Message #9401

[Svend]

I would assume that 165-172 would be good lengths for Terryl's size.? What length is she skiing the Speeds at?

Terryl's Speeds are 163.? She would have no problem with a longer ski, esp. one more forgiving and with softer flex for soft snow.? FYI, she got back into skiing four years ago, after a 20 year absence, and skied her first season on 177 Volkl Carvers - stiff, sidewall construction, little sidecut -- no problem handling those, at all.

Your comments on Lynn's skis are most useful - that really helps a lot to focus in on the right width.?

However, I see little reason why you would pay much attention to east coast versatility in the Mythic Rider, just so you can use it on your local hill.? ? You've got an excellent ski for that; focus on picking the ski for the task at hand.? You don't want/need a quiver of "do it everywhere" skis.

Just to clarify, I'm not trying to replace our Speeds with another do-it-all ski.? The new skis are really to be oriented for the western conditions, but if we choose the right length, then why not be able to use it here as well? There are at least four or five days every season at our local hill when we could really use a wider crud buster.? In fact, we've stayed away from our hill on some days like that because we didn't have the right skis.? After a big snowfall, it doesn't take more than a few hours for the hill to get badly chopped up into big bumps.  We just wait a day until the groomers pack it down, and then go.

Back to width vs. length, based on the float I was able to get in knee deep snow on the Rossi Phantoms, at 80mm, 175 length, I see no reason to go much longer for a ski that is even wider than that.? Thus, a Mythic, for instance, at 178 and 88mm would be even better, but not overly long.  Bottom line, my instinct is that a ski of 85 to 90mm underfoot, and say 175 to 180 cm long, would a most versatile beast indeed.? But then, this is new territory for me, and it's great to get opinions and guidance.

I imagine that choosing a good binding is also important.? One that slides on a rail would give us the ability to move the foot back when in soft snow, and thus lighten the tip.? Am I right on this? Railflex can do this...but can any others?

Greg:? did you find the Mythic in 178 too short for deep snow? If so, what was your limit (how deep) at that length? Is the 184 still reasonably agile and quick edge-to-edge, or does it become cumbersome in tight spaces like narrow runs, etc.?