Can ultimate heartbreak lead to new love?

G

GZman

New member
In 2020, at 29 years old, I taught myself to ski.

I got an epic pass and a hostel room at the base of Heavenly and skied every day for a month. Went from greens to making it down Motts in reasonable order.

I had bought a set of used gear about a week in and that's been my stack ever since.

The skis were a pair of Blizzard Brahmas (pics below). After some googling, I believe they were the '16 or '17 run.

They've become like second skin to me and I've skied everything from ice to pow in them (which at only 88 under foot might seem strange, but it's true).

At the end of last season, I lost a good amount of edge. My heart was crushed. RIP. I demo'd the new Brahmas, but it felt like a stranger was in the bed where my true love used to lay her head.

I ski primarily out west: CO/CA/BC. I'm an All Mountain skier. I like to playfully rip and spin around on groomers. I like the feeling I get when I do some nice easy tree skiing. I like to head up to the EX stuff with the buddies and seek challenges.

I'm 6'2. 33 years old. 210lbs.

I think I want to stay with an all mountain ski. Though I wonder if now is the time to go 2 quiver. My used Brahmas cost me $200. I know I'll have to spend more than that.

The dearly departed below.

Thanks in advance for the thoughts.

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Maybe a Salomon Stance 90 would be a close(ish) replacement for those. They'll have a similar shape, radius, and sidecut. The new Brahma has a shorter radius than the older ones you were rocking. According to Blister, the '16 Brahma had a 20m radius at the 187 size. You should try and demo the Stance 90, or 96 for that matter.

If you want a wider ski in that similar category there are a lot of options, the Blizzard Cochise is always a good call for a directional skier who values stability and predictability. Another good one could be the Rossi Sender 106ti.

Have fun trying some new skis, and remember, it may take some playing around with mount point or just time on snow to feel at home on different skis.

Check out Blister Review, they do a great job.
 
Blister reviewer here. The K2 Mindbender 89Ti is probably the most similar ski out there to your beloved Brahmas.
 
Look into the Nordica Enforcer 94. You could also look into the Unleashed 98 if you wanted more of a freestyle oriented version of the enforcer. The enforcer is also offered in an 88 and the unleashed is offered in a 90 if you were looking to stay close in width to your current skis

**This post was edited on Jan 8th 2024 at 8:10:03am
 
14578344:Substitute said:
Maybe a Salomon Stance 90 would be a close(ish) replacement for those. They'll have a similar shape, radius, and sidecut. The new Brahma has a shorter radius than the older ones you were rocking. According to Blister, the '16 Brahma had a 20m radius at the 187 size. You should try and demo the Stance 90, or 96 for that matter.

If you want a wider ski in that similar category there are a lot of options, the Blizzard Cochise is always a good call for a directional skier who values stability and predictability. Another good one could be the Rossi Sender 106ti.

Have fun trying some new skis, and remember, it may take some playing around with mount point or just time on snow to feel at home on different skis.

Check out Blister Review, they do a great job.
Click to expand...

Thanks so much for the suggestions.

I felt pretty good at that radius (my dearly departed's were 180s - think radius was 19?). I have to muscle to whip the skis around so never felt too clunky. Consistent graceful albatross energy.

Def pondering going wider. I loved the 88 width bc I can put it on edge very easily. I never really noticed it holding me back on powder days. I think I'll look to try some things in the 90s and up to 105 (including your 106). Worst case, I get some perspective.

Appreciate the kind words. Will remember to give it time.
 
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