Moving to Big Sky from Ohio, would love some advice on skis

[natethegreatt]

I am moving to Big Sky this month and am coming from skiing only in Ohio (Perfect North), West Virginia (Snowshoe) and Garmisch, Germany (Classic and Zugspitze). I would say the terrain in Garmish is less intense than Big Sky from what I know, but not by much.

I taught lessons in Garmisch and would consider myself at the very top tier of intermediate or the bottom tier of advanced. Maybe that's being conservative, I really don't know. I just don't have a ton of experience in powder, trees or cliff-y terrain.

I'd like a ski that can first and foremost KEEP ME AFLOAT IN POWDER. I was on some High Society FRs (92 waist I believe?) in Germany and I was skiing signifcant powder for the first time. It was most likely my lack of experience/knowlege of how to ski it, but even after getting advice and researching and what not I had one hell of a hard time skiing in powder. I would also like the ski to perform/turn well on groomers/packed snow and be able to be taken in the trees, as that is the one area I want to start skiing more. So basically an all-mountain powder ski that is easy enough to handle and turn over on hardpack. Twin tips, obviously.

I am 5'11" weighing around 150.

***I had skiid exclusively on Line Chronics before the FR's (the 80 waist up to the 85). So I'm pretty unfamiliar with mid-fat and fat skis.

Thank you in advance!

**This thread was edited on Feb 1st 2019 at 1:53:54pm

 

[TheWeaz]

Big sky is sharp rock country so I’d advise buying a used ski instead of new, as well of some sort of more indy brand as they seems to be built more durable, however they are more heavy generally.

I’d look for something made by praxis, on3p, moment, all brands known for making pretty bomber products. I’d look for something in the 180’s for length and 105-110 underfoot if it will be you’re everyday ski.you’re pretty tall but depending on what your skiing now it could be a significant jump in weight so maybe a shorter 180 would be more manageable while Something in the upper 180s you would grow into as you become more accustomed to the bigger terrain.

As for specific models, it kinda depends on what you want out of the ski and what you can find deals on used, the tgr for sale section and the for sale section here often have a wide range of different skis from various indy brands. The wider you go the better pow performance but you sacrifice hard snow skiing which contrary to popular belief the west if not powder every day.

 

[SuspiciousFish]

I think something that is about 105 to 110 underfoot will be good. Look for something with traditional camber underfoot and an early rise and tail. Keep in mind that 80% of your days will probably be packed powder. If you can find some 4Frnt MSP 107's that will be about what you are looking for, the website is sold out but you might be able to find a 3rd party vendor.

 

[natethegreatt]

I think something that is about 105 to 110 underfoot will be good. Look for something with traditional camber underfoot and an early rise and tail. Keep in mind that 80% of your days will probably be packed powder. If you can find some 4Frnt MSP 107's that will be about what you are looking for, the website is sold out but you might be able to find a 3rd party vendor.

Thanks for the reply. That was my next question (camber vs. rocker). So avoid rocker? Most of my chronic models and High Society FRs had early rise but I rarely got to utilize it.

 

[natethegreatt]

Big sky is sharp rock country so I’d advise buying a used ski instead of new, as well of some sort of more indy brand as they seems to be built more durable, however they are more heavy generally.

I’d look for something made by praxis, on3p, moment, all brands known for making pretty bomber products. I’d look for something in the 180’s for length and 105-110 underfoot if it will be you’re everyday ski.you’re pretty tall but depending on what your skiing now it could be a significant jump in weight so maybe a shorter 180 would be more manageable while Something in the upper 180s you would grow into as you become more accustomed to the bigger terrain.

As for specific models, it kinda depends on what you want out of the ski and what you can find deals on used, the tgr for sale section and the for sale section here often have a wide range of different skis from various indy brands. The wider you go the better pow performance but you sacrifice hard snow skiing which contrary to popular belief the west if not powder every day.

Thanks for the reply. Definitely worried about weight and packed snow performance. I'd like to keep the weight down and ability to turn over pretty good if possible.

 

[Rum_Ham]

Thanks for the reply. That was my next question (camber vs. rocker). So avoid rocker? Most of my chronic models and High Society FRs had early rise but I rarely got to utilize it.

You’ll definitely want some tip rocker at least to float when the snows soft