Hardsnow Skis For Achy Knees

[Living Proof]

This has been my first season skiing with achy, aging knee issues at my ice coast home mountain. For sure, when the surface is very hard, my knees start to hurt within a couple of hours, when it's softer not so much a problem. I use two sets of skis: a Fischer WC Sl and, a Hart Pulse which is a 78 waist GS cruiser, a few seasons old that, while mostly unknown, has great reviews. The Fischer seems more knee friendly, I am thinking that the short length, combined with ease of getting on edge and carving turns puts less twisting on the knees. The Pulse needs more speed and better technique to carve on hard snow, so, skidding results and it beats my knees up. Plus, the Pulse is heavy, just swinging them back and forth while riding a chair lets me know the swing weight is not knee friendly.

So, here's my question for those who live with achy knees. Is there a preferred type of sub 80 waist ski that I should consider? Perhaps a lighter, damper ski that does not require the attention required of my existing skis. I demo'd the Blizzard Latigo in some better snow this season, and, thought it to be a more friendly ski that my present skis, not sure how that would be on very firm snow.

 

[Philpug]

Anton Gliders. Wayne Wong has been skiing these for the past numerous seasons. I got on them a few seasons back when skiing with Wayne and the isolation is fantastic.

 

[Josh Matta]

lol really affordable at 3k a pop and you can not make a mistake on them!

 

[cantunamunch]

and you can not make a mistake on them!

The old narrow ones weren't really that bad - and they make wide ones now.

Hmm, Fischerlike but more so - Head Supershape iSpeed?

 

[Philpug]

lol really affordable at 3k a pop and you can not make a mistake on them!

If you have achy knees and these keep you skiing....$3K is a steal.

 

[Erik Timmerman]

What exactly is wrong with your knees? Osteo-arthritis? Meniscus? Where do they hurt? Sides? Front? Deep inside?

 

[James]

 

[eok]

When I do a string of consecutive ski days, I'll use my K2 Rictor 82XTIs on some days to give my legs (and knees) a bit of a break. For me, the 82XTIs are leg savers - but they still can rip. K2 dropped the 82XTIs this season. I'm guessing the Ikonic 85's are similar. Actually, I hear the Ikonics a big improvement over the 82XTIs, but still super easy on the legs. But: I think the Ikonics are more biased for soft snow than the 82XTIs. Guess I should demo the Ikonics to see what I'm missing out on.

 

[Ken_R]

How about these: HERE

Looks interesting although they look like a PITA to have to put on and off every time you wanna ski but they must have made it easy I guess.

 

[Tom K.]

I've been living your world for the past 5 days of skiing in Sun Valley. My non-representative results so far are somewhat surprising to me.

I've skied two days each on Fire Arrow 80 Pros at 180 and Head Rebels i.SL at 165. I previously did something similar in Jackson Hole alternating between a Motive 95 and the Fire Arrows. The narrower FAs were noticeably easier on the knees, so I assumed the narrower SL skis would be even easier than the FAs. Not really, as it turns out. Those SLs hook up so vigorously that they pull maybe a bit harder than the FAs, and once things soften up, the SLs yank the knees around a bunch more, while the FAs glide over/through that stuff a bit more smoothly.

A long way of saying that @eok may be on to something with the idea of an 80-ish waist being a good knee compromise. More research tomorrow!

 

[Living Proof]

What exactly is wrong with your knees? Osteo-arthritis? Meniscus? Where do they hurt? Sides? Front? Deep inside?

Yup to those in bold, plus I have Patella Femoral Syndrome. Have an appointment with a Orthopedic specialist next week for an overdue check-up. Right knee remains slightly swollen, pain in outside rear of that knee is a recurrence of a 2 year old sprain.

When I do a string of consecutive ski days, I'll use my K2 Rictor 82XTIs on some days to give my legs (and knees) a bit of a break. For me, the 82XTIs are leg savers - but they still can rip. K2 dropped the 82XTIs this season. I'm guessing the Ikonic 85's are similar. Actually, I hear the Ikonics a big improvement over the 82XTIs, but still super easy on the legs. But: I think the Ikonics are more biased for soft snow than the 82XTIs. Guess I should demo the Ikonics to see what I'm missing out on.

I demo'd the K2 iconic in January on a softer snow day, did not like them at all, Latigo was a far better ski for me.

I've skied two days each on Fire Arrow 80 Pros at 180 and Head Rebels i.SL at 165. I previously did something similar in Jackson Hole alternating between a Motive 95 and the Fire Arrows. The narrower FAs were noticeably easier on the knees, so I assumed the narrower SL skis would be even easier than the FAs. Not really, as it turns out. Those SLs hook up so vigorously that they pull maybe a bit harder than the FAs, and once things soften up, the SLs yank the knees around a bunch more, while the FAs glide over/through that stuff a bit more smoothly.

Agree that Sl skis in soft snow and loose piles of scraped off eastern crud, loose their appeal. FireArrows are very similar to my Hart Pulse, which I really loved prior to this season in eastern crud.

 

[Philpug]

Mike,

If I could get some of the Anton Gliders/Wayne Wong skis for you to try, would you try them?

 

[James]

I'll try them for Mike!

 

[Living Proof]

Mike,

If I could get some of the Anton Gliders/Wayne Wong skis for you to try, would you try them?

Sure, if they adjust to a 325 BSL
Would be a little nervous about having $3k underfoot.

 

[Philpug]

Sure, if they adjust to a 325 BSL
Would be a little nervous about having $3k underfoot.

Let me make some calls.

 

[Tom K.]

Mike,

If I could get some of the Anton Gliders/Wayne Wong skis for you to try, would you try them?

Yes, if they happen to be in Sun Valley for a few days. Those would be SO cool to demo.

And I would be willing to answer to "Mike" for the day, if that helps!

 

[Brad J]

This has been my first season skiing with achy, aging knee issues at my ice coast home mountain. For sure, when the surface is very hard, my knees start to hurt within a couple of hours, when it's softer not so much a problem. I use two sets of skis: a Fischer WC Sl and, a Hart Pulse which is a 78 waist GS cruiser, a few seasons old that, while mostly unknown, has great reviews. The Fischer seems more knee friendly, I am thinking that the short length, combined with ease of getting on edge and carving turns puts less twisting on the knees. The Pulse needs more speed and better technique to carve on hard snow, so, skidding results and it beats my knees up. Plus, the Pulse is heavy, just swinging them back and forth while riding a chair lets me know the swing weight is not knee friendly.

So, here's my question for those who live with achy knees. Is there a preferred type of sub 80 waist ski that I should consider? Perhaps a lighter, damper ski that does not require the attention required of my existing skis. I demo'd the Blizzard Latigo in some better snow this season, and, thought it to be a more friendly ski that my present skis, not sure how that would be on very firm snow.

Mike, Have you tried Compression pants such as Opedix? they really helped me with my cranky knees , they give great support and have not had knee pain no matter what with ski I am using.

 

[eok]

Ditto on the Opedix. They really make a difference for me. Also: no more post-skiing leg muscle soreness since using them. Wait. That could be from all the beer in the parking lot.

 

[KingGrump]

Mike, I finally got to ski with you at the Aspen gathering after first meeting you at Colorado Gathering in April 2010. You are a good skier who skis the groomer fairly aggressively and with quite a bit of speed.

As others have suggested equipment changes. I believe a good look at the technique and tactic aspect of your skiing may resolve your issues.
Currently, you are a bit heavy at the bottom of the turn and a bit abrupt at the transition. A softer transition and moving the speed control to the top of the turn will probably relieve much of the impact forces to your knees.

 

[Living Proof]

Mike, Have you tried Compression pants such as Opedix? they really helped me with my cranky knees , they give great support and have not had knee pain no matter what with ski I am using.

Ditto on the Opedix. They really make a difference for me. Also: no more post-skiing leg muscle soreness since using them. Wait. That could be from all the beer in the parking lot.

I do use compression pants, not the quality of Opedix, and have been using a heavier compression brace on the problem knee. No doubt about, the compression brace helps.