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Father/son both ready for new skis...Help us?

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BeenWired
Posts: 4 - Karma: 20
Hello,

My name is Adam and my son is Zach. I am 5’6” and 200 lbs and my son 5’8” and 130 lbs.

We are both level 2 skiers. (Black Diamonds local - 500 ft, blues at bigger mountains - Okemo, Vt and Breckenridge, CO.)

I ski Elan Explorer 4 (160) now. My son Elan Waveflex 76 (160) both are very soft flex beginners skis. I ski more cautiously than my son btw.

I was considering a Rossignol experience 80 (160) I tried the 77 version of that ski in that size and liked it. 80 is a bit firmer than the 77. My son wants a fast ski. Since he is light I was thinking a 77 would be good for him. We want to spend $350 - $500 with bindings for each.

We ski groomers.

We have skied about a dozen times a season for the past three seasons. (So we want skis that can last too)

Thanks for any help!
Mar 23 2018 10:02PM
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Non_State_Actor
Posts: 4595 - Karma: 15,950
Is your son looking to get into park skiing? How old is he?

What is your home resort?

Are you only interested in skiing groomers or are you interested in skiing off-piste (in the trees or un-groomed areas) as well?
Mar 23 2018 11:47PM
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BeenWired
Posts: 4 - Karma: 20
My son is 17. I only know groomers really. Rarely we will cut through a narrow woods trail but that’s about it. My son seems to like speed and has also expressed mild interest in Park type stuff.

Home base is southern Wisconsin. The local hills are Cascade, Devils Head. We make one big trip a year east or west.

**This post was edited on Mar 24th 2018 at 12:01:29am
Mar 24 2018 12:00AM
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Johngreenacre
Posts: 626 - Karma: 4,555
Welcome to new schoolers OP! Tread carefully, people can be assholes here. I have no expertise to share, just a welcome and a warning :)
Mar 24 2018 12:17AM
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Non_State_Actor
Posts: 4595 - Karma: 15,950
BeenWiredMy son is 17. I only know groomers really. Rarely we will cut through a narrow woods trail but that’s about it. My son seems to like speed and has also expressed mild interest in Park type stuff.

Home base is southern Wisconsin. The local hills are Cascade, Devils Head. We make one big trip a year east or west.

**This post was edited on Mar 24th 2018 at 12:01:29am

Good. I'm sure someone who skis the midwest will have good suggestions on something for you both.

Might be helpful to ask your son what he's looking for or what he aspires towards skiing-wise. Is he on here?

Also people on this site will refer to the type of skis you're looking for as "dad skis" but they may also have perfectly good recommendations based on what their dad's are skiing considering the average poster on this site is like 15 years old.

I also have kids, younger than yours, and picked up these: http://www.skiessentials.com/2016-volkl-step-jr-flat-ski.html for my 7 year old and these: https://www.evo.com/outlet/ski-packages/k2-remedy-75-jr-skis-fastrak2-7-bindings-girls for my 4 year old.

Browse around here: http://www.skiessentials.com/
Everything is an additional %20 off.

You can think about going wider too, 85-95 probably though I'll certainly defer to anyone with experience in the midwest.
Mar 24 2018 12:26AM
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HypeBeast
Posts: 9772 - Karma: 72,266
Since you're on Elan skis now, I've heard good things about the Ripstick for all mountain use.
Mar 24 2018 1:59AM
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Cole9
Posts: 339 - Karma: 741
Welcome Op, Midwest shredder here, I would recommend a little longer in length at least 167 at your height and weight. The added length will add more stability, handle speed better, and just improve your skiing. The experience 80 is a fine groomer ski, if you want a ski that can handle off piste I would recommend something a little wider. (90mm+ underfoot) For your son I would recommend a stiffer Twin tip so he can rip groomers or try out park. Skis I would recommend would be atomic punx, ON3P filthy rich, and Völkl ledge. Now if he wants to explore the mountain more I would recommend something a little wider maybe something like the Völkl revolt 95 or similar. Also he should be riding a 170 or maybe longer if the ski is rockered.
hope this helps
Mar 24 2018 7:10AM
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FruitBootPro
Posts: 2990 - Karma: 12,906
BeenWiredMy son is 17. I only know groomers really. Rarely we will cut through a narrow woods trail but that’s about it. My son seems to like speed and has also expressed mild interest in Park type stuff.

Home base is southern Wisconsin. The local hills are Cascade, Devils Head. We make one big trip a year east or west.

**This post was edited on Mar 24th 2018 at 12:01:29am


Cascade! That's the last place I skied actually. You probably want a ski about 90mm underfoot. If you REALLY only ski groomers and glades then I would suggest getting a very thin ski, 80-90mm underfoot about. However, if you ever ski any kind of powder or chopped up powder then I would recommend 95mm underfoot or so, 100mm max. It all depends on how frequently you ski fresh snow and go off-piste. Make sure it is directional and doesn't have a twin tip. I'm not too familiar with groomer skis but I guess I could recommend the Salomon QST 92/85, Nordica Navigator 85.
Mar 24 2018 9:46AM
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BeenWired
Posts: 4 - Karma: 20
Thanks everyone. Because of your input I now am exploring a bit longer lengths (and wider) than I was previously exploring. Brand names have helped too.

My son is not here but he’s buying his own skis so I merely am laying out a handful of recommendations for him.
Mar 24 2018 10:35AM
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powpatrol
Posts: 1636 - Karma: 10,712
BeenWiredThanks everyone. Because of your input I now am exploring a bit longer lengths (and wider) than I was previously exploring. Brand names have helped too.

My son is not here but he’s buying his own skis so I merely am laying out a handful of recommendations for him.

Make sure you guys check out a local shop before you purchase,they will know better than a few people on here,even though the suggestions are great.Might get some nice deals too!
Mar 24 2018 12:20PM
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Cade2
Posts: 2124 - Karma: 2,704
Sounds like you boys need some liberty genomes
Mar 26 2018 6:03PM
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Cole9
Posts: 339 - Karma: 741
Cade2Sounds like you boys need some liberty genomes

Idk I heard the liberty BFFS were better for groomers
Mar 26 2018 6:16PM
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Cade2
Posts: 2124 - Karma: 2,704
Cole9Idk I heard the liberty BFFS were better for groomers


True, listen to this guy OP
Mar 26 2018 6:18PM
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Shewlur...
Posts: 5046 - Karma: 940
powpatrolMake sure you guys check out a local shop before you purchase,they will know better than a few people on here,even though the suggestions are great.Might get some nice deals too!


Meh, most local shops will try to sell you whatever is left on the rack. You should always go to a ski shop with some idea in mind of what you want. Gear talk is probably one of the best places to brainstorm that.

Although, I might be a bit biased since i've had pretty bad experiences buying anything but boots at ski shops. I buy pretty much all of my skis, bindings, apparel, etc. online.
Mar 26 2018 10:44PM
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BeenWired
Posts: 4 - Karma: 20
I bought a Salomon xdrive 8.0 fs. Found a killer deal ($360 with bindings for last year’s model). My son is still looking.
Mar 28 2018 10:44PM
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