Some of my fondest memories on skis are of racing my brother down Bretton Woods’ West Mountain to the base of the Zephyr Quad. It was 2005 and I was on the latest and greatest Salomons (sent out to me in Boston by my ski-peddling-boyfriend in Colorado) and my brother was on K2’s from 1993. We were perfectly matched and good times ensued. Ahh the glory days. Anyway, winter is a’ comin’ so let me share with you my very top picks for the very best New England skis.
Top Women’s New England Skis
Beginner – The Elan Zest Ice QT: fun name, great ski. You can depend on the Zest Ice QT to help you develop your skills and make turning easy. It will stay faithfully by your side, or under your feet, until you’re cruising confidently down the blue runs. The Elan Zest Ice QT is on sale here.
Intermediate – The Dynastar Exclusive Legend Idyll has it all. It flies down groomed runs, bobs through the bumps, and floats like a bubble through powder. It’s relatively lightweight and easy to manage. With all mountain rocker it’s easy to get on edge and initiate turns. The Dynastar Exclusive Legend Idyll is on sale here.
Advanced – Go wild with the Nordica Wild Belle – 84mm underfoot might sound a little beefy, but it still can lay down trenches on any groomer. It’s super stable and can plow through crud like it’s packing peanuts, surprising for a ski that is so lightweight. Rock solid on ice, it holds an edge just as well as any similar men’s ski. It’s available as an integrated system ski, or you can buy it flat and have any binding mounted on it. As part of Nordica’s women’s sidecountry series, it works excellently as an AT ski too (might I suggest buying it flat and pairing it with Marker Tour bindings?). Pre-cut skins are also available (it uses the same skins as its brother ski, the Nordica Burner). Check it out: Nordica Wild Belle Integrated Ski with bindings on sale here – or – Nordica Wild Belle Ski on sale here.
Top Men’s New England Skis
Beginner – The 2012 Head Peak 72 is ready and able to meet the demands of beginner skiers. Complete with a durable cap construction, it turns easily and instills confidence in every skier. The Head Peak 72 is on sale, with bindings here.
Intermediate – The Rossignol Experience 83 offers stability and easy turn initiation that will have you smiling from the top of the mountain to the bottom. Lay it on edge and let it fly, or take it easy and pick your way down challenging terrain – the Experience 83 is up for anything. Check it out, the Rossignol Experience 83 on sale here.
Advanced – The Nordica Fire Arrow 84 EDT is one bad ass ski. It carves like a race ski, holding onto the slickest of icy snow, and at 84mm underfoot it’s ultra stable when plowing through crud or deeper snow. The Nordica Fire Arrow 84 EDT comes with bindings and is on sale here.
