Clearly you need my Nordica Blowers!!
Seriously, the skis you mention are all good. I am a huge fan of the IM 78's. These are great all mountain skis and they can do anything. They carve very tight turns, excellent edge hold, nimble enough to ski bumps, and they float enough to ski a foot of fresh. I like tighter turns and I like skis with tighter radii, so even at 6 3" 185, I ski the 78's in the 171cm length. These skis can be had for around $400 new without bindings and $400 used with demo bindings. You can buy an LD 12 for $110 or a FF17 for $140 if you want a burlier and heavier binding. This is a great ski, and I find it much more versatile and user freindly than the IM 82 or the IM 88. If you are definitely going to have a 2 ski quiver with a dedicated powder/crud ski, this ski is ideal as your do everything ski on non powder days (and I ski this ski in a foot of fresh and enjoy as much or more than a fat ski).
I aslo own some Watea 84's and they are fun skis and also quite versatile. They have more of a soft snow bent, and they don't carve as well on hard snow. In general I am not crazy about theri harder snow performance, but they are a blast in anything soft and they incredibly light and nimble feeling. A ton of fun in soft bumps and great in trees (as are the IM 78's). I think the IM 78's are better skis.
I don't know the Dynastar or Volkl skis you mentioned. I have skied the IM 82, think GS turns and incredible stability, great crud buster, lacks versatility IMO as they are quite stiff and if your fore aft balance wavers, these will throw you. Sizing was also an issue in these until this year where the only two choices were 172 and 182. They have now added a 177 length. Also available at decent prices from a variety of shops on ebay.
If you PM me your email address I will send you pics of the blowers if you care.
Home
Login
Register