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Old man needs ski suggestions

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midwest_rep085
Posts: 19 - Karma: 8
Whelp...here I am on NS again.  I won't go into it, but I was actually one of the first members here (Registered before 2001, I was like the 1000th member or something).  I haven't been around for years, lost my account info, but now I need to ask the NS community for some suggestions on skis.

Hope you guys can help.

I'm 26, I've been skiing all my life, consider myself an expert level.  I need some new skis for this year, about 40/60 park/all mt.  I live in Minnesota though, so its all ice and hardpack, no fluff.  I sold my old 1080s and Volkl Karmas, so I'm looking for something fun and forgiving, something I can throw around and not worry about.  I'm not planning on many trips out West anytime soon, so power and bigness is not an issue.  I just want a fun ski that I can take to the park but that can also handle itself well outside the park.

Ironically, I've been skiing on my ORIGINAL pair of yellow 177cm 1080s, they are the most comfortable ski I've ever owned.  They blew my new 171cm (or 169...can't remember right now since they are sold and gone), I hated those skis.

I'm about 5'8", only 140lbs, so I'm not a big guy.  Do you guys think 171 or 169 is too small?  The second favorite ski I ever owned was the original 185 (I believe..) Pocket Rockets.  They were huge on my, but I was able to use them better and throw them around much easier than those new 1080s. 

So, any suggestions?  I'm at a total loss.  I don't want a skinny, park specific ski.  But I also don't live out west, so I have no need for a wide-waist beast.
Oct 6 2008 9:09PM
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eurotune2
Posts: 1450 - Karma: 10
Hey well Welcome back to the site man, as far as length goes i would say that around a 175 would fit you well, even all the way close to 180... For my ski suggestions i would say the Line Chronic and the Vokl Walls are both a heavy duty ski that you could ski out of the park... depending on how fat you wanna go the Blends would be awesome too, by the looks of your post you enjoy a salomon ski and the new 1080s or the suspect would fair you well. There are tons of options out there and these are just a few of my opinions, im sure you will get many more very soon, good luck
Oct 6 2008 9:25PM
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ryanb
Posts: 585 - Karma: 30
hmmmm the moment reno freebirds might be good for you, they are moments more all mountainish carving ski, but ive heard its pretty stiff-not sure though, and it comes in a 176 or 166, and moments tahoe might also be good for you, its more of a medium flex and it comes in a 170 which sounds perfect for you, thats all i got maybe somone else can help me out with this
Oct 6 2008 9:29PM
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Aaaron.
Posts: 11817 - Karma: 903
moments would be good.
the tahoe are a dream ski of mine....
also, look at the armada AR6
it hailed as one of the most versatile twin tips ever made

Oct 6 2008 9:40PM
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bikerocker
Posts: 1427 - Karma: 461
if you like volkl, go with the higher 170 sized volkl bridge.  by far one of the most versatile skis on the market.  also look into the rossi s5 s6 series.  but i would stay at least above 170 if you are an expert level skier.
Oct 6 2008 10:14PM
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2244
Posts: 95 - Karma: 10
what about the volkl bridges they are an all mtn twin that can still go in the park to powder and anywhere in between they come in a 169 and prob. a 175 or something im not sure though
Oct 6 2008 10:14PM
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midwest_rep085
Posts: 19 - Karma: 8
Cool, thanks for the suggestions guys.  I'll check out Moment's stuff and the Armadas.  I've always wondered about owning a pair of those, do the AR6s have a good reputation for durability? 

I can actually get a pair of those for relatively cheap, my size options are 176 or 171.  How does it ski as far as length?  Like I said, I'm not a huge guy but I really disliked the way my old 169 1080s felt under me, and I love the way the longer 185 PRs and 177 old 1080s felt.  But those were older models, and I haven't had a chance to demo anything new in at least 3 years.  My Volkl Karmas were 05/06, those are the newest skis I've owned.
Oct 6 2008 10:20PM
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bikerocker
Posts: 1427 - Karma: 461
contrary to the all out rail skiers belief the armada ar6 is super burly, solidly stiff, and fun all around.  however, consider the arv in a 175 or 85.  if you like bigger skis, go bigger it doesn't hurt a good skier in the slightest.  but like i said, check the volkl walls.  and the arv.  both are all mountain destroyers.

Oct 6 2008 10:35PM
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AMD_5
Posts: 745 - Karma: 15
I would have recomended PE's if you were a bigger guy, because they're harder to flex and heavier for smaller guys. I'd seriously look into the AR6's tho. I haven't heard a bad thing about those skis yet. Truly and All-Mountain Park Ski
Oct 6 2008 10:43PM
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midwest_rep085
Posts: 19 - Karma: 8
Yeah I do worryy about getting a ski that's too soft and squirly for me.  My only reservation about the Volkl Walls is my past experience with Volkl.  I loved my Karmas, but damn they were heavy.  When I owned my Karmas, I lived in Summit Co Colorado and so it wasn't an issue.  I needed a relatively stiff and heavy ski for those days at Vail or A-Basin.  But they were pretty poor in the park and didn't fare all that well on normal hardpack.  And they really did do well when I moved back here to Minnesota.
They were great skis, but just too heavy for midwest skiing.  So that would be my only reservation about Volkls, I don't know if all their skis are like that or it was only those Karmas that year.

I'll check the Walls the ARVs out too, I think the shop near me has the full line of Armadas and Volkls.
Oct 6 2008 11:05PM
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bikerocker
Posts: 1427 - Karma: 461
haha.  thats funny dude. I just had a ton of people come into my shop today, and sat volkl was way lighter than they used to be.  at the same time armadas also got lighter.  volkls are waaay lighter while armada has always been medium light,   they also got lighter this year.  look at dimensions and stiffness.  the volkl walls are a hair stiffer than the armadas.  either way you're getting a really good ski.  one of the best options out there meant for that really grey area called "all mountain".  so pick one of those two in the size you feel best with.  if you like 185's before stick with it.  both skis are about 5 back from center, and will ski just how you've indicated you've like them in the past.  ypu're on a great path, go down one of those two routes.
Oct 6 2008 11:48PM
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Twinjibber77
Posts: 6239 - Karma: 2,354
AR6
176, but if yourup for it go 181
don't be afraid, you can handle it
Oct 7 2008 9:19AM
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