ski suggestions

Looking to update my 5 yr old TUAs. I tried some BD crossbows at the demo night with three different bindings. The BD 02 was stiff and responsive, maybe too stiff for touring or a long day of climbing, I think the O3 was better for backcountry. The crossbows seemed to cruise on the groomed and in the 8 in or so of fresh stuff and I could certainly get them around fast. <br><br>Anyone have expereince with the crossbows in the deep stuff. At Mt. Rainer this past weekend I saw the potential benefit for a wider ski, but I don't want something too heavy and I do a lot of spring sking where something wider would be overkill. And no, I don't want to own two pair - so what do you think of crossbows as an all around? thanks.

I skied Crossbows (with Dynafit bindings) all last year and I love them. Despite the bad snow year last year, I had them in all conditions.....High-speed groomers at Stevens, crud at Alpental, 12-18" of pow at Alta, old dry stuff at Big White and glop on Rainier. I haven't tried a lot of skis but for this ex-racer, the Crossbows hold up in fast GS turns in-piste and move quickly in tight places off-piste. I picked up a pair of Rossignol T4s and put Freerides on them....I haven't taken them out yet but I still expect to be grabbing the Crossbows for long approaches and when I'm in doubt of conditions. We'll see.

I haven't skied these, but a friend of mine has the Atomic R:EX as his tele rig and they seem to do very well for him in all conditions. Might be another one to look into. Options options.<br><br>Marcus

I'm in the same boat, need a fattish and light but stable ski for all around resort and tour-for-turns kind of skiing. I've been eyeing the Work Stinx. They're around 88 underfoot, have nice shape to them, and are nice and damp feeling. I didnt get a chance to try anything else at the demo, unfortunately. I really like the women's Phat Luv, too ... is there a tele version of that?<br><br>For bindings, I think I'm gonna spring for bulldogs. They ski like a hardwire but are so much nicer to get in and out of, which saves time and energy instructing.

I might be mistaken, but I think the Work Stinx and the Phat Luv are essentially the same ski. Two friends with the Work Stinx -- they love them. Fairly soft, like most K2s.

I think they used to use the same mold for both, but not anymore. Phat Luv is now ~95 underfoot (was 90) and I believe teh Work has been trimmed down to 88. The Work also has some kind fo dual sidecut, where teh front half has a tighter radius than the back. I dunno how I feel about that, but they skied fine.