Greetings.
I'm aware that the site is predominantly our friends in the U.S but I'm hoping that you can help me with ski selection for European conditions (hoping to go to the states next year).
I've skied for 4 weeks over the past couple of years and will be going again in March. I'm looking to purchase my first skiis prior to then and could do with some advice. I'm 5'10 about 185lb athletically built.
In the past I've been happy to zip about on reds and groomed blacks racing my friends(occasionally zipping off piste) but I want to get rid of the skids technique and learn carving asap. Towards the end of my last trip I decided to try and found the edges fairly quickly,it was a different experience,v. strange,but I had to leave for home. Now I want to learn and will take some carving lessons.
What ski should I purchase?? I want something for 80% on piste carving on hard pack and powder and 20% for a quick blast off piste.
I've been looking at:
Atomic Metron m10
Atomic Izors 9.7 and 7.5 (atomics easy to get hold of in uk)
Atomic sx9 and sx10
Head Monster IM 72
Are these suitable for my level? should I look at something else? also what lengths should I look at? Whenever I go people appear to be skiing on shorter and shorter skiis! I'm told it's easier to carve on shorter skiis, is this correct? should I go for 160's instead of 168's/170's if this is the case,is there a compromise?
Thanks for your help.
Andy