Recommendation for ski's (and length/width/profile) for Tahoe, low intermediate getting back into skiing

[sndraco]

Take a look at Nordica Navigator 85. No longer produced but you should be able to find them pretty easily. They have gotten very good reviews here on Skitalk https://www.skitalk.com/threads/2022-nordica-navigator-85.24082/
They are some of the easiest skiing skis I have been on (I own a pair, 172 length) and a ton of fun. They should be easy to ski at your current level and will be a good ski to progress on.

Thanks much that sounds great, easy to ski on and also good to progress.

S

 

[sndraco]

Yes, don’t worry about speed at this point. What is important is that you are on ski that wont go zig when you want them to go zag and will stop when you want them to stop. Nice and easy. And you should be smiling at the end of the day. There are lots of ski like this.

Exactly, smiling would be great and nice and easy progression is my goal for sure.

 

[sndraco]

Take a look at Nordica Navigator 85. No longer produced but you should be able to find them pretty easily. They have gotten very good reviews here on Skitalk https://www.skitalk.com/threads/2022-nordica-navigator-85.24082/
They are some of the easiest skiing skis I have been on (I own a pair, 172 length) and a ton of fun. They should be easy to ski at your current level and will be a good ski to progress on.

Would the Nordica 80 also be similar (or better worse)? trying to figure out what is the range of widths to look at and optimal width. (probably doesn't matter re: optimal but would be good to get the range so I don't get something too wide or too narrow)

Thanks

 

[KingGrump]

Am I really the first person to suggest an FIS SL ski?

Personal foul. Unnecessary roughness. 15 yards.

OP did not specified (01) he is an expert. (02) I ski blacks.

 

[Tony Storaro]

Personal foul. Unnecessary roughness. 15 yards.

OP did not specified (01) he is an expert. (02) I ski blacks.

(03) He is a 6’2” 200 lbs aggressive intermediate

 

[johnnyvw]

Would the Nordica 80 also be similar (or better worse)? trying to figure out what is the range of widths to look at and optimal width. (probably doesn't matter re: optimal but would be good to get the range so I don't get something too wide or too narrow)

Thanks

Can't say as I have no experience with the other models/widths. FWIW, my wife skis on 93 width skis. That's it. She's a terminal intermediate who skis once or twice a year in the spring. These days, something in the low to mid 80's seems the be a "do it all" width.

 

[Henry]

Yes, don’t worry about speed at this point. What is important is that you are on ski that wont go zig when you want them to go zag and will stop when you want them to stop. Nice and easy. And you should be smiling at the end of the day. There are lots of ski like this.

This is important. Here's what happens. The high performance skis are very responsive. They respond to the movement of the skier's legs and the way the skier shifts their weight from one ski to the other. They respond immediately. A lower level skier has not yet developed the precise movement of their body so this skier is sending unintended signals to the skis. They need skis that are somewhat forgiving so these unintended movements don't give the results Tony mentions. The skis recommended above are all good choices...except for the FIS SL race skis, kind'a like learning to drive in a Formula 1 car.

How about 2023 Kastle DX85, 168cm, for $460? Used demos from powder7.com, with the condition rated 8 on a scale of 10. In my experience they under-rate the skis.
https://www.powder7.com/Kastle-DX85-Skis-168cm-Used-2023/for-sale
https://www.powder7.com/Mens-Frontside-Skis
"Back again for the 22-23 season is the Kastle DX, or Dynamic Cross line. There are two DX skis, one at 73mm underfoot and the other at 85mm. The men's version of the latter, the DX85, replaces the old LX series as a more approachable frontside ski with only one layer of titanal and a penchant for on-piste skiing with the occasional side dish of off-trail action. Built to Kastle's high bar, with premium materials and forward-thinking design, the DX85 gives intermediate skiers a plush, super-smooth ride on which to hone their skills. Advanced men skiers will also enjoy the DX85 as a reliable cruiser that makes skiing more fun than it already was."
Or, too much ski for Mr. Draco at this point in his skiing career?

 

[Tony Storaro]

except for the FIS SL race skis, kind'a like learning to drive in a Formula 1 car.

That was a joke, obviously

Short-ish, fat-ish, soft-ish ski is what is needed here. Of the kind that turn by themselves.
Old AX in 168 would be absolutely perfect.

 

[Pat AKA mustski]

The most important quality in a ski for an intermediate is forgiveness - ie: a large and friendly sweet spot. It’s not a direct correlation to the width or length of the ski. @sndraco - you want to look for words like easy going or forgiving in the ski descriptions. To explain better … some skis are VERY quick to respond. That means the ski would react to a skier mistake quicker than the skier can correct themselves. That makes it really hard to learn.

 

[Prosper]

The most important quality in a ski for an intermediate is forgiveness

I thought it was what the ski looks like and whether they match the boots and ski kit.

 

[sndraco]

This is important. Here's what happens. The high performance skis are very responsive. They respond to the movement of the skier's legs and the way the skier shifts their weight from one ski to the other. They respond immediately. A lower level skier has not yet developed the precise movement of their body so this skier is sending unintended signals to the skis. They need skis that are somewhat forgiving so these unintended movements don't give the results Tony mentions. The skis recommended above are all good choices...except for the FIS SL race skis, kind'a like learning to drive in a Formula 1 car.

How about 2023 Kastle DX85, 168cm, for $460? Used demos from powder7.com, with the condition rated 8 on a scale of 10. In my experience they under-rate the skis.
https://www.powder7.com/Kastle-DX85-Skis-168cm-Used-2023/for-sale
https://www.powder7.com/Mens-Frontside-Skis
"Back again for the 22-23 season is the Kastle DX, or Dynamic Cross line. There are two DX skis, one at 73mm underfoot and the other at 85mm. The men's version of the latter, the DX85, replaces the old LX series as a more approachable frontside ski with only one layer of titanal and a penchant for on-piste skiing with the occasional side dish of off-trail action. Built to Kastle's high bar, with premium materials and forward-thinking design, the DX85 gives intermediate skiers a plush, super-smooth ride on which to hone their skills. Advanced men skiers will also enjoy the DX85 as a reliable cruiser that makes skiing more fun than it already was."
Or, too much ski for Mr. Draco at this point in his skiing career?

Thanks that is a good explanation, and understand think the Solomon Stance and Head Shape series would also be in the mix then. There is a pair of Rossi Experience 84 AI locally that I might check out, its only 160cm in length though

S

 

[sndraco]

The most important quality in a ski for an intermediate is forgiveness - ie: a large and friendly sweet spot. It’s not a direct correlation to the width or length of the ski. @sndraco - you want to look for words like easy going or forgiving in the ski descriptions. To explain better … some skis are VERY quick to respond. That means the ski would react to a skier mistake quicker than the skier can correct themselves. That makes it really hard to learn.

Thanks, Love the easy going and forgiving as think thats exactly what I need.

 

[sndraco]

That was a joke, obviously

Short-ish, fat-ish, soft-ish ski is what is needed here. Of the kind that turn by themselves.
Old AX in 168 would be absolutely perfect.

Which brand Tonh ie AX in 168?

 

[KingGrump]

Which brand Tonh ie AX in 168?

If you are the low intermediate skier you professed to be. The Stockli AX is not a good fit for you.

 

[Tony Storaro]

If you are the low intermediate skier you professed to be. The Stockli AX is not a good fit for you.

You sir are completely and totally wrong on this. There has never been nor will there ever be a ski that turns boys to men as quickly as the Laser AX. Metaphorically speaking of course.

 

[Tony Storaro]

Which brand Tonh ie AX in 168?

Stockli Laser AX but they don’t make them anymore.

 

[Andy Mink]

The Shape V5 sounds like a good match. It's the easier going little brother to the V8 and V10 which are very good skis. Easy to initiate turns, plenty of grip for the majority of conditions you'll find on piste in Tahoe, and forgiving. At $349 with bindings it's a good bet. I'd go 170cm. 163 might be a tad too short.

Head Shape V5 AMT-PR Skis with Head PR 11 GW Bindings 2023

All-Mountain Performance: The Head Shape V5 AMT-PR skis are designed for all-mountain performance, offering versatility across different snow conditions

www.levelninesports.com

 

[KingGrump]

You sir are completely and totally wrong on this. There has never been nor will there ever be a ski that turns boys to men as quickly as the Laser AX. Metaphorically speaking of course.

Most common equipment mistakes for intermediates (both lower and advanced) are boot that are too big and too much ski.
Too much ski will generally lead to defensive skiing. The skis are faster than the skier. The skier is always trying to catch up and ends skiing from the back seat.

 

[Tony Storaro]

Most common equipment mistakes for intermediates (both lower and advanced) are boot that are too big and too much ski.
Too much ski will generally lead to defensive skiing. The skis are faster than the skier. The skier is always trying to catch up and ends skiing from the back seat.

All this is true and yet-none of it applies to the AX.

 

[Tony Storaro]

The Shape V5 sounds like a good match. It's the easier going little brother to the V8 and V10 which are very good skis. Easy to initiate turns, plenty of grip for the majority of conditions you'll find on piste in Tahoe, and forgiving. At $349 with bindings it's a good bet. I'd go 170cm. 163 might be a tad too short.

Head Shape V5 AMT-PR Skis with Head PR 11 GW Bindings 2023

All-Mountain Performance: The Head Shape V5 AMT-PR skis are designed for all-mountain performance, offering versatility across different snow conditions

www.levelninesports.com

Yes this is a good call and yes on 170. 74 mm and with that shape will be super easy to turn.