I'll start with the basics: male skier, early 40's, 270 pounds, 6'0", athletic so while there is definitely some extra soft weight there is plenty of muscle. Advanced skier, can get down any trail, but excel on blues and single blacks. Not into straight line speed anymore.
Live in Eastern Pa. don't get out of state much, but looking to more in the next year or two, will be travelling to New England when I do. So mostly manmade hard pack, the last two years have been thin man made cover over ice from the freeze thaw cycles. In Pa. off-piste means a mountain made base grind. But if I am looking to play in the trees a little I will still have my current all-mountains.
Currently on a 167cm Atomic Nomad Blackeye TI all mountain. In good conditions I can get a decent carve, but on the ice and hardpack they make me nervous trying to get on edge for turns, end up skidding a lot of turns on the hardpack. They just never feel stable unless it is packed powder.
In the last few years I've worked more on carving and enjoy it more so I think a carving style ski is where I want to look. It sounds like they should be more likely to hold an edge in the hard pack, not sure what they will do with the ice. I know the 167cm is short for me, so probably looking at 177 or 182. I want something that my size and strength will not mush out, but I like to be able to cruise the hill. I don't want something that is going to make me work constantly.
Am I even looking in the right direction for what I am trying to solve, or should I be looking in a different direction?
I like the look of Dynastar Speed 763, the mid-70's waist seems like a good compromise and not quite as stiff as the 963 and not a full on race ski. But reviews are mixed between a ski I will have to work more and some sound like it is exactly what I want. Down side is it is not a common brand to be able to demo.
I want to stay around the $500ish price range, but will go a little higher for the right ski. Are there any other suggestions for my size and what I am trying to accomplish?
Local shops demo skis tend to be all mountain or even wider.
Thanks
Live in Eastern Pa. don't get out of state much, but looking to more in the next year or two, will be travelling to New England when I do. So mostly manmade hard pack, the last two years have been thin man made cover over ice from the freeze thaw cycles. In Pa. off-piste means a mountain made base grind. But if I am looking to play in the trees a little I will still have my current all-mountains.
Currently on a 167cm Atomic Nomad Blackeye TI all mountain. In good conditions I can get a decent carve, but on the ice and hardpack they make me nervous trying to get on edge for turns, end up skidding a lot of turns on the hardpack. They just never feel stable unless it is packed powder.
In the last few years I've worked more on carving and enjoy it more so I think a carving style ski is where I want to look. It sounds like they should be more likely to hold an edge in the hard pack, not sure what they will do with the ice. I know the 167cm is short for me, so probably looking at 177 or 182. I want something that my size and strength will not mush out, but I like to be able to cruise the hill. I don't want something that is going to make me work constantly.
Am I even looking in the right direction for what I am trying to solve, or should I be looking in a different direction?
I like the look of Dynastar Speed 763, the mid-70's waist seems like a good compromise and not quite as stiff as the 963 and not a full on race ski. But reviews are mixed between a ski I will have to work more and some sound like it is exactly what I want. Down side is it is not a common brand to be able to demo.
I want to stay around the $500ish price range, but will go a little higher for the right ski. Are there any other suggestions for my size and what I am trying to accomplish?
Local shops demo skis tend to be all mountain or even wider.
Thanks
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