Skis for an advanced skiier

Question
Hi, I need help!  I've been skiing for over 15 years (since I was 10, I'm now 26), and am buying my own skis for the first time.  My previous skis were Dynastars, and they're shaped, but we bought them right when shaped skis came out, and we didn't know to buy them shorter, so they're 175's.  I'm originally from Washington state and I've skiied at the same resort there my entire life.  My husband and I just moved to Colorado in the Denver area, so we're looking at going to Winter Park and Copper a lot.  I'm 5'6", 160 lbs, and an advanced skiier.  I like to ski the whole mountain, including the bumps, and I like to go fast!  What should I look for in my new skis?  Thank you!!!

Answer
Hi & thanks for the question

I have answered this topic on numerous occassions - please have a look through others for more indepth info and suggestions.

LENGTH
Shaped ski will come upto your chin/eyebrow height. The longer the more effort to turn, the longer the more stable in higher speeds and more surface area for the deeper powder days. Shorter of course better for the short turns/bumps and easy to play.

FLEX or stiffness
How much the ski bends and rebounds when you bend it & let it go. The more flex the softer to turn - but can also leave the ski a little light underfoot in faster speeds. If you're a medium arc, high speed skier - pick a med flex. Flex different skis to better understand what soft, medium and hard are. Skis also flex at different points - faster poppy turns you want good tail bounce so it doesnt get caught up.

BINDINGS
and the mount can change a skis performace -hence companies sell them as complete sets, just make sure the binding you choose has you in the middle of the range with the DIN setting [numbers on the toepiece]. You can dampen a softer ski by adding a plate - just remember the ski wont flex as well thru that area tho. But a plate can be useful to lift you up to avoid 'boot bashing' on your turns if you do like to ski a dynamic fast turn.

Of course though - a ski is only as good as the boot being worn. If your boot is poor fitting - it wont make the best ski on the market any better than the ones you're on now. Boots need to be firm around your calf, heel should only lift about 1cm and toes should move back from the front when you flex into normal ski stance. Anything bigger than this - have them checked by a boot tech - you may need some padding to build up the 'sloppy' areas. Fix the boots and you will notice a huge difference in your skiing - especially in the effort needed to ski all day.

That is skis in a nutshell - the principals are the same no matter what level skier you are. Have a look at the other questions about buying equipment - and if you've any other questions, feel free to ask - although im unable to answer questions about ski brands as i havent skied for past 2 years [as i currently live & work in the desert of Australia].

have fun shopping, and consider trying before you buy if you can

lisa