saltyant

It'll be interesting. It seems you can research skis ad nauseam, but the information is meaningless unless you can translate it into how it impacts your skiing.

I can put it off until then, but I kinda want something sooner because I'll be skiing 3 times a week and also going to Vermont in early February. What I'm thinking is I'll try demoing tomorrow to see if I really like any ski - it's only $60. If not I'll stick with the Elans and wait until the two demo days at Blue and Camelback. Regardless, I'll attend Buckman's demo day because I'm really interested to see how different skis feel. And I'm pretty sure if I buy something now, it won't be my last pair of skis. I think someone said JohnnyLaw has like 50 skis or something. It seems trying different skis is the best way to learn about how they work because there are so many differences it's mind boggling.

Oh boy I didn't ask the shop. I hope model years don't make too big of a difference... just another variable to factor in.

Ok, thanks for pointing that out. I won't know how steel vs. whatever else feels until I try it. If I feel like steel is too advanced for my level then I'll look for something else.

Because skis are non-refundable, I want to demo a ski before buying it. I called 4 shops today. 1 doesn't do demos period, and 2 do not demo skis that I'm interested in. So that leaves the demo shops at either Camelback or Blue, or another mountain. So I guess my choices will be limited to those skis, unless I can find a ski comparable to one that I like tomorrow.

Volkl RTM 81s have "Wood w/ Metal Laminate". How does that fit in with Atomic's conclusion that I should get a ski without any metal? I assume there should be no metal at all in the ski, but is laminate different??? I am so confused.

I put lots of work (i.e. 2 minutes) into the video below and I only got one like on YouTube from myself. So I probably won't be making any more GoPro videos. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exPC6d5C90I&feature=youtu.be

Thanks Cheese with my new skis and GoPro I will be ready to tackle Corbets Couloir.

I'll just demo tomorrow and see how it goes. My guess is I will be able to ski just fine on whichever 3 I select, and I'll end up picking the one that looks the coolest.

Nice! Is there a way to summon him? I can technically wait to demo until next week but I'm too excited now.

I am currently using Elan Morpheo4 Early Rise Rockers, entry level with a lot of flex. They work OK for me but I'm looking for a ski that is more stable at high speeds, and that holds an edge better on hard pack and ice. GSS objectively determined that my skill level is “low intermediate”. In the Poconos, I feel most confident on blue runs, but on some steep black runs I can’t make aggressive turns yet and end up criss-crossing the slope on on my edges. I am 6 foot tall and weigh 165 pounds. Tomorrow I plan to demo 3 pairs of skis at Camelback. Here are my current options: Volkl RTM 81, 84, and 86 Atomic Vantage 77 CTI, 83 CTI Volkl Kendos (they did not provide any widths) My objective is to select 3 skis that would suit me the best, and then narrow it down to one. I'm beginning to better understand the following dimension types: width, length, stiffness, and material (wood vs. metal). Enjorales emphasizes the importance of width and found the Rossignol Experience 88's work well. GSS recommended the Sir Francis Bacon skis. Root recommended that I go to Windham instead because they offer more skis and Windham is bigger and better than CB. Atomic Jeff recommended that I get a ski that is 70-175cm long, 80-90mm width, and 15m radius without any metal. SallyCat suggested the Atomic 90 cti's. Shadows recommended I take our discussion elsewhere. So in general I'm overwhelmed by all the options, and as you all know I might over analyze things just a little. So if you guys have any further suggestions I'd appreciate it. If I really like a ski tomorrow I might walk out with it, I'll see how the demoing goes.

Fine I'll post a new thread on gear and you can delete all prior posts on this topic.

I found the stiffness: "Flex: 100 – A moderately stiff flex for all-mountain skiers who prefer a bit of give in their boots" https://www.evo.com/outlet/alpine-ski-boots/dalbello-avanti-100-if

I dunno, the shop said they're intermediate boots with some degree of stiffness. There are 2 numbers on the bottom: 307mm, 265

This is also new to me. Any reason?

6 foot 165 lbs. So I probably don't want a ski that's too stiff...???

Thanks AtomicJeff. I know everyone on here advocates wide skis and stiffness, but I'm on a different level than you all. Maybe in a few years. I'm looking to progress from entry level to intermediate, not expert/advanced. I thought I had a good handle on what is meant by lengths and widths... I should get 170 length, and 80-90 width. Now you introduced another dimension (17m) so I'm all confused!

Thanks. If they demo them I'll check them out. I can also go to Blue and see what they demo...

They seem like a good ski and are popular. Idk. What are Bacons? I'll test rtms once and then pick 2 other completely different skis

Volkl Kendos, and Atomic Advantage 77-83 cti. There are so many options and differences that I'm a little overwhelmed. But ultimately it comes down to how I feel on them, and if I like a pair I will likely buy it. im glad toast told me that the rtm widths differences are too subtle to notice, so I wont waste one of my 3 options on a different width of the same ski.

Thanks toast. I have nothing to compare my current skis to so it would be interesting to see how something wide like 95 or 105 compares.

Don't feel bad. I had the same issue. I was introduced to 15 PASR'ers the one day, and I only could remember a handful. I thought RidgeRacer was Shadows. Now I know what RidgeRacer looks like so I can try to run away before getting yelled at (kidding!)

I'm considering demoing some Volkl RTMs tomorrow at Camelback. Sounds like it might be a perfect day to try them - super hard pack. They let you demo 3 different skis for $60. Taking into account the aggregate advice of everyone on here, I should try different widths before I buy. My options are Volkl RTM 81, 84, and 86. They also have others available.

I'm going out tomorrow morning. Based on conversations with Steeze, the snow should be fast and soft after today's rain.