 Poster: A snowHead
|
Hi
I've had about 5 weeks of ski holidays and ski mainly blues, and the occasional easy reds. I don't think I have any desire really to do more than this - I like skiing for a few hours each day and then on to the apres ski!! I don't think anyone will ever get me on a black. I don't really venture off piste unless I get lost.
Anyway, I've previously used unisex skis I bought after my first holiday from Decathlon. They are their shorter skis (130cm) and I want to buy some new skis that perhaps suit me more (instead of buying the pretty ones...  and I have a bit more money to spend this time.
Any advice on what skis to buy? I presume it's best to go for the lady specific ones out now? I am 5ft 1 and weigh more than I should. I want some skis that will allow me to progress slightly as I want them to last if I do get a bit better.
Advice on which skis to go for, as well as what size, would really be appreciated. I went to one local shop and I think they were trying to sell me what they had in stock as the guy didn't ask me any questions about my ability etc.
Budget wise I didn't really want to go over £300.
If anyone has got any advice on new boots too, that would be great. I've seen some Dalbello Ladies Raya 8 on the skiwear4less website at a good price, but have never heard of the make.
Thanks guys!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
jujules, I don't know where you are in the West Midlands, but you could try going to the indoor snow slope at Milton Keynes where you could test skis from Ellis Brigham (I gather that if you buy a pair after your session they will refund the cost of you slope time at Snozone, although I'm not sure how long that is). Another option might be Snow and Rock at Hemel Snow Centre. 
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
Sorry, just realized you also mentioned boots. Nearly everyone on here loves CEM at Bicester! I can't comment as I bought my boots (from Ellis Brigham at MK) before I heard of him. I would definitely recommend getting them properly fitted though.
PS: Welcome to snowHeads
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
Thanks Iski - I live in Birmingham but might make a trip to Milton Keynes and Bicester if they're good as it's only just over an hour away. The only problem is that I am going away on March 20th and have had a shoulder operation recently so can't ski yet, so won't be able to try anything!! Not ideal, I know.
I am only thinking about getting them before I can test them because quite a few places have said that they don't get many more deliveries in, and as I probably need short skis I should get them sooner rather than later.
Not sure if that is just sales pitch tho
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
I believe there's a shop somewhere near Birmingham (might be in Wolverhampton) called White Mountain... I've never used it myself but I've heard good things about knowledgeable staff and good service. Might be worth dropping in there to see if they can help.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
Atomic cloud 9, very light ski, good to progress on, excellant reviews - looks good as well
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
jujules, welcome to SH! There are several lady snowheads who refer to themselves as "pixies"  and hopefully some of them will be along to advise you. Maybe it'd be worth amending your thread title to point out you're seeking advice on skis for a small lady?
Just another random thought - I wonder if the shops where you're going on holiday might have plenty of stock in the right size and allow you to hire and then buy if you like them, with the hire price deducted? Where are you going? Someone here will almost certainly have local knowledge.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
jujules, As regards the length of skis, I am only just 5'2", don't have my own skis, but have been quite happy skiing on hire or test ones varying from 140cm to 155cm in length so it could be that there is more choice available to you than previously seemed to be the case.
Butterfly,'s suggestion of trying/buying some when you are on holiday also seems a good idea.
I tried the Atomic cloud 9 that thebrownslug, mentioned at a ski test at Milton Keynes and liked them.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
My wife has the new cloud 9, she loves them and always gets comments on them when on the lifts!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
jujules, hiya, I'm a gal who seems to prefer ladies specific skis too. I've no idea on the science of it all, I just seem to be able to control them better. I've been to a couple of testing sessions at indoor snowdomes (maybe you're not far from Tamworth?) and all the skis that made it on to my shortlist were ladies ones.
I ended up with a pair of Rossignol Attraxion Style 6, very kindly sold to me by another snowhead. However, in your price range I believe you could buy the 'less advanced model' Rossignol Attraxion 3 brand new. But I would suggest you try before you buy, different skis seem to suit different people's skiing styles.
I'm not a small gal so can't help you on the length front, but there's plenty of good advice here already.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
jujules, White Mountain have shops in Walsall and Wolverhampton and are, indeed, very good. Ask for Clive at Wolverhampton.
As I am married to one of the aforementioned Pixies I can tell you that Bev has just upgraded to Head Every Ones though those are a bit top-end for your experience level. Head Cool Ones might suit. I would say length wise you need about 150cm. Linds is another Pixie and she (when not stuck at Gatwick) skis on 152 Atomic Nomad Crimsons (I think) which are a bit all-mountainy for you.
You need to try some out. All the skis mentioned so far are great as is the Rossignol Zephyr says Bev. Beware the ski that is a bit too stiff and narrow for you. You need Intermediate level skis.
Application for Pixie status can be made at any snowHead bash.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
Hi, I'm new here
I recently bought some Head First skis and Salomon Divine 6 boots. I hadn't skied properly since I broke my leg in 1990, but last year went to Kranjska Gora to see if I wanted to do it again. I did, but spent the whole week with sore feet from rented boots, so vowed never to do it ever again in someone else's boots! 
I had no idea what I wanted when I went into the shop - Two Seasons, Northampton - but the sales assistant knew what she was talking about and fitted the boots well, (with additional insoles.) I looked at all the skis and for my budget, the Head ones seemed the best for my budget. I am not a complete beginner, but need easy skis which are going to give me confidence as it's all a bit scary still.
I think the best thing is to go into the shop and sort of forget about budget as much as you can. Proper fitting is worth a great deal I reckon. I would have paid £100 more than I did on rental costs just to make sure everything fitted properly so I wouldn't spend the week in pain  I managed to get both skis and boots, including insoles for £370. You may need to spend more if you're a bit better though.
The funny thing is Jules, I am booked to go to Serre Chevalier on March 20th and I also had a shoulder operation in October. 
Good Luck!
Clare
xx
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
Thanks Chris, should I mention I've got a helmet though? 
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
Jules,
My shoulder is fine, just a few twinges every now and then. Had arthroscopy to take the end of my clavicle off due to a sprain in March last year. It caused a cyst which was removed 
Completely snapped my tib/fib and had 6 months in plaster after 5 weeks in hospital. Makes skiing a scary experience, but really want to overcome the fear, there's nothing physical stopping me!
Sounds like you're all set up now. Where are you off on the 20th March?
xx
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
