are girls skis wimpier?
August 6, 2009 - 11:19am
hey guys,
just wondering what y'all's opinion is on buying girls skis vs. guys skis. i ski around 75 days a year and can outski most of the guys. I ski fast and aggressively and am not petite. WOuld a girls ski still work for me or would it be too light and soft? I am looking for something that can handle anything--steeps, high speeds on groomers, and crud. I'd love to get everyone's opinions!
THanks!
October 28, 2009 - 8:46pm
#2
I am skiing on the K2 "luv"
I am skiing on the K2 "luv" line... I love my skis. I skied unisex before, and have been nothing but pleased with my new ones. I do think the best advice is to demo some different models... It's less about man vs. woman, and more ski specific, as different skis will grip, turn, move differently. Everyone I've talked to who's skied my skis have had a ton of success with them as well... A few yrs ago they were voted top Woman's all mt ski, and I've found that to be pretty consistant. The only place I've found they don't excell is on a powder day- even then they aren't bad, but nothing beats a wider base.
My skis happen to be pretty... But, I gotta say, I've seen some dude-skis with better graphics than mine-- If you are buying skis cuz you want polka dots or flowers, than I really don't think it matters WHAT you're skiing, cuz you're skiing for the fashion and not the passion!
October 21, 2009 - 10:58am
#3
Mr Hart ski rep is an idiot.
Mr Hart ski rep is an idiot. It is NOT about the graphics, and if thats what Hart is doing, why the hell did they try to revive themselves? no wonder they suck.
Womens skis are usually built with a lighter wood in the tips and tails for a lighter swing weight, as well more of a center mount due to the body weight distribution over the ski. It's not about 'handling' a mens ski. Mens skis arent a bucking bronco or anything, theyre skis. It is about what your style of skiing is, what type of performance you want, and how the ski works for your body.
I can't believe that ANY ski company has someone with ZERO ski knowledge working for them as a rep, especially one that is trying to get back in the game.
October 1, 2009 - 5:21pm
#4
Hillary,
I am 5'6 and between
Hillary,
I am 5'6 and between 150 and 160 pounds. I used to work at a ski shop for 5 years selling hardgoods. I have never seen a women's ski (no matter how many times I have heard they aren't a "dumbed-down" men's ski) that actually work for an expert woman skier. I ski over 100 days a year on all big mountain steeps. As much as I would like to beleive there is actually a ski company in the world that gives us gals a little credit, there just isn't. I don't race, so I can't speak for race skis. I can speak for any "all-mountain", "powder" or "big mountain" skis.
Get yourself a big pair of men's or unisex skis and show the boys how it's supposed to be done on those boards.
;)
September 25, 2009 - 2:32pm
#5
That's a awesome question
That's a awesome question HillaryP.
I've always used unisex gear but just for fun I tried some "female" skis at a demo day.
Didn't have the 'death grip' edge hold (bummer for this eastern girl who thinks ice is nice) but they were light and snappy. It felt like I was hovering over the snow rather than 'lock-that-knee-or-die' carve... and I was going even faster with less effort.
I'm 5'4" and 135. If poka dot skis make me a better skier... sign me up, baby.
Go to a Demo day, try everything... seriously... even the strange looking stuff. Assuming they all have just a factory tune, you'll know pretty fast.
September 23, 2009 - 11:46am
#6
Hillary P,
As Eastern Rep for
Hillary P,
As Eastern Rep for the newley revived Hart Ski Corp, America's largest ski co of the 80s and early 90's we have some ladies skis in our line. First off there is good advice here, your height, weight, and proficeancy will dictate the best ski for you. Many compaines take a de -tuned men's ski or softer flex ski and put ladies graphics on it. Our Phinominal (designed by USSA athlete Michelle Rourke) Is a true race bred ski with ladies specific graphics. This is not just another powder puff product from some marketing guru of one of the "big 3" ski companies. Take a look at our line! My best advice is many shops who know their stuff suggest mounting positions 1-3 cm forward of the factory spec for women to help initiate turns a little easier. Check carefully what brand and model of ladies skis you choose. Many times it's just about the graphics and not the ski.
good luck
Jay from Hart Skis
September 9, 2009 - 4:01pm
#7
Don't listen to the article
Don't listen to the article that guy just posted! Anything that says it is "more difficult for women to initiate a turn" should not be trusted!
September 5, 2009 - 11:09am
#8
Womens Skis
Women are not small men . . . . . and there are many other considerations, too complex to include in a 1 paragraph
answer here.
May I suggest you read this article.
http://www.ski-review.com/content/view/92/34/
Its helped thousands of women skiers navigate through the confusion.
From "never ever skied" to "Double Diamonds only" there are some equipment innovations that just make sense, based on
the physiological differences (partly why we love you, and partly why the equipment should be designed for Women)
Hope this makes the sport more fun, and you a better skier.
September 2, 2009 - 2:19pm
#9
women's skis
I have always used men's skis and boots. At 5'8" and almost 200 lbs, I don't fit the assumption of "smaller and lighter". Having read the article suggested in the link, I also CAN bench press as much as the average guy in the gym and can leg press MORE than most of them. I am a PSIA Level II certified instructor and ski as aggreessively and strongly as the guys I ski with. But, as they say "Your mileage may differ." try 'em ad see what you think.
August 7, 2009 - 3:25pm
#10
If you can handle guys skis
If you can handle guys skis buy guys skis.
August 13, 2009 - 4:06pm
#11
There are definitely some
There are definitely some pretty solid women's-specific skis out there that are a bit lighter than some of the men's versions. In my opinion (and I'm a guy so take it with 2 grains of salt), weight/height are just as important in determining ski selection as agression/technique. A unisex ski like a Nordica Enforcer is probably going to be too burly for many women who are either a) very petite/light or b) not aggressive. My wife is 115lbs, 5'5" , used to ski pro and loves hers at 177, but for many women that would be too much ski.
August 14, 2009 - 4:16pm
#12
Here's a good writeup from
Here's a good writeup from SKI Magazine that has some insight on the topic: http://www.skinet.com/ski/gear/2009/07/why-buy-women-s-gear
November 5, 2009 - 3:54pm
#13
Do whats right for YOU!
Do whats right for YOU!
Hillary,
Forget about who can bench press this and who has the bigger legs, etc. I am a 5'6 gal that can hang with the best of them, ice , steep and some fluff as well as hiking to the destination. I have had aweful skis, I have had great ones. My husband has lighter skis than I and is a strong guy, as well as an agressive skier....go figure. Go to a place that you feel good buying from and get their opinion, demo a bunch of everything and see what feels best mens and womens. I did this and my "people" know /have seen me ski. They knew what I would do well with. I am still using 2 yr old K2 Burnin' Love and was a die hard Atomic girl...............you never know until you try.