I find it hard to take advice from someone who can't even give proper advice on how to do a simple kick turn. I could outski this "world cup athlete" on my very worst day
I am German. just got myself some Blizzards with 88mm underfoot, 187cm long on sale (I am 6‘ 3“) and consider it as my powder skis. 😂 Now took them to the mountain in Austria. Probably the longest (and among the widest skis) I have seen all day. They really stood out of the crowd. Same when I was skiing in the Rockies last year on my „European all mountains“ with 74mm underfoot and 176cm. There, it felt like I was on kids‘ skis. Such a different approach.
Very good advice Deb. I have told some of my clients that a shaped ski will improve their progression. Clients are buying what is cool without thinking they are skiing 95% groomed and perhaps an icy piste.
This is a far most best ski youtube channel. It covers all skiing aspects and rhetoric that Deb uses can reach anyone. Every video gives the viewer exact ammount of information. Not too much neither to little. Keep up the good/great work Deb! 💪😎🤙
Very good video! This is exactly what happened to me. I was getting a bit frustrated seeing my friends skiing quicker than me, while I had better technique. I thought it was due to them having 80+ kg, while I'm around 50kg. Then there was a Fischer test day and I tried new CURV RC4, triple radius, 70mm under foot, and my mind was blown away! In rental shop, when you say "this is my 3rd year skiing" , they assume you've spent max 10 days of active skiing and are nowhere near ready for curving, while I ski it because I really want to learn and i ski with my ski instructor almost every day when I come to the mountain. The skies they gave me are much, much softer and probably > 80mm under foot. I'm now really convinced these new Fischer RC4 are the best choice for me and I think I'll buy them. Thank you for the video!
Yeah! You must do it!!! Totally agree with Deb, that the best choice for those who live skiing is the highest expert model one could buy (and afford). Expert slalom skis (Fischer RC4 SL is among them) - are one must have in his collection). Good luck!
I had a revelation this past season when a ski instructor friend told me to get some real performance carving skis. I went from the Blizzard Black Pearl to the Blizzard Phoenix R-13 CA and wanted to throw the Black Pearls in the nearest dumpster as soon as I skied on the Phoenix. Unbelievable difference! IMO, Eastern skiers like me should all be on a ski that's really designed for edge grip and carving.
all mountain skis like Black Pearl require from you to have a good ski technique and backround to fully utilize them , and good techniques are obtained only from narrower skis.
Yiep, it's true the comment about Europe. I feel trained in the US, out of bounds in Crested Butte. Then in Chile I'm most freerider, before to go to CB I ride in Chile on piste with long thin skis. But here in Europe I've been returned to the trails, to the runs. Steep runs. Out of bounds in Andorra, not much. I've been back with the RC4 now to all runs, well seeing your videos that inspired me to ski again with narrow skis in the double black terrain. For doing classes I will find something between 75 to 85. It's amazing how some millimeters underfoot have changed the world of skiing. Now I'm doing it for my knees the correct choice of the ski.
Thanks to you, I switched from a Salomon QSR 92mm waist to a Stockli Nela 80mm waist when my Salomon’s were stolen before wanting to join your class at Taos. Now I’ve improved so much on moguls and steeps. Your strong opinion matters! Please have more videos about skiing funky deep powder and how you ski your Fischer Ranger or any other deep powder skis you would recommend.
Oh. My. Goodness. Thanks, Deb, for this video. As an Easterner, my loud opinion and bias is for a ski no wider than 84 under foot. That will cover your bases 90 percent of the time. If you want (have the means for) more than one ski, my bias is to go to a 72 underfoot. The third ski can be a powder ski. I just don’t get it when I see all these fat skis being loaded on the gondola in the East on rock-hard, bullet-proof days. Well, that’s my loud opinion and bias! Thanks for another great video!
I had been skiing on fatter free ride skis for the last 20+ years and straight skis for the 20 before. This season I decided to really put a focus on carving and improving my technique, and skiing with my feet and not just my shins. Last week I rented Fischer SCs in Austria, 68 mm under foot, instead of my typical 95. What a difference! I had so much fun on the groomers. Conditions were perfect for it. Sunny but below freezing, hard pack but not ice. After 4 days I was dragging my knuckles on the snow in the turns. Maybe not the best technique but it put a stupid grin to my face. Surprisingly, even the hard pack moguls were very manageable with this ski, as the ski tech promised me in the shop. I am a convert. A one ski quiver really is a compromise, and selecting between at least two types is the way to have the most fun on the mountain, depending on conditions.
Spot on Deb - the industry has gone nuts with the wide platforms and a good many of these folks using them are technically unsound. They're basically sliders - skid skiers without any idea how the ski is designed to be used. Here in the east - the race (technical crowd) - we treat the skis like big ice skates.
Thank you ! I ski in eastern Canada where it’s mostly hard packed and icy conditions. A lot of the good dynamic skiers use narrow skis but we have those skiers that insist on skiing on 95mm or more even if those skis are completely wrong for these snow conditions. I’ve convinced a couple of them to add a pair of narrower skis to their quiver and their skiing evolved quickly. However there will always be those who refuse to consider performance skis that could help them.
I totally agree with your assessment. Many skiers do not understand ski design and factors like rocker, tip+ tail shape or core construction. In general as the ski gets wider in the tip, waist,and tail the rocker increases, camber decreases and contact points move away from tip+ tail.The result tend to enhance performance in soft deep snow, allows the ski to smear/ skid, float through or over various conditions. However on hard packed conditions these are not qualities that make these skis the most effective tools. Skis designed for hard pack conditions have a narrower tip, waist,and tail. Less or no rocker and more camber. Tip+ tail, and contact points the help the ski to get you into and hold an edge efficiently. Unfortunately many skiers don’t have an understanding of these factors. Some may not have developed the skills and technique that helps to use modern ski design effectively. Just some observations from an old ski shop guy. I have a quiver (for New Hampshire, US) that includes an 81mm , 88mm and 94 mmm waisted skis. My Blizzard Brahma 88 True Blend Wood core is my everyday driver. I love my Nordica Enforcer 94 on snow days, off piste natural snow conditions, in trees but they don’t feel as quick and solid on the hard pack that is our most common conditions.
I’d love to hear your thoughts about boots and proper fit. How to assess the right stiffness, how to keep our ankles moving, how tight to strap them, what to change when spring skiing when the boots are softer and it feels like we are floating in them and any other advice you have.
Great advice Deb. I ski the hardpacked trails of N.H. and I see far too many skiers on 95 and more under foot and these skiers are on groomers all day . For most of these intermediate type skiers an 80 or less under foot would make it so much easier to roll the ski up on edge to initiate the turn. Unfortunately I don't think the sales person is always interested in what's best for the skier.
I guess too many first time shopper buy wide ski because they are looking for a one ski quiver. But the truth is most intermediate won’t ever venture off piste and struggles on soft snow.
Deb, thanks for all the amazing videos! My wife and I always love them and watch them together. Your teachings resonate so well with both of us! I've learned the lessons of this video this personally. A friend recommended I get on a Stormrider 105 (a truly awesome ski!) three seasons ago. I'm a bigger guy at nearly 50 years old, 6'5, 225lbs, and, at the time, an intermediate with aspirations of becoming advanced. I had to wait until the next season to try them as I got them on a killer end of season sale. As the summer went on I became more and more nervous because I thought I had gotten 'too much ski' for my upper intermediate skills. Boy was I wrong. The feedback from a performance ski helps you get to the next level really quickly. They give you the feedback needed to advance your abilities that a 'forgiving' ski just can't/wont (of course everyone is different so a more forgiving ski may be appropriate). Last season I hit a plateau, just like you talk about in the video, in the wider skis and couldn't progress my abilities. At the start of this season, I got a second pair of 83MM Laser ARs. The narrower skis helped me bring my skiing to the next level. You could feel the skis hook up so easily when you tipped them on edge, then bring you around, and that trampoline feeling as the energy entered the ski and was then released. Carving became almost second nature in the narrow skis and, dare I say it, easy. How well I look doing it is another story, but I stopped skidding my turns, started finishing them, and laying trenches in the snow. I now skid my turns on demand rather than because of my poor technique. My stance changed immediately, becoming narrower, more stacked, and the precision with which I skied took off. When I got back on the wider skis it was a COMPLETELY different experience. I took all the good things I learned on the narrower ski and applied them to the wider skis. Edging was all of a sudden easier, carving was no longer a chore (I can carve my 105s as well as the 83 now... they're just slightly slower edge to edge), getting on my outside ski became easy, and being able to stroke the ski to finish the turn properly all started to fall in place. The versatility of the wider ski (e.g. being able to release and pivot, access to deeper snow, etc.) was completely unlocked for me because I shifted to using the narrower ski to learn the technical skills needed to take me to the next level. Now that the technical skills have advanced both the wide and narrow skis become even more fun just in different ways! Keep up the awesome work and thank you so much for everything you do for the sport! :)
What a funny coincidence. I was just in a skiing holiday in the wonderful Dolomites in the German speaking part of Italy (Südtirol). I took some lesson with my 71 year old maestro de Ski Toni and he told me the things I was doing wrong or forgot about. I was slowly improving. On day two, I rent a new ski with a smaller midth than my all mountain ski…and I literally entered a new world 😳😃 No matter whether it was the skidded parallel turn or the carved turn or even my weak side short turns…everything seems to fall in place and I was skiing with a control I never experienced before. So in short: You are so right…as always 😉 Thanks and greetings from Bavaria👋
I see so many skiers either skiing straight down the mountain or just sluffing snow everywhere and its so fun to see people actually turning and carving. Yay!!!
Great video Deb. I been following your Chanel for a long time and try to constantly learn and update by skills even though this is season #52 for a 73 year old. I have been working in ski shops for 47 years fitting boots, mounting + release checking bindings and yes helping skiers select new skis. First rule when buying is to select a ski that best suits the type of snow and terrain that you ski most often. I work in New England and yes many skiers select skies that are too wide for their skill level or the hard pack ice we encounter often. Second most skiers will tell me they ski Blue or Black trails. That doesn’t answer the question to help determine their skill level. We have to diplomatically ask them to describe ski technique. I frequently mentioned Deb Armstrong on RUclips. We tend to put beginner/ low intermediate on 72-76 mm waist skis. Intermediate/ advanced on 76-80 mm waist and Advanced / Expert on 76 -97 mm waist depending on their preferences and needs. We do not stock SL World Cup race skis like you use because there is little demand. We do have some wider models in stock like your Ranger 102 because there is a demand and we can sell them. Personally I really like your former brand Blizzard. My quiver is Firebird HRC (76) Brahma 88 True Blend Wood core, Rustler 9 ( 92 under foot) for New England conditions. When I ski Alta the Rustler 9 and 10 ( 102) are my quiver.
On the other hand, wide rockered skis are the easiest way for forever intermediates to get down steeper terrain, or beginners to just skid around on, because they don't catch edges and are easy to pivot. If you look at 100 people coming down any slope, you'd be lucky to spot 1 who actually carve their turns. The reality is vast majority of folks never develop dynamic edgelock skills, but get "advanced" skis to skid & survive down "advanced" terrain.
@@agenthex Come to a better Swiss or Austrian ski resort and on an average red slope (blue in US) you'd find 40 out of 100 ppl carving flawlessly and another 30 ppl doing something between carving and skidding.
Thanks SO much for this video! Everything you said in this video happened to me in my local ski shop. I told the girl I had been skiing since the 70's and I didn't want the water skiis she was trying to sell me! To wide and no performance. I thought I was just being set in my ways. I bought a skinny older pair of skiis from my friend and have been so happy with the response I get from them. Thanks for validating me haha. Also just want to say I love your videos especially the ones with the kids. You are so patient and are an excellent teacher. They're lucky to have you!
I agree with this so profoundly. I see a lot of skiers who started in the last ~10 years, and who just have no idea how to bring a ski up on edge, pressure the shovels, and carve. They've spent their entire skiing careers on wide, rockered, tapered skis that reward pivoting and skidding (nb: "slarve" is an oxymoron). BTW those Fischer 102FRs are a great choice as a wider ski, though I personally preferred the contemporary (and regrettably also discontinued) 107Ti, preferably at 189 cm. Now _that_ is a wide ski that can still bust out a passable turn on hard snow when the occasion arises. I bought a second pair when I saw what was replacing it.
I have always said the lower turning radius makes me look better then I am. My frontside daily driver is an Elan Speed Magic, provides a bit of a pop, narrow under foot and a crazy low turning radius. Your videos continue to inspire.
Deb, what a smart 'ski selection' video! THANKS! LOVED that you used 'mature' women skiers to make your point! (We dames are all out there, hunting for wisdom like yours!) Over a decade ago, I was determined to try a Volkl. (As a 'lite wt' skier - 5'3"", 110 lbs, Ski Shops always steered me to lite weight, more 'squirrely' skis.) But I wanted a real CARVING ski, able to let me swoop and carve on anything from groomed Blues to Black Diamonds. I didn't want to "swivel" my turns on light skis -- I wanted to SWOOP & PLUMMET! ⛷ For ME, Volkl's 'stability' did the trick! Now, years later (& still living in NYC), I tend to rent Demo skis on my excursions (mostly out West), and this gives me the opportunity to ski/test both the Carvers AND the Wider options for those 'snowy' days. P.S. My first purchase of 'pro-skis' was a BLIZZARD....back in the early '70s. Loved em! 😁
I am an intermediate skier and I hated wide skis when I tried them. They felt clunky and clumsy. Carving skies are the thing for me. Thank you for the video.
The rc one 86 gt is the first ski that wows me😅 My kore 93 is good, but the RC one takes it to another level on groomer. It just wants to charge. What surprises me is that it’s amazingly good off-piste too. Sure, its tail is a little unforgiving than skis with twin tips. But it’s release much easier than a carving ski like e rally. I skied it in a couple inches soft snow as well and it handles it with ease. I feel many skiers will be much happier on skis like RC one as a daily driver than skis like 105 underfoot, especially for someone who’s progressing. At palisades, I have seen so many intermediate on enforcer 100/104 after many days without fresh snow. I am like “why” 😂
I have a pair of Stockli’s, Laser SL 66 underfoot, absolutely love them. So responsive on groomers and they even hold up in slush in the afternoon. I’m from Europe (Netherlands) so ski in Austria, France, Swiss and Italy. When we had some snow days I tried a Stockli AR with 83 underfoot and loved that ski in those circumstances very much. Off piste becomes a party on those skis.Thinking of buying a second pair with the wider underfoot. Love you channel and learn a lot from watching your videos
Great advise Deb! There are so many variables & choices now days, and ski equipment isn’t cheap. So it’s a good idea to be honest with yourself about your abilities and desires for skiing. Then do your research. Ask a lot of questions before making an investment. I’m on the West Coast and we frequently have variable snow conditions in one day! A ‘one ski quiver’ can be a challenge to find, but an ‘All Mountain Ski’ is a great option (unless powder or racing specific are your main goal). Also being able to demo ski’s can be very helpful when trying to make that final decision 🎿 Wishing you ‘BlueBird’ days ⛷ ...be safe out there 😊
So right. I was skiing on wider skis like 95 wide on East Coast. Got a pair of Stockli’s Laser AX (78) and wow! I finally understood edge to edge and short turn skiing. And like Deb says the skills trickled up to my wider skis.
Thank you very much for your videos, it has helped me a lot, I am an Argentine living in Austria and after 7 years here I started skiing a few months ago (I regret not having done it before). With a day practicing and watching videos after 4 days of skiing I can already go down the red slopes... Danke
Thanks for this video! 🙏 Tried out my new Stockli Laser MX skies for the first time today - I think this will be a game changer. The 67mm waist is a whole new experience compared to my 88mm waisted all mountain skis. I feel like it is also way more responsive! Love it!!!!!
I have Atomic Redster SL 68 under foot(two pair now) 165 and 171cm along with a Head Monster 83TI 177cmand a Volkl 98 177cm I love the Redster best. I watch your videos all the time. My skiing is on the expert level after 50 years. Thanks for the great information
Hello Deb! I am 45yr and started skiing last year; 2023. I took classes at Mt Bachelor, Oregon, and fell in love. By the end of the season I bought my first pair of skis, Rossignol Experience 86 Basalt. I like to carve and want to be an aggressive rider. I come from years of downhill mountain bike racing so I'd like to think I'd tackle the bumps and some small jumps. Unfortunately, I tore my meniscus last year and recently injured the other knee so I'm becoming quite timid. (I tend to get excited about a sport and run out the gate and ride over my head) I was starting to do blue runs but put myself back on greens. That all being said, I struggle in powder. It's like turning in cement and my skis can get sucked out from under me or become quite squirrely at times and I'm getting frustrated. It has been suggested I get wider skis, maybe around 100 underfoot. I like groomers and it's not like every day on Bachelor is a powder day. Far from it. My questions: Do I keep the Rossis or are they too aggressive for an injured beginner? There are other narrow skis I've been considering demoing; Blizzard Rustlers, Atomic Bent... What skills and exercises do you suggest practicing to help me progress? (and heal) I'm willing to work hard on the basics even though I chomp at the bit to get better. I just don't want to think I'm sabotaging myself with the wrong ski. Or... is it just me? lol Thank you so much!
I totally agree with you Deb. Last season I was on my 88 underfoot all winter and I just can't break through that intermediate wall, until I got a pair of SL race skis. And I am now a master racer :) Love your video!
I’ve been on 88’s this season (salomon stance) and I’m really struggling to get edge angle! I’m doing some demos first this next season. This makes me even more excited to try them out!
Nice. The beauty of skiing for me is always fine tuning technique in the variety and various snow conditions. After decades of skiing on so many brands and widths, here I am now just hitting my 70’s I’m on a Fischer RC4 SC 165 and a Fischer Ranger FR115 for those wacko snow days. I had the RC4 CT last season. What a rush bringing back vibes from younger years!
Can't be easy. Gotta show up. Be athletic. Great video, Deb! My quiver has 3 widths: 68, 79, 88. The 68, a Fischer, is stiff and a little on the long side; I need to show up for it and then it is a blast. Attitude matters. The 79 is versatile and easier, another Fischer. The 88 is new to me. I doubt I'd ever buy anything wider.
This is great advice! I share your bias about learning the basics on a narrow under foot ski with a radius that will help newer skiers turn. Unfortunately I think that many shops are selling skis that are wide under foot to people who are not ready for them. I can't give up my Atomic skis that are 76 mm under foot.
Deb knows what shes talking about. I felt my skiing had not been improving, I had stalled. Went in my garage, busted out my Dynastar Legend X84. Head up to Loveland and worked on my technique And had a ton more fun!!!!!!!! ripped it!!! Thank you so much for reminding me to get back to the basics!!!!! Wish I could catch up in person at some point for a lesson!!! thank you!!!! Bill in Evergreen.
Amazing! I just changed to a narrower and stiffer ski this year and what a change. It forces me to ski better and results in more confidence so then I also ski better. I love when you say that you have a loud voice….thank goodness!! Keep it up!
Great advice. I have been on Rossignol Experience 74/144 for the past 3 years as a beginner to semi intermediate skier. I am 130 lbs and 5 foot 3. When I have inquired at my local Albuquerque ski shop as to what would be my next ski progression they told me they no longer stock any skis below 85 because "the trend is to wider skis and we can't sell skinner skis."
Deb, thanks for confirming that "one size doesn't fit all." Not all days, not all mountains. We just got back from a trip to Sun Valley and were miserable skiing day one on our floaty Dynastars (no new snow from nature for months!) Thank goodness we also brought along our narrower Volkl's - MUCH better on that steep hardpack.
Oh my god yes! I remember 20 years ago when I was like 13 or so and my grandpa splurged on renting a pair of Salomon slalom race skis for me for the week we had of skiing that year in the north-ish of Sweden and it's still the most fun I've had on skis I think... together with the next year when I got to ride the same model skis again! I remember them as being super skinny under foot, maybe 65 mm(?), and the grip I had on ice was just out of this world! The only thing I found difficult was to ride the one foot of powder we got a couple of days when it snowed... Still chasing that feeling!
Thanks for the advice. Just Bought myself a pair of Volkl Racetiger SC 165 68 underfoot r13 to improve my technical skiing. Can not wait to get out there.
so often i've seen one of my friends ski a few seasons on rentals, 5 or 7 days a season, decide they want to get their own setup, then think "well I only want to buy 1 set of skis" and they walk out of the shop with 94mm, middle of the road "all mountain" sticks for their VT/NH/sometimes CO skiing. so unfortunate! This video made me realize it really is limiting them. Sure they can turn in the deeper stuff when it comes, but they aren't feeling the edge control and it shows. I wonder how you overcome this. I can't imagine looking at one of them when they were buying and saying "sure you want 1 ski for all your days, but get the 80 underfoot and really feel the turns." Maybe it's an inevitable progression that needs to happen so they can figure out what they like and get out of the middle-of-the-road, okay-at-everything. Great food for thought p.s. hope you're enjoying the powder!
A skier like you described would benefit from something like a Volkl Yumi 80 or 84 or Blizzard Pearl 80. A skier who has limited experience and time on the slopes probably has not developed the skills to tip a 90 + type ski on edge. I always mention Deb Armstrong RUclips videos to skiers I help at the shop where I work.
Excellent point. The thing that really made me become a different skier is the day the shop told me I should try giant slalom skis. From then on I understood a lot of things. How to drive with me feet, how to apply pressure on the front/back of the ski, how to engage my body etc... I really took off. It's a lot more physical because it's so heavy, but then a realized there were very precise skis that were a bit more forgiving, less demanding and still giving a lot of satisfaction. Now I can carve with wider skis (92) because I have that background. That said keep in mind than GS skis are dangerously addictive, it puts you on rails and makes you go way faster than you should.
Couldn't agree more. After racing I went to look for a good all mountain ski having started there for recreational skiing in the early 2000s. Couldn't believe how much modern all mountain skis have become like powder skis 10 yrs ago. Sure they were great in deep powder and crud but for everything else they just sucked. Went with a modern wide front side craving ski (Rossi Experience 80) and everything was immediately better. I've never had a problem skiing skinny skis in the pow as long as they are soft enough so it just made all terrain particularly groomers so much better. Imho most skiers these days are on waaay too wide of skis. Particularly if you are skiing at a local hill like Stevens or Alpental on a dump day you are still going to be on groomers or in the bumps quite often. The only counter example I can find is that there are some boutique skis that manage to strike a really good balance for certain snow conditions. A friend let me ski on his Line Mordecais and wow what a revelation. Super unfamiliar coming from race skis. They are like 90 under foot with center mount bindings, lots of rocker, and very symmetrical from tip to tail. They look like skiing on blimps lol. But hot dang did they hold an edge and carve all while being super easy to pivot at any point in the turn. It made everything from soft groomers to deep powder feel like you were doing race turns that could be adjusted and pivoted out of at will. I found myself doing some really bad habits like getting back and inside but the ski just kept charging forward while locked on rails. However as soon as they hit hard pack or ice they absolutely fell apart. So my two main issues with skis like those is that they simply won't work in icy conditions and for generally soft PNW conditions they will ultimately make you a worse skier since it becomes VERY easy to get away with bad form while still ripping. So yeah if you are an expert you should have the right ski for the right occasion. If you are still learning a narrower ski, with a good amount of side cut, and a traditional camber is still the best option by far. If you are getting into powder skiing then just go with something with a softer more forgiving flex and learn to up unweight and ski with a narrower stance.
I ski in Wyoming. There is an obsession with “all mountain” skis in the 96 range. While we do have more powder days and the ability to run off piste than many ares, we still have lots of icy groomer days. While an all mountain works, a narrower ski under foot made me turn 100% better and made me feel less like my shins were going to shoot out from under me when trying to carve. Deb is opinionated, but experienced and speaks the truth.
I switched to an Elan Ace SXL last season in a 164 cm length and I am loving life. ( I was using an Elan Ampfibio14, 76 cm underfoot. ) The Ace is my everyday ski. It is a quick edge to edge ski, torsionally stiff and camber rich, carving gem. I ski it in powder ( If not too deep. ) crud, ice and moguls too. Good video Deb, and I agree with your take; a narrow carver helps teach precision and feel. Edit: the Elan is a slalom race ski.
You're the best, Deb. I remember when I first started riding the Salomon x scream and my skiing jumped a level. Then I switched the Volkl RTM 84 and my skiing really transformed. Another excellent video!
I think the hardest thing about ski selection is it’s so hard to generalize, with so many nuances between different ski designs. I’m just getting the hang of carving, I find that the 96mm wide Sky 7 is just as easy to carve on as the 86mm wide Seek 7. But i am also not laser focused on becoming a faster, more precise skiier. I’m focused on enjoying my time on the mountain and improving my skiing ability to make better use of my time (and to be less fatiguing on my body). Those Seek 7’s cant handle how I ski now (or more accurately, how I ski as a 240 lb dude), which I admit involved a lot more sweeping skidded turns than Deb probably wants to see. I demoed 100mm wide bent chetlers and adored them, settled on some liberty origin 101’s. Hopefully they work well for me! I probably would have stuck to mid 90’s underfoot if I were an east coast skiier. I can’t recommend anyone on the west coast go narrower than 90mm underfoot once they graduate from rentals. The additional width provides more stability and braking ability in skidded turns. For skiiers looking to maximize their sense of control and explore the mountain quickly, I’m not sure I can reconcile what deb is saying here. But If I assume that Deb’s interested is in training people to be confident carvers on piste, I can understand why the narrower waist will be better for that. Both because it makes it easier to feel that edge to edge transition, and because it FORCES you to accept the speed, since skidding narrow skis at those speeds doesn’t do much to confidently slow you down. A wider ski is better at keeping your speeds low when you want to, I think Deb wants everyone to ski faster :)
Hi Max. I certainly don't want folks to ski faster at all. My hope is for everyone to find stability, safety, skillfulness and fun at whatever level skier they are. I made my bias clear in this video, I am a performance skier which does not have to mean a fast skier. I do not ski fast however I ski skillfully. so what does that mean. I am in total control and command of all the skills. Pressure, edging, rotary and overall balance. At any given moment I can stop, hop, make a sharp turn or a long turn - at any given moment I have a choice. wider skis under foot for a lower level skier or an intermediate skier hinders ones ability to cultivate all of the skills. The point I make in this video is to gain the skills first and then graduate to the skis that are more situation specific to be at their best, meaning for mixed conditions and powder. Where folks get into trouble with a narrower ski under foot would be too narrow and too stiff. too Stiff would be too much metal in the ski, too narrow is relative. this is all food for thought. Take the spirit of my video into account, Look at the skiers on the hill. Generally they have become less skilled over recent years with grooming and wide skis. Anyone can get to the bottom of the hill fast and they may be a terrible skier, no skill at all. pre grooming and fat skis folks had to know how to ski if they went to the top. no intermediate skier could get down, impossible. FUN is the point for everyone. some people have fun improving their skiing and strive to improve their skills. Those are the folks that I am trying to inform with my videos. I hope this gives you more of an idea of where I am coming from. I am glad you enjoy your skis as much as you do!!!!! Keep having fun out there., Cheer
Excellent video. I bought new skis this year - unplanned! Was offered a Serpo which is 93 underfoot or the Brahma 88. I chose the Brahma in 183cm where the advice from the shop was the 177. Glad of both decisions as the Blizzard just rips and my skiing as a result went to a whole new level.
I went to the ski shop the next day after my lesson to get a more aggressive ski; I was given "the most aggressive they had." Wider underfoot than the ones I own, I knew they weren't for me when I couldn't skate to the lift line as well as I did on my own skis. I stuck it out for the day, making sure it wasn't me, back to my skis until I find a new pair; for now, I'm able to incorporate the skills from the lesson. I watched a video the other day that said narrower underfoot is for beginners, lots of comments disagreeing with the RUclipsr's opinion. Great video; thanks for all the information.
Damn straight, Deb. My girlfriend is super athletic, great potential, but wider skis were holding her back. I purchased her a pair of twitchy, tightly wound skis (narrow under foot), and she was suddenly skiing like a dream, rolling them over…. Brilliant advice! Thank you!
HURRAY for you Deb! One other thing you may want to include is that skiing on a wide ski on groomed slopes CAN be very hard on your knees. See: "The Waist Width of Skis Influences the Kinematics of the Knee Joint in Alpine Skiing', Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, m. Zorko, et al, 2015. Use the right tool for the job and remove many of the MEAT MISSLES we endure on the slopes! Thank you again Deb, love your videos.
Expert male with several decades of skiing (piste, sprinkling of racing, mogul enthusiast, backcountry, cross country...). I picked up a pair of GT86 for this season (the 2021 model, don't know if the 2022s are any different) and have had blast on them (my first Fischers since their 'Vacuum' skis). Stable at speed, works in all turn shapes and has tenacious grip also on "concrete".
Deb, thanks for the advice! I have been skiing on and off for the last 20 years. Unfortunately, I bought a pair of Volk Blaze 94s/173. Awesome skis but I struggled with my turns. After watching your video, I switched to 80 underfoot. It made a huge difference and helped me improve! You’re the best!
Thank you! You have answered some very important questions for me! Particularly about waist measurement. I will be checking out the RC1 as soon as I can this season. AND I will add a wider ski for powder days!
Everyone should watch your videos, especially this one, repeatedly. Deb, you’re so impeccably on point end-to-end.. Plus, prefacing the video by mindfully contextualizing your ‘biases’ (which I happen to agree with) may be one of the best lessons packed with advice that anyone can get for equipment as well as training. Thank you!
well Deborah , as your humble admirer , I must say I've found a place where i don't completely agree with you 🙂 I ski in europe 1-2 weeks a year for many years - always on slalom skis . the past 2 years have been on 90's underfoot and was blown away ! the stability, the confidence on varying conditions, the added safety and the ability to go off piste . it's true, i probably wont be cranking out sets of tight-legged short radius turns in morning corderoy - i'll just carve . but they handle everything with ease - including ice . I'm s a 47 year old 200 lbs guy and for me SL skis are like a porsche , and mid-fats are like a range rover . a porsche is good for a very specific target , and the range rover can go just about anywhere in any terrain - even when the going gets tough .
I agree with your comment but this is not what Deb meant. She said to try skiing first on narrower skis in order to develop proper technic , movements etc and after gaining confidence and good experience try something fatter and enjoy all conditions on the slopes. In your case, you did just that, first there were narrow skis and then you switched to fatter ones and you feel great on them no matter what conditions. I went through the same process and had the same experiences. Deb is right with her advise and it is quite easy to see why just by looking at young skiers on wide skis. Most of them can't ski properly simply because base is not there. they were told these are trendy skis and they should ski on those. Sure they charge down the slopes like crazy but technic is not there and that stops them from making progress witch is very unfortunate. That is why I like what Deb says and I hope her message spreads and reaches all those who need to hear it. I love my skis all of different widths 86, 88, 108, different brands with different characteristics but performing excellent in all kinds of conditions , because the BASE ( proper technic and skill )is there :))) Cheers
Nowadays there is so much choice. Def agree you need to think what you want to be and then test as many skis as you can and then get your local shop to get you what you want.
Great video Deb! I love all the advice you give, but this one really resonates with me. Makes me want to demo some different skis to really get a feel for what works for me. Thanks!
Debbie, thank you so much for your advice about narrower skis for beginners to intermediates who are trying to advance. I was suggested a K2 reckoner 92 by a local ski shop as the ski for all conditions and terrain since I ski 4 to 5 days in a season. I did 2 days with it and was not getting what I expected with advancement. Then I took your advice for narrower 76 and viola. The feedback to muscles and skeleton is totally different and it was the sensation that helped me improve and show up to challenge posed by the feedback. They literally give you perception of so much control. Can’t thank you enough. Glad that I tried it by renting and then I got a pair at a good sale price from yesteryear model. Love it. I wish more ski sellers tell us this, who are early intermediates.
Hi Deb, I just want to say your RUclips videos are so awesome!!!! I am an intermediate skier, my husband and I ski recreationally during the winter. But I would love to become a better skier. Watching your videos are so motivational. Both my husband and I would love to be better with our carving. And I believe we need better skis for those carving. Any other videos you recommend for us to watch?
I like to share my experience on different skis used for training. Item 1. Rossignol Beginner Ski Year 2018 released L=150cm / 80mm underfoot Item 2. Dynastar Carving Ski Year 2013 released L=152cm / 72mm underfoot For the past 3 months, I used my Dynastar for training and practicing most of the time (my second-buy ski) When my son ski with me, I ride back on my first buy skis (Rossignol), which I did not used for at most two seasons. Before, I can't tell much difference of both skis (on-piste condition). After two month of serious training on medium turn in genental slopes only (my instructor correct some bad habits built-up for the last ten years) I can tell there is a big difference for two pair of skis under same track and same condition comparison. Both my instructor (observed) and myself (direct feed back from my feet) and concluded that the Rossignol beginner skis > edging significant increased, edge more bites into snow, turing and overall speed are much faster, overall control also better.... I am surprised that the Beginner Skis's performance is better than carving skis. I don't know how to explain > perhaps I am still in the novel stage, which means riding a Toyota Corolla Sedan is better than a 2 door racing car!!!??? A soft skis is easier to control than stiff skis for beginner. When mastered skills, perhaps stiff skis are good for intermediate skier too. Anyway I feel more comfort when riding my Toyota Picnic rather than my BMW-Z4. When you don't know how to control a BMW-Z4 there is no fun at all😂 For good fun on riding a Z4, you need to master driving techique. For example, Stockli skis will not provide me better performance at this stage too😅
Deb, you are so nice and polite! You could have said that the ski industry has misled thousands by selling them fat skis that make skiing deeper snow easier for those without the skills, when most people ski on groomers - which means tilled, compressed, hard surfaces, and most days are not powder days! I commend you for making this video - and I’m sure it will impact some.
I have been selling skis since 1975 so I have experience with ski design,technology, technical skills and customer relations. At our shop we sell to lots of beginner, intermediate and casual recreational skiers. The more recreational less expensive ski taper in the 72-78 mm waist range. We stock lots of mid range intermediate level skis in the 78-84 mm range. However skiers coming in for the high end advanced / expert range mostly want something in the 88-100 mm range. There are many factors besides width like ski flex, rocker profile, tip and tail shapes, turn radius etc. personally I will explain all of these concepts but lots of skiers don’t understand they should buy a ski that suits the conditions the ski frequently. They want the ski they see or hear people talking about on Facebook. I love the 70 year old skier in Deb’s video explaining that her new high performance stiff narrow ski requires that the operator pay constant attention. I use the term “ skier input”. If you have skied on a World Cup race ski with a metal race plate (to dampen high speed vibration) like the Fischer model that Deb’s skis on you will agree in requires skill and input. They do not forgive errors in ski technique. In my experience some skier like some of the wider models because the extra width and tip,and tail rocker, softer flex is more forgiving of skier errors. Yes they do skid and slide them around with lazy technique. We have stocked some of the narrow high performance models that Deb recommended but people don’t want to buy them. You make it sound like it’s our fault. It’s like foods and beverages. People buy what they like not necessarily what is best for their health. Is that the fault of the grocery , restaurant and food industry? Also the majority of skiers do not take lessons with professionals so they are not getting the advice that Deb recommended.
I agree with both these comments. A lot of people end up skiing on skis too wide for the conditions 80% of the time as they want a ski that will handle the soft snow better, but in fact those conditions are only available 20% of the time at most places. On the other hand occasional intermediate skiers like the easy forgiving ride of the wider less aggressive ski. In the end it’s about having fun and which ski helps you get there. I constantly chat with people who claim they study the ski reviews in depth and make their choice based on that. In my opinion trying skis is the only way to choose. For my last purchase to replace my old carvers I tried 7 different skis over 3 days and the final choices I tried twice . I skied exactly the same runs over a variety of terrain in pretty much identical conditions. I found several of the skis with great reviews were not up to my needs at all. Everyone is different, size, weight, style ,age etc. In my case for interests sake I discovered Stockli AX ( 78mm underfoot at 168cm length) much shorter then I ever thought I’d go. Fun, fun ,fun. Precision carving when going hard, easy riding when relaxed cruising. Edge hold forever even at the shorter length. How they got it all is amazing. Price was the only negative. But you get what you pay for. I’m 69 , have skied for about 60 years and ski about 100 days a year. I think Deb nailed it except that lots of folks just want to slide around and have no interest in hard carving precision. As she said that’s her reality.
@@Holeysocks464 Impressed, at 69 the "easy riding when relaxed cruising" seems the most enticing option. However, at times you stray to the moguls or steeps for a short excursion to break the groomer boredom that rears it ugly head at times. Gone are the days that are only for the steeps/moguls, and that's alright.
You have got to be kidding me.... My exact learning ski... the fischer rtx... wth... That was my learning slalom racing ski. Its an amazing set of skis. You are underselling. I live on the east coast. How do i get a lesson from deb? I also have a set of atomic 180s from the 90s.... My latest jam has been the dynastar 89ti tip rocker. Also, my personal measurement for ski ability (assuming execution): 1) learning that skis have different lengths and what that feels like turning in ideal conditions. 2) understands what skis are best in specific conditions. 3) vary ski technique across all content with all types of skis 4) billy goat (its a technical ski term. If you've never heard it, you probably never ski'd with anyone good) Deb is a 4 because she seems capable of teaching others no 3.
Amen !!! i hook up folks on newer style skis for tele all the time and suggest carvy wasty skis for starters... !!! 118-85-109 full camber is my current fave for crushing the bumps in Taos...
Great observations. In March I traveled to Tignes/Val d'isere with a group. We rented our skis, which based on the lack of fresh snow, and warm day/freezing night conditions created really hard icy conditions. The ski rental shop recommended a narrow ski based on the conditions (75mm), which was ideal. I could hold an edge and carve on Johan Clarey. My friends from California, who brought their own western powder skis (100mm+) had a very difficult time with the conditions. Wide skis have a purpose, but 90% of the time we're not in the ideal conditions to suit them.
Maybe I’m biased because I learned to ski on sub 70mm skis but I completely agree -there are certain things you can’t learn and do on wide skis and you will never learn to do the longer you stay on them. It’s very easy to transition to a wide ski when it’s called for if you learned on a narrow ski -the opposite is not true.
So many buy skis based on cosmetics, and a brand or model name they are familiar with. I could care less about fashion cosmetics. I currently ski GS 195 to 198, 65 under foot. Back in the day (80's) I skied Kastle 210 cm GS skis primarily, I liked them for everything (including powder) except bumps. I had 205 slalom for that. Even had some Kastle 223 cm DH's, now those were "a trip" in the powder (only did that once). You had to be "on your game" 100% to do that.
Colorado skier as well and my daily driver is an 84 underfoot. It’s soooo narrow compared to my buddies and I can’t wait to get a narrower pair next year.
Very good video. These days skiers want to look good regardless of their ski ability. My background is Europe ski culture where we are more narrow than here in US. When You live in Midwest without big mountains You have to learn make every turn count . So I mostly ski 68 under foot( RC4 SC). I have also Rustlers 9 when snow softer or hill is really beaten up. But funny thing is that a lot of people skiing here on really wide skis. And a lot of them on powerful skis with two sheets of metal and they do not use potential of the skis, because they smear or slide the skis and they do not now how to carve the ski and also 18-20 meter radius is not for small hills. But You now , we all like the best gear ,top five ski reviews and on and on. So many people ski the skis which are too much for them. But ski shops in Midwest found the way how to help those skiers. They detune the skis automatically. So when You do the service ,You have to mention no detune please. It is nonsense for me, but I guess that people sometimes do not want to be told the truth. But I completely agree with You that when You now how to ski 68 under foot, than You can carve everything. And if it is smaller hill ,or even big mountain You can be fast and edgy even with one sheet of metal. With the skis it is exactly the same like with motorcycles, You will have more fun and You will learn more on smaller bike on the track than on big one. Thanks for Your videos. I love them Milos
I've done a few ski demo weekends changing boards throughout the day. It's amazing when a pair "skis like you do" and you're taken immediately to a happy place. This can't happen talking to a tech or salesman in a shop. Swapping skis like you did is also great if you're lucky enough to have friends with identical sole lengths.
I think most recreational skiers even "advanced" ones are just controlling their speed with large, unhealthy amount of steering angle by skidding the bottom 3rd of the turn and so wider skis just feels easier by push ing more snow out of the way, similar to how most snowboarders turn (you do see the occasional carvers). And just like what you said, most skiers are held back. Ones who venture into advanced terrains are just relying on pure athleticism/youth and peer pressure, AND they just end up pushing all the snow down the mountain, resulting in all those humongous canoe-shaped moguls! At least that's my current bias.
Thank you!! I have so much to say on this that I won't., except..... Suffice it to say that I am frustrated by so many skiers out there on a 100+ ski who are doing nothing but pivoting, (without actually changing direction), and swear their ski really edges well. They haven't skied on an edge to save their life. Grrrrr. I will throw out one point about super wide skis on groomed terrain. If you are actually trying to carve them, the leverage on your knee (and therefore the strain) is much greater than a narrower ski. My go to, everyday ski is 75 under foot. My "wide" powder ski is 92. Jeez, I remember when our GS skis were for powder!!
Yes, that is my experience after several sports knee surgeries, the wider ski does bother my knees a bit, thus, I tend to slide the ski to turn the wider ski, which works but that's tough to do in moguls...
Agree 100%! I learned on a 93 underfoot. I never truly knew what carving was and felt like until I started skiing on a Stockli laser AR (82mm full camber ski). I was almost scared to try the narrower more aggressive Stockli but started immediately improving once I did.
IMO it's not so much the width as the flex pattern, rocker/camber, and taper. There are a small number of ~90 mm skis on the market that have short and/or shallow rocker, minimal taper, traditional flex patterns, and < 20 m sidecut, and I've seen people learn to carve well on those. They require more leverage to tip on edge, but other than that the turn mechanics are similar to traditional carving skis. For that matter I can think of some 100+ mm skis (mostly discontinued ones like the Dynastar Pro Rider and Fischer 107Ti) that fit that description to some extent. I totally understand why Deb is using "width" as a proxy for all of those other attributes, though. BTW your Laser ARs have a moderate amount of tip rocker. They're not full camber, and they don't initiate quite as precisely as a fully-cambered racing ski like the Laser GS would
@@patrickchase5614 The most important is the radius (sidecut). The second most important thing is the stiffness of the ski. Camber is highly correlated with the radius. The shorter the radius the more camber the ski has. The biggest problem by far with fat skis is softness (and poor edges which are correlated). Soft ski you can't ride fast (except in foot deep powder), you can't ride aggressively, you can't really ride on the edge. And technologically it is very difficult to make a fat ski stiff only longitudinally so that they maintain torsional flex.
I had a couple of single days te last years on rental noodles. This year it was the first year that I skied a full week on second hand atomic X10 supercross skies. (Narrow underfood) Normally I am a snowboarder but with the kids I decided to learn to ski. The amount of confidence they gave me was super fun. On the sloppy parts it was more work than others who seems to flow over the loose snow. But they encourage better technique and the use of the brain reading the slopes and conditions. I don't think I would have learned the amount I did on rental noodles. It's hard work, but you feel the progress while skiing. And I don't have use in a wide ski. Powder days are for my snowboard.
We recently moved to Alberta, one of the reasons of the move is the mountains. I was told “you’re going to need a wide ski to ski out there”. There’s probably truth to that assuming you ski mostly off piste. If you ski mostly on groomed, often hard pack and icy conditions, don’t believe the hype of needing a wide ski. A good piste ski is what you need in my opinion in the 70mm to 79mm ranges underfoot. Some will say you’ll regret your choice when you have powder days. Sure, but how often does that happen, how often do we get to be that lucky over the course of a season.
I want to ski your skis!!! My favorite skis are my 2016 Salomon XMax. They are 73 underfoot. 165 in length. (120/73/103) I LOVE them and race with them. My "fat boys," my 186, 92 underfoot 2007 Dynastar Big Troubles, come out and play once a year. I LOVE them too. I LOVE all my skis! 😂
I wish we could always have Deb’s voice in our ear encouraging us and helping us be better!
who else finds that they have Deb's mantras on repeat when they ski, combining ambition, possibility with invaluable techniques?
Thank you😉
I find it hard to take advice from someone who can't even give proper advice on how to do a simple kick turn. I could outski this "world cup athlete" on my very worst day
@@ianholmquist8492just outa my curiosity would u like to explain what is a kick turn? ❤❤
I am German. just got myself some Blizzards with 88mm underfoot, 187cm long on sale (I am 6‘ 3“) and consider it as my powder skis. 😂 Now took them to the mountain in Austria. Probably the longest (and among the widest skis) I have seen all day. They really stood out of the crowd. Same when I was skiing in the Rockies last year on my „European all mountains“ with 74mm underfoot and 176cm. There, it felt like I was on kids‘ skis. Such a different approach.
Very good advice Deb. I have told some of my clients that a shaped ski will improve their progression. Clients are buying what is cool without thinking they are skiing 95% groomed and perhaps an icy piste.
All skis made since about 1998 are "shaped skis"
This is a far most best ski youtube channel. It covers all skiing aspects and rhetoric that Deb uses can reach anyone. Every video gives the viewer exact ammount of information. Not too much neither to little.
Keep up the good/great work Deb! 💪😎🤙
Love it. Thank you
Very good video! This is exactly what happened to me. I was getting a bit frustrated seeing my friends skiing quicker than me, while I had better technique. I thought it was due to them having 80+ kg, while I'm around 50kg. Then there was a Fischer test day and I tried new CURV RC4, triple radius, 70mm under foot, and my mind was blown away! In rental shop, when you say "this is my 3rd year skiing" , they assume you've spent max 10 days of active skiing and are nowhere near ready for curving, while I ski it because I really want to learn and i ski with my ski instructor almost every day when I come to the mountain. The skies they gave me are much, much softer and probably > 80mm under foot. I'm now really convinced these new Fischer RC4 are the best choice for me and I think I'll buy them.
Thank you for the video!
Yeah! You must do it!!! Totally agree with Deb, that the best choice for those who live skiing is the highest expert model one could buy (and afford). Expert slalom skis (Fischer RC4 SL is among them) - are one must have in his collection). Good luck!
I had a revelation this past season when a ski instructor friend told me to get some real performance carving skis. I went from the Blizzard Black Pearl to the Blizzard Phoenix R-13 CA and wanted to throw the Black Pearls in the nearest dumpster as soon as I skied on the Phoenix. Unbelievable difference! IMO, Eastern skiers like me should all be on a ski that's really designed for edge grip and carving.
all mountain skis like Black Pearl require from you to have a good ski technique and backround to fully utilize them , and good techniques are obtained only from narrower skis.
Yiep, it's true the comment about Europe. I feel trained in the US, out of bounds in Crested Butte. Then in Chile I'm most freerider, before to go to CB I ride in Chile on piste with long thin skis. But here in Europe I've been returned to the trails, to the runs. Steep runs. Out of bounds in Andorra, not much. I've been back with the RC4 now to all runs, well seeing your videos that inspired me to ski again with narrow skis in the double black terrain. For doing classes I will find something between 75 to 85. It's amazing how some millimeters underfoot have changed the world of skiing. Now I'm doing it for my knees the correct choice of the ski.
Thanks to you, I switched from a Salomon QSR 92mm waist to a Stockli Nela 80mm waist when my Salomon’s were stolen before wanting to join your class at Taos. Now I’ve improved so much on moguls and steeps. Your strong opinion matters! Please have more videos about skiing funky deep powder and how you ski your Fischer Ranger or any other deep powder skis you would recommend.
Oh. My. Goodness. Thanks, Deb, for this video. As an Easterner, my loud opinion and bias is for a ski no wider than 84 under foot. That will cover your bases 90 percent of the time. If you want (have the means for) more than one ski, my bias is to go to a 72 underfoot. The third ski can be a powder ski. I just don’t get it when I see all these fat skis being loaded on the gondola in the East on rock-hard, bullet-proof days. Well, that’s my loud opinion and bias! Thanks for another great video!
I would like to see the lady ski before on her own other skis, so motivated to get thinner skis now!! thank you Deb!
I had been skiing on fatter free ride skis for the last 20+ years and straight skis for the 20 before.
This season I decided to really put a focus on carving and improving my technique, and skiing with my feet and not just my shins.
Last week I rented Fischer SCs in Austria, 68 mm under foot, instead of my typical 95.
What a difference! I had so much fun on the groomers. Conditions were perfect for it. Sunny but below freezing, hard pack but not ice.
After 4 days I was dragging my knuckles on the snow in the turns. Maybe not the best technique but it put a stupid grin to my face.
Surprisingly, even the hard pack moguls were very manageable with this ski, as the ski tech promised me in the shop.
I am a convert.
A one ski quiver really is a compromise, and selecting between at least two types is the way to have the most fun on the mountain, depending on conditions.
Spot on Deb - the industry has gone nuts with the wide platforms and a good many of these folks using them are technically unsound. They're basically sliders - skid skiers without any idea how the ski is designed to be used. Here in the east - the race (technical crowd) - we treat the skis like big ice skates.
Thank you !
I ski in eastern Canada where it’s mostly hard packed and icy conditions. A lot of the good dynamic skiers use narrow skis but we have those skiers that insist on skiing on 95mm or more even if those skis are completely wrong for these snow conditions.
I’ve convinced a couple of them to add a pair of narrower skis to their quiver and their skiing evolved quickly. However there will always be those who refuse to consider performance skis that could help them.
I totally agree with your assessment. Many skiers do not understand ski design and factors like rocker, tip+ tail shape or core construction. In general as the ski gets wider in the tip, waist,and tail the rocker increases, camber decreases and contact points move away from tip+ tail.The result tend to enhance performance in soft deep snow, allows the ski to smear/ skid, float through or over various conditions. However on hard packed conditions these are not qualities that make these skis the most effective tools. Skis designed for hard pack conditions have a narrower tip, waist,and tail. Less or no rocker and more camber. Tip+ tail, and contact points the help the ski to get you into and hold an edge efficiently. Unfortunately many skiers don’t have an understanding of these factors. Some may not have developed the skills and technique that helps to use modern ski design effectively. Just some observations from an old ski shop guy. I have a quiver (for New Hampshire, US) that includes an 81mm , 88mm and 94 mmm waisted skis. My Blizzard Brahma 88 True Blend Wood core is my everyday driver. I love my Nordica Enforcer 94 on snow days, off piste natural snow conditions, in trees but they don’t feel as quick and solid on the hard pack that is our most common conditions.
I’d love to hear your thoughts about boots and proper fit. How to assess the right stiffness, how to keep our ankles moving, how tight to strap them, what to change when spring skiing when the boots are softer and it feels like we are floating in them and any other advice you have.
Yes, please! I need this so so much!
Great advice Deb. I ski the hardpacked trails of N.H. and I see far too many skiers on 95 and more under foot and these skiers are on groomers all day . For most of these intermediate type skiers an 80 or less under foot would make it so much easier to roll the ski up on edge to initiate the turn. Unfortunately I don't think the sales person is always interested in what's best for the skier.
Or, alternatively the sales person has a bias as Deb mentions. I agree with you though.
I guess too many first time shopper buy wide ski because they are looking for a one ski quiver. But the truth is most intermediate won’t ever venture off piste and struggles on soft snow.
Deb, thanks for all the amazing videos! My wife and I always love them and watch them together. Your teachings resonate so well with both of us!
I've learned the lessons of this video this personally. A friend recommended I get on a Stormrider 105 (a truly awesome ski!) three seasons ago. I'm a bigger guy at nearly 50 years old, 6'5, 225lbs, and, at the time, an intermediate with aspirations of becoming advanced. I had to wait until the next season to try them as I got them on a killer end of season sale. As the summer went on I became more and more nervous because I thought I had gotten 'too much ski' for my upper intermediate skills. Boy was I wrong. The feedback from a performance ski helps you get to the next level really quickly. They give you the feedback needed to advance your abilities that a 'forgiving' ski just can't/wont (of course everyone is different so a more forgiving ski may be appropriate). Last season I hit a plateau, just like you talk about in the video, in the wider skis and couldn't progress my abilities.
At the start of this season, I got a second pair of 83MM Laser ARs. The narrower skis helped me bring my skiing to the next level. You could feel the skis hook up so easily when you tipped them on edge, then bring you around, and that trampoline feeling as the energy entered the ski and was then released. Carving became almost second nature in the narrow skis and, dare I say it, easy. How well I look doing it is another story, but I stopped skidding my turns, started finishing them, and laying trenches in the snow. I now skid my turns on demand rather than because of my poor technique. My stance changed immediately, becoming narrower, more stacked, and the precision with which I skied took off. When I got back on the wider skis it was a COMPLETELY different experience. I took all the good things I learned on the narrower ski and applied them to the wider skis. Edging was all of a sudden easier, carving was no longer a chore (I can carve my 105s as well as the 83 now... they're just slightly slower edge to edge), getting on my outside ski became easy, and being able to stroke the ski to finish the turn properly all started to fall in place. The versatility of the wider ski (e.g. being able to release and pivot, access to deeper snow, etc.) was completely unlocked for me because I shifted to using the narrower ski to learn the technical skills needed to take me to the next level. Now that the technical skills have advanced both the wide and narrow skis become even more fun just in different ways!
Keep up the awesome work and thank you so much for everything you do for the sport! :)
What a funny coincidence. I was just in a skiing holiday in the wonderful Dolomites in the German speaking part of Italy (Südtirol). I took some lesson with my 71 year old maestro de Ski Toni and he told me the things I was doing wrong or forgot about. I was slowly improving. On day two, I rent a new ski with a smaller midth than my all mountain ski…and I literally entered a new world 😳😃 No matter whether it was the skidded parallel turn or the carved turn or even my weak side short turns…everything seems to fall in place and I was skiing with a control I never experienced before. So in short: You are so right…as always 😉 Thanks and greetings from Bavaria👋
Thank you. Great story
I love you lady. Such a clarity communicating concepts and ideas. Saludos from Bariloche :)
You nailed it! So honest, so true to who you are. Very true for most skiers. Well done Deb.
Thanks Mugzy!!!!! happy skiing down there in Taos.
I see so many skiers either skiing straight down the mountain or just sluffing snow everywhere and its so fun to see people actually turning and carving. Yay!!!
Great video Deb. I been following your Chanel for a long time and try to constantly learn and update by skills even though this is season #52 for a 73 year old. I have been working in ski shops for 47 years fitting boots, mounting + release checking bindings and yes helping skiers select new skis. First rule when buying is to select a ski that best suits the type of snow and terrain that you ski most often. I work in New England and yes many skiers select skies that are too wide for their skill level or the hard pack ice we encounter often. Second most skiers will tell me they ski Blue or Black trails. That doesn’t answer the question to help determine their skill level. We have to diplomatically ask them to describe ski technique. I frequently mentioned Deb Armstrong on RUclips. We tend to put beginner/ low intermediate on 72-76 mm waist skis. Intermediate/ advanced on 76-80 mm waist and Advanced / Expert on 76 -97 mm waist depending on their preferences and needs. We do not stock SL World Cup race skis like you use because there is little demand. We do have some wider models in stock like your Ranger 102 because there is a demand and we can sell them. Personally I really like your former brand Blizzard. My quiver is Firebird HRC (76) Brahma 88 True Blend Wood core, Rustler 9 ( 92 under foot) for New England conditions. When I ski Alta the Rustler 9 and 10 ( 102) are my quiver.
On the other hand, wide rockered skis are the easiest way for forever intermediates to get down steeper terrain, or beginners to just skid around on, because they don't catch edges and are easy to pivot. If you look at 100 people coming down any slope, you'd be lucky to spot 1 who actually carve their turns. The reality is vast majority of folks never develop dynamic edgelock skills, but get "advanced" skis to skid & survive down "advanced" terrain.
@@agenthex Come to a better Swiss or Austrian ski resort and on an average red slope (blue in US) you'd find 40 out of 100 ppl carving flawlessly and another 30 ppl doing something between carving and skidding.
@@perakojot6524 "carving flawlessly" Sure, if standards for 'flawless' are low enough
Thanks SO much for this video! Everything you said in this video happened to me in my local ski shop. I told the girl I had been skiing since the 70's and I didn't want the water skiis she was trying to sell me! To wide and no performance. I thought I was just being set in my ways. I bought a skinny older pair of skiis from my friend and have been so happy with the response I get from them. Thanks for validating me haha. Also just want to say I love your videos especially the ones with the kids. You are so patient and are an excellent teacher. They're lucky to have you!
Great story. Thanks
My favourite ski channel - simple, eloquent explanations
I agree with this so profoundly. I see a lot of skiers who started in the last ~10 years, and who just have no idea how to bring a ski up on edge, pressure the shovels, and carve. They've spent their entire skiing careers on wide, rockered, tapered skis that reward pivoting and skidding (nb: "slarve" is an oxymoron).
BTW those Fischer 102FRs are a great choice as a wider ski, though I personally preferred the contemporary (and regrettably also discontinued) 107Ti, preferably at 189 cm. Now _that_ is a wide ski that can still bust out a passable turn on hard snow when the occasion arises. I bought a second pair when I saw what was replacing it.
I have always said the lower turning radius makes me look better then I am. My frontside daily driver is an Elan Speed Magic, provides a bit of a pop, narrow under foot and a crazy low turning radius. Your videos continue to inspire.
Deb, what a smart 'ski selection' video! THANKS! LOVED that you used 'mature' women skiers to make your point! (We dames are all out there, hunting for wisdom like yours!) Over a decade ago, I was determined to try a Volkl. (As a 'lite wt' skier - 5'3"", 110 lbs, Ski Shops always steered me to lite weight, more 'squirrely' skis.) But I wanted a real CARVING ski, able to let me swoop and carve on anything from groomed Blues to Black Diamonds. I didn't want to "swivel" my turns on light skis -- I wanted to SWOOP & PLUMMET! ⛷ For ME, Volkl's 'stability' did the trick! Now, years later (& still living in NYC), I tend to rent Demo skis on my excursions (mostly out West), and this gives me the opportunity to ski/test both the Carvers AND the Wider options for those 'snowy' days. P.S. My first purchase of 'pro-skis' was a BLIZZARD....back in the early '70s. Loved em! 😁
I am an intermediate skier and I hated wide skis when I tried them. They felt clunky and clumsy. Carving skies are the thing for me. Thank you for the video.
The rc one 86 gt is the first ski that wows me😅 My kore 93 is good, but the RC one takes it to another level on groomer. It just wants to charge. What surprises me is that it’s amazingly good off-piste too. Sure, its tail is a little unforgiving than skis with twin tips. But it’s release much easier than a carving ski like e rally. I skied it in a couple inches soft snow as well and it handles it with ease. I feel many skiers will be much happier on skis like RC one as a daily driver than skis like 105 underfoot, especially for someone who’s progressing. At palisades, I have seen so many intermediate on enforcer 100/104 after many days without fresh snow. I am like “why” 😂
I have a pair of Stockli’s, Laser SL 66 underfoot, absolutely love them. So responsive on groomers and they even hold up in slush in the afternoon. I’m from Europe (Netherlands) so ski in Austria, France, Swiss and Italy. When we had some snow days I tried a Stockli AR with 83 underfoot and loved that ski in those circumstances very much. Off piste becomes a party on those skis.Thinking of buying a second pair with the wider underfoot.
Love you channel and learn a lot from watching your videos
Thanks Anna. Love it
Great advise Deb! There are so many variables & choices now days, and ski equipment isn’t cheap. So it’s a good idea to be honest with yourself about your abilities and desires for skiing. Then do your research. Ask a lot of questions before making an investment. I’m on the West Coast and we frequently have variable snow conditions in one day! A ‘one ski quiver’ can be a challenge to find, but an ‘All Mountain Ski’ is a great option (unless powder or racing specific are your main goal). Also being able to demo ski’s can be very helpful when trying to make that final decision 🎿 Wishing you ‘BlueBird’ days ⛷ ...be safe out there 😊
So right. I was skiing on wider skis like 95 wide on East Coast. Got a pair of Stockli’s Laser AX (78) and wow! I finally understood edge to edge and short turn skiing. And like Deb says the skills trickled up to my wider skis.
Thank you very much for your videos, it has helped me a lot, I am an Argentine living in Austria and after 7 years here I started skiing a few months ago (I regret not having done it before). With a day practicing and watching videos after 4 days of skiing I can already go down the red slopes... Danke
Love it
Thanks for this video! 🙏
Tried out my new Stockli Laser MX skies for the first time today - I think this will be a game changer. The 67mm waist is a whole new experience compared to my 88mm waisted all mountain skis. I feel like it is also way more responsive! Love it!!!!!
I have Atomic Redster SL 68 under foot(two pair now) 165 and 171cm along with a Head Monster 83TI 177cmand a Volkl 98 177cm I love the Redster best. I watch your videos all the time. My skiing is on the expert level after 50 years. Thanks for the great information
As a Vail Ski Instructor,: Great advice Deb! Wide-slides but narrow carves. I use Atomic Slaloms for everything. Helicopter skiing, I go wide.
excellent. thank you. skied Colorado this season. my instructor urges me to shop and find high 70s-low 80's under foot. this supports that. thanks
I’ve been thinking I need to try a narrower ski. Thanks Deb for the ‘evidence’ I can show my husband to prove I need to get new skis! 😁
Hello Deb!
I am 45yr and started skiing last year; 2023. I took classes at Mt Bachelor, Oregon, and fell in love. By the end of the season I bought my first pair of skis, Rossignol Experience 86 Basalt. I like to carve and want to be an aggressive rider. I come from years of downhill mountain bike racing so I'd like to think I'd tackle the bumps and some small jumps.
Unfortunately, I tore my meniscus last year and recently injured the other knee so I'm becoming quite timid. (I tend to get excited about a sport and run out the gate and ride over my head) I was starting to do blue runs but put myself back on greens.
That all being said, I struggle in powder. It's like turning in cement and my skis can get sucked out from under me or become quite squirrely at times and I'm getting frustrated. It has been suggested I get wider skis, maybe around 100 underfoot. I like groomers and it's not like every day on Bachelor is a powder day. Far from it.
My questions: Do I keep the Rossis or are they too aggressive for an injured beginner? There are other narrow skis I've been considering demoing; Blizzard Rustlers, Atomic Bent...
What skills and exercises do you suggest practicing to help me progress? (and heal) I'm willing to work hard on the basics even though I chomp at the bit to get better. I just don't want to think I'm sabotaging myself with the wrong ski. Or... is it just me? lol
Thank you so much!
Because of you, I got the Head Supershape E-speed (68mm width)
I totally agree with you Deb.
Last season I was on my 88 underfoot all winter and I just can't break through that intermediate wall, until I got a pair of SL race skis. And I am now a master racer :)
Love your video!
I’ve been on 88’s this season (salomon stance) and I’m really struggling to get edge angle! I’m doing some demos first this next season. This makes me even more excited to try them out!
Nice. The beauty of skiing for me is always fine tuning technique in the variety and various snow conditions. After decades of skiing on so many brands and widths, here I am now just hitting my 70’s I’m on a Fischer RC4 SC 165 and a Fischer Ranger FR115 for those wacko snow days. I had the RC4 CT last season. What a rush bringing back vibes from younger years!
Ya!!!
Can't be easy. Gotta show up. Be athletic. Great video, Deb! My quiver has 3 widths: 68, 79, 88. The 68, a Fischer, is stiff and a little on the long side; I need to show up for it and then it is a blast. Attitude matters. The 79 is versatile and easier, another Fischer. The 88 is new to me. I doubt I'd ever buy anything wider.
This is great advice! I share your bias about learning the basics on a narrow under foot ski with a radius that will help newer skiers turn. Unfortunately I think that many shops are selling skis that are wide under foot to people who are not ready for them. I can't give up my Atomic skis that are 76 mm under foot.
Deb knows what shes talking about. I felt my skiing had not been improving, I had stalled. Went in my garage, busted out my Dynastar Legend X84. Head up to Loveland and worked on my technique And had a ton more fun!!!!!!!! ripped it!!! Thank you so much for reminding me to get back to the basics!!!!! Wish I could catch up in person at some point for a lesson!!! thank you!!!! Bill in Evergreen.
Amazing! I just changed to a narrower and stiffer ski this year and what a change. It forces me to ski better and results in more confidence so then I also ski better. I love when you say that you have a loud voice….thank goodness!! Keep it up!
Thank you! So happy you appreciate my loud voice😉
Great advice. I have been on Rossignol Experience 74/144 for the past 3 years as a beginner to semi intermediate skier. I am 130 lbs and 5 foot 3. When I have inquired at my local Albuquerque ski shop as to what would be my next ski progression they told me they no longer stock any skis below 85 because "the trend is to wider skis and we can't sell skinner skis."
Find a new shop
Deb, thanks for confirming that "one size doesn't fit all." Not all days, not all mountains. We just got back from a trip to Sun Valley and were miserable skiing day one on our floaty Dynastars (no new snow from nature for months!) Thank goodness we also brought along our narrower Volkl's - MUCH better on that steep hardpack.
Oh my god yes! I remember 20 years ago when I was like 13 or so and my grandpa splurged on renting a pair of Salomon slalom race skis for me for the week we had of skiing that year in the north-ish of Sweden and it's still the most fun I've had on skis I think... together with the next year when I got to ride the same model skis again!
I remember them as being super skinny under foot, maybe 65 mm(?), and the grip I had on ice was just out of this world!
The only thing I found difficult was to ride the one foot of powder we got a couple of days when it snowed...
Still chasing that feeling!
Thanks for the advice.
Just Bought myself a pair of Volkl Racetiger SC 165 68 underfoot r13 to improve my technical skiing.
Can not wait to get out there.
so often i've seen one of my friends ski a few seasons on rentals, 5 or 7 days a season, decide they want to get their own setup, then think "well I only want to buy 1 set of skis" and they walk out of the shop with 94mm, middle of the road "all mountain" sticks for their VT/NH/sometimes CO skiing.
so unfortunate! This video made me realize it really is limiting them. Sure they can turn in the deeper stuff when it comes, but they aren't feeling the edge control and it shows.
I wonder how you overcome this. I can't imagine looking at one of them when they were buying and saying "sure you want 1 ski for all your days, but get the 80 underfoot and really feel the turns." Maybe it's an inevitable progression that needs to happen so they can figure out what they like and get out of the middle-of-the-road, okay-at-everything. Great food for thought
p.s. hope you're enjoying the powder!
A skier like you described would benefit from something like a Volkl Yumi 80 or 84 or Blizzard Pearl 80. A skier who has limited experience and time on the slopes probably has not developed the skills to tip a 90 + type ski on edge. I always mention Deb Armstrong RUclips videos to skiers I help at the shop where I work.
Excellent point. The thing that really made me become a different skier is the day the shop told me I should try giant slalom skis. From then on I understood a lot of things. How to drive with me feet, how to apply pressure on the front/back of the ski, how to engage my body etc... I really took off. It's a lot more physical because it's so heavy, but then a realized there were very precise skis that were a bit more forgiving, less demanding and still giving a lot of satisfaction. Now I can carve with wider skis (92) because I have that background. That said keep in mind than GS skis are dangerously addictive, it puts you on rails and makes you go way faster than you should.
Couldn't agree more. After racing I went to look for a good all mountain ski having started there for recreational skiing in the early 2000s. Couldn't believe how much modern all mountain skis have become like powder skis 10 yrs ago. Sure they were great in deep powder and crud but for everything else they just sucked. Went with a modern wide front side craving ski (Rossi Experience 80) and everything was immediately better. I've never had a problem skiing skinny skis in the pow as long as they are soft enough so it just made all terrain particularly groomers so much better. Imho most skiers these days are on waaay too wide of skis. Particularly if you are skiing at a local hill like Stevens or Alpental on a dump day you are still going to be on groomers or in the bumps quite often.
The only counter example I can find is that there are some boutique skis that manage to strike a really good balance for certain snow conditions. A friend let me ski on his Line Mordecais and wow what a revelation. Super unfamiliar coming from race skis. They are like 90 under foot with center mount bindings, lots of rocker, and very symmetrical from tip to tail. They look like skiing on blimps lol. But hot dang did they hold an edge and carve all while being super easy to pivot at any point in the turn. It made everything from soft groomers to deep powder feel like you were doing race turns that could be adjusted and pivoted out of at will. I found myself doing some really bad habits like getting back and inside but the ski just kept charging forward while locked on rails. However as soon as they hit hard pack or ice they absolutely fell apart.
So my two main issues with skis like those is that they simply won't work in icy conditions and for generally soft PNW conditions they will ultimately make you a worse skier since it becomes VERY easy to get away with bad form while still ripping. So yeah if you are an expert you should have the right ski for the right occasion. If you are still learning a narrower ski, with a good amount of side cut, and a traditional camber is still the best option by far. If you are getting into powder skiing then just go with something with a softer more forgiving flex and learn to up unweight and ski with a narrower stance.
I ski in Wyoming. There is an obsession with “all mountain” skis in the 96 range. While we do have more powder days and the ability to run off piste than many ares, we still have lots of icy groomer days. While an all mountain works, a narrower ski under foot made me turn 100% better and made me feel less like my shins were going to shoot out from under me when trying to carve. Deb is opinionated, but experienced and speaks the truth.
I switched to an Elan Ace SXL last season in a 164 cm length and I am loving life. ( I was using an Elan Ampfibio14, 76 cm underfoot. ) The Ace is my everyday ski. It is a quick edge to edge ski, torsionally stiff and camber rich, carving gem. I ski it in powder ( If not too deep. ) crud, ice and moguls too. Good video Deb, and I agree with your take; a narrow carver helps teach precision and feel. Edit: the Elan is a slalom race ski.
You're the best, Deb. I remember when I first started riding the Salomon x scream and my skiing jumped a level. Then I switched the Volkl RTM 84 and my skiing really transformed. Another excellent video!
I think the hardest thing about ski selection is it’s so hard to generalize, with so many nuances between different ski designs. I’m just getting the hang of carving, I find that the 96mm wide Sky 7 is just as easy to carve on as the 86mm wide Seek 7. But i am also not laser focused on becoming a faster, more precise skiier. I’m focused on enjoying my time on the mountain and improving my skiing ability to make better use of my time (and to be less fatiguing on my body). Those Seek 7’s cant handle how I ski now (or more accurately, how I ski as a 240 lb dude), which I admit involved a lot more sweeping skidded turns than Deb probably wants to see. I demoed 100mm wide bent chetlers and adored them, settled on some liberty origin 101’s. Hopefully they work well for me! I probably would have stuck to mid 90’s underfoot if I were an east coast skiier. I can’t recommend anyone on the west coast go narrower than 90mm underfoot once they graduate from rentals. The additional width provides more stability and braking ability in skidded turns. For skiiers looking to maximize their sense of control and explore the mountain quickly, I’m not sure I can reconcile what deb is saying here. But If I assume that Deb’s interested is in training people to be confident carvers on piste, I can understand why the narrower waist will be better for that. Both because it makes it easier to feel that edge to edge transition, and because it FORCES you to accept the speed, since skidding narrow skis at those speeds doesn’t do much to confidently slow you down. A wider ski is better at keeping your speeds low when you want to, I think Deb wants everyone to ski faster :)
Hi Max. I certainly don't want folks to ski faster at all. My hope is for everyone to find stability, safety, skillfulness and fun at whatever level skier they are. I made my bias clear in this video, I am a performance skier which does not have to mean a fast skier. I do not ski fast however I ski skillfully. so what does that mean. I am in total control and command of all the skills. Pressure, edging, rotary and overall balance. At any given moment I can stop, hop, make a sharp turn or a long turn - at any given moment I have a choice. wider skis under foot for a lower level skier or an intermediate skier hinders ones ability to cultivate all of the skills. The point I make in this video is to gain the skills first and then graduate to the skis that are more situation specific to be at their best, meaning for mixed conditions and powder. Where folks get into trouble with a narrower ski under foot would be too narrow and too stiff. too Stiff would be too much metal in the ski, too narrow is relative. this is all food for thought. Take the spirit of my video into account, Look at the skiers on the hill. Generally they have become less skilled over recent years with grooming and wide skis. Anyone can get to the bottom of the hill fast and they may be a terrible skier, no skill at all. pre grooming and fat skis folks had to know how to ski if they went to the top. no intermediate skier could get down, impossible. FUN is the point for everyone. some people have fun improving their skiing and strive to improve their skills. Those are the folks that I am trying to inform with my videos. I hope this gives you more of an idea of where I am coming from. I am glad you enjoy your skis as much as you do!!!!! Keep having fun out there., Cheer
Excellent video. I bought new skis this year - unplanned! Was offered a Serpo which is 93 underfoot or the Brahma 88. I chose the Brahma in 183cm where the advice from the shop was the 177. Glad of both decisions as the Blizzard just rips and my skiing as a result went to a whole new level.
I went to the ski shop the next day after my lesson to get a more aggressive ski; I was given "the most aggressive they had." Wider underfoot than the ones I own, I knew they weren't for me when I couldn't skate to the lift line as well as I did on my own skis. I stuck it out for the day, making sure it wasn't me, back to my skis until I find a new pair; for now, I'm able to incorporate the skills from the lesson. I watched a video the other day that said narrower underfoot is for beginners, lots of comments disagreeing with the RUclipsr's opinion. Great video; thanks for all the information.
Damn straight, Deb. My girlfriend is super athletic, great potential, but wider skis were holding her back. I purchased her a pair of twitchy, tightly wound skis (narrow under foot), and she was suddenly skiing like a dream, rolling them over…. Brilliant advice! Thank you!
HURRAY for you Deb! One other thing you may want to include is that skiing on a wide ski on groomed slopes CAN be very hard on your knees. See: "The Waist Width of Skis Influences the Kinematics of the Knee Joint in Alpine Skiing', Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, m. Zorko, et al, 2015. Use the right tool for the job and remove many of the MEAT MISSLES we endure on the slopes! Thank you again Deb, love your videos.
Deb. First day back on skis today I so agree with you. Thanks for your support and incredible coaching and teaching
Love your videos deb, please do one that goes more into depth on ski length!
Expert male with several decades of skiing (piste, sprinkling of racing, mogul enthusiast, backcountry, cross country...). I picked up a pair of GT86 for this season (the 2021 model, don't know if the 2022s are any different) and have had blast on them (my first Fischers since their 'Vacuum' skis). Stable at speed, works in all turn shapes and has tenacious grip also on "concrete".
Other than cor no difference
Deb, thanks for the advice! I have been skiing on and off for the last 20 years. Unfortunately, I bought a pair of Volk Blaze 94s/173. Awesome skis but I struggled with my turns. After watching your video, I switched to 80 underfoot. It made a huge difference and helped me improve! You’re the best!
I bought 2 pair of rc one 82 GT, for me and my wife. I thought it was a wide ski :-) I love it. My wife also loves it.
That’s it I’m subbing! Very informative, I’m in 2 years skiing and I love it
Thank you Deb! Such wisdom and inspiration you provide in every video.
Thank you! You have answered some very important questions for me! Particularly about waist measurement. I will be checking out the RC1 as soon as I can this season. AND I will add a wider ski for powder days!
Everyone should watch your videos, especially this one, repeatedly. Deb, you’re so impeccably on point end-to-end.. Plus, prefacing the video by mindfully contextualizing your ‘biases’ (which I happen to agree with) may be one of the best lessons packed with advice that anyone can get for equipment as well as training. Thank you!
well Deborah , as your humble admirer , I must say I've found a place where i don't completely agree with you 🙂
I ski in europe 1-2 weeks a year for many years - always on slalom skis . the past 2 years have been on 90's underfoot and was blown away ! the stability, the confidence on varying conditions, the added safety and the ability to go off piste . it's true, i probably wont be cranking out sets of tight-legged short radius turns in morning corderoy - i'll just carve . but they handle everything with ease - including ice . I'm s a 47 year old 200 lbs guy and for me SL skis are like a porsche , and mid-fats are like a range rover . a porsche is good for a very specific target , and the range rover can go just about anywhere in any terrain - even when the going gets tough .
It sounds like you have found the perfect ski profile for you. Fantastic. Happy new year🙏
I agree with your comment but this is not what Deb meant. She said to try skiing first on narrower skis in order to develop proper technic , movements etc and after gaining confidence and good experience try something fatter and enjoy all conditions on the slopes. In your case, you did just that, first there were narrow skis and then you switched to fatter ones and you feel great on them no matter what conditions. I went through the same process and had the same experiences.
Deb is right with her advise and it is quite easy to see why just by looking at young skiers on wide skis. Most of them can't ski properly simply because base is not there. they were told these are trendy skis and they should ski on those. Sure they charge down the slopes like crazy but technic is not there and that stops them from making progress witch is very unfortunate. That is why I like what Deb says and I hope her message spreads and reaches all those who need to hear it.
I love my skis all of different widths 86, 88, 108, different brands with different characteristics but performing excellent in all kinds of conditions , because the BASE ( proper technic and skill )is there :))) Cheers
Nowadays there is so much choice. Def agree you need to think what you want to be and then test as many skis as you can and then get your local shop to get you what you want.
Great video Deb! I love all the advice you give, but this one really resonates with me. Makes me want to demo some different skis to really get a feel for what works for me. Thanks!
you're a gem deb! so much wisdom.
More gold medal advice from an Olympic champion. Thank you Deb.
Debbie, thank you so much for your advice about narrower skis for beginners to intermediates who are trying to advance. I was suggested a K2 reckoner 92 by a local ski shop as the ski for all conditions and terrain since I ski 4 to 5 days in a season. I did 2 days with it and was not getting what I expected with advancement. Then I took your advice for narrower 76 and viola. The feedback to muscles and skeleton is totally different and it was the sensation that helped me improve and show up to challenge posed by the feedback. They literally give you perception of so much control. Can’t thank you enough. Glad that I tried it by renting and then I got a pair at a good sale price from yesteryear model. Love it. I wish more ski sellers tell us this, who are early intermediates.
Hi Deb, I just want to say your RUclips videos are so awesome!!!!
I am an intermediate skier, my husband and I ski recreationally during the winter. But I would love to become a better skier. Watching your videos are so motivational. Both my husband and I would love to be better with our carving. And I believe we need better skis for those carving. Any other videos you recommend for us to watch?
I like to share my experience on different skis used for training.
Item 1. Rossignol Beginner Ski
Year 2018 released
L=150cm / 80mm underfoot
Item 2. Dynastar Carving Ski
Year 2013 released
L=152cm / 72mm underfoot
For the past 3 months, I used my Dynastar for training and practicing most of the time (my second-buy ski)
When my son ski with me, I ride back on my first buy skis (Rossignol), which I did not used for at most two seasons.
Before, I can't tell much difference of both skis (on-piste condition). After two month of serious training on medium turn in genental slopes only (my instructor correct some bad habits built-up for the last ten years) I can tell there is a big difference for two pair of skis under same track and same condition comparison.
Both my instructor (observed) and myself (direct feed back from my feet) and concluded that the
Rossignol beginner skis > edging significant increased, edge more bites into snow, turing and overall speed are much faster, overall control also better....
I am surprised that the Beginner Skis's performance is better than carving skis.
I don't know how to explain > perhaps I am still in the novel stage, which means riding a Toyota Corolla Sedan is better than a 2 door racing car!!!???
A soft skis is easier to control than stiff skis for beginner.
When mastered skills, perhaps stiff skis are good for intermediate skier too.
Anyway I feel more comfort when riding my Toyota Picnic rather than my BMW-Z4.
When you don't know how to control a BMW-Z4 there is no fun at all😂 For good fun on riding a Z4, you need to master driving techique.
For example, Stockli skis will not provide me better performance at this stage too😅
Yep. I ski in the Pacific NW. I just bought a 72mm underfoot Head Supershape.
Deb, you are so nice and polite! You could have said that the ski industry has misled thousands by selling them fat skis that make skiing deeper snow easier for those without the skills, when most people ski on groomers - which means tilled, compressed, hard surfaces, and most days are not powder days! I commend you for making this video - and I’m sure it will impact some.
I have been selling skis since 1975 so I have experience with ski design,technology, technical skills and customer relations. At our shop we sell to lots of beginner, intermediate and casual recreational skiers. The more recreational less expensive ski taper in the 72-78 mm waist range. We stock lots of mid range intermediate level skis in the 78-84 mm range. However skiers coming in for the high end advanced / expert range mostly want something in the 88-100 mm range. There are many factors besides width like ski flex, rocker profile, tip and tail shapes, turn radius etc. personally I will explain all of these concepts but lots of skiers don’t understand they should buy a ski that suits the conditions the ski frequently. They want the ski they see or hear people talking about on Facebook. I love the 70 year old skier in Deb’s video explaining that her new high performance stiff narrow ski requires that the operator pay constant attention. I use the term “ skier input”. If you have skied on a World Cup race ski with a metal race plate (to dampen high speed vibration) like the Fischer model that Deb’s skis on you will agree in requires skill and input. They do not forgive errors in ski technique. In my experience some skier like some of the wider models because the extra width and tip,and tail rocker, softer flex is more forgiving of skier errors. Yes they do skid and slide them around with lazy technique. We have stocked some of the narrow high performance models that Deb recommended but people don’t want to buy them. You make it sound like it’s our fault. It’s like foods and beverages. People buy what they like not necessarily what is best for their health. Is that the fault of the grocery , restaurant and food industry? Also the majority of skiers do not take lessons with professionals so they are not getting the advice that Deb recommended.
I agree with both these comments. A lot of people end up skiing on skis too wide for the conditions 80% of the time as they want a ski that will handle the soft snow better, but in fact those conditions are only available 20% of the time at most places. On the other hand occasional intermediate skiers like the easy forgiving ride of the wider less aggressive ski. In the end it’s about having fun and which ski helps you get there. I constantly chat with people who claim they study the ski reviews in depth and make their choice based on that. In my opinion trying skis is the only way to choose. For my last purchase to replace my old carvers I tried 7 different skis over 3 days and the final choices I tried twice . I skied exactly the same runs over a variety of terrain in pretty much identical conditions. I found several of the skis with great reviews were not up to my needs at all. Everyone is different, size, weight, style ,age etc. In my case for interests sake I discovered Stockli AX ( 78mm underfoot at 168cm length) much shorter then I ever thought I’d go. Fun, fun ,fun. Precision carving when going hard, easy riding when relaxed cruising. Edge hold forever even at the shorter length. How they got it all is amazing. Price was the only negative. But you get what you pay for. I’m 69 , have skied for about 60 years and ski about 100 days a year.
I think Deb nailed it except that lots of folks just want to slide around and have no interest in hard carving precision. As she said that’s her reality.
@@Holeysocks464 Impressed, at 69 the "easy riding when relaxed cruising" seems the most enticing option. However, at times you stray to the moguls or steeps for a short excursion to break the groomer boredom that rears it ugly head at times. Gone are the days that are only for the steeps/moguls, and that's alright.
You have got to be kidding me....
My exact learning ski... the fischer rtx... wth...
That was my learning slalom racing ski. Its an amazing set of skis. You are underselling.
I live on the east coast. How do i get a lesson from deb?
I also have a set of atomic 180s from the 90s....
My latest jam has been the dynastar 89ti tip rocker.
Also, my personal measurement for ski ability (assuming execution):
1) learning that skis have different lengths and what that feels like turning in ideal conditions.
2) understands what skis are best in specific conditions.
3) vary ski technique across all content with all types of skis
4) billy goat (its a technical ski term. If you've never heard it, you probably never ski'd with anyone good)
Deb is a 4 because she seems capable of teaching others no 3.
Just sold my wider skis for various reasons. Have 3 skis now none wider than 65mm GS, SL and CT all RC4.
Amen !!! i hook up folks on newer style skis for tele all the time and suggest carvy wasty skis for starters... !!! 118-85-109 full camber is my current fave for crushing the bumps in Taos...
Great observations. In March I traveled to Tignes/Val d'isere with a group. We rented our skis, which based on the lack of fresh snow, and warm day/freezing night conditions created really hard icy conditions. The ski rental shop recommended a narrow ski based on the conditions (75mm), which was ideal. I could hold an edge and carve on Johan Clarey. My friends from California, who brought their own western powder skis (100mm+) had a very difficult time with the conditions. Wide skis have a purpose, but 90% of the time we're not in the ideal conditions to suit them.
Maybe I’m biased because I learned to ski on sub 70mm skis but I completely agree -there are certain things you can’t learn and do on wide skis and you will never learn to do the longer you stay on them. It’s very easy to transition to a wide ski when it’s called for if you learned on a narrow ski -the opposite is not true.
Thank you for sharing this video. I have noticed this exact thing with my skis. Narrow skis help us ski better.
Your videos are so helpful and informative. Thanks!
Have two pair, waists of 70 and 85. Get tired quicker on the 70s even though they are lighter.
Thanks, Deb! Very vise approach and great examples!
So many buy skis based on cosmetics, and a brand or model name they are familiar with. I could care less about fashion cosmetics. I currently ski GS 195 to 198, 65 under foot. Back in the day (80's) I skied Kastle 210 cm GS skis primarily, I liked them for everything (including powder) except bumps. I had 205 slalom for that. Even had some Kastle 223 cm DH's, now those were "a trip" in the powder (only did that once). You had to be "on your game" 100% to do that.
Colorado skier as well and my daily driver is an 84 underfoot. It’s soooo narrow compared to my buddies and I can’t wait to get a narrower pair next year.
Very good video.
These days skiers want to look good regardless of their ski ability.
My background is Europe ski culture where we are more narrow than here in US.
When You live in Midwest without big mountains You have to learn make every turn count . So I mostly ski 68 under foot( RC4 SC). I have also Rustlers 9 when snow softer or hill is really beaten up. But funny thing is that a lot of people skiing here on really wide skis.
And a lot of them on powerful skis with two sheets of metal and they do not use potential of the skis, because they smear or slide the skis and they do not now how to carve the ski and also 18-20 meter radius is not for small hills.
But You now , we all like the best gear ,top five ski reviews and on and on.
So many people ski the skis which are too much for them.
But ski shops in Midwest found the way how to help those skiers.
They detune the skis automatically.
So when You do the service ,You have to mention no detune please.
It is nonsense for me, but I guess that people sometimes do not want to be told the truth.
But I completely agree with You that when You now how to ski 68 under foot, than You can carve everything.
And if it is smaller hill ,or even big mountain You can be fast and edgy even with one sheet of metal. With the skis it is exactly the same like with motorcycles, You will have more fun and You will learn more on smaller bike on the track than on big one.
Thanks for Your videos. I love them
Milos
I've done a few ski demo weekends changing boards throughout the day. It's amazing when a pair "skis like you do" and you're taken immediately to a happy place. This can't happen talking to a tech or salesman in a shop. Swapping skis like you did is also great if you're lucky enough to have friends with identical sole lengths.
I think most recreational skiers even "advanced" ones are just controlling their speed with large, unhealthy amount of steering angle by skidding the bottom 3rd of the turn and so wider skis just feels easier by push ing more snow out of the way, similar to how most snowboarders turn (you do see the occasional carvers). And just like what you said, most skiers are held back. Ones who venture into advanced terrains are just relying on pure athleticism/youth and peer pressure, AND they just end up pushing all the snow down the mountain, resulting in all those humongous canoe-shaped moguls!
At least that's my current bias.
Great advise as always ! I feel grateful that I can learn many things from you ! Thank you Deb!
Thank you
Thank you!! I have so much to say on this that I won't., except..... Suffice it to say that I am frustrated by so many skiers out there on a 100+ ski who are doing nothing but pivoting, (without actually changing direction), and swear their ski really edges well. They haven't skied on an edge to save their life. Grrrrr. I will throw out one point about super wide skis on groomed terrain. If you are actually trying to carve them, the leverage on your knee (and therefore the strain) is much greater than a narrower ski. My go to, everyday ski is 75 under foot. My "wide" powder ski is 92. Jeez, I remember when our GS skis were for powder!!
Yes, that is my experience after several sports knee surgeries, the wider ski does bother my knees a bit, thus, I tend to slide the ski to turn the wider ski, which works but that's tough to do in moguls...
Agree 100%! I learned on a 93 underfoot. I never truly knew what carving was and felt like until I started skiing on a Stockli laser AR (82mm full camber ski). I was almost scared to try the narrower more aggressive Stockli but started immediately improving once I did.
IMO it's not so much the width as the flex pattern, rocker/camber, and taper. There are a small number of ~90 mm skis on the market that have short and/or shallow rocker, minimal taper, traditional flex patterns, and < 20 m sidecut, and I've seen people learn to carve well on those. They require more leverage to tip on edge, but other than that the turn mechanics are similar to traditional carving skis. For that matter I can think of some 100+ mm skis (mostly discontinued ones like the Dynastar Pro Rider and Fischer 107Ti) that fit that description to some extent. I totally understand why Deb is using "width" as a proxy for all of those other attributes, though.
BTW your Laser ARs have a moderate amount of tip rocker. They're not full camber, and they don't initiate quite as precisely as a fully-cambered racing ski like the Laser GS would
@@patrickchase5614 The most important is the radius (sidecut). The second most important thing is the stiffness of the ski. Camber is highly correlated with the radius. The shorter the radius the more camber the ski has. The biggest problem by far with fat skis is softness (and poor edges which are correlated). Soft ski you can't ride fast (except in foot deep powder), you can't ride aggressively, you can't really ride on the edge.
And technologically it is very difficult to make a fat ski stiff only longitudinally so that they maintain torsional flex.
I had a couple of single days te last years on rental noodles. This year it was the first year that I skied a full week on second hand atomic X10 supercross skies. (Narrow underfood) Normally I am a snowboarder but with the kids I decided to learn to ski. The amount of confidence they gave me was super fun. On the sloppy parts it was more work than others who seems to flow over the loose snow. But they encourage better technique and the use of the brain reading the slopes and conditions. I don't think I would have learned the amount I did on rental noodles. It's hard work, but you feel the progress while skiing. And I don't have use in a wide ski. Powder days are for my snowboard.
We recently moved to Alberta, one of the reasons of the move is the mountains. I was told “you’re going to need a wide ski to ski out there”. There’s probably truth to that assuming you ski mostly off piste. If you ski mostly on groomed, often hard pack and icy conditions, don’t believe the hype of needing a wide ski. A good piste ski is what you need in my opinion in the 70mm to 79mm ranges underfoot. Some will say you’ll regret your choice when you have powder days. Sure, but how often does that happen, how often do we get to be that lucky over the course of a season.
I want to ski your skis!!! My favorite skis are my 2016 Salomon XMax. They are 73 underfoot. 165 in length. (120/73/103) I LOVE them and race with them. My "fat boys," my 186, 92 underfoot 2007 Dynastar Big Troubles, come out and play once a year. I LOVE them too. I LOVE all my skis! 😂