Buying new skis was on the to-do list, which led to the D&Q ski shop and a review of what's new on the ski wall.
Looking for new skis? Confused about your choices? You’ve got a lot of company.
With more than a handful of ski manufacturers out there, and each one boasting (without shame) up to two dozen-plus models in their ski lines, there’s no shame in becoming confused.
These days, skiers must choose among all-mountain skis, freestyle skis, racing skis, twin-tip skis and fat skis.
That’s a lotta skis.
So, I stopped in at Danzeisen & Quigley in Cherry Hill, NJ—a SKI Magazine "Ski Shop of the Year" winner—to talk skis. Here’s what I learned.
- Most of this year’s skis year are wider underfoot, averaging about 72-cm at the waist.
- It’s getting hard, if not impossible, for advanced skiers to find "flat" skis any more. Almost all makers are manufacturing "integrated systems" in which the bindings come specifically designed for the skis. If you want flat skis, ask about last year’s models.
Men’s Skis
Rossignol
- MutiX: Their newest invention. It comes with an attache case that holds interchangeable "arms" of different lengths—short, medium and long. You mount these arms in front and back of the bindings in pairs to adjust flex and influence turning radius; i.e., put long ones on both front and back for the stiffest effect and long turns. Arms can be changed on the fly. Price: with integrated bindings, about $1170.
Volkl
- Volkl AC-3: this is the stiffest ski Volkl makes. Men who ski less aggressively, or who are smaller and/or lighter, might want to consider the women’s version, which is a bit less stiff. The AC-2 and AC-4 models vary the theme. Price (AC-3): with integrated bindings, about $820.
- Volkl Supersport Series: the All Star is skis the old 5-Star model, a good all-mountain ski; the 5-Star and 4-Star work well for high intermediates to advanced skiers.
Salomon
- Salomon X-Wing: an excellent all-mountain performer similar to the K2 Recon or Rossignol B2; Price: with integrated bindings, about $850.
K2
- K2 Crossfire: a quick turning, very responsive ski that handles eastern ice, moguls and groomed very well; narrower at the waist. Price: with integrated bindings, about $900.
- K2 Recon: one of the best all-mountain skis out there; a bit wider at the waist than the Cross(78-cm vs. 68-cm), which adds stability; not the greatest in bumps, but fine in powder. Price: with integrated bindings, about $900.
Nordica
- Nordica Hot Rod Jet Fuel: was characterized at "like the Recon but on steroids because of metal in the core," which makes it strong torsionally but stiffer, so it’s smooth turning if you stay on top of it. At 84-cm underfoot, it’s great in powder and crud. Price: with integrated bindings, about $1130.
- Nordica Top Fuel and After Burner: recommended for those who want performance from a less demanding ski.
Intermediate/Blue Groomer Suggestions:
- Salomon Xwing 8 - $550 with bindings
- Fischer RX 4 - $440 with bindings
- K2 Commanche 4 or 5 - easy turning, $400 flat
The copyright of the article The New Skis - Men’s 2006-07 in Winter Sports is owned by Mitch Kaplan. Permission to republish The New Skis - Men’s 2006-07 must be granted by the author in writing.
Comments
Nov 10, 2006 7:54 AM
Jennifer W. Miner
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Nov 11, 2006 10:35 AM
Alan Sorum
:
Nov 14, 2006 12:54 PM
Mitch Kaplan
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Nov 14, 2006 12:59 PM
Mitch Kaplan
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