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Hi planning on buying skis for my sister, not sure what to look for. She's 5'4" and weighs 120lbs. She generally wants a ski capable of going everywhere and doing everything, except park stuff. So something which can handle some pow, groomers, crud and be ok on ice. Knowing her as well (artist + costume designer) I'm sure she wouldn't mind skis with a nice design, but of course, it has to ski best before all.
Thanks in advance for your help.
I'd go with the Volkl Kiku then or Gotomas if she is a really strong skier, since they are just a stiffer Kiku. I'm 5'2 and ride the 170 Gotoma and there is no other all mountain ski I've ridden that comes close to being as versatile. Charges through chop, planes like a dream in pow with none of the drag you get in a hybrid camber ski, and is still narrow enough to not feel like a tank on groomers and ice. This is assuming you are skiing somewhere out west, if you are out east you probably want to get her something narrower.
CyanicenineI'd go with the Volkl Kiku then or Gotomas if she is a really strong skier, since they are just a stiffer Kiku. I'm 5'2 and ride the 170 Gotoma and there is no other all mountain ski I've ridden that comes close to being as versatile. Charges through chop, planes like a dream in pow with none of the drag you get in a hybrid camber ski, and is still narrow enough to not feel like a tank on groomers and ice. This is assuming you are skiing somewhere out west, if you are out east you probably want to get her something narrower.
Ski in Europe, French/Swiss Alps mostly. She's good, but lazy with technique, doesn't use her poles that much but she can handle any piste at speed. But she generally tends to stay on piste so maybe not the Kikus but the narrower models in that category? Auras or Kenja ?
If she's staying on piste mostly then go for the Aura. I haven't ridden it myself but it's the ski of choice if you head over to the skidiva women's ski forum. They're always raving about it since they don't ride any park over there, it sounds like a really solid all mountain ski. The kiku will be a bit squirrely on groomers if you aren't driving it hard.
If she doesn't have perfect technique wider skis with a bit of tip rocker can be very forgiving since it's much harder to accidentally hook an edge. I haven't heard as many stellar reviews of the Kenja, although I'm sure it's a fine ski. Plus the Aura looks prettier so there's that.