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It’s October, thinking about my ski setup.
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Semi-gumb skier here. Fitter than I am talented. My wife describes me as “not as bad as I thought you’d be”. I’m 5’9 and 136lbs My favorite skiing is tame backcountry or side country or just just plowing up the damn groomers. For years now, I did this on some old Rossignols, 80 underfoot and maybe 105 at the tips. 173 and no rocker or camber. They were heavy but I wasn’t racing anyone uphill and I enjoyed the effort. I’ve always struggled to turn. Especially on anything but groomers but even there if it’s steep enough. I assumed this was due to my form and struggled on. This spring on whim, I rented skis since I was a long way from home. It was the best I’ve ever skied. Nothing amazing but damn, I could go where I wanted and had no major concerns following people down whatever we wanted. It was a huge revelation. They we’re substantially shorter. That was the main thing. The other is that it was all downhill bindings and boots, which might have been slightly stiffer than my AT stuff. 1 run in I knew I was buying new skis this year. So here we are. My initial thought is something 95-105 underfoot. With a substantial rocker. At maybe 165. Not crazy concerned about weight. This would be my only ski, for up and down, in and out of bounds. All conditions basically. Just hoping to keep the stoke alive, cause actually having control was so much more fun than I was used to. I’d sure like to get this all together before the snow starts, so that sort of throws out the demo days idea. I do expect to improve a little, so I’m not opposed to something a wee bit advanced I can grow into. Given all that, is there a specific size range you’d suggest? Hints, tips, suggestions for what to go buy. |
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I was in a similar position a few years ago, and found there are tons of write-ups and tons of all-mountain skis in that range. I think it's hard to really figure out without actually trying them. I ended up buying some used Volkl V-werks BMT-109s. These are my go-anywhere skis, though they're a bit fat for the groomers. A bit later I bought some Rossi Exp.88Ti skis specifically for hard-pack resort days when it hasn't snowed in a couple weeks. I like how they carve and they're adaptable enough for most off-piste terrain. As you improve you might prefer longer skis -- don't go too short. |
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Start building your quiver. And take some lessons. Worth it. You Tube Lessons too. You'll need beaters for the early and late season when rocks show. Some resort skis that cross over to BC climbing. The some powder wings with BC/AT bindings. I have a pair of AT Scarpas size 9 for sale if you need. Like new in box. Dynafit bindings rock. |
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A rockered ski will feel shorter than it’s given length, so keep that in mind. Sidecut also plays a big role in turn ability. Having said that take a look at some skis factoring in the rocker, so a 175 cm ski can feel like a 160 ski, while providing much more float and stability, whereas that same ski in 160 would feel like a pair of snolerblades. Skiing is awesome. Have fun on your new sticks, and remember, it’s never just one more pair of skis, you’re going to end up with a quiver! |
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Go to a local ski shop and demo a few pairs for a day and find one that you like. Develop as a skier and you will learn what you are looking for in a ski. Blister review has the best buyers guide by a mile imo. Their reviews are spot on and they are real skiers, not some corporate hellscape that the rest of the industry has turned into. Enjoy the process! Skiing is one of the most type 1 fun activities ever! |
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Everything everyone else said is correct, but also you want a pair of Voile V6 in 163 length. Get the patterned base if you’re really going mellow and you can often just leave the skins at home (tho… it does noticeably suck on easy groomers then). |
Spider Savagewrote: My wife has Scarpa’s and they seem great. I’ve spent the last several years on some older BD’s that came from someone’s rental fleet. I just picked up a pair of 27.5 Dynafit TL8’s on a whim. I’m mulling over whether to keep them or send them back. They’ve got a Speed Nose, so they are only compatible with AT 2 spike type bindings. That’s definitely my plan for bindings, that’s what my old ones had. But that would also eliminate the possibility of using those boots on regular skis if I saw a rental or demo. I’ve read some reviews that they’re a great touring boot but fall short at the resort. I wonder if that’s true for a blue/light black skier who avoids moguls. I’m sure the reviewers are pretty skilled guys. They’re brand new and quite comfortable, a surprise given the issues my right foot has. I do believe I can use my old Cyborgs on them since they use a toe basket but honestly, that just isn’t part of the plan at all. I may actually contact you if I decide against the TL8’s. Are yours 27.5 or 28? |
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Dual reply to Ccfuchs and Spopero First off, I looked up those Voile V6’s and just like you said, they seem like exactly what I’m shopping for. If not them, definitely something like them. Let’s use last season’s rental ski trip as an example. Those rentals were probably somewhere around 158-160, basically straight and narrow. Would something barely longer like 163 on a decently rockered ski that’s wider work or like Ccfuchs said, they may handle like they’re too short? I’m 175cm tall and weigh a fair bit less than most folks my height, fwiw. With that out of the way, my other question comes down to shopping around. I’m going to do some searches for equivalents and competitors to the V6, just to educate myself a bit more before a big purchase. So I’m definitely open to suggestions of other similar specific models. |
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Yaaaaassssss, this is the content I want to see on Mtn Proj this time of year! First, yes, shorter skis will feel easier to turn. That being said, I don't know that I'd recommend dropping all the way down to a 165 at your height. Part of it may have been the length, but part of it may have also just been the shape of the ski. I think something in the high 160s up to 170 (maybe up to 172 if its a ski you like) will allow you to grow into it. One caveat to that is it's typical to go a bit shorter for your BC ski to save a bit of weight. If you are really looking for a do-it-all ski for both resort and backcountry, are you anticipating frame bindings or Shifts or similar? What is your current boot situation? Without knowing any of that info, here's my suggestion. Get good boots. Get fitted and get boots with tech inserts. There are tons of great options for boots that tour fairly well and are still great inbounds. I love my Atomic Hawx XTD's. But start with boots. EDIT: Just saw about the TLT boots. If your goal is a boot for resort and in-bounds, don't keep them. The Speed Nose won't work with regular alpine bindings, and I would not recommend skiing pin bindings in the resort. Second, I think it may be worth doing a season-long demo for in-bounds skis. Most places on the Front Range (your location says CO, so rolling with that) will do season rentals and if you do the performance level, they should be ok with you swapping skis out a few times during the season. This way, you get to try some different skis, on different days, in different conditions. You can start to figure out what you like and what you don't. When you know that, you can use Blister to find similar skis and try to pick something up used. Third, this is where it gets tricky. What do you do for touring skis? Neptune and Bent Gate rent touring stuff, but I don't think they do season-long rentals, so that isn't super economical. I'd hate to see you buy something and then not like it. Best advice, maybe buy used, if you hate it, you can probably sell it for minimal, if any, loss and try something else. That's my 2 cents. Gets you solid boots that will work across the board that you know fit. Gets you on different skis to start learning more about your skiing preferences without locking you into anything right away. And gets you a solid touring setup without needing to spend an arm and a leg. And to jump on the Voile train, I love my Superchargers. They're my dedicated BC skis with Salomon MTN pin bindings and I love the setup. Keep us posted and pray for snowwwww! |
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Chris, that’s a lot of good stuff. Location is actually Bend, but most certainly could be Colorado again in the future. You kind of confirmed what I guessed about those boots. I was online getting a budget belay jacket and upsold myself on them. Didn’t realize about that nose until they showed up. I bet they weigh half what my old ones do, and the ankle moves better. If they had a traditional toe, I’d probably keep them. I heard a guy mention he bought 12 pairs of boots one year and returned 11. So that’s a possibility. There’s definitely a decent amount of good used ski’s here, I can shop that angle and see what comes up. |
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Replied to your PM. I run my Scarpa Maestre's hard on my whole quiver of skis. They are super light and comfortable. I ride aggressive and love moguls then blast into the trees and dodge rocks and crap. I'd say a go with set of AT boots, works just as well BC or resort. Comfort and control is all you need for everything. Skiing on Southern California is a relative thing. Mostly Sierra Cement quality snow or man-made crap with crud over it. I like a heavier pair of skis for the resort crud. It seems powder days are fewer and wet or refrozen crud is more the common thing. |
highaltitudeflatulentexpulsionwrote: Totally get it. I think even for PNW, they're a bit limiting. With no front rand, you can't even put traditional crampons on them. But there are definitely ones that are lighter than your old ones and move good enough. Here's the list I put together when I was searching. Got a lot of good 50/50 boots on there. Atomic Hawx Ultra/Prime XTD 130 (7lb 5oz 26.5) Scarpa Maestrale (6lb 5oz 26.5) Dalbello Lupo (8lb 14oz 26.5) Technica Zero G (6lb 0oz 26.5) K2 Mindbender (7lb 4oz 26.5) Salomon Shift Pro 130 (7lb 4oz 26.5) Sportiva Vega (6lb 6oz 27.5, 115 flex) Nordica Strider Scott Freeride Carbon (6lb 6oz 26.5, 130 flex) And yes, I know skis are flashier than boots, but I always recommend buy new boots and used skis. PNW, CO, WY, etc. should have no problem finding good used setups. |
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I don't agree with folks telling you to go longer. I think something in the 160-165cm range is great if you're 100mm underfoot or bigger. At your weight it would provide plenty of flotation and the only thing a longer ski would get you is more stability at speed. Yes, they will be a little slow and people will be like "dude your skis are really short" but I think most people buy skis that are way too long* as a macho thing, and then need boots that are way too beefy because they can't actually ski their skis, and then need the beefier bindings. *Except for XC skis, then people don't buy them anywhere near long enough, but that's another story for another thread... |
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Go bigger than 160-165cm, I'd suggest a 170ish ski with tip and tail rocker. 95-105 underfoot is a good width to be at. Something with a softer flex and no metal would be good for your weight. Get a resort style ski- not a lightweight AT specific. TLT8 is too light for someone with your skills, go heavier, with a 4 buckle design that is based on a true resort style boot. Also make sure the fit is correct, your boots have probably always been a size or 2 too big. If you have smaller feet (size 26 or less mondo), be aware of bindings with a taller heel stack, as it will create a large ramp angle that makes it hard to ski unless you have proper race-skier type form. Dynafit bindings are notorious for high ramp angles. There are aftermarket shims you can get if you are set on Dynafit bindings. Feel free to DM me if you have any more questions! (15+ years in the ski industry and a ski shop owner- portlandskirentals.com here in Portland, Oregon) |
Chris Johnsonwrote: Good list here with boots, except look at models in the 110 flex range vs. 120-130. You'll save some money and you don't weigh enough/ski hard enough for 130 flex boots. |
christoph benellswrote: Im sending the TLT8’s back. Too niche for my needs. The under and over sizing thing you mention may not be particularly adjustable. I wore 28’s and then tried on some 27.5’s that felt right. For certain, i could squeeze into smaller boots but my right foot has a fused big toe with a fairly large bone spur right where the surgery happened. It’s quite painful to pressure to the side. Same foot has a Taylor’s bunion further increasing my width. Sizing into the next smaller shell (27 in most brands) really worries me that I’ll be fighting my foot the entire time. |
highaltitudeflatulentexpulsionwrote: Get a boot that has easily modifiable plastics- a boot fitter can punch out the shell around your bone spur. Most resort style boots will easily accept a punch, where boots with lighter plastics (i.e. scarpa, la sportiva) may not take modifications well. The Atomic Hawx or Technica Zero G are both made to be able to punch plastics in that area. 27 or 28 sounds large for your stats, not saying it couldn't happen but I wear 10.5, 43 or 43.5 tc pro, and ski in 26.5 for resort skiing, 27.5 for backcountry. Remember they make shells on the .5 size (except Scarpa, they do shells on the whole number size). |
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Well that’s a bit of a shocker but I’ll trust you on that. I was planning to go try some stuff on tomorrow, this might have saved me from buying the wrong boots. I’m a pretty consistent size 41 lately, in my younger years I had some success with 39.5 but have been sizing up for the aforementioned foot problems. 42.5 to 43 walking/hiking/cycling. It sounds like I’ll end up with a 26 or 26.5 once I get settled. From a fitting and service point of view, this sounds like something I ought to buy directly from the shop so they can do the molding and work for a customer, rather than bringing in a mail order. |
highaltitudeflatulentexpulsionwrote: You’re on the right path. Boots are the only gear I absolutely would not buy sight-unseen. |
Ccfuchswrote: +1. I have access to pro deals and still got fitted at a shop and paid retail last season. |
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There's no point in getting higher performing skis if you don't get a correct boot fit, since as you go into a more performance oriented ski the boot fit needs to get snugger and more precise. If you don't have a good boot fit, you'll struggle to keep the skis steady. Too big of boots can actually irritate things like bunions more, especially if you get stiffer boots. If your boot is loose, you'll constantly be banging around inside there whenever you hit undulations in the snow, vs the plastic of the boot absorbing the shock while your foot is held tight in place. |
