What Ski? What Level?

[Horton]

I have not fully formulated a theory on this subject but there has been a lot of talk on the website the last few months where skiers at one skill level are discussing skis at another skill level.

In the case of Radar, their methodology is relatively clear and I understand their product line so let's use them as an example. The Strada is their highest end and product. It has a PVC core and all carbon fiber construction. This ski is friendly enough for skiers at a lower-level but a high-end skier would not be as happy on a ski two or three steps down the product ladder. The next ski down is the Vice. This ski is perhaps not a step down but a different approach. The Senate C is an evolution of the Strada that is appropriate for skier one level down. The basic Senate is appropriate for a slightly less skilled skier. Below the Senate would be this Theory.

Where to draw the line between the skis is the hard part. I am tempted to say that if cost is not an issue, in most cases you would want to opt for the next product up the ladder.

On the other hand, at 30 miles an hour I do not think there's a more fun ski than the Theory. The trick is to know who you are is a skier and find the ski that is at your level and boat speed.

This subject is top of mind today because of the Connelly ad in waterski magazine this month. In the ad I am quoted saying something like I ran one at 38 off on the “V”. I did run 35 off on that ski and I like that ski. I would recommend that ski. But I would never recommend that ski to somebody skiing at 34 miles an hour and looking to run more than 28 off. In other words, it is a great product but it is not a high-end/short line ski.

Speaking of Connelly, I very much like the Prophecy but it is one of those skis that I do not think I recommend to a mid or lower level skiers. The point is some skis have a wide range of usage and some do not.

[kpickett]

As someone who has taken your advice on skis several times, I appreciate your (and others on this board, as well) candid advice. So, following up what you just wrote, could you lay out how you define lower, mid, and high level skiers?

I also find your last sentence very interesting. Is this how you define a "forgiving" ski? That it is effective for a wide range of skiers? I've always wondered, because for some reason I have never been able to get D3 skis to work for me (while an older X5 has been the perfect ski for my wife to learn the course), and D3 is frequently spoken of as the most forgiving brand. Is there a way to define the range of styles/usage for a ski?

[Horton]

How to define anything about a ski is difficult. It's easy to say things like some skis require more front foot pressure to turn or some skis require more or less handle control to get wide. On the other hand forgiveness is far more subjective.

A few years ago O'Brian had a the Sixam II, this ski had perhaps less than average high-end potential but for me was fabulously forgiving. I was able to make catastrophic errors and keep skiing. On the other hand I suspect that this ski encouraged me to make some of these errors. My personal Achilles' heel is my finish out of one ball. The Sixam II allowed me to do some very stupid things and continue skiing.  

I think if this forum was about race cars and not about slalom skis, we would take this conversation in the direction of stiffer or softer suspension or something to that effect. A little flex in the chassis or a slightly softer shock package might make it easier for a less experienced driver to put down a good lap. The very best driver would take the stiffer chassis and put down the best lap.

There are also skis that are very forgiving only in certain ways. The HO A1 is fabulous on the exit of offside (toe side) turns. The Connelly Prophecy always turns on side (heel side) no matter what.  

At the other end of the spectrum is a ski like the first-generation Radar MPD. I skied the best of my life on that ski. I was also inconsistent because this ski is not forgiving. Using the racecar analogy I would say the MPD has very stiff suspension.

[6balls]

I suspect this is an astute analogy.  A few years ago I was riding D3 and couldn't handle a Fischer.  Felt like if I was perfect on it, then cool things happened but I was so seldom perfect it hurt more than helped.  The D3 put up with a lot of mistakes and various body positions, and had enough performance that if I could just honk behind the boat I would be ok most of the time.  My technique has improved, and in one set on a Razor last year matched my D3 scores.  The Razor felt very high strung, but got it done...and when I skied it right it was amazing. 

For a technically correct skier, I believe the Razor will rock.  Question for upcoming season is whether or not I have become that kind of skier. 

[Ed_Obermeier]

Horton wrote "At the other end of the spectrum is a ski like the first-generation Radar MPD. I skied the best of my life on that ski. I was also inconsistent because this ski is not forgiving...".

Funny how different folks view the same things differently.  I also had (still have in fact) what I would assume to be a first generation MPD, serial number 0028, supposedly hand tuned by Andy Mapple.  I'm far from a technically perfect skier yet I skied really well and really consistently on that ski.  Got at least 3 ski buddies still skiing on theirs and all agree with me that they consider them to be "forgiving".  I think I could probably ski as well on my MPD as I do on my Strada, which argueably is also a pretty forgiving high end ski.  It's all a matter of perception.

Ed

[Horton]

I hate to say it but in this rare case Brent is correct. For my style the MPD is less forgiving than other skis. For that matter I am not sure if the flex on my MPD is necessarily the same as the one Ed has. I do know that when I'm skiing well it is hard to beat.

I should also state that the year I rode the MPD was the first year of zero off and I was a basket case that whole season. So maybe it is unfair for me to judge the ski that way.

The bottom line is all skis are different. The trick is to find the ski that fits your strengths and weaknesses. I am looking forward to ski testing this year. I think I have a better understanding every year but is still hard to describe a ski in a way that another skier can use to make a purchasing decision.

Skiers want the short answer, what ski is the best ski. There is no such thing.

[Horton]

6Ball,

it is my understanding that the current Razor is more forgiving than the old Fischer. I agree with your assessment of the original Fisher. As soon as it gets warm here in California I will ride a Razor for one month and report my findings.