Double Black: A Ski Diva Mystery

Wednesday, August 23, 2006

Like the robins in spring.

Yep, one of the first signs of ski season is here: the September issue of Ski Magazine, where they review gear for the upcoming season. And even though I'm not in the market for new skis, it still gets my pulse going.

Not that I wouldn't love new equipment -- who wouldn't -- but I only have three seasons into my Head Monster i.M 70's; they're great skis, and I think they have a lot of life in them yet. I've vowed to keep them for three more.

I actually like them a lot. They're great on the hard pack (translation: ice) and crud we get in the east. Head ingrained Intellifibers into the core of the ski. As you turn, mechanical energy (vibrations) are converted to electrical energy, which is applied to these fibers to make them progressively stiffer. In a matter of microseconds, the ski senses and adapts to its surroundings, growing stiffer or softer torsionally as conditions and speed warrant. The ski comes with a binding, Tyrolia's LD 12, and an integrated plate system, Super Railflex, which allows the ski to flex unimpeded.

Still, it's hard not to be wowed by the latest and the greatest. I'm especially impressed by the many new women's skis that are on the market. Eventually, I'll have to give them a try.

Reminder: Coming September 4-- TheSkiDiva.com, an internet forum especially for women skiers (see August 2 blog entry entitled "Coming Attractions"). If you'd like to know when it's up and running, send me an email and I'll keep you posted!

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

There was a day when the only differences between a men's and woman's ski was some pick graphics. Today there are soem great lady specific skis throught the performance range. Get out and demo and try some wider skis, you will be suprised have much better and more versatile the new skis have become.

Wendy C. said...

I am very curious about the wider skis. I've heard alot about them, but I always thought they were more for powder skiing than anything else -- and we don't see a lot of that in the east. Still, I want to learn more.