A Peter quote regarding wide skis that I had never considered.

[Hoontasan]

Jim & Ron I appreciate your comments. What I'm looking for in a new ski is one that I can literally take all over the mountain. I know that such a ski is not going to be optimal for extreme conditions (ice / deep powder) but I rarely see these conditions. For deep powder I will continue to rent skis as I don't see that many of those days (unfortunately). I really liked the Mantras I rented at Alta/Snowbird last year. I live on the east but ski half my days in Vermont and half out west. As for me, I'm in my late 40's and have been skiing for 35 years. I'm 5' 9" and 172 lbs. I'm in pretty decent shape, good core strength/conditioning, run about 20-25 miles per week, do some moderate weight training. I generally prefer a medium to medium-stiff ski. I find that softer skis don't give me the stability I like as I do tend to enjoy higher speeds. I like the moguls occasionally as well but don't spend all day in them like when I was in my younger days. I've tried the i.M72 and found them to be too soft, although they were great in the moguls. The i.M77 I demoed was much better for my type of skiing. The last couple of years I've been skiing my older Volkl P40 Platinum skis for high speed GS turns but they are terrible in even moderate crud/chop. The other ski I've been on the last couple of years (and ski mostly) are the Atomic R:11 Puls titanium. These are much better in all around conditions. They aren't as good as the P40's for GS type skiing but they are pretty good in crud and boot high powder. They are also good in the glades/trees and are manageable in the bumps, although they are a bit too stiff for good bump skiing.

[Ron]

Your in great shape, and I can see why you don't like the 72.

Try the:

82  (172)  bindings forward if on RFII
Atomic Metrom M11/b5 new one  (170)
Elan magfire 12  (170- not sure if I'm off by a couple MM)
Supershape  (170)  FF bindings

These are stiff but not overly stiff skis. I think you may be suprised by the supeshape if you like to carve and don't spend all day in th trees and on bumps.

[Gary]

Hoontasan, my philosophy in circumstances like yours would be to think about a ski you could ski up to boot high powder without worry, something that handles ice, crud, and some bumps well.

Me, I'm 5'81/2, 155lbs and ski the Fischer Rx 8's for the above conditions in a 170 length. For snow deeper than that, I had the IM 77's and now the IM 82's.

The Super Shape Ron mentioned is another great choice....and maybe the Elan Rip Stick.

These skis have a waist of 66 mm and provided quick turning, stability and versatility.

Give em a shot...you might be pleasantly surprised!

Gary

[Hoontasan]

Gary, I've tried the Head Super Shape. It loves to carve but I found that its significant side cut did not lend itself well in the moguls. Though overall, a great ski.  I actually found the RX8 to be more versatile and better in the bumps. I haven't tried the Rip Stick but should do that. But I must admit that I'm not big on slalom type skis anymore. I skied them for many years. I really prefer a GS ski on groomers. My Volkls are 6 years old but they are still a blast to ski. Mine are 188cm. There is no top end for me on that ski but of course it is terrible off the groomers. What I really want is a ski that will perform well in crud, chop, deeper snow and perhaps occasional bumps although I ski them less and less as time passes.

[Ron]

I would put that Magfire 12 and the Atomic xi/5 on top of the list, followed by the 82 and the volkl AC3

[Gary]

Hoontasan, I've been giving that Dynastar Contact 9 a good hard look...

122-68-102....

Now the Contact 10 and 11 specs are 122-72-102

The 9 got a very good review. It's not too wide for good quick turn initiaition but maybe offer a bit more versatility for what you're looking for.

Ron has also suggested some great skis...I just don't think they are as quick turning as the narrower waisted skis...well maybe except the Atomic...but you give up other things with that ski.

Still, I'm personally sold on the versatility of the Fischer RX8....but if I was looking, that Contact 9 would be on my list of skis to try.

Let us know what you test and what your thoughts are....it's just around the corner!

Best,
Gary

[Ron]

The? magfire 116/76/102 (17.9m) the 82 actually has the same radius, the Atomic l 170 (15m?124/76/108) As Gary the Gear Guru so correctly pointed out, the Atomic may very well be a top contender. The Ac3 is a bit over 18m. Another volkl I foget about is the AC4, that's a nice ski as well. Another good one is the Dynastar 11. I think at your size, this is better dynastar.

[jim-ratliff]

I really prefer a GS ski on groomers. My Volkls are 6 years old but they are still a blast to ski. Mine are 188cm. There is no top end for me on that ski but of course it is terrible off the groomers. What I really want is a ski that will perform well in crud, chop, deeper snow and perhaps occasional bumps although I ski them less and less as time passes.

Hoontasan:

I think you should probably give some thought to the Volkl Supersport All-Star.? From what I have heard they are a tremendous ski (if you like volkls), and really are quite good all over the mountain even though the waist is only 70mm.? Less sidecut than many, and therefore more of the GS profile that you are looking for, and obviously you like the Volkl feel.? Doesn't sound like it would be too much ski for your skills.? Bumps might be the weak point of the ski, but should still be better in bumps than the P60's.

Peter's 1 ski quiver recommendation from Volkl for three different levels of skier (pro, expert, strong).? A similar recommendation would be prior years Supersport Superspeed (not exactly the same ski, but similar description and overall excellence)

The Allstar received both the greatest number of test cards?meaning it was number one in retailer interest?and, along with Head's Monster 88 and the Atomic metron B5, the most positive comments overall. Volkl comes up with, to quote more than one test skier, "A true winner!" Versatile, excels at medium to long radius "instructor" turns on the front side and, as another skier said, "The more energy you put into it, the more perrformance you get.". Even makes a good masters GS @182. Would fit well in All Mountain Cruiser group; an amazing ski.

[Hoontasan]

Jim,
I'll check out the Supersport All-Star as well and report back on impressions.

[Ron]

I suggested the wider skis due to your description of wanting more crud busting ability due to more loose snow skiing. If you don't want that , then by all means go narrower, but if you are using it as a one quiver ski and plan to be on the groomed more, then the all-star, RX8, Elan Ripstick, elan Speedwave 14 or the Supershape will be the ticket.

[Hoontasan]

Ron,
Your suggestions are more in line with what I am looking for. I will not be purchasing a ski with a 70mm waiste for the purpose that I orignially stated in this thread. I'll demo some of them for curiosity but I know they will not satisfy my criteria. I just sold my Atomic R11's the other day which were 70mm. They were pretty good in crud but not as good as what I really want. Their carving characteristics were adequate but not nearly as good as skis like the RX8. I pretty sure the I'll end up with something in the high 70 low 80 mm range. By the way, I did demo the new AC4 last spring. IMO it is not a good off piste ski as it has too much side cut. It's more of a carver even though it has a 82mm waiste. It ripped surprisingly well on groomers, but why buy an 82mm waisted ski for groomers? It doesn't make sense to me as a narrower waisted ski will perform better on piste.

[Hoontasan]

Hoontasan, I've been giving that Dynastar Contact 9 a good hard look...

122-68-102....

Now the Contact 10 and 11 specs are 122-72-102

The 9 got a very good review. It's not too wide for good quick turn initiaition but maybe offer a bit more versatility for what you're looking for.

Ron has also suggested some great skis...I just don't think they are as quick turning as the narrower waisted skis...well maybe except the Atomic...but you give up other things with that ski.

Still, I'm personally sold on the versatility of the Fischer RX8....but if I was looking, that Contact 9 would be on my list of skis to try.

Let us know what you test and what your thoughts are....it's just around the corner!

Best,
Gary

Gary,
According to the Dynastar site the Contact 9 is designed for on piste skiing.

[Ron]

You may want to look at the Dynastar 8000 as well.

thanks!

[Gary]

Hoontasan,
I think that word "designed for" is misleading.

I know guys like myself that take their 65 - 70mm waisted skis slicing up the groomers, dicing up the bumps, shssing through the boot high, and stomping through the crud.

I think the shovel, waist and tail on the Contact will provide much more versatiliy than their home site states.

Sure did for my RX8's.

Best,
Gary

[Ron]

Gary is correct but I think he may just like the feel of wider skis. Keep in mind he did demo the 77 and like that a lot. For you and me (and I think Michael) we are very comfortable with the RX8 and SS but some like that SUV feeling when flying through the crap. Nothing wrong with that, just different feel.