Returning to skiing need advice for new skis

[shadogang]

Hello all,
I am returning to skiing after a few years off (15 - KIDS). I have started to ski at my local hill and am currently using a pair of Rossi Bandits 177cm(borrowed). As this is my first experiance with the new shaped ski, i am looking for suggestions for some skis.
When i left skiing, I had Rossi STS series 2 in 195cm and was going to buy longer. Now I understand that with the new shaped skis everyone is going shorter. I would say I was an advanced intermediate skier, that is I would ski all terrain, but bumps were more challanging for me.
I live in the east (New Hampshire), and would like a ski that would cover the whole mountain.
I am 6' @ 230lbs and would appreciate any comments.
Thanks

[Mac]

Where in NH do you ski most? Do you prefer any particular brand? Do you like a wider waisted ski for all conditions, or would you prefer a narrower waisted ski that would be better on ice and would be a better choice to improve on your carving technique? Are you looking to buy new, used, or maybe a leftover pair from last season? I live in Rhode Island, but I'm in NH frequently, so if you give me some info, I can help to point you in the right direction.

[shadogang]

I am volunteering with the local Patrol at Pat's Peak. Small mountain, but it is close to home which makes it real handy. I have been looking at Fischer (Progressor's, AMC 76, RX9) The skis I am using have a narrower waist and I was thinking I might like a wider waist. Something that would work well in most conditions Crud, Fresh, Groomed. As for new used or left over, it does not make a difference to me just looking for a good deal.
Thanks

[Mac]

Fischer makes a nice ski, but tend to be on the lighter side, as they employ a number of different ways to lighten the cores of their skis. I haven't skied all the skis they make, but from what I can tell, that same lightness makes them not as stable in crud, and perhaps not as suitable for a bigger guy. Just my opinion though, someone else may have a totally different take on that. I personally am partial to Head and Elan skis, I have found them to be quite durable, and more suited to larger people (wood cores, metal laminate). Nordica makes a beefy ski, too (also made by Elan), I am told the Elan and Nordica skis feel more similar know than in the past. I am not real fond of Volkl, Rossi, Salomon, etc. I have had durability issues with all of them. If you are only going to have one pair, and are looking for a ski that handles all conditions, you are probably going to be happy with something in the 74-82 waist dimension category. The Head im78 and iM82, the Elan Magfire 12, Nordica Top Fuel all come to mind that would be suitable for a bigger guy. I personally would prefer a narrower waisted ski (68-72) for an everyday ski here in the East, something in the cross category, ala the Head XRC line, Elan Speedwave and Fusion Pro, Nordica Mach series, etc, but I seem to be in the minority on that subject. I'm not familiar with any ski shops around Pats, but I know that Rodger's Ski Shop in Lincoln carries most of the models that I mentioned and have them set up to demo. Once you find something that you like, let me know, there are plenty of deals to be had out there. Good luck.

[Ken]

6', 230#, advanced intermediate. You might be on anything from 170 to 180-something depending on the internal construction of the ski.

1--$20 spent for a subscription to Peter Keelty's techsupportforskiers.com is money very well spent. Peter has the best ski reviews I've seen.

2--Use Peter's review to make a list of skis to demo. The difference between different excellent skis on your feet or on my feet is sometimes huge. The difference between the longest ski in a line and one size shorter is sometimes huge.

3--Get ready for end-of-season sales of shops' demo skis. I've gotten excellent skis at significant savings.

[rlspalding]

I will soon have a pair of used 2008 Head iSuperShapes w/ the FF14 bindings @ 175cm for sale if your interested. I wouldnt be able to get them to you until mid - March.

Technically, right now they are brand spanking new. Although I leave next week for a month long ski trip in Korea and they are the only pair of skis I brought with me.

The only reason I will be getting rid of them is apparently they are too long

I discussed skis with my instructor and he though 165-175 would be a good length for my weight and skiing. So I went out and bought the 175 cm...dont know why...anyways after some discussion with HH, he thinks the 175 would be too big for me.

I am 5' 8" @ 185 (I was 195 when I bought the skis )

You can read what people think about these skis further down on the gear discussions.

[Icanski]

rl
I am 5-10 and 180 and I am on the 165 SS. I love them. They work really well at that size in everything I can throw at them, or perhaps I should say: everything I throw them at!
My other skis are Stockli racing Laser SC in a 177. I need to be flying at mach 2 to get much out of them. So I advise you to go to the shorter 165-168 or so size. The width of the shovel and tail compensate for the length. I at first felt a bit odd on the shorter skis, but now it feels odd to be on the longer ones.
Icanski

[François]

Here's a pair I would buy if my wife wasn't already mad at me for buying too many skis.

http://listings.ebay.ca/_W0QQsocmdZList ... arch&fgtp=

[rlspalding]

So I advise you to go to the shorter 165-168 or so size. The width of the shovel and tail compensate for the length. I at first felt a bit odd on the shorter skis

Yea, my old pair were size 155cm so 165 wont seem too small...lol
Unfortunately I bought these skis and the arrived the day I left to be overseas for 3 months. Now, the 175cm SS are the only skis I packed with me and so I'll probably use them for the 1 month of skiing I have coming next week! and then sell them used when I get back...
Its poor money management, but my loss will be someone's gain..as long as they weigh 220...lol

Your link didnt work Francois...it just went to a Head search page on ebay.