Ski of Choice?

Help, I need (want) new skis. 195pnd, fairly agressive, starting to show my age. I'm skiing on a pair of B3s now and I want something lighter for the climb that maybe holds an edge a bit better on the steep and sketchy. Of course, I don't really want to give up much of the float....Any ideas?  

Hey skinveen, I've recently acquired a pair of 174cm K2 Shuksans to cover my spring skiing needs (carve and edge hold). I'm still evaluating them in different conditions, but am generally very pleased with them. They're definitely a nice light ski to schlepp up the hill and offer nice performance on the downhill run.<br><br>They are an absolute easy carving dream on the corn. They also ski the fresh nicely with a 78mm waist...<br><br>I ski the K2 AK Launchers for powder and the like, and weigh somewhere between 185 and 190 depending on the week's consumption of calories.<br><br>A little more stiffness would be nice to see in the Shuksans, but they're still a pretty sweet ski that I would recommend.<br>

Thanks Jibber. Shuksans are on the list....i'm a little worried how they would perform in the shlock of this last Sunday.

Gonna ignore the bird flippin' person who is attempting to hijack the thread...<br><br>A hearty second on the Shuksans - I am 190', 6ft 4" and I love the ski. It provides the perfect combo of edge hold, float, and light weight. I have not missed the stiffness too much - perhaps I dont go as fast as I would on my Volkls but thats generally not what I do in the backcountry... They ski fine with an overnight pack as well. If you want a slightly stiffer ski in a similar weight range I have heard good things about the Dynastar Legend 8000 which is basically identical to the Shuksan in measurements.<br><br> Michael

Thanks mfaoro. How long do you ski them?<br>Sam, no Chinese skis is fine, but how about a little something constructive and throw out what you ski.

I give two tips up to the Dynastar 8800. I put Freerides on them and they kick!! They will be a little heavier, but ski like a dream. I am 6'4" 190 lbs and have had these skis up to 45 plus mph at Sun Valley and in the really tight chutes theydoreal well. I ski a 184cm and it skis big. The only time I noticed any problems was when it really dumped heavy snow and was 2 ft deep. I would opt for a longer ski. But are still managable.<br>Joe