help me with a few ski choices.

5"10" 158 lbs, 25 y.o. expert skier who missed a season for the first time ever last year due to 2 medial meniscus repairs on the right knee. The first DR flubbed it...

anyway, I need a midfat that will be the one ski i take on trips when i don't feel like carting around both my volkl 6 stars and salomon pocket rockets. Looking for something somewhat forgiving as i'm a tad nervous about getting back on the hill after the year off, and a bit glum about the fact that i've been advised to modify my style (i.e. stop jumping off things and skiing bumps)...

my favorite ski of all time was probably the 1st generation volkl vertigo motion.

I'm considering the following and would love comments on them or others in the category:

Volkl: Unlimited AC 4 or Mantra (or Karma?)
k2: Outlaw or RECON
Dynastar: 8000 or 8800
Atomic: Metron M:Ex


THANKS ALOT!

More info please, whats your piste/off-piste percentage. Fast skiing, long turns, open areas, trees, aggressiveness...

If i were you I would go with either of the K2s both excellent skis! the volkl mantra would be my first choice, but since you're being "careful", go with either K2 because they are much more forgiving.....and by the way, the season started months ago, are you looking for next season?

no. this season. the season started only a month ago, and there are several months to go.

at any rate, this is for someone else; i am posting for him.

he's is a good skier and skis what is in front of him. there is no distinction between piste and off piste. if conditions are good, off piste. If they suck, rail the groomers, high speed. High speed run down a steep groomer, then dip into the trees for a bit then back out to the lift. he gave pretty good info on what he's looking for: a *forgiving* one ski quiver for all conditions except powder.

Skis Vail, Alta, Snowbird.. etc. maybe a lilttle bit of east coast.

He keeps his ski crap at vail, and wants one pair of skis to cart around.

Not a big stunt skier, but very technically sound and fast; makes everything look easy, but keeps his skis on the ground. likes to be in control.

I think you have singled out some pretty good options. In terms of how forgiving they are, my impression is that they can be ranked from medium forgiving to less forgiving;
1 k2 2 dynastars (or possibly the dynastars more forgiving than k2) 3 volkls. I think the k2's would be a good choice as well. The models you have singled out both have titanal in them (+woodcore), which gives them more of a volkl feel. The dynastars are both very good proven skis. I am actually not sure if possibly the dynastars are more foregiving than k2'ss. As for the volkls I think the choice should be between the unimited ac 4 and the karma.

If more than 50% off-piste I would go for the wider of the options.

The atomics are strange I hear; some love em some hate em. Fun on groomers due to short radius, but off-piste more variable due to the large side-cut.

My 2c are not worth a lot as I don't know these skis very well, skied the models or predecessorss a couple of times. If foregiving is the cue word here, I would think dynastars or k2's are the way to go. Width/model depending on use. All good skis.