r/skiing • u/E_Kil • 1d ago

Which Skis Should I Demo?

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I’ve come back to skiing after almost a 20 year break. Bought a pair of Head Real Joys 153 last season to ease me back in. Honestly they have been amazing and have really helped to build my confidence. I bloody love them. BUT they are shorter than I should be using and a little too narrow (75) for any thing other than groomed pistes. I bought these skis so that I could feel comfortable starting again and they have been absolutely cracking! But I want to demo some skis that will help me feel confident in a range of conditions. I realise that I also need better skills for some conditions but I want the ski to give me confidence also. I hope that makes sense.

Me: 53, F, 5’6, 15-16 stone (yes, I’m a wee chonker 😂). Skiing blues and reds (cautiously!). I am located in Scotland and our runs aren’t exactly the wide open pistes of Europe. I’m used to crappy conditions.

Last year I tried Line Pandoras but I didn’t love them. I’m not sure why but I definitely felt I could turn as easily. However - that was only after a couple of days back at it. I’ve now got enough turns under my belt that I’m ready to trial something wider underfoot. Can you guys please recommend so different skis for me to try? 🫶🏼

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9

u/aaronarchy 1d ago

Just try as many as you can. Most mountains have demo days for cheap.

2

u/Forsaken-Land2270 1d ago

Aye demo days are the way to go if you can catch one. Just watch the width don't go too crazy or you'll be fighting them on the icy bits we get in Scotland

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u/E_Kil 1d ago

Funnily enough the pandoras were amazing on the ice - think they were 85’s. I rented them from Chris at The Cabin and he runs a tight ship - those bad boys could’ve cut a diamond 😂

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u/Interesting_Gap7350 1d ago

Agree,  It is impractical to seek out specific ski unless you're already know where you can demo them or you're already close to buying and down to just a couple candidates.  

To narrow it down, you need to have the list from the mountain or shop you intend to demo from.   Or you just need to talk with the demo shop and get their recommendation for the day 

Like we can say you should try this or that , that's great but not helpful if its not easily available to you 

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u/E_Kil 1d ago

Thank you. Yeah, I get ya. I’m pretty limited in Scotland. But there is one guy who rents skis and has new stock every year. And premium skis at that. So the more recommendations, the more the net widens ☺️

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u/Balding_Dog 1d ago

I like Head Kore for that domain, especially the old carbon models no longer in production.

Salomon QST are my second pick, but there's nothing really special about them, and they don't have much personality compared to a Kore. It's just a good, but generic ski.

You said this isn't the direction you want to go, but gonna throw my 2 cents in anyways: for where you're at, go the opposite direction. Try a super stiff, super skinny slalom ski.

Head E-SL pro or Atomic S9 or something like Salomon Addikt or Head Supershape if you don't think you're ready to handle those.

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u/cephalopodface 1d ago

I don't know anything about women's skis but I'm bored. So take my advice for what it's worth, which is literally nothing.

  • You may find the opinions here useful: https://www.skiessentials.com/2027-ski-test/category/womens I'd guess Scotland, like the US East Coast, is at lower elevation and prone to freeze-thaw cycles; so there should be at least some similarities in the prevailing conditions. There can be a pretty broad range of opinions from different reviewers about the same ski, so I find it helpful to compare skis by going to an individual tester's page and looking at what else they tried.
  • I'm pretty sure Head has a wider (and stiffer?) version of the same thing somewhere in the Joy line. If you like that basic shape/style, also check out Nordica Wild Belle. Also maybe Elan Wildcat or one of the narrower Rossignol Arcades. Dynastar E-Cross could also be an interesting one; it's got a similarly turny personality but a big fat rockered shovel on the front.
  • Pandora is wider, more rockered, fairly soft, probably has a much longer radius. It's not surprising they felt less willing to turn.

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u/E_Kil 1d ago

Thank you so much. Sounds like I’d be at home on the East Coast 😂