Ski Questions

Gooberlx2

Lifer
May 4, 2001
15,381
6
91
So I need to get new skis, and right now the flagship REI in Denver is having a crazy sale. Unfortunately I'm on a budget and can't go buck-wild.....at all.

Two skis I was looking at at the Voekl Carver v3s ($130) and Rossignol Bandits 2003/2004 ($180).

The Rossis they have in stock are 170cm and I'm 5'11", 160lbs. I fear they'll be a bit short (they come right to my nose) to do any back-bowl skiing. However most skiing I'll do will probably be groomed and bumps. They're a better all-mountain ski than the Carvers...according to the people working there.

The Voekls are the right height at 174cm, but they're a carver ski so they'll probably suck on the back-bowls/crud. Also, they're quite stiff so they'll be less forgiving to my screw-ups.

Unfortunately, I haven't done any real skiing in years (aka on mountains larger than trash heaps) so I'm not exactly versed in powder and haven't had much experience with all the new shaped skis.

Can anyone shed some light onto the subject? Would those Bandits be OK even if they're a little short, or suggest an alternative? Unfortunately my budget maxes at about $230 for new skis...hence why I'm looking for 2002-2003 models on sale.

My a$$ should have gotten up at the time that I set my alarm (specifically to get to the sale early while stuff was in stock).....stupid snooze button should send volts up my arm when I try to press it.