 Poster: A snowHead
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Well hello fellow snow heads - tis unusual for me to be thinking about the white stuff so early in the year, but didn't manage to get a summer hol this year so looking forward even more to some winter sports!
Right, what I'm after are some ideas for skis I could consider looking at. I already have my own boots (Atomic womens M80) which I'm happy with; wasn't necessarily going to buy skis just yet, although the idea of having some of my own that I know I enjoy and eliminating the element of chance when hiring is very appealing. However, I have my PhD viva coming up in a few weeks time, and my lovely partner has promised (and I intend to hold him to it!) that if I pass he will buy me some skis! I just know that if I go somewhere (S&R in Gateshead is closest) to look at skis I will get all tongue tied in front of the staff and come across like some girly girl who doesn't know what she wants.
I am 5'4" and about 10 st (hoping to reduce that to 9-9.5 eventually...I have put weight on whilst sat on my back bottom writing my thesis). I'm not a massive off-pister (esp. as none of the people I normally ski with are mad keen on it either), but I would like to know I'm not going to sink in a bit of powder - last year there was a fab day where it just snowed and snowed so even the pistes had at least a foot of powder and I found it really hard going - prob me as much as the skis - and I also want something nice and grippy as I can sometimes lose my confidence a bit on very hard snow. I've skied 5 weeks so far and am happy (well, I hardly ever fall over  ) on blues and most reds; never done a black but I think I might be ok if no one told me it was black! My first week included 5 mornings of group beginner lessons; my instructor seemed really impressed with my quick progress but I know I would benefit from more lessons - may happen this year as for once I will have an actual job to pay for them! I hired some Salomon X-wing (possibly 8 or 10s???) the year before last which I enjoyed; I like my mother-in-law's 2005 Salomon Scramblers too. Can't recall exact lengths - X-wings may have been 160-164ish, and MIL is a bit taller than me but her skis didn't feel too long.
We usually go to the same small place in La Plagne at least once a year, as my partner's parents have an apartment there. His dad spends most of the season out in France and is happy to cart our equipment about in his X-trail, so I won't really have to worry about paying for ski carriage unless we decide to go somewhere else for a change.
Sorry for rambling, I just want someone to give me some ideas for ski porn I can look at to distract me from viva prep....
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Are you looking for a woman specific ski or are you open to all? From your brief I would suggest an all-mountain ski that's 70/30, on/off piste.
Do you want a 09/10 ski or would you be happy to settle for something from previous seasons that's a bit cheaper?(I noticed you are a student like me  )
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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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new ski addict, I am a little anti-Salomon as I find them a bit dull. But I rather like Rossignol which don't get a universally good press. You might want to think about the Rossi Zenith or Volkl AC series.
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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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Hey, just bumping this up - thanks for the advice so far!
Well I did pass my viva so OH is still thinking of treating me to some skis (hence student status not a particular problem - I'm working now anyway - but obv don't want to go for something v expensive if not necessary). However I think I'll be able to borrow the MIL's scramblers again this season if I don't end up getting any of my own. She is a teacher so can only get away during Christmas hols/half term, meaning we are hardly ever in Montchavin at the same time (unfortunately - I like skiing with her!)
I popped into Snow & Rock in Gateshead (to recover from a mission to Ikea) and asked for their recommendations. The chap I spoke to was obviously confining himself to models they had in stock, but I was still interested in what he had to say. He said he thought the True Luv might be a bit low level for me to progress on (in their catalogue it's listed as a very 'beginner' ski) and suggested Lotta Luv, or the Volkl Attiva Estrella if I want something more piste-orientated. He also agreed with you that I should go for something around 154 in length. I like the sound of the versatility of the Lotta Luvs, but made a point of saying I didn't want anything that would be too hard for me to handle - he said they weren't. Do you find them really good pollitcl? And how maneuverable are they really on piste?
I also think the Free Luvs sound interesting as a bit more of a halfway house between very piste-y and all-mountain, but the S&R chap didn't mention them, prob as there weren't any in the Gateshead store. I'm also strangely drawn to the Scott Mayas... anyone have/like those? Part of their appeal is that they are apparently quite light; keep hearing people say K2 are v heavy, and I am a weakling!
Obviously it would be best if I could go to test some different models, but I can't make the Ellis Brigham demo day at Castleford, and all the other Xscape venues are a bit far away for me to visit for the day. Also difficult to do stuff like that at the mo due to OH's crappy A&E shifts - he seems to be working most weekends and I don't really want to go ski testing by myself (or do a 6 hour round trip to Glasgow with no co-pilot!)
Again any opinions v much appreciated 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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new ski addict, you sound quite similar to me. I'm happiest on red runs but have been known to enjoy an easy black. I don't ski off piste but have experienced plenty of different conditions on piste from fresh powder to mashed potato to icy hardpack. I'd seek a ski that can cope with all of that, as you never quite know what you're going to get. I had Salomon Street Racer hire skis last season which I didn't like much. They didn't have good edges and felt a bit flappy at speed. However, I've done a couple of demo sessions at indoor slopes this summer and the following skis made it on to my shortlist:
Fischer Koa 78
Scott Rosa
Rossignol Attraxion VI Style
Storm Inferno
I tried K2 Free Luv and didn't like them. They felt really heavy and clumpy and didn't turn the way I'd want them to. I also wasn't over-keen with Rossignol Bandit S, they felt a bit vague and not so easy to control.
However, one girl's nectar is another girl's poison and all that.
If money was no object, I'd have the new Fischers without question, but since I'm on a rather tight budget I'm quite keen on a pair of minimally-used secondhand Rossignol Attraxion VIs.
Happy shopping and well done with the viva.
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new ski addict, I had no idea the Scott Rosas were a 'powder' ski when I tried them at Hemel. They just felt really light and stable and turned really nicely. But in fairness they probably are overkill for a piste bimbler like me.
I tried the Fischers at Tamworth which, although indoors, is quite different to Hemel. Hemel's snow is soft and feels more like fresh snow, although it does get a bit potatoey with use. The Scott Rosas were happy with the potatoey snow and equally happy with the hard bits in between. Tamworth is hardpack all over, no soft snow and lots of icy patches. It's a good place to test a ski's edge hold and stability at speed. I immediately loved the Fischers because of this, but obviously haven't had a chance to try them in softer snow. However, judging by all the reviews, they are just as good in soft conditions and are described as being a very versatile all-mountain ski.
Newcastle is tricky really, you're in between Castleford and Braehead I suppose. But both have shops that would be willing to let you try their demo fleet. It doesn't have to be a demo session, it's just a bit easier if it is as all the skis are out on the slope and ready for you rather than back and forth from shop to slope.
Personally, now I have tried several different skis and got a bit of a feel for what I like and don't like I do feel more informed to make a decision. I do know that Ellis Brigham refund the cost of your session if you demo their skis and end up buying a pair, so might be a good investment and a fun day trip for you to go and try before you buy?
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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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new ski addict, no advice but good luck with your viva, I've got mine at the end of next month and still can't believe I managed to write a thesis!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Ah, Swirly, I had mine last month (this thread was started ages ago); I know how you feel - still can't believe I passed! Thesis is being hard bound as we type... Anyway, just want to say don't worry, it will NOT be as bad as you think. I know everyone says that, but it's true. Mine was 2 3/4 hours and it felt like about half an hour - actually kind of enjoyed discussing my work with 2 interested people. I'm now in a job which has nothing to do with my PhD and I *really* miss it, so enjoy the last part of it as much as you can - it will be over before you know it.
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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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Cathy, yep I would love to get to one of the EB ski tests - can't go to the Castleford one due to a prior engagement, debating whether I can drive to Braehead and back in a day by myself (OH on nights that weekend so will be asleep)... thinking it may not be a v sensible idea.
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My wife had a pair of Lotta Luvs. She's a good skier, increasingly venturing off piste. The k2's are Big heavy, damped skis. Good on piste, really tough to manouevre off piste. She fell out of love with them and got some Dynastar exclusive Legend Powders. She's much happier with them. Much lighter, livelier and wider. I Imagine exclusive legend is a more piste oriented slimmer version.
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You know it makes sense.
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bobinch, thanks for that, not liking the sound of the Lotta Luvs so much now... If I wanted just a piste ski I'd get something narrower than them I think.
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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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One of the other girls we ski with has movement spicy which she loves. Definitely try before you buy though. It won't take long to know what you like and what you don't.
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FAQ
) But as you say it's such a personal thing. I like the sound of the Fischer Koas as well, but only from descriptions. Why did you love them so much when you tried them? 
