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A guy looking for girls skis...

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Bertrand
Posts: 423 - Karma: 457
This isn't getting any love in gear talk. So I'm posting it here too...sorry mods =)

Hey guys!

I'm helping my girlfriend look for skis right now. She wants something along the lines of a womens Jeffrey or Bacon, a ski where it doesn't matter the conditions, it'll rock. Mens skis in this range are like 112-108 waist, and I'm assuming a womens ski for the same purpose would be around 102-98?

She is 5'4", 110 pounds.

Anybody know of womens skis with:
Rocker tip and tail
Pretty symmetrical
98-102 waist

I'm having a hard time finding skis with all of these, and a rockered tail. Most of them seem pretty directional.

Thanks in advance!
Oct 7 2013 8:47PM
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BROSEIDON
Posts: 3702 - Karma: 1,495
Armada TSTw
Oct 7 2013 10:17PM
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JahLiam
Posts: 2321 - Karma: 7,828
Armada TSTw
Oct 7 2013 10:19PM
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cydwhit
Posts: 5075 - Karma: 43,049
I would say look at the kids bacon or opus, I think they go up to 165cm
Oct 7 2013 10:22PM
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*geezer*
Posts: 645 - Karma: 301
what kind of skis does she have now?
Oct 7 2013 10:29PM
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oil.
Posts: 2255 - Karma: 1,254
http://k2skis.com/skis/womens/remedy-102
These seem to have everything you want. What region are you in? I know a girl (east coast) who rips super hard and skis on Rossi Experience 98's. they can handle just about everything we get out here (except park) from the deeper stuff to the harder ice, and all the crud in between. i dont know if they are still available, but the experience series skis are solid, even they dont have any tail rocker (i'm pretty sure they ave at least some in the tip) and are available in waste sizes in increments of 5mm (83, 88, 93, 98), not sure if they go above a 98.
hope this helps!
Oct 7 2013 11:02PM
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Bertrand
Posts: 423 - Karma: 457
Needs tail rocker as well.
Oct 7 2013 11:15PM
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Bertrand
Posts: 423 - Karma: 457
Some like, 175 misdemeanors.
Oct 7 2013 11:17PM
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Bertrand
Posts: 423 - Karma: 457
Huge help, thank you. She just wants tail rocker cause it makes it seriously easy to throw them sideways. But I'll tell her about these for sure!
Oct 7 2013 11:18PM
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-WZ-
Posts: 3600 - Karma: 6,582
4frnt madonna
Oct 7 2013 11:23PM
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seanahue.
Posts: 2142 - Karma: 3,375
just got my lady some '71 jmos, hasn't ridden on them yet though
Oct 7 2013 11:26PM
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Bertrand
Posts: 423 - Karma: 457
Definitely thinking of this too. They seem perfect, except for being women specific, but I don't know how important a womens specific ski actually is, besides length?
Oct 7 2013 11:47PM
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Maruchan
Posts: 206 - Karma: 1,582
Ill make a custom pair of skis for her. They retail for 1000, but if you buy it through me I can give you them for $650. PM me and I'll give you the details.
Oct 8 2013 12:03AM
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dan09uk
Posts: 215 - Karma: 108
line pandora ?

Oct 8 2013 12:05AM
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p-fo
Posts: 9372 - Karma: 6,155
From what I've seen and heard, the only real difference is length. Women's skis also tend to be softer, but you could easily find the same flex in a men's ski.
I think the idea of gender specific skis is kind of silly in general.
Oct 8 2013 12:11AM
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Avifarer
Posts: 5926 - Karma: 598
Salomon remix, pretty much the old rocker 92. tons of rocker tip and tail. super easy ski to ski.
specs wise, remedy 102 from k2 for sure. pretty much a kung fujas with ladies graphics.
Oct 8 2013 12:12AM
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.nasty
Posts: 10582 - Karma: 11,184
169 atomic blog. a little wider than you're wanting, but I can't imagine she wouldn't love it for everything. I do.
Oct 8 2013 12:40AM
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mstevo
Posts: 237 - Karma: 300
Armada VJJ
Oct 8 2013 3:48AM
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Rachy
Posts: 4355 - Karma: 2,761
If your girl is good enough to need tail rocker on a powder day.. couldn't she pick out her own skis?



If your thinking that's what is best for her, I disagree.

I have both the tstw and the JJ and for higher speeds in choppy snow, I actually prefer the tstw. One thing to think about is women do have a tendency to sit back a little more. On a heavily rockered tail for a powder ski, females sit back even more and they are actually more difficult to control. Of course this is something you get better at over time. But like I said, if your lady can't pick out her own ski, she probably isn't going to benefit at all from a rockered tail and likely will make the ski more difficult for her to get comfortable on.

I'm 5'7" 120lbs and on a 175 JJ/ 174 TSTw. I love them both.


But... if a rockered tail is a must. the k2 Missbehaved skis really long and the 159 would be a great size for your lady. It's pretty stable and turns well, but I'd say my TSTws work better on the crud.

The one ski I do want to try though that fits your specs for the most part is the Moment Bella.


Final word.... you do know that chicks ski on men's skis all the time right? Some of my favorite skis have been "men's" skis. Salomon Shogun and Lord (although they made a women's after) the JJ (mine are mens). I was on Ar5's for a few years. They Caylors are super fun. Soooo why not the 161 jeffery?
Oct 8 2013 4:14AM
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LC.
Posts: 5952 - Karma: 2,423
Nope, stay fat. And look at guys skis too. JJ, VJJ, S7, S7w, Blog, Automatic, Rocker 115, anything like that will work.
Oct 8 2013 6:34AM
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Bertrand
Posts: 423 - Karma: 457
Really appreciate this response.

She saw me give zero fucks in terms of weather report on my Jeffreys this year and just said, "find me the girl version of that".

So, what I'm hearing from you is, for a one ski quiver, it doesn't need to be scaled down (110 for guys, 100 for girls), just get the right length? Because the guys skis tend to get skinnier as they get smaller (Jeffrey at 161 is 106 waist, 186 is 110), any ski in the 100-110 range should be a perfect one ski quiver?

161JMO, 161 Jeffrey, 165 tstw, 159 K2 remedy 102, all seem pretty money for a one ski quiver for her.

She wants tail rocker just because they seem more playful, but if you're saying meh to it, opens up more doors.
Oct 8 2013 9:57AM
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montanan
Posts: 1787 - Karma: 1,346
i dont even know if line still makes them. but pandoras are a sick , sick, one ski quiver for a girl. i know two chicks who have them and love them ! that being said im not sure if they make them anymore but maybe they have a similar ski , just diff name. i do know tho that the have tip and tail rocker. at least im positive they had both one year, they may have changed it cause the chicks i know who ride them have 2 different year models, but the chick i see the most with them def have rocker tip and tail. but i duno like i said if they still make em. good luck tho buddy
Oct 8 2013 10:47AM
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montanan
Posts: 1787 - Karma: 1,346
sorry for double post but, this years pandoras have 110 underfoot, come in a 160 something, and a 172 ! and they have early rise in tip and tail , and they have been completely redesigned this year and the graphics are sick ! looks like a sick one ski quiver for any chick . ! again tho good luck bro, wish my girl skied . ha
Oct 8 2013 11:09AM
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Pipe_Munky
Posts: 10888 - Karma: 2,184
K2 Remedy 102
Line Pandora
Line Soulmate 98 (if she wants a charging ski)
Volkl Kiku

Oct 8 2013 12:21PM
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SkierX
Posts: 16253 - Karma: 538
Nordica La Nina

http://shop.nordicausa.com/Product/0A330800001/freeride-la-nina

Little wider at 113 underfoot, but it should rock quite well on hardpack still.
Oct 8 2013 12:30PM
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theVan
Posts: 204 - Karma: 225
I too am in this situation, trying to find the right ski for my girl! It's kind of fun
Oct 8 2013 12:46PM
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Rachy
Posts: 4355 - Karma: 2,761
women's skis really aren't that much difference when it comes to width. Most of the women's skis are just shorter versions of the mens skis with narrower wastes only because they are scaled down. Sometimes they will have a different core or have some slight difference that makes them softer and may make them ever so slightly lighter. However, if you're trying to use a powder orriented ski as a one quiver ski, the softness isn't necessarily helpful. Stiffer actually will make it carve and handle chop better.

However, I'll say it again. Women have a tendency to lean back more. We just do it. It's a terrible thing. Has your lady skied a rockered tail? It's different and takes a little to get used to.

I wouldn't say it's needed. There are a lot of playful skis that don't have rocker in the tail. Ask her if landing backwards in powder is important within the next 2 years. If it is... maybe go for rocker. If not, a rockered tip will be plenty.
Oct 8 2013 1:35PM
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AJizzle
Posts: 1882 - Karma: 522
Get her the TSTw carves well for groomer days, super medium flex, but she won't be able to overpower it. It's poppy and fun, but still holds an edge well. Plus being 99 underfoot in the 165 with that much tip rocker they will float her well.
Oct 8 2013 1:37PM
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JakeSalvador
Posts: 2741 - Karma: 1,309
ME!! haha holy fuck I can't believe I saw this thread. I got a brand new pair of K2 Remedys still in the wrapper collecting dust. They are '13-'14s with rocker and all that good stuff.

Check out the k2 site about them http://k2skis.com/skis/remedy-117


Let me know what you think! PM me and I can get you some pics.

Oct 8 2013 1:46PM
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Bertrand
Posts: 423 - Karma: 457
She hasn't. She's been skiing on some missdemeanors that are like 15cm too long for her. Can rip them, but is stoked for a ski of the proper length.
Tstw is looking to be at the top now. Along with the k2's. She doesn't ib much so yeah.
Oct 8 2013 2:18PM
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Rachy
Posts: 4355 - Karma: 2,761
I would not recommend. This is an awesome powder ski. But 117 under foot on your little lady isn't going to be ideal for anything but powder. Camber under foot is nice but most skis still have that. A rockered tip/tail is going to shatter in crud/at speed regardless.

Powder and handling crud/groomers to get back to the lift = remedy/jj/s7.. so forth.
All mountain that can charge through powder = TSTw, Payback (but isn't a twin tip), Atomic Century (again not a twin). I actually also loved the Line Celebrity 100 if you can find this ski as it's no longer in their lineup should be cheap though. Really an awesome ski... just wasn't the demand for them.
Oct 8 2013 2:23PM
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AHREN*
Posts: 153 - Karma: 2,031
I think were gonna need to see a picture of your girlfriend first...
Oct 8 2013 3:45PM
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lukaturtle
Posts: 98 - Karma: 103
My girl rides the moment pb&j. Rocker tip and tail 101 underfoot. Bam there's her ski
Oct 8 2013 6:12PM
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Cyanicenine
Posts: 966 - Karma: 2,294
I just want to add that twin tips have a benefit beyond landing switch in big mountain. A common scenario when riding gnarly terrain is that you will be going along and encounter a sudden obstacle, especially in rocky tree dense terrain, that makes you stop and reassess your line.

At this point you are parallel with the downhill on a very steep grade surrounded by trees and whatever you have confronted, a crevasse, or stump, etc. If I have twin tips I have the option of scooting backwards and picking a line behind me, or scooting forward and picking a line in front of me. In powder, as you may well know, trying to hop turn or maneuver your skis around can easily end with you losing ground and sliding forward, towards aforementioned obstacle.
Oct 9 2013 9:31PM
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Rachy
Posts: 4355 - Karma: 2,761
twin tips != rocker

"scooting backwards" = traversing switch.

ROCKER does serve a purpose other than landing switch, but you typically need to be a pretty advanced female skier to be able to stay forward enough to actually benefit. Probably why almost every women's rockered tail ski lands in the "expert" area. Most "experts" can buy their own skis.
Oct 10 2013 12:52AM
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Cyanicenine
Posts: 966 - Karma: 2,294
You said here that there is no other use for any rocker in the tail. You then went on to recommend skis that are not twins, implying that there's similarly no use for a twin tip, when in fact having a non-flat tail can be pretty handy.
Oct 10 2013 1:27AM
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ThaLorax
Posts: 21088 - Karma: 8,482
Holy Jah 90% of this thread is just throwing out skis that they like and has a woman's version. The TSTw is neither symmetrical nor has a tail rocker.
Oct 10 2013 1:49AM
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AJizzle
Posts: 1882 - Karma: 522
Halfway through the tread he said that she was thinking about tail rocker because it makes skis seem more playful. He also revealed that really what he was looking for was a ski that could do it all. I know a ton of chick skiers that have a problem getting far enough forward on their skis, thus is recommended the TSTw, because it can do everything, is playful like he wanted, but can rail groomers, has camber in the tail to help keep her forward and store energy when carving. Oh and he also said she doesn't jib which means that she probably doesn't need anything symmetrical or close to.
Oct 10 2013 1:59AM
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Rachy
Posts: 4355 - Karma: 2,761
I'm sorry if you thought I implied that landing backwards was the only reason to have rocker in the tail.

That was not the case. I was just suggesting he look into non rockered tail skis unless getting "playful" in powder was worth sacrificing control in other scenarios. That is what that comment was about.

The "non twin tips" I listed were simply skis I enjoyed and I made certain to clarify that they weren't "twin tips" because I knew that likely put them off the list. I made no true recommendations in my posts, just things to consider and advantages/disadvantages of different shapes for a girl of her ability and size.


Oct 10 2013 2:18AM
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ThaLorax
Posts: 21088 - Karma: 8,482
If you read the OP, it clearly says "rocker tip and tail".


I find it odd that you suggest the TSTw to keep her from leaning back. I've skied the tst and the tstw and felt like the combination of the significantly narrower tip than tail, combined with the lack of rocker in the tail (but having rocker in the tips), put me in the backseat more than any ski I've ever skied before so I have no idea what you're talking about. I also felt like the TST was unresponsive on hardpack and didn't carve well. That's just personal taste though.
Oct 10 2013 2:32AM
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ThaLorax
Posts: 21088 - Karma: 8,482
This however is a great suggestion.
Oct 10 2013 2:34AM
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AJizzle
Posts: 1882 - Karma: 522
What I'm saying is I read the whole thread and he changed his tune, also if you thought the tst didn't carve well and was unresponsive you must have skied on a pair with a complete shit tune that was literally incapable of setting an edge. I ski the tst everyday (other than deep pow days) and have never felt like it has pushed me backseat, quite the opposite actually.
Oct 10 2013 2:49AM
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lukaturtle
Posts: 98 - Karma: 103
Chea I know right! The pb&j will be perfect for her! And it's handmade with US materials. Can't go wrong
Oct 10 2013 2:56AM
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Rachy
Posts: 4355 - Karma: 2,761
I would call it a good suggestion.

I'd say that this and the TSTw would be awesome but it would really come down to what she feels the best on. Find a shop that will let you demo both? A lot of places allow you to apply the demo cost towards the ski.

But if you're looking to save money....

If she's intermediate/advanced and hasn't skied anything with a rocker, i'd say something like the tstw. But if you're confident in her abilities, the PBJ has pretty raving reviews in the all around world but just because she's female... it may be more difficult at first for her. I didn't even think of the ski. I haven't tried it myself but after seeing the measurements on it and reading the reviews, seems it could be a really fun ski. Again, my only concern is how quickly she can adapt and how good at staying forward she is.
Oct 10 2013 3:15AM
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ThaLorax
Posts: 21088 - Karma: 8,482
Those are what I ski.

and AJizzle, it's quite possible since they were Demo skis.
Oct 10 2013 3:22AM
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Bertrand
Posts: 423 - Karma: 457
Yup, she's never skied rocker before so it would be weird.

She's stoked to try a tstw(probably #1 on the list), maybe a k2 remedy 102(Maybe not enough rocker), and she also wants to try an ON3P Jeronimo. Cause...USA.

I also got to thinking that a Vicik would be another ski to add to the list.

Anyways, she knows tail rocker isn't necessary, and would take some getting used to. She's just got to demo these skis I guess.

I have a feeling the tstw will be it.

Another random question. When demoing, should she hop on a short pair of tail rockered mens skis too, just to see what they feel like?


Really liking this thread guys. So much help!
Oct 10 2013 10:19AM
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Rachy
Posts: 4355 - Karma: 2,761
Of course she should try out a pair of tail rockered men's skis! There are many women's skis that are legitimately just a shorter version of the men's ski with a different graphic.

How is she going to know if she doesn't like tail rocker unless she tries it. I was simply making a suggestion that if she had not done it, it is possible she would actually have more difficulty with it do to her ability. Doesn't mean she can't try it! The only reason I was able to get comfortable on it came from demoing many pairs at ski shows/demo shows/ and from the shop I worked at.

You buy what is the most comfortable for you. Suggestions are simply that, suggestions.
Oct 10 2013 5:35PM
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