the shop for you to test and put them into the hire fleet if you don't like them. This is how I have bought my last couple of pairs of skis, even testing a couple of lengths of the same ski.
BTW 46 isn't old!
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@mrssneak, due to changing my boots, what were my “piste” skis (all mountain 84, so not that different to you) now no longer fit, so I am in the market for a new pair, proper piste skis this time, so again fairly similar. I feel your pain, it’s a minefield out there!
I also have no idea if I want “race” skis, or top of the next range women’s skis, and it’s really hard to know without trying them. Too soft, and they will be rubbish noodles. Too stiff, and they could be very tiring.
I sacked off the search for the rest of the season, and will go to the big ski test at Stubai in November. There’s a loop that I test skis on which gives me a red piste, then a flat piste, then a blue piste with a bit of soft snow at the side, and after that (25min) I will know if I like them or not. I can only suggest you find a similar event, or a shop that will allow you to test multiple pairs so that you can see for yourself what you like.
The Head Joy range will be on my list, as will the Atomic Cloud whatevers and the Kästle RX11. If those are not suitable, I will let the reps explain the race-type models they have on hand, because life’s too short to learn all those numbers!
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| Gordyjh wrote: |
| @mrssneak, if you like the Heads, why don’t you buy some? |
Can't find 'em (I think hers were a couple years old, I actually think she said they were kids skis?).
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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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@mrssneak, Kid's slalom skis are not made in 165cm lengths, the longest would be 150cm.
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Nordica Spitfire Pro, or Salomon Addikt Pro. Both very very good skis.
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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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| rjs wrote: |
| @mrssneak, Kid's slalom skis are not made in 165cm lengths, the longest would be 150cm. |
I
I really should just Whatsapp her, shouldn't I? Maybe they weren't SL? My memory is crap. They were definitely 165s, bc they were basically the same length as my Yumis. So I must be wrong in either the version or kids/aduls. Note to self... make a note!!
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| Scarlet wrote: |
@mrssneak, due to changing my boots, what were my “piste” skis (all mountain 84, so not that different to you) now no longer fit, so I am in the market for a new pair, proper piste skis this time, so again fairly similar. I feel your pain, it’s a minefield out there!
I also have no idea if I want “race” skis, or top of the next range women’s skis, and it’s really hard to know without trying them. Too soft, and they will be rubbish noodles. Too stiff, and they could be very tiring.
I sacked off the search for the rest of the season, and will go to the big ski test at Stubai in November. There’s a loop that I test skis on which gives me a red piste, then a flat piste, then a blue piste with a bit of soft snow at the side, and after that (25min) I will know if I like them or not. I can only suggest you find a similar event, or a shop that will allow you to test multiple pairs so that you can see for yourself what you like.
The Head Joy range will be on my list, as will the Atomic Cloud whatevers and the Kästle RX11. If those are not suitable, I will let the reps explain the race-type models they have on hand, because life’s too short to learn all those numbers! |
Glad it's not just me! If I can arrange to get out to do a demo week, I will try.
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You know it makes sense.
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| ster wrote: |
Piste only for an advanced skier, Stockli’s on-piste range are a good bet. And their current top sheets are pretty benign
I think the Stocklis you can rent are the same as the retail models so if you can find them in a rental store you can try what you will end up buying unlike some other brands.
Is there a Demo centre in Tignes? I couldn’t find any on a quick google search and the only thread that came up here was over 10 years old. Someone might have some up to date info on that. |
Heard good things about the Stocklis (Everything except the price -- but then again the SLs are pretty dear too).
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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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Head iSpeed could be worth a look. About 68mm underfoot IIRC on my 175's. Really stable ski, very easy transitions from edge to edge, good for long carve all the way to short turns.
Edit: for reference I'm mid-50's and bought these last season (my first as a seasonaire) and very happy with them still on-piste, recently made an AM purchase for off-piste forays.
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Poster: A snowHead
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| mrssneak wrote: |
| Heard good things about the Stocklis (Everything except the price -- but then again the SLs are pretty dear too). |
I rented some Laser SLs a couple of years back. Brilliant skis.
Gave me my biggest ever wipeout - they encouraged increasingly aggressive skiing, until I got it slightly wrong, and they bit back very hard. Top Gun moment "Son, your ego's writing cheques your body can't cash".
Showed me the difference between a de-tuned race ski (I have a pair of Head i.SLR which I also love) and a proper hardcore race ski, and also showed me the limit of my abilities.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@mrssneak, Head Supershape range - eg E-Rally? 78mm waist and 12.8M radius in a 163 length. Or splurge on BC Mirus Cor as an experiment - 87mm waist and 13M radius in all lengths up to 184; big rocker / twin tipped park carving ski!
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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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| snowdave wrote: |
| mrssneak wrote: |
| Heard good things about the Stocklis (Everything except the price -- but then again the SLs are pretty dear too). |
I rented some Laser SLs a couple of years back. Brilliant skis.
Gave me my biggest ever wipeout - they encouraged increasingly aggressive skiing, until I got it slightly wrong, and they bit back very hard. Top Gun moment "Son, your ego's writing cheques your body can't cash".
Showed me the difference between a de-tuned race ski (I have a pair of Head i.SLR which I also love) and a proper hardcore race ski, and also showed me the limit of my abilities. |
I definitely chuckled at that one (Assuming you're ok now)? I might wait on the proper racers then... 
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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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| Belch wrote: |
| @mrssneak, Head Supershape range - eg E-Rally? 78mm waist and 12.8M radius in a 163 length. Or splurge on BC Mirus Cor as an experiment - 87mm waist and 13M radius in all lengths up to 184; big rocker / twin tipped park carving ski! |
Supershapes are on my list too.
Would like to try the BCs but worry they wouldn't be different enough from my Volkl Yumis
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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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| mrssneak wrote: |
I definitely chuckled at that one (Assuming you're ok now)? I might wait on the proper racers then... |
Yes, all ok thanks. Bruised ribs and even more bruised ego was the only damage.
For me, the level down from "true" SL skis is definitely a better option. My teenage son, who is same weight as you, uses the same skis I do (Head 155cm i.SLR) and he's a very strong skier and racer; most of his compatriots are on FIS skis but he finds the level down works well.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@mrssneak, the only skis that I believe have similar attributes to the Mirus Cor are the Line Sakana (105mm waist/15M rad) and the narrower Line Blade W (92mm waist/Tight rad) but with massive shovels they're prob more off than on piste - Cor is meant to be a short turn beast!
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You all have given me loads to think about, thank you all!
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@mrssneak,
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I used to Tele back in Uni!
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Fancy another go?
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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 wrote: |
@mrssneak,
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I used to Tele back in Uni!
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Fancy another go? |
Unpeels self from desk.... Runs to the gym to do 300million lunges..... can't walk the next day...... rinse and repeat for several months..... ok now I'm ready!
I used to race Nordic many MANY moons ago, so freeing my heel wasn't quite as scary -- that was fun too, but I'd rather be ON the mountain. I'd like to do it again but need to really focus on the conditioning. Might get there this year though, trying to run a couple of XC (MTB) races.
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@mrssneak, Hmmm, with new (NTN) stuff it's not nearly as tiring as it used to be, and much much more fun ON the mountain... I have some spare kit if you fancy a go in the summer. I'm in East Sussex too.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| ski wrote: |
| @mrssneak, Hmmm, with new (NTN) stuff it's not nearly as tiring as it used to be, and much much more fun ON the mountain... I have some spare kit if you fancy a go in the summer. I'm in East Sussex too. |
Cool! Have sent you a DM (I think ).
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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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 Well done! Replied
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FAQ
