New to PNW requests skis to buy recommendations

Genuineinterestnotshitstirring....

One of the aspects of skiing I really enjoy is the continuous search for an optimal "system", and how we can all have such divergent approaches to the same end goal. I've had all kinds of ski and boot quivers over the years to cover various snow conditions, purposes, and seasons. I've also tried various alpine/rando setups to use both in area and out.

It's not clear whether your continuous search included

the current trend of fatter is better, rocker rules, and crossover rando/alpine boots

But I suspect from your phrasing that maybe it didn't?

Or whether you just stopped searching.

About here....

The irony for me is I've essentially landed at having just two dedicated rigs - one alpine, one touring, ....My alpine skis are 122-80-108@178cm, my touring skis are 113-77-96@174cm

In my experience there are very, very few people who reach the same conclusion as you do after trying them. And that almost invariably the guy sitting on the chair with skinny skis on a powder day is nowadays almost invariably, and the phrase is meant completely without malice, a "retro-grouch*"

[size=5pt]*1. He's such a retrogrouch; he's still riding a bike with a Brooks leather saddle and friction gear shifters.

2. That retrogrouch is still using a film camera.

3. If it's not made of wood, it's not a real sailboat, as far as that retrogrouch is concerned. [/size]

IMO skiing efficiently anywhere requires a multitude of techniques and styles.
In one given run I can go from racer two plank turn, to stem-cristy, to jump turns, back to racer, to Stein Erickson, to sliding tails, to double pole planting into a Wayne Wong backseat Eddie turn ect...
It all depends on the way you want to paint the picture and what the canvas gives you.
I can find mistakes in my form on any of the previously mentioned forms, but they all have merit.
None are right or wrong, but it gets me downhill.

I find that skiers pick up bad habits from the skier they look up to who have bad habits.
Getting out on the lifts and taking your lumps are good if you visually know what good techniques are and try to work to emulate them in your own fashion.

About powder...
There are unspoken rules: You can steal my girlfriend, drink my whiskey, and pee on my couch, but don't dare ski over my tracks.
So do what you can to prevent that at all costs.

I would be interested in Zaps take on this:
Generally speaking that the Stein technique basically reduces the advantage of big sidecut shaped skis, because the user is not independently loading the edges to utilize both edges. But wider skis with less sidecut it will help with the Stein technique to get more float and more consistent glide. Think mono-ski.

IMO skiing efficiently anywhere requires a multitude of techniques and styles.
In one given run I can go from racer two plank turn, to stem-cristy, to jump turns, back to racer, to Stein Erickson, to sliding tails, to double pole planting into a Wayne Wong backseat Eddie turn ect...
It all depends on the way you want to paint the picture and what the canvas gives you.
I can find mistakes in my form on any of the previously mentioned forms, but they all have merit.
None are right or wrong, but it gets me downhill.

I find that skiers pick up bad habits from the skier they look up to who have bad habits.
Getting out on the lifts and taking your lumps are good if you visually know what good techniques are and try to work to emulate them in your own fashion.

About powder...
There are unspoken rules: You can steal my girlfriend, drink my whiskey, and pee on my couch, but don't dare ski over my tracks.
So do what you can to prevent that at all costs.

I would be interested in Zaps take on this:
Generally speaking that the Stein technique basically reduces the advantage of big sidecut shaped skis, because the user is not independently loading the edges to utilize both edges. But wider skis with less sidecut it will help with the Stein technique to get more float and more consistent glide. Think mono-ski.

this I agree with 100%, and layer it with a few simple rules I have followed over the years that are translated across any skiing style or type of ski, be it the 65mm, 100mm, or 120 mm skis i choose.

1.Keep your stance balanced and weight centered.
2. keep your hands forward (not at your waist!) and upper body quiet.
3. SKI THE FALLINE.

Following 1 and 2 makes #3 easier, and will keep you from crossing Joeda's tracks.

Joe, it's a shame I don't make it down to xtal to ski with you more.

I would be interested in Zaps take on this:
Generally speaking that the Stein technique basically reduces the advantage of big sidecut shaped skis, because the user is not independently loading the edges to utilize both edges. But wider skis with less sidecut it will help with the Stein technique to get more float and more consistent glide. Think mono-ski.

My Stein Erikson style is rather graceful, at times, but as I age and utilize wider skis I am slowly modifying my “glued together legs”.  Last summer, I attended a 3 day ski camp at Timberline about “ski alignment”.  I found that my bindings were mounted in an aggressive stance (heels higher than toes) so that I was “loading” my quads.  I realized my quads were aching more.  I had my bindings remounted to a neutral position.  Then I learned to use the larger, more powerful muscles of my hips to initiate and drive thru my turns.  I found my skiing endurance improved and my quads were not aching as badly. I then added wider skis to my quiver and started having more enjoyment and less fatigue.

To answer Joe’s question.  I think the Stein technique created almost a single platform that made skiing almost effortless in powder, on groomers and corn. As Joe mentioned, it is quite similar to mono skiing.   In mixed conditions such as cut up powder or heavier snow, I was having more quad burn and my narrower skis were erratic because I could not maintain that single platform and I was expending more energy.  In my 20, 30, 40 and 50’s that wasn’t a problem usually.  Being 63, it is a problem for me.  So for me the wider skis have enabled me to continue to downhill and backcountry ski 100 plus days a year.  My younger downhill ski buddies are still skiing narrower skis but they are in their 40 and 50’s and much stronger than me.  I still slide my legs closer together from habit but find that when I have a wider stance, I’m still able to short swing and lay down a uniform set of tracks.  Every time I see a video clip of myself or a ski buddy immersing in deep powder, I get a warm glow and smile.  I think I’ll be riding a bit higher in the snow pack with my wider skis but I’m still out there.  Also a recent spinal surgery for a pinched nerve and carpal tunnel release on my hand should help a bit. 

Way too much discussion here: the solution is simple. As fat as you can freaking get, as short as you dare to go.

I hereby submit that the word 'carving' has long lost it's ability to describe anything we do in the pacNW. 125mm is minimum underfoot. and just to let the old timers know...you can rail one of those suckers on ice any day of the week!

and btw...my solution applies to any age, any ability level.

I will add: don't go cheap. it ain't worth it.