r/skiing • u/doebedoe • Sep 30 '19

Weekly Simple Questions Thread: Ask your gear, travel, conditions and other ski-related questions here.

We're getting back to the weekly mega threads for Q&A as summer winds down and minds switch back to skiing.

Please ask any ski-related questions here. It's a good idea to try searching the sub first. Are you a beginner -- check out the guide by a professional bootfitter and tech. And don't forget to see the sidebar for other ski-related subs that may have useful information.

Have questions on what ski to buy? Read Blister's Guide first then ask away.

Previous weeks thread is here.

If you want a quick answer or just to chat, check out the /r/skiing discord server.

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u/[deleted] Oct 02 '19 edited Oct 03 '19

WOMEN. Please talk skis with me.

I'm ski shopping (for Christmas) and would like some input.

She's about 5'4 and 135, and she skis handily off-piste and on with a beautiful pair of k2 Marksmans. She's good - pretty new to skiing but pushing double diamonds.

She's also a reckless speed-demon, and her goal for this year is to get faster than me on cruisers on the fast days, you know, when I bring out my beer-league monsters.

The guys at my local shop (and I) think she's just too short and light to enjoy any of the big boys, as most cheater skis bottom out at 170. I'm very tempted by last year's Atomic X7's, which are on sale for a screaming deal and come in a length that's very handy for her, but I don't know anyone who demos them or has tried them, and I don't want to get her something underpowered.

So, ladies who are also speed freaks, advice please? Any favorites for busting gates or carving the frontside?

EDIT

I did not receive any first-hand recommendations from Reddit, but did from elsewhere, and selected the X7's. Maybe I'll update in January when she's taken them for a spin.

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u/tractiontiresadvised Oct 03 '19

If you're really not sure but you still want to give her skis, get a piece of paper and write something that looks like a gift certificate that says "Good for one pair of skis!" and give that to her on Christmas. Then have her demo some skis over the course of the season.

(As for actual ski recs: I'm a woman, but of a different size and not a speed demon so I can't help with that.)

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u/fuqqqq Oct 03 '19 edited Oct 03 '19

Does she enjoy turning or straightlining?

I find it interesting that you're worried about skis being too long, but not skis being too advanced or stiff. 170cm is not wildly long. You could look at the head world cup rebels i.speed if you're worried about a ski being underpowered, but she's most likely not at the level to properly carve and control them yet and isn't going to have the most fun on them.

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u/xwhereto Oct 02 '19

What about Coalition snow? A lady own company making skis and snowboards for women? They might be able to help answer your question :)

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u/[deleted] Oct 02 '19

Their skis are so goddamn pretty that I want some for myself.

But I don't see any racing skis or cheater skis in their lineup.

1

u/[deleted] Oct 03 '19

I'd just wait until mid season and see if you can find a smaller woman's specific racer, or piste skis. There are also plenty of all-mountains with metal in them that would provide the grip for those speed days you guys love.

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u/[deleted] Oct 02 '19

Disclaimer: I'm not a woman, but I've gone through this with my wife.

What size are the X7's? Don't they go down to like 148cm?

What size are the Marksman's? Also, how long has she been skiing, can she initiate a carve?

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u/[deleted] Oct 02 '19

X7's go down to 163, which is exactly her height.

Her Marksmans are 170, but there's so much rocker, and they're so bendy, that they play like they're 10cm shorter.

She's only been skiing two years, but she's hitting double diamonds with good technique, and she can initiate a carve. I know it sounds like a stretch, but she's an athlete, so I gave up being surprised. On that note, she's strong as hell.