NOT your typical "what ski to buy" question

[Scott K]

In my never ending attempt to over analize everything, I have returned to a very basic question. What ski should I buy next?

I currently have Fischer Rx4's @ 165cm - they were great for me when I was learning, as an alternative to renting. I have access to Rx8's and have skied them a few times, although they are 5cm too long.

I am 5'9", 180 pounds and dropping, athletic, improving skier. I starting skiing at 39 years old, I am now 42. I ski almost exclusively in the Catskills (Windham, Hunter, Plattekill, and Belleayre) and the Berkshires (Jiminy, Catamount, Butternut). I occasionally 2-3x per year end up in VT. I am a front side blues, easy black skier. I like carving and fairly aggressive cruising (I am not much for just sitting back). I have no interest at all in moguls and if and when I come across a powder day (3 to date so far) I go for it where I can.

My friends, two of whom are excellent skiers, tell me to get an all mountain ski because it will be more fersatile, since I am a one ski quiver guy. The local shops are steering me towards either an aggressive carver or an all mountain carver - depending upon which shop I go to.

finally - for my question - what kind of ski should I be looking for, based on my criteria - front side performance carver...ie Rx8 or Volkl 6* type ski or an all mountain carver biased towards the front side ...ie Contact 9, Magfire 10, Rossi Z9?

I do not need a particular ski to look for, just the type of ski to look for.

Thank you in advance,

Scott

[jim-ratliff]

this could trigger a bit of debate.  My opinion.  Buy the ski for what you do 90% of the time.  For you,that sounds like
East Coast groomed snow carving, so I would stay with a slalom footprint and a waist width of less than 70mm. 

If you wanted more versatility to use the same ski when skiing Western Mountain froomed trails then you could go another 6-8 mm wider.

A Follow-up question, however, would be whether you have invested in well fitted boots yet.  If not, then I woujld get those next and not new skis.

Eveyone, note that he has only been skiing three years before suggesting Watea 94's.

[Scott K]

Yes, I invested alot of time and a small amount of $ in well fitting Nordica Beast 10's with some custom fiting and custom footbeds.

I take a fair number of lessons per year, I consistantly score a level 6-7 (for what that is worth) when I take lessons.  No blue trail in the above mentioned places are too tough for me.  The easier blacks are okay too.  I can carve parallel turns either direction, stop either side, but I still get a bit nervous on very steep stuff and/or when the speed gets up there.  I am not really looking to breakl any speed records, i just need more ski than i have now.  A ski that handles ice and hard pack is a must, but there are times when the softer snow gets skied off to the sides or where trails meet, where the snow is mounded up and not necessarily icy or hardpack, I would also like a bit more versatility and try to venture off piste where availible, which is why I am thinking of an all mountain carver.

I just do not know where the line is drawn between a carver (say a waist less than 70mm) and an all mountain carver (with a waist of say 70-75mm) in terms of what is gained and what is lost.  I also do not what such a demanding ski that at the end of the day when I am tired, or when skiing with my children, that I cannot dial it down without getting dumped on my a$$.

I guess I am looking for a "fun" ski that is a few notches up from what I have and a little more versitile.

Suggestions?

-SCott

[Gary]

Hey Scott...choosing your ski for the majority of what and where you ski is key. Also, being honest as you are by truly understanding your current capability as a skier and where you expect to be. I also started skiing in my late 30's and understand what you're are experiencing.

Having said this, you'll want a ski that's easy to initiate turns with, I think one that has an adjustable binding. This feature allows the skier to find the sweet spot on the ski around the fore/aft balance and center of mass.

Keep in mind skis with turning radius of 14-16 meters are ideal for eastern skiing AND certainly capable of skiing powder boot high with good technique. You'll want a ski that emboldens confidence while you're improving. I THINK THIS IS CRITICAL!

Personally, I would highly reccomend the Fischer RX6 for you. That ski has plenty of forgiveness, and with your current skills, easy to initiate turns and versatile. Given your desire to improve, this ski would probably be a 2 season ski and very enjoyable to ski NOW. The RX 8 would be a 3 year ski but would require certainly more attention and stronger skill sets to enjoy.

I would hope that you would have a chance to demo both.

Expanding your search,? demo when you can but, look for a ski that you can feel arc beneath your feet, one that helps take you into the turn, one the allows you to finish the turn when YOU"RE ready and one that matches your favorite ski outfit..

Keep us informed on how things go,
Best,
Gary

[Barrettscv]

Hi Gary,

The RX4 & RX6 are nearly identical, the RX4 is actually a first generation RX6. I recommend the '07 RX8 in a 170cm.

Michael

[Gary]

Hey Michael...I know that in the past...I think it was the 2006 model of the RX 4....the ski was tested and they didn't much care for it, well except as rentals.

I put a buddy of mine on the RX6, a level 6 skier and he says he's never has felt so confident on a ski....

The other one I was thinking Scott might consider is the Contact 9.

G

[Ron]

I would vote for the RX8 as well. He is progressing and the 8 isn't a demanding ski. It will give him room to grow. I will also suggest the contact 10, Now that I have skied the contact 11, (this year its called the LTD) I am a huge proponent of this line. A truly fantastic ski.

[jim-ratliff]

I just do not know where the line is drawn between a carver (say a waist less than 70mm) and an all mountain carver (with a waist of say 70-75mm) in terms of what is gained and what is lost.?
-SCott

Scott:

Peter has a couple of excellent articles on the main web site that talk about all-mountain skis (back when wider meant 70mm) and discusses the advantages of a 66-68mm waist for gaining skills and learning to ski as opposed to the wider skis which feel easier to the casual skier because they are harder to get up on an edge and return to flat much easier, but are actually harder to use when learning skills.

The other factor, in addition to waist width, is amount of sidecut the ski has (indicated by it's turning radius).  For an eastern ski, you probably don't want a radius much greater than 14-15 while pretty 'turny' skis will be in the 11-12m radius range.  My eastern ski is a '04 Head i.SL Chip (radius of a 12?) and I think Ron/Gary are either Head SuperShapes or Fischer RX-8 (both newer than mine, but I love the versatility of mine).  Michael has a Fischer RC4?? that is almost a racing footprint, I think.  it's hard for me to keep up with his (or Ron's) current choices without looking at a recent post.

Jim

[Barrettscv]

For hard snow I will use the 165cm WC SC, 178cm Contact 11 and might get out on my sons 175cm RX8 too.

I might go for the Progressor this week too.

Michael