This has probably been covered ad nauseum in previous posts, but I am looking for recommendations for an Eastern all mountain ski.
Background: 5’11” 175lbs, 40ish. Background in racing and also worked as an instructor for a while. Hung up the GS suit in my early twenties and took almost a decade off from skiing. Came back to it recreationally a few years ago. Work/life only allows me a few weeks on snow each winter in NH/VT. My home hill is on the smaller side, but I get some days every year at the bigger eastern resorts, i.e., Killington, Stowe, Okemo, etc.
Current ski(s): My daily driver is a 165 FIS SL. I’ve experimented with a few cheater SL and GS skis over the past couple years, but the FIS SL is the only one that I’ve enjoyed enough to ski on every day. I’ve rarely been on a ski wider than 70, so I’m entirely out of my element looking for an “all mountain” ski. Hence the request for recommendations.
What am I looking for: I’m very happy with my FIS SL and use it for all conditions, but I’d like a different option for the days when the snow is particularly soft and/or cruddy. Particularly on the days when the temperature gets into the high 30s or low 40s (which we’ve had too many of this year). Although I primarily like to carve on groomers, that is what the FIS SL (or GS) is for. I’d like something that is good for the occasional foray into the bumps or glades and that is just fun all around for when conditions are not eastern boilerplate. This will not be a daily driver – more of a specialized ski for my least favorite conditions.
Preliminary Thoughts: Stockli: SR88, SR95, AR, AX, or new AS; Kastle: MX 88, MX 83, FX(?); Volkl: Kendo, Deacon 84; Fischer: Ranger 90. I’m sure there are a number of good options that I’m missing or unaware of. I’ve gotten some recommendations from a few people around here, but would appreciate any other thoughts.
Background: 5’11” 175lbs, 40ish. Background in racing and also worked as an instructor for a while. Hung up the GS suit in my early twenties and took almost a decade off from skiing. Came back to it recreationally a few years ago. Work/life only allows me a few weeks on snow each winter in NH/VT. My home hill is on the smaller side, but I get some days every year at the bigger eastern resorts, i.e., Killington, Stowe, Okemo, etc.
Current ski(s): My daily driver is a 165 FIS SL. I’ve experimented with a few cheater SL and GS skis over the past couple years, but the FIS SL is the only one that I’ve enjoyed enough to ski on every day. I’ve rarely been on a ski wider than 70, so I’m entirely out of my element looking for an “all mountain” ski. Hence the request for recommendations.
What am I looking for: I’m very happy with my FIS SL and use it for all conditions, but I’d like a different option for the days when the snow is particularly soft and/or cruddy. Particularly on the days when the temperature gets into the high 30s or low 40s (which we’ve had too many of this year). Although I primarily like to carve on groomers, that is what the FIS SL (or GS) is for. I’d like something that is good for the occasional foray into the bumps or glades and that is just fun all around for when conditions are not eastern boilerplate. This will not be a daily driver – more of a specialized ski for my least favorite conditions.
Preliminary Thoughts: Stockli: SR88, SR95, AR, AX, or new AS; Kastle: MX 88, MX 83, FX(?); Volkl: Kendo, Deacon 84; Fischer: Ranger 90. I’m sure there are a number of good options that I’m missing or unaware of. I’ve gotten some recommendations from a few people around here, but would appreciate any other thoughts.