New to skiing and...

A

awheeler1

Member
So i'm new to skiing, skiied last year all of maybe 10 times but picked up on it extremely fast (going down blacks at okemo/stratton). I'm 6'6 weigh around 195 lbs and bought atomic smoke TI skis for this season.

My question is this, my friends that i skiied with last year are going to be doing a ton of back country and off trail skiing and i'm wondering if i made the wrong choice of ski. i've been looking into the Line Blend's alot and am extremely tempted to buy those as well. Should i wait and see how the atomics hold up? or is it pretty common to have multiple pairs of skis.
 
Alot of people on this site ski either out west or east. As this is the case many people ski both park and backcountry. If your serious about skiing you will have park skis and powder skis (I live in Illinois so I only have my Moment Reno Jibs). However seeing as this is your second year skiing I wouldn't be too worried about it. It would also help to specify more like do you ski groomers and backcountry or park and backcountry. If you've got some extra cash go for it and invest in some blends or if you got the cash go all out and get some Hellbents. If not don't be too worried about it seeing as it's your second year skiing just have fun and enjoy yourself because in reality powder skis won't make that much of a difference for you unless your hucking backflips off 50 foot cliffs. Just enjoy this year and if you feel you enjoy backcountry go for it and invest in some pow skis.
 
A few things in response to what you are saying.

1) Welcome to skiing - it'll change your life

2) As a beginner skier, you have made a pretty good choice terms of the ski you chose. I have never skied them, but from what i just googled they seem a lot like some skis i have tried out. They will really help develop your edge to edge turns, will hold up on the bumps, and even will be OK in the trees (once they have been tracked out). They are a good beginner/intermediate ski.

Although some people jump right on twin tips, this isn't really necessary and has a lot to do with the "cool factor" as opposed to the learning curve!

3) The Line Blend will hold up on groomers and in deeper snow (although it's not a pow ski, it is fat enough to hold up on a pow day). However, if you have only skied 10 days I really wouldn't recommend going back country skiing - there are a lot of dangers involved, and ski patrol can't legally protect you and won't want to drag their ass out there to help you ! When you are saying "off trail skiing", i assume you mean hopping into the woods etc. The Atomic TI smoke will hold up there - but on a powder day they will sink. The Blend will not sink, but it's an advanced skiers ski for sure - I don't think you made the wrong decision at all.

4) It is common to have a few pairs of skis, but after only skiing 10 times, you are lucky enough to have 1 pair and not be renting still, let alone 2!

I'd say stick with the Atomics. They will help you through the learning curve and really get your carving down - you'll learn to quickly link your edge to edge turns and they wil be great for balance-progression.

Besides, it's not like okemo/stratton (or the east coast generally) gets enough snow to needs (quasi) pow skis!

Good luck and enjoy!

 
Right now i'm pretty pumped to be off skiing in the trees. bombing down the groomers is alright but i dont think that's what my calling is
 
Thanks for the great advice so quickly. i've definitely read and watched the reviews on the atomics, i just got kinda nervous since it is considered an "all mountain" ski, just the fact that they didnt say anything about going off into the woods with them got me kinda paranoid that i didnt buy the right ski for what i'm aiming to do!
 
nice dude! i've skiied at stratton since i was 5! even though im only 16 now but im doing volunteer junior ski patrol so i like to think i know whats going on, hahayeah but honestly those skis will hold up fine if your a beginner. if your going to be going every weekend than your destined to hit a deep day, but it doesn't happen enough to buy a complete new pair of skis. on the deep days (east coast= 8+inches if were lucky) just go grab some demo's from either first run right in the village or down at the bottom of the access road is norse house... a friend of mine demo'd some Icelantic Shamans from there so i know they have good demo's.

the entire nomad series are great carvers. with a racing background i demo'd them and they were pretty good. i know a lot of the older ski instructors really like the atomic all mountain carver skis so thats a pretty solid backing right there

good luck and have fun!
 
changed mine for the better. i feel happier when im skiing. its all i can think about everyday... dont ever quit.
 
All mountain skis are exactly what you need. Don't worry too much about your ski choice at this point. I was in the same situation as you some years ago - just ride the ones you have for another season or two, maybe three depending on how you progress, and then look into skis more specific to your skiing style. Stoked that you've joined the spectacular community that is NS and skiing! Get stoked for the best years of your life!
 
if you're going to be skiing in the backcountry (lollink) GET PREPARED. know your stuff, get some gear, and use common sense. also, just because you ski blacks at okemo does not mean you are ready to conquer every trail in existence, and that is not meant as an insult. know your limits, be cautious, and have fun.
 
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