JONG in need of help with new skis

[monkeybones]

I guess I put this in the wrong room before and got flamed for it, so hopefully you guys will be able to help me out. I am looking for a new pair of skis towards the end of this season, because I am getting tired of my K2 Escape 5500's (174). I am 5'11 and 175-180ish and I am 22. I consider myself an intermediate with a good ability to ski. I will usually be skiing out west in Utah/Colo for the winters since I live here in the midwest. I have the marker 1200 piston binding and i would most likely put that on the skis unless they came with an IBC. I bought an old pair of powder skis off of mntlion, which I will get to use for the first time this season. So any suggestions as to which skis I should look for. I love skiing powder and groomed runs. I usually stay on the blues/blacks and I want a ski that is versatile. If anyother information is needed let me know.

[paulo]

And you will probably get flamed again!

It will go something like ......

SEARCH JONG!!!!!!!

So, you should try out the search function first, and offer humble apologies 2nd (or maybe the other way round).

[Big E]

A 5-poster jonging a 9-poster and telling him to use the search feature, my Lord, what has this place become.

Amongst this crowd, you'll find very few of us on anything much below 85 in the waist with any regularity unless they're racing. Even most of us back east are on stuff that's close to 90 at the waist most of the time, except for gincognito who skis better and faster on his aging Monster 75's than all the rest of us with shiny new gear.

You need to consider how much you're going to ski, how hard, what conditions (park? mostly off-piste? mostly groomers?). If you're content at your current ability level (intermediate), then something similar to what you've got may be fine. But that's probably not the case, why else would you be here?

Why are you "tired" of the K2's? If you think you're going to be skiing more often, and want to get better, then you probably want to move up to a ski that will require some growing into. Not a 195 XXXX or anything, but something that might seem just a tad over your head the first time you jump on them.

[paulo]

A 5-poster jonging a 9-poster and telling him to use the search feature, my Lord, what has this place become.

Actually, it was just a warning of what to expect. Hadn't seen too many 'civil' responses to first postings, so it was more of a heads up.

Nice to see good 'ol friendly advice!

[bigsugar]

just keep the k2s for the midwest if you don't ski there much and use the fatties out west. It's not like the ski makes much of a difference when you are at swiss or bittersweet.

[FNG]

Monkey,

If you want to keep your groomer performance for Midwest skiing, but still be able to float out west, try looking into something with a waist in 85mm range.

Rossignol B2
Elan Mantis777
Dynastar Legend 8800
Head IM85
Salomon Xtra Hot
Volkl AX4

All of the above (and more) fit that bill. The best thing to do is visit your local shop (or one out west) and demo as many as you can. An internet forum can point you in the direction of skis you might like, but trying them for yourself is the best way. As far as length goes, 180ish is a good place to start. But again, length will play a different role in each ski you try, so in addition to trying lots of skis, try lots of lengths too.

[Lurch]

How many time do you actually get to CO or UT to ski? You might be best off just demoing high end stuff while you are here.

[72Twenty]

Actually, it was just a warning of what to expect. Hadn't seen too many 'civil' responses to first postings, so it was more of a heads up.

Nice to see good 'ol friendly advice!

Uhhh......angh...forget it.

[PrankMonkey]

skiied a pr of mantis 777's (82mm or so in the waist) two seasons back and they were slick in the soft, super easy to turn and had really forgiving tails, don't know if thats changed but I think that you can find older pairs of 777's for decent prices (could be wrong here). Would also suggest the B2, never skiied it but it's supposed to be a real good confidence booster, just right for someone in your position. One question, which powder skis did you get? Alot of fat skis are really versatile nowadays.

[schuss]

B2 is quite fun on groomers+crud.

[seldon]

B2 is quite fun on groomers+crud.

It's the perfect ski for you if you ski 50% on-piste/50% off-piste.

[monkeybones]

One question, which powder skis did you get?.

i got one of mntlion's older pair of Atomic powder plus's. They are a smaller size 165. Some I am happy I will be able to try them out this year

[skibum193]

those skis are monsters in the width, but hella short. those will prolly only be good for mad pow days. id say b2, as those were nice all mtn . id get 180ish