If you’re heading out to the slopes, you’ll need skis. Your skis are in not-so-good shape you say? Well, there’s a remedy for that. New skis. Here’s what you need to know about buying new skis that will be great for the powder.
Nordica La Niña
You could book a nice weekend at one of the Tremblant hotels to go skiing, but if you don’t have a nice set of skis, you won’t be doing anything but trudging through the snow. The La Niña is a good ski for aggressive women. It’s the same shape as what you’ll find with some of the more aggressive designs, but the core has two strips of wood and two strips of polyurethane.
That makes it a much sturdier ski, and something a little atypical in a woman’s line. The profile consists of a camber underfoot with a rocker in the tip and tail. Just make sure you’re ready to beat up the trails with these, because everyone who has tested them say that they’re more capable than just about any other ski on the market.
Liberty Envy Powder
The Liberty uses a long and subtle tip rocker and 105mm waist width. The stealth rocker in the tip helps initiate turns, and the cambered tail lets you power through turns with no washout.
It’s a little lighter in weight than the La Niña, as the Liberty is constructed of bamboo, but it has excellent torsional rigidity.
Dynastar Cham W 107
This ski is a popular one. It’s a directional ski that features a rockered tip and a flat pintail to keep you above the crud and chunder. The core is paulownia wood, which is very light. There’s a 5-point sidecut to the sides, tip and tail, with a traditional sidecut underfoot.
Most women’s powder skis have become a mix of on and off-piste powder slayers. But, they almost all share one thing in common: a lightweight design. While some, like the La Niña offer a stronger, heavier chassis, what you usually see is the lightweight construction typical of traditional women’s skis.
To balance out the lighter weight, the skis also typically have excellent torsional strength, either through reinforcing materials or through design cut. There’s also a lot of rocker tech being used in these skis, which may help with a variety of things like turn initiation and control.
Ultimate, the choice of a ski falls on the individual. If you’re a stronger female, and you know it, you may be able to handle the heavier skis. If you’re looking for a lightweight design, either because you feel bogged down in a heavier ski or because you simply don’t like the added weight, you have plenty of options.
Look for designs that are directional, if you want to stay on top of the powder. But, don’t be scared of other designs either. You may have to test several ski types at your favorite resort before you make a final decision. A lot of it will be your own subjection opinion of what feels best to you.
Stefani Rollins is an avid traveler and skier. When she finds something she likes, she enjoys sharing it with others by writing. You can read her illuminating articles on a variety of today’s top websites and blogs.