Ski of Choice?

:)Sorry for the thread drift guys...I meant no offense.<br>Here's my atempt at constructive input...<br><br>My setups are a tad on the heavy side:<br>Rossi B3 (178cm) w/Freerides<br>Rossi B2 (182cm) w/Freerides<br>I'm 5'11" and about 175 lbs and my boots are G-Rides.<br><br>I don't mind lugging around the beefier stuff, but if I were thinking of going a little lighter, I might consider a Salomon Scream Limited in maybe a shorter length like a 170cm (175 would be cool, but they dont make it.) It's still a pretty burly ski, but it loses the metal layers that the Bandits have. In bounds, I have a pair of Salomon X-tra Hots, which are more or less the same ski as the Limited, minus the Salomon binding plate. I've often thought it would do very well in the BC with either a Dynafit or a Fritschi binding.<br>This leads me to ask: What boots are people using? Boots can play a big factor in how a ski feels. If you're a heavier person and you're using a TLT4 race, you are probably going to be under powering a B3. The opposite holds true for a heavy boot driving a light ski. I guess my point is that the ski isn't the only factor to consider when thinking about how a ski will feel. Lastly you can subtly change the feel of a ski by playing with the mounting position. 1-2cm back, and the ski should feel longer/stiffer/more stable at speed. 1-2cm forward, and the ski should feel shorter/springier/and easier to initiate.<br>Has anyone ever used Atomic bindings? Many of them come on a sliding track that has 3-5 user selectable positions with the flip of a switch.

No offence taken, Sam. <br>I use Adrenalins and Naxos w/ my 184 cm B3s. I like the set up, but am getting beat up on the uphill....maybe I just need to get in better shape.

I (5'8" 150) ski a Havoc w/freerides/Denalis and love the setup, but have often thought that pairing Dynafits/MegaRides with the Havocs would be sweet for a touring-dedicated rig. According to Couloir's ski review, the Havocs aren't much heavier than the Shuksans (908g/100cm for Shuksan, 980g/100cm for the Havoc), but are 10mm fatter and are reportedly stiffer. Good luck.

I ski the Shuksans in a 181. I use the MegaRide.<br><br>I used to ski the Crossbows but the ski ruptured and let go of the toe piece on my biniding (dynafit) around 500 feet down St. Helens. Hence no more foam core skis for me.<br><br>I like the Shuksans for their versatility: Ski Mountaineering, Backcountry skiing, in-bounds - wth or without overnight pack.<br><br>I guess it depends what you want to do. If you are interested in doing a lot of vertical (and horizontal) in highly variable conditions then I think the Shuksans are a great choice. If this is more for lift-served bc or occassional skins up &lt;insert stash here&gt; then a heavier, stiffer ski might be in order.

Shuksans are great for randonee ski touring. I am over 6 ft. tall and over 200 lbs and find them to be flexible and enjoyable yet stiff enough. Lately, I have linked turns on breakable crust with them and am even more impressed. My Shuksans give me powder bliss! I ski Dynafit bindings and new Dynafit Aero boots.<br><br>My Shuksans are 3 year old 190s, 107 mm shovel and 75 mm waist. I assume this is relevant because the flex and construction may be similar to the newer ones (when held up to a new Shuksan, I felt it impressive how slight the actual difference in width). So far, I have resisted buying the new ones because I am not sure about skiing a 181 cm. ski. I am not sure if the shorter ski will float out of breakable crust, for example. In another year or two, I will have to decide to perhaps go shorter on new skis. I would like to have the extra width of the new Shuksans. It is an interesting transition for me, having learned to tele on Epoke 900 215cm and many years touring 220 cm XCDs, and randonnee on 204 cm K2 lift skis (hooray for the new gear!). I learned the value of length allowing floatation above the crud or crust or obstacle, however the trend to wider skis is certainly transforming of the sport.<br><br>Before Shuksans I had Hagen 193 Tour Freeride that were stiffer, heavier, stable for speed, good to plow heavy snow, but, I felt, insensitive to powder. The Shuksans are just the right improvement for powder bliss and all around for me. <br><br>As stated previously, boots and skis should match in a balanced manner. Also, one must consider one's skiing style and purpose. Personally, efficient travel and smooth turns from beautiful peaks, as much in powder as is possible, are the goals.

I also ski the old (3 years or older) Shuksans in 187 for rock skis.<br><br>While the old Shuksans are great skis they...well...just dont do it for my anymore after Skiing the new ones. <br><br>Either way you get a great ski.