 Poster: A snowHead
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I am considering purchasing a pair of ski's rather than renting for my holiday this year and am very confused as to where to start (other than by colour but as I kayaker I know that I should not buy expensive kit based on colour alone!).
I am 5ft 4 and weigh around 61kg. I am happy and competent skiing on red pistes and can do blacks when the snow conditions are good (the fluffier the better). I love skiing when there is powder. I generally ski in the Alps. I don't tend to head off piste as I am not usually insured to do so (unless with an instructor which is not often). I tend to freak out a lot when the conditions are icy, though after freaking out and lots of side slipping I can get down!. I have been skiing once a year for the past 8 or so years and skied when I was at school (but that was pre-carver skis!).
I would like skis that give me some confidence when the conditions are bad (i.e. that can handle the conditions so I can think about myself rather than them - I hired a pair of skis that did just this a few years ago and other than being K2's I did not think to write down which type they were  ). I doubt that I will start doing anytihng like parks or extreme off piste skiing so they don't need to be able to worry about that. Otherwise they need to be suitable for zoming (safely!) down blue runs, cruising on red runs and a nervous trip down blacks. I understand from friends and instructors that my skiing ability is better in reality than my head thinks it is!
Which skis would people suggest I start looking at (other than the K2 Superfrees - which are very pretty!)? Once I have a shortlist I hope to be able to try some at Xscape in MK.
Thanks for your help.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Munchkin, Welcome to Snowheads. I guess if you're going to demo at MK you'll be limited to whatever Ellis Brigham stock. If you do a search on their site they stock about 15 different All Mountain/All Mountain Carve skis. One I would suggest you try are the Blizzard Viva 7.4 IQ + IQ LC 10 http://www.ellis-brigham.com/products/viva-74-iq--iq-lc-10-viva/6175 I've the men's equivalent and my daughter has the next model up, they really helped her skiing.
Last edited by Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person on Fri 28-12-12 17:04; edited 1 time in total
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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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| Munchkin wrote: |
| I am considering purchasing a pair of ski's rather than renting for my holiday this year and am very confused as to where to start (other than by colour but as I kayaker I know that I should not buy expensive kit based on colour alone!). |
I bought a pyranha inazone based on its colour. Bile green. Wonderful boat, everyone loved her. Was v sad when had to sell, and the colour proved popular. Colour is everything. My skis are red.
That doesn't help.
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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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Claude B - thank you. Will look at them. If some skis are highly recommended I am prepared to take a bit of a gamble (especially if they are in the sales rather than full price) so I would welcome suggestions that are not necessarily stocked by Ellis Bringham.
OliviaDB - I bought my Sonic 9without trying) because it was purple. Fortunately it was a gamble that paid off!!!
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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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Munchkin, Have a look at the Salomon Enduros. They are all mountain and excellent on piste. I didn't really try them in powder, but if you get the chance, have a bash. I am the same height and weight as you, and I was using the 160cm which seemed about right.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Munchkin, are you thinking of branching onto off-piste? If not, really no point getting all mountain skis. Narrower piste skis will be better, especially to help you with your problems with ice.
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I'm a blizzard fan but I prefer the black pearls, they are wider than the viva's but still capable of holding an edge, much more fun in softer snow than the vivas, so if you venture onto side of piste and like it fluffy then I think the BPs are a better fit. When it gets to spring skiing they will deal better with the crud and softer conditions too.
I have my eyes on the mens version the Bushwacker as I am a lot taller and heavier than you. I only include that statement because some of the men reading will know the bushwacker capabilities rather than the black pearls and may be able to comment appropriately.
As a piste ski I enjoyed the K2 burnin luv, think now the superburnin? Might be one of them you tried? 
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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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Got the K2 superfrees last year and think they're great- I'm about your level too.
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K2 Burnin Love or whatever it is called now; hard to beat
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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My OH is also on Blizzard Vivas, she loves them. Blizzard skis are not such a well known brand in the UK hence, great value. Very highly rated in Europe. 
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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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Munchkin, have a look at the Volkl Fuegos - I've had mine for 4 yrs, and still love them. Good on all pistes (incl ice  ) and ok for dabbling off piste.
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Love my Volkl Fuegos too but not available this season. Volkl has changed their women's ski range a fair bit & this season they are generally wider & all have rocker.
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You know it makes sense.
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I also have K2 Superfree and highly recommend them
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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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| Munchkin wrote: |
OliviaDB - I bought my Sonic 9without trying) because it was purple. Fortunately it was a gamble that paid off!!! |
Yep colour is the most important thing when buying skis, if the colours wrong then they are going to be wrong...period!
Not tried many K2s, the ones I've tried have been easy on the body, but a lady instructor I know swears by them, she said they will always look after you!
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Poster: A snowHead
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FAQ
Those Blizzards are only 74mm.
