Improve as a skier with proper ski selection

Ski selection can hold you back as a skier. Choose wisely. Here are some thoughts on ski selection.
www.skistrong.org/store/

[@3johnnys]

who else finds that they have Deb's mantras on repeat when they ski, combining ambition, possibility with invaluable techniques?

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Thank you😉

[@ianholmquist8492]

I find it hard to take advice from someone who can't even give proper advice on how to do a simple kick turn. I could outski this "world cup athlete" on my very worst day

[@antisfavorite7250]

@@ianholmquist8492just outa my curiosity would u like to explain what is a kick turn? ❤❤

[@TheMirrorVision]

I wish we could always have Deb’s voice in our ear encouraging us and helping us be better!

[@wayneyancey6422]

Very good advice Deb. I have told some of my clients that a shaped ski will improve their progression. Clients are buying what is cool without thinking they are skiing 95% groomed and perhaps an icy piste.

[@ianholmquist8492]

All skis made since about 1998 are "shaped skis"

[@ecycled3d]

Thank you Deb! Such wisdom and inspiration you provide in every video.

[@mbrymckinney1]

Your videos are so helpful and informative. Thanks!

[@thomasdcompton]

Deb. First day back on skis today I so agree with you. Thanks for your support and incredible coaching and teaching

[@paulobirek8276]

Deb, thanks for all the amazing videos! My wife and I always love them and watch them together. Your teachings resonate so well with both of us! I've learned the lessons of this video this personally. A friend recommended I get on a Stormrider 105 (a truly awesome ski!) three seasons ago. I'm a bigger guy at nearly 50 years old, 6'5, 225lbs, and, at the time, an intermediate with aspirations of becoming advanced. I had to wait until the next season to try them as I got them on a killer end of season sale. As the summer went on I became more and more nervous because I thought I had gotten 'too much ski' for my upper intermediate skills. Boy was I wrong. The feedback from a performance ski helps you get to the next level really quickly. They give you the feedback needed to advance your abilities that a 'forgiving' ski just can't/wont (of course everyone is different so a more forgiving ski may be appropriate). Last season I hit a plateau, just like you talk about in the video, in the wider skis and couldn't progress my abilities. At the start of this season, I got a second pair of 83MM Laser ARs. The narrower skis helped me bring my skiing to the next level. You could feel the skis hook up so easily when you tipped them on edge, then bring you around, and that trampoline feeling as the energy entered the ski and was then released. Carving became almost second nature in the narrow skis and, dare I say it, easy. How well I look doing it is another story, but I stopped skidding my turns, started finishing them, and laying trenches in the snow. I now skid my turns on demand rather than because of my poor technique. My stance changed immediately, becoming narrower, more stacked, and the precision with which I skied took off. When I got back on the wider skis it was a COMPLETELY different experience. I took all the good things I learned on the narrower ski and applied them to the wider skis. Edging was all of a sudden easier, carving was no longer a chore (I can carve my 105s as well as the 83 now... they're just slightly slower edge to edge), getting on my outside ski became easy, and being able to stroke the ski to finish the turn properly all started to fall in place. The versatility of the wider ski (e.g. being able to release and pivot, access to deeper snow, etc.) was completely unlocked for me because I shifted to using the narrower ski to learn the technical skills needed to take me to the next level. Now that the technical skills have advanced both the wide and narrow skis become even more fun just in different ways! Keep up the awesome work and thank you so much for everything you do for the sport! :)

[@juliemartin8849]

Great video Deb! I love all the advice you give, but this one really resonates with me. Makes me want to demo some different skis to really get a feel for what works for me. Thanks!

[@patgottshalk8808]

I have always said the lower turning radius makes me look better then I am. My frontside daily driver is an Elan Speed Magic, provides a bit of a pop, narrow under foot and a crazy low turning radius. Your videos continue to inspire.

[@redboyns]

This is a far most best ski youtube channel. It covers all skiing aspects and rhetoric that Deb uses can reach anyone. Every video gives the viewer exact ammount of information. Not too much neither to little. Keep up the good/great work Deb! 💪😎🤙

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Love it. Thank you

[@tclay2663]

Thank you for sharing this video. I have noticed this exact thing with my skis. Narrow skis help us ski better.

[@oakland439]

you're a gem deb! so much wisdom.

[@mansoor2672]

Debbie, thank you so much for your advice about narrower skis for beginners to intermediates who are trying to advance. I was suggested a K2 reckoner 92 by a local ski shop as the ski for all conditions and terrain since I ski 4 to 5 days in a season. I did 2 days with it and was not getting what I expected with advancement. Then I took your advice for narrower 76 and viola. The feedback to muscles and skeleton is totally different and it was the sensation that helped me improve and show up to challenge posed by the feedback. They literally give you perception of so much control. Can’t thank you enough. Glad that I tried it by renting and then I got a pair at a good sale price from yesteryear model. Love it. I wish more ski sellers tell us this, who are early intermediates.

[@jathompson37]

I’ve been thinking I need to try a narrower ski. Thanks Deb for the ‘evidence’ I can show my husband to prove I need to get new skis! 😁

[@johnwalker2841]

An excellent video, Deb. I’ve skied on several of the skis you have on your wall over the years. One ski that stands out for me was the Dynastar CMG. I had it in a 205. I just loved that ski even in deep snow. It was beautiful after a huge storm in Taos. I bought a new 92 mm rockered ski this year and it doesn’t perform that well on eastern hard pack. My style that was initially developed in the 60’s gives me a natural bias towards cambered skis with narrower waists. I love it when the tip hooks up, short turns or long turns. A large number of skis marketed now have an ambiguity in their hook up which can be disconcerting in hard conditions. I had an instructor at Mt Hood, a big guy, that was skiing deep snow on short Fischer slalom skis. He had the skills. If I was offering advice it would be the same as yours. If I was in a ski shop, I would also ask for the sales person to show me where the contact point was on the front of the ski. For me the closer the contact point is to the tip, the better for my confidence. Wide skis have their applications, but they have many limitations. Again, an excellent video.

[@jathompson37]

Thanks for this video! 🙏 Tried out my new Stockli Laser MX skies for the first time today - I think this will be a game changer. The 67mm waist is a whole new experience compared to my 88mm waisted all mountain skis. I feel like it is also way more responsive! Love it!!!!!

[@short_macchiato3222]

My favourite ski channel - simple, eloquent explanations

[@Andyclarke2141]

Deb, thanks for the advice! I have been skiing on and off for the last 20 years. Unfortunately, I bought a pair of Volk Blaze 94s/173. Awesome skis but I struggled with my turns. After watching your video, I switched to 80 underfoot. It made a huge difference and helped me improve! You’re the best!

[@felisaaero]

Thanks to you, I switched from a Salomon QSR 92mm waist to a Stockli Nela 80mm waist when my Salomon’s were stolen before wanting to join your class at Taos. Now I’ve improved so much on moguls and steeps. Your strong opinion matters! Please have more videos about skiing funky deep powder and how you ski your Fischer Ranger or any other deep powder skis you would recommend.

[@annc1522]

Thank you! You have answered some very important questions for me! Particularly about waist measurement. I will be checking out the RC1 as soon as I can this season. AND I will add a wider ski for powder days!

[@davidhalesmith2491]

You're the best, Deb. I remember when I first started riding the Salomon x scream and my skiing jumped a level. Then I switched the Volkl RTM 84 and my skiing really transformed. Another excellent video!

[@SergFilippenko]

Thanks, Deb! Very vise approach and great examples!

[@barry144]

Everyone should watch your videos, especially this one, repeatedly. Deb, you’re so impeccably on point end-to-end.. Plus, prefacing the video by mindfully contextualizing your ‘biases’ (which I happen to agree with) may be one of the best lessons packed with advice that anyone can get for equipment as well as training. Thank you!

[@kevinonorato7223]

I see so many skiers either skiing straight down the mountain or just sluffing snow everywhere and its so fun to see people actually turning and carving. Yay!!!

[@borakang516]

Great advise as always ! I feel grateful that I can learn many things from you ! Thank you Deb!

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Thank you

[@Justin-zw1hx]

Because of you, I got the Head Supershape E-speed (68mm width)

[@makalu34698]

I love you lady. Such a clarity communicating concepts and ideas. Saludos from Bariloche :)

[@deanhealy6414]

This is great advice! I share your bias about learning the basics on a narrow under foot ski with a radius that will help newer skiers turn. Unfortunately I think that many shops are selling skis that are wide under foot to people who are not ready for them. I can't give up my Atomic skis that are 76 mm under foot.

[@allansalzman1072]

So right. I was skiing on wider skis like 95 wide on East Coast. Got a pair of Stockli’s Laser AX (78) and wow! I finally understood edge to edge and short turn skiing. And like Deb says the skills trickled up to my wider skis.

[@htpm325]

Excellent video. I bought new skis this year - unplanned! Was offered a Serpo which is 93 underfoot or the Brahma 88. I chose the Brahma in 183cm where the advice from the shop was the 177. Glad of both decisions as the Blizzard just rips and my skiing as a result went to a whole new level.

[@chriscowan6630]

Excellent content again Deb great detail here!

[@Mugzy1776]

You nailed it! So honest, so true to who you are. Very true for most skiers. Well done Deb.

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Thanks Mugzy!!!!! happy skiing down there in Taos.

[@jamesdunn9714]

I switched to an Elan Ace SXL last season in a 164 cm length and I am loving life. ( I was using an Elan Ampfibio14, 76 cm underfoot. ) The Ace is my everyday ski. It is a quick edge to edge ski, torsionally stiff and camber rich, carving gem. I ski it in powder ( If not too deep. ) crud, ice and moguls too. Good video Deb, and I agree with your take; a narrow carver helps teach precision and feel. Edit: the Elan is a slalom race ski.

[@shaka2012]

Yiep, it's true the comment about Europe. I feel trained in the US, out of bounds in Crested Butte. Then in Chile I'm most freerider, before to go to CB I ride in Chile on piste with long thin skis. But here in Europe I've been returned to the trails, to the runs. Steep runs. Out of bounds in Andorra, not much. I've been back with the RC4 now to all runs, well seeing your videos that inspired me to ski again with narrow skis in the double black terrain. For doing classes I will find something between 75 to 85. It's amazing how some millimeters underfoot have changed the world of skiing. Now I'm doing it for my knees the correct choice of the ski.

[@ncoromer]

This is the advice I need thank you

[@stevenmoore4078]

Great observations. In March I traveled to Tignes/Val d'isere with a group. We rented our skis, which based on the lack of fresh snow, and warm day/freezing night conditions created really hard icy conditions. The ski rental shop recommended a narrow ski based on the conditions (75mm), which was ideal. I could hold an edge and carve on Johan Clarey. My friends from California, who brought their own western powder skis (100mm+) had a very difficult time with the conditions. Wide skis have a purpose, but 90% of the time we're not in the ideal conditions to suit them.

[@KateVidaure]

That’s it I’m subbing! Very informative, I’m in 2 years skiing and I love it

[@andycornellier6886]

Spot on Deb - the industry has gone nuts with the wide platforms and a good many of these folks using them are technically unsound. They're basically sliders - skid skiers without any idea how the ski is designed to be used. Here in the east - the race (technical crowd) - we treat the skis like big ice skates.

[@cmc6677]

Great advise Deb! There are so many variables & choices now days, and ski equipment isn’t cheap. So it’s a good idea to be honest with yourself about your abilities and desires for skiing. Then do your research. Ask a lot of questions before making an investment. I’m on the West Coast and we frequently have variable snow conditions in one day! A ‘one ski quiver’ can be a challenge to find, but an ‘All Mountain Ski’ is a great option (unless powder or racing specific are your main goal). Also being able to demo ski’s can be very helpful when trying to make that final decision 🎿 Wishing you ‘BlueBird’ days ⛷ ...be safe out there 😊

[@saraw6710]

I would like to see the lady ski before on her own other skis, so motivated to get thinner skis now!! thank you Deb!

[@djangounchained6669]

AMEN. THIS IS SO INSPIRING

[@dietervernaillen4722]

Thanks for the advice. Just Bought myself a pair of Volkl Racetiger SC 165 68 underfoot r13 to improve my technical skiing. Can not wait to get out there.

[@Joey_DiGs]

Love your videos deb, please do one that goes more into depth on ski length!

[@kenchester3072]

I have Atomic Redster SL 68 under foot(two pair now) 165 and 171cm along with a Head Monster 83TI 177cmand a Volkl 98 177cm I love the Redster best. I watch your videos all the time. My skiing is on the expert level after 50 years. Thanks for the great information

[@alicekane3913]

Deb, what a smart 'ski selection' video! THANKS! LOVED that you used 'mature' women skiers to make your point! (We dames are all out there, hunting for wisdom like yours!) Over a decade ago, I was determined to try a Volkl. (As a 'lite wt' skier - 5'3"", 110 lbs, Ski Shops always steered me to lite weight, more 'squirrely' skis.) But I wanted a real CARVING ski, able to let me swoop and carve on anything from groomed Blues to Black Diamonds. I didn't want to "swivel" my turns on light skis -- I wanted to SWOOP & PLUMMET! ⛷ For ME, Volkl's 'stability' did the trick! Now, years later (& still living in NYC), I tend to rent Demo skis on my excursions (mostly out West), and this gives me the opportunity to ski/test both the Carvers AND the Wider options for those 'snowy' days. P.S. My first purchase of 'pro-skis' was a BLIZZARD....back in the early '70s. Loved em! 😁

[@Skiingdef]

Awesome video! Thanks.

[@ameydav]

I had been skiing on fatter free ride skis for the last 20+ years and straight skis for the 20 before. This season I decided to really put a focus on carving and improving my technique, and skiing with my feet and not just my shins. Last week I rented Fischer SCs in Austria, 68 mm under foot, instead of my typical 95. What a difference! I had so much fun on the groomers. Conditions were perfect for it. Sunny but below freezing, hard pack but not ice. After 4 days I was dragging my knuckles on the snow in the turns. Maybe not the best technique but it put a stupid grin to my face. Surprisingly, even the hard pack moguls were very manageable with this ski, as the ski tech promised me in the shop. I am a convert. A one ski quiver really is a compromise, and selecting between at least two types is the way to have the most fun on the mountain, depending on conditions.

[@pdxfunkjunkie]

Deb, thanks for confirming that "one size doesn't fit all." Not all days, not all mountains. We just got back from a trip to Sun Valley and were miserable skiing day one on our floaty Dynastars (no new snow from nature for months!) Thank goodness we also brought along our narrower Volkl's - MUCH better on that steep hardpack.

[@lisao1186]

excellent. thank you. skied Colorado this season. my instructor urges me to shop and find high 70s-low 80's under foot. this supports that. thanks

[@chenrayray6263]

Hi Debb, thank you so much for your videos, love all of them. Can I ask how long should we choose skis, and could you pls explain what different would they generate? Looking for your next video🎉

[@VickiKech]

Can't be easy. Gotta show up. Be athletic. Great video, Deb! My quiver has 3 widths: 68, 79, 88. The 68, a Fischer, is stiff and a little on the long side; I need to show up for it and then it is a blast. Attitude matters. The 79 is versatile and easier, another Fischer. The 88 is new to me. I doubt I'd ever buy anything wider.

[@jillsladen-pilon7571]

Amazing! I just changed to a narrower and stiffer ski this year and what a change. It forces me to ski better and results in more confidence so then I also ski better. I love when you say that you have a loud voice….thank goodness!! Keep it up!

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Thank you! So happy you appreciate my loud voice😉

[@mailitedd185]

Yes!!!!! Love this!!!

[@annaschrofer6486]

I have a pair of Stockli’s, Laser SL 66 underfoot, absolutely love them. So responsive on groomers and they even hold up in slush in the afternoon. I’m from Europe (Netherlands) so ski in Austria, France, Swiss and Italy. When we had some snow days I tried a Stockli AR with 83 underfoot and loved that ski in those circumstances very much. Off piste becomes a party on those skis.Thinking of buying a second pair with the wider underfoot. Love you channel and learn a lot from watching your videos

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Thanks Anna. Love it

[@michelletehrani-ed9uz]

Hi Deb, I just want to say your KZbin videos are so awesome!!!! I am an intermediate skier, my husband and I ski recreationally during the winter. But I would love to become a better skier. Watching your videos are so motivational. Both my husband and I would love to be better with our carving. And I believe we need better skis for those carving. Any other videos you recommend for us to watch?

[@christophermagnuson1270]

Great video Deb.

[@dougsmith17]

Nowadays there is so much choice. Def agree you need to think what you want to be and then test as many skis as you can and then get your local shop to get you what you want.

[@debbielombard5132]

I went to the ski shop the next day after my lesson to get a more aggressive ski; I was given "the most aggressive they had." Wider underfoot than the ones I own, I knew they weren't for me when I couldn't skate to the lift line as well as I did on my own skis. I stuck it out for the day, making sure it wasn't me, back to my skis until I find a new pair; for now, I'm able to incorporate the skills from the lesson. I watched a video the other day that said narrower underfoot is for beginners, lots of comments disagreeing with the KZbinr's opinion. Great video; thanks for all the information.

[@davidbeazer9799]

You need my new Fischer RC4 CT in there. Awesome ski!!

[@gvv1mhh]

Great video! I love your channel

[@adriankoellmann8044]

Thank you very much for your videos, it has helped me a lot, I am an Argentine living in Austria and after 7 years here I started skiing a few months ago (I regret not having done it before). With a day practicing and watching videos after 4 days of skiing I can already go down the red slopes... Danke

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Love it

[@philipschwartz5465]

Oh. My. Goodness. Thanks, Deb, for this video. As an Easterner, my loud opinion and bias is for a ski no wider than 84 under foot. That will cover your bases 90 percent of the time. If you want (have the means for) more than one ski, my bias is to go to a 72 underfoot. The third ski can be a powder ski. I just don’t get it when I see all these fat skis being loaded on the gondola in the East on rock-hard, bullet-proof days. Well, that’s my loud opinion and bias! Thanks for another great video!

[@gingrgirl3302]

Thanks SO much for this video! Everything you said in this video happened to me in my local ski shop. I told the girl I had been skiing since the 70's and I didn't want the water skiis she was trying to sell me! To wide and no performance. I thought I was just being set in my ways. I bought a skinny older pair of skiis from my friend and have been so happy with the response I get from them. Thanks for validating me haha. Also just want to say I love your videos especially the ones with the kids. You are so patient and are an excellent teacher. They're lucky to have you!

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Great story. Thanks

[@landdevil]

Yep. I ski in the Pacific NW. I just bought a 72mm underfoot Head Supershape.

[@zbqb84a]

Colorado skier as well and my daily driver is an 84 underfoot. It’s soooo narrow compared to my buddies and I can’t wait to get a narrower pair next year.

[@barrybechtold3282]

More gold medal advice from an Olympic champion. Thank you Deb.

[@cbthomas9577]

As a Vail Ski Instructor,: Great advice Deb! Wide-slides but narrow carves. I use Atomic Slaloms for everything. Helicopter skiing, I go wide.

[@lance31415]

I've done a few ski demo weekends changing boards throughout the day. It's amazing when a pair "skis like you do" and you're taken immediately to a happy place. This can't happen talking to a tech or salesman in a shop. Swapping skis like you did is also great if you're lucky enough to have friends with identical sole lengths.

[@johnluhmann1581]

Terrific video

[@jillsladen-pilon7571]

I’d love to hear your thoughts about boots and proper fit. How to assess the right stiffness, how to keep our ankles moving, how tight to strap them, what to change when spring skiing when the boots are softer and it feels like we are floating in them and any other advice you have.

[@istrala]

Yes, please! I need this so so much!

[@NJ-vk1dg]

I am an intermediate skier and I hated wide skis when I tried them. They felt clunky and clumsy. Carving skies are the thing for me. Thank you for the video.

[@johnluhmann1581]

Great advice

[@SuperPhelix]

Oh my god yes! I remember 20 years ago when I was like 13 or so and my grandpa splurged on renting a pair of Salomon slalom race skis for me for the week we had of skiing that year in the north-ish of Sweden and it's still the most fun I've had on skis I think... together with the next year when I got to ride the same model skis again! I remember them as being super skinny under foot, maybe 65 mm(?), and the grip I had on ice was just out of this world! The only thing I found difficult was to ride the one foot of powder we got a couple of days when it snowed... Still chasing that feeling!

[@patrickchase5614]

I agree with this so profoundly. I see a lot of skiers who started in the last ~10 years, and who just have no idea how to bring a ski up on edge, pressure the shovels, and carve. They've spent their entire skiing careers on wide, rockered, tapered skis that reward pivoting and skidding (nb: "slarve" is an oxymoron). BTW those Fischer 102FRs are a great choice as a wider ski, though I personally preferred the contemporary (and regrettably also discontinued) 107Ti, preferably at 189 cm. Now _that_ is a wide ski that can still bust out a passable turn on hard snow when the occasion arises. I bought a second pair when I saw what was replacing it.

[@miraacid]

Very good video! This is exactly what happened to me. I was getting a bit frustrated seeing my friends skiing quicker than me, while I had better technique. I thought it was due to them having 80+ kg, while I'm around 50kg. Then there was a Fischer test day and I tried new CURV RC4, triple radius, 70mm under foot, and my mind was blown away! In rental shop, when you say "this is my 3rd year skiing" , they assume you've spent max 10 days of active skiing and are nowhere near ready for curving, while I ski it because I really want to learn and i ski with my ski instructor almost every day when I come to the mountain. The skies they gave me are much, much softer and probably > 80mm under foot. I'm now really convinced these new Fischer RC4 are the best choice for me and I think I'll buy them. Thank you for the video!

[@SergFilippenko]

Yeah! You must do it!!! Totally agree with Deb, that the best choice for those who live skiing is the highest expert model one could buy (and afford). Expert slalom skis (Fischer RC4 SL is among them) - are one must have in his collection). Good luck!

[@travelone06]

Thank you ! I ski in eastern Canada where it’s mostly hard packed and icy conditions. A lot of the good dynamic skiers use narrow skis but we have those skiers that insist on skiing on 95mm or more even if those skis are completely wrong for these snow conditions. I’ve convinced a couple of them to add a pair of narrower skis to their quiver and their skiing evolved quickly. However there will always be those who refuse to consider performance skis that could help them.

[@thomasmedeiros5722]

I totally agree with your assessment. Many skiers do not understand ski design and factors like rocker, tip+ tail shape or core construction. In general as the ski gets wider in the tip, waist,and tail the rocker increases, camber decreases and contact points move away from tip+ tail.The result tend to enhance performance in soft deep snow, allows the ski to smear/ skid, float through or over various conditions. However on hard packed conditions these are not qualities that make these skis the most effective tools. Skis designed for hard pack conditions have a narrower tip, waist,and tail. Less or no rocker and more camber. Tip+ tail, and contact points the help the ski to get you into and hold an edge efficiently. Unfortunately many skiers don’t have an understanding of these factors. Some may not have developed the skills and technique that helps to use modern ski design effectively. Just some observations from an old ski shop guy. I have a quiver (for New Hampshire, US) that includes an 81mm , 88mm and 94 mmm waisted skis. My Blizzard Brahma 88 True Blend Wood core is my everyday driver. I love my Nordica Enforcer 94 on snow days, off piste natural snow conditions, in trees but they don’t feel as quick and solid on the hard pack that is our most common conditions.

[@LandmarkAdventures]

Hello Deb! I am 45yr and started skiing last year; 2023. I took classes at Mt Bachelor, Oregon, and fell in love. By the end of the season I bought my first pair of skis, Rossignol Experience 86 Basalt. I like to carve and want to be an aggressive rider. I come from years of downhill mountain bike racing so I'd like to think I'd tackle the bumps and some small jumps. Unfortunately, I tore my meniscus last year and recently injured the other knee so I'm becoming quite timid. (I tend to get excited about a sport and run out the gate and ride over my head) I was starting to do blue runs but put myself back on greens. That all being said, I struggle in powder. It's like turning in cement and my skis can get sucked out from under me or become quite squirrely at times and I'm getting frustrated. It has been suggested I get wider skis, maybe around 100 underfoot. I like groomers and it's not like every day on Bachelor is a powder day. Far from it. My questions: Do I keep the Rossis or are they too aggressive for an injured beginner? There are other narrow skis I've been considering demoing; Blizzard Rustlers, Atomic Bent... What skills and exercises do you suggest practicing to help me progress? (and heal) I'm willing to work hard on the basics even though I chomp at the bit to get better. I just don't want to think I'm sabotaging myself with the wrong ski. Or... is it just me? lol Thank you so much!

[@michaelaronson9447]

Nice. The beauty of skiing for me is always fine tuning technique in the variety and various snow conditions. After decades of skiing on so many brands and widths, here I am now just hitting my 70’s I’m on a Fischer RC4 SC 165 and a Fischer Ranger FR115 for those wacko snow days. I had the RC4 CT last season. What a rush bringing back vibes from younger years!

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Ya!!!

[@sven31415]

I bought 2 pair of rc one 82 GT, for me and my wife. I thought it was a wide ski :-) I love it. My wife also loves it.

[@NeptuneAlpheccaChild]

Amen !!! i hook up folks on newer style skis for tele all the time and suggest carvy wasty skis for starters... !!! 118-85-109 full camber is my current fave for crushing the bumps in Taos...

[@xiaoliuwu8539]

The rc one 86 gt is the first ski that wows me😅 My kore 93 is good, but the RC one takes it to another level on groomer. It just wants to charge. What surprises me is that it’s amazingly good off-piste too. Sure, its tail is a little unforgiving than skis with twin tips. But it’s release much easier than a carving ski like e rally. I skied it in a couple inches soft snow as well and it handles it with ease. I feel many skiers will be much happier on skis like RC one as a daily driver than skis like 105 underfoot, especially for someone who’s progressing. At palisades, I have seen so many intermediate on enforcer 100/104 after many days without fresh snow. I am like “why” 😂

[@mhyatt8696]

Thanks so very much!!!

[@glennfosberg8939]

Great advice Deb. I ski the hardpacked trails of N.H. and I see far too many skiers on 95 and more under foot and these skiers are on groomers all day . For most of these intermediate type skiers an 80 or less under foot would make it so much easier to roll the ski up on edge to initiate the turn. Unfortunately I don't think the sales person is always interested in what's best for the skier.

[@jamesdunn9714]

Or, alternatively the sales person has a bias as Deb mentions. I agree with you though.

[@xiaoliuwu8539]

I guess too many first time shopper buy wide ski because they are looking for a one ski quiver. But the truth is most intermediate won’t ever venture off piste and struggles on soft snow.

[@keithpearson1552]

Great video Deb…thank you for making it… this answers an email i had sent you as i am a 6’4” 240# intermediate/advanced that is moving off a pair of 108 underfoot skis that were lighter and more flexible than the skis i had prior, but because of the taper and design of the ski took away a lot of active edge i had to work with… they worked fine on clean groomers but anything else became less enjoyable… Your videos have been very helpful in helping me make the decision to move to a more narrow underfoot ski…. I am purchasing the Elan Wingman 86 CTI in a 184 length and looking forward to improving my carving and overall ski experience … I agree with what you have said about being frozen in time when it comes to progression and i think that is my story over the last 10 years i have been on my current skis …thanks again for encouraging people to think about this as you are right, when a skier like myself walks into a shop they are going to point me to a surfboard type of ski and talk all about flotation 😉,,

[@thomasmedeiros5722]

I am fortunate to have worked in ski shops a very long time. My everyday driver for Loon and Cannon here in NH is the Blizzard Brahma 88 with True Blend Wood Core. Two layers of metal with a rocker,camber, rocker profile that’s designed to favor aggressive on piste skiing. If you like more of an old school race ski Blizzard has the Thunderbird R15 in a 72 mm and 76 mm model. They kind like a beer league recreational race ski. Enjoy your new Wingman 88 ⛷⛷🙏

[@barry144]

Damn straight, Deb. My girlfriend is super athletic, great potential, but wider skis were holding her back. I purchased her a pair of twitchy, tightly wound skis (narrow under foot), and she was suddenly skiing like a dream, rolling them over…. Brilliant advice! Thank you!

[@gatticusfpv3174]

Couldn't agree more. After racing I went to look for a good all mountain ski having started there for recreational skiing in the early 2000s. Couldn't believe how much modern all mountain skis have become like powder skis 10 yrs ago. Sure they were great in deep powder and crud but for everything else they just sucked. Went with a modern wide front side craving ski (Rossi Experience 80) and everything was immediately better. I've never had a problem skiing skinny skis in the pow as long as they are soft enough so it just made all terrain particularly groomers so much better. Imho most skiers these days are on waaay too wide of skis. Particularly if you are skiing at a local hill like Stevens or Alpental on a dump day you are still going to be on groomers or in the bumps quite often. The only counter example I can find is that there are some boutique skis that manage to strike a really good balance for certain snow conditions. A friend let me ski on his Line Mordecais and wow what a revelation. Super unfamiliar coming from race skis. They are like 90 under foot with center mount bindings, lots of rocker, and very symmetrical from tip to tail. They look like skiing on blimps lol. But hot dang did they hold an edge and carve all while being super easy to pivot at any point in the turn. It made everything from soft groomers to deep powder feel like you were doing race turns that could be adjusted and pivoted out of at will. I found myself doing some really bad habits like getting back and inside but the ski just kept charging forward while locked on rails. However as soon as they hit hard pack or ice they absolutely fell apart. So my two main issues with skis like those is that they simply won't work in icy conditions and for generally soft PNW conditions they will ultimately make you a worse skier since it becomes VERY easy to get away with bad form while still ripping. So yeah if you are an expert you should have the right ski for the right occasion. If you are still learning a narrower ski, with a good amount of side cut, and a traditional camber is still the best option by far. If you are getting into powder skiing then just go with something with a softer more forgiving flex and learn to up unweight and ski with a narrower stance.

[@michaelaronson5507]

Good video. The ski industry has grown enormously over the years with almost too many choices of skis. The majority of skiers have not been trained or taught proficiency of technique. These skiers acquire wide skis that are for the most part cool and trendy and useful in deeper snow conditions. The ski industry is driven to produce as many skis as possible and will continue to focus on wider skis for years to come.

[@zaharogolfer]

Great video Deb 1. I want to ski like your students. 2. Great view of lower body separation on carving turns 3. Can I request specific type of skis to rent to try them out at ski shops?

[@peterwhitson5332]

HURRAY for you Deb! One other thing you may want to include is that skiing on a wide ski on groomed slopes CAN be very hard on your knees. See: "The Waist Width of Skis Influences the Kinematics of the Knee Joint in Alpine Skiing', Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, m. Zorko, et al, 2015. Use the right tool for the job and remove many of the MEAT MISSLES we endure on the slopes! Thank you again Deb, love your videos.

[@zaviwaher9536]

I think you had a similar video few years back that I watched. I bought a discounted Atomic Redster with sort of multiturn shape, two sheets of metal etc. Over the last couple years it helped me improve a lot. Thank you. I also had to buy skis for my wife who is an intermediate with decent technique but very averse of speed. I gotten her some Rossi CA skis(full camber etc) similar but not 2 sheets of metal. Seemed to have helped her. Now I got two pairs of QST 92 for both us as a tree and travel/powder skis. It was interesting going back to fatter skis, I like them a lot more in eastern tight trees as tail release at will, you can pivot and slide them through gaps and shovel can bend easily to maneuver them. But.. on groomers, bumps, crud old Redster still rules supreme. I am curious if you believe in the wider two sheets of metal skis for crud theory? Few people have suggested to me that skis like Bonafide, Mantra, Enforcer etc are good to have to bust through crud at high speed. My redsters do seem to have a limit when they are not too fun in refrozen crud(QSTs are even worse for that, shovel flies all over the place)

[@thomasmedeiros5722]

Great video Deb. I been following your Chanel for a long time and try to constantly learn and update by skills even though this is season #52 for a 73 year old. I have been working in ski shops for 47 years fitting boots, mounting + release checking bindings and yes helping skiers select new skis. First rule when buying is to select a ski that best suits the type of snow and terrain that you ski most often. I work in New England and yes many skiers select skies that are too wide for their skill level or the hard pack ice we encounter often. Second most skiers will tell me they ski Blue or Black trails. That doesn’t answer the question to help determine their skill level. We have to diplomatically ask them to describe ski technique. I frequently mentioned Deb Armstrong on KZbin. We tend to put beginner/ low intermediate on 72-76 mm waist skis. Intermediate/ advanced on 76-80 mm waist and Advanced / Expert on 76 -97 mm waist depending on their preferences and needs. We do not stock SL World Cup race skis like you use because there is little demand. We do have some wider models in stock like your Ranger 102 because there is a demand and we can sell them. Personally I really like your former brand Blizzard. My quiver is Firebird HRC (76) Brahma 88 True Blend Wood core, Rustler 9 ( 92 under foot) for New England conditions. When I ski Alta the Rustler 9 and 10 ( 102) are my quiver.

[@agenthex]

On the other hand, wide rockered skis are the easiest way for forever intermediates to get down steeper terrain, or beginners to just skid around on, because they don't catch edges and are easy to pivot. If you look at 100 people coming down any slope, you'd be lucky to spot 1 who actually carve their turns. The reality is vast majority of folks never develop dynamic edgelock skills, but get "advanced" skis to skid & survive down "advanced" terrain.

[@perakojot6524]

@@agenthex Come to a better Swiss or Austrian ski resort and on an average red slope (blue in US) you'd find 40 out of 100 ppl carving flawlessly and another 30 ppl doing something between carving and skidding.

[@agenthex]

@@perakojot6524 "carving flawlessly" Sure, if standards for 'flawless' are low enough

[@rickadami7693]

Deb. You’re the best.

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Thanks😉

[@jameszeng2666]

I totally agree with you Deb. Last season I was on my 88 underfoot all winter and I just can't break through that intermediate wall, until I got a pair of SL race skis. And I am now a master racer :) Love your video!

[@jathompson37]

I’ve been on 88’s this season (salomon stance) and I’m really struggling to get edge angle! I’m doing some demos first this next season. This makes me even more excited to try them out!

[@ChrisPoepping]

Just sold my wider skis for various reasons. Have 3 skis now none wider than 65mm GS, SL and CT all RC4.

[@bm5799]

Deb knows what shes talking about. I felt my skiing had not been improving, I had stalled. Went in my garage, busted out my Dynastar Legend X84. Head up to Loveland and worked on my technique And had a ton more fun!!!!!!!! ripped it!!! Thank you so much for reminding me to get back to the basics!!!!! Wish I could catch up in person at some point for a lesson!!! thank you!!!! Bill in Evergreen.

[@briancook6941]

Agree 100%! I learned on a 93 underfoot. I never truly knew what carving was and felt like until I started skiing on a Stockli laser AR (82mm full camber ski). I was almost scared to try the narrower more aggressive Stockli but started immediately improving once I did.

[@patrickchase5614]

IMO it's not so much the width as the flex pattern, rocker/camber, and taper. There are a small number of ~90 mm skis on the market that have short and/or shallow rocker, minimal taper, traditional flex patterns, and < 20 m sidecut, and I've seen people learn to carve well on those. They require more leverage to tip on edge, but other than that the turn mechanics are similar to traditional carving skis. For that matter I can think of some 100+ mm skis (mostly discontinued ones like the Dynastar Pro Rider and Fischer 107Ti) that fit that description to some extent. I totally understand why Deb is using "width" as a proxy for all of those other attributes, though. BTW your Laser ARs have a moderate amount of tip rocker. They're not full camber, and they don't initiate quite as precisely as a fully-cambered racing ski like the Laser GS would

[@perakojot6524]

@@patrickchase5614 The most important is the radius (sidecut). The second most important thing is the stiffness of the ski. Camber is highly correlated with the radius. The shorter the radius the more camber the ski has. The biggest problem by far with fat skis is softness (and poor edges which are correlated). Soft ski you can't ride fast (except in foot deep powder), you can't ride aggressively, you can't really ride on the edge. And technologically it is very difficult to make a fat ski stiff only longitudinally so that they maintain torsional flex.

[@omecarve]

All good points Deb and my wife and I at 65 follow your preference in ski selection (skiing non FIS slalom model skis at our mid Atlantic ski hill). For our particular ski hill, our skis are the way to go with one exception I think: Skiing very saturated, heavy spring snow. So, while you've covered powder and packed condition ski selection, what are your thoughts on skis to manage heavy, sodden granular snow? Best regards!

[@wetl2628]

I had a couple of single days te last years on rental noodles. This year it was the first year that I skied a full week on second hand atomic X10 supercross skies. (Narrow underfood) Normally I am a snowboarder but with the kids I decided to learn to ski. The amount of confidence they gave me was super fun. On the sloppy parts it was more work than others who seems to flow over the loose snow. But they encourage better technique and the use of the brain reading the slopes and conditions. I don't think I would have learned the amount I did on rental noodles. It's hard work, but you feel the progress while skiing. And I don't have use in a wide ski. Powder days are for my snowboard.

[@donaldrucker726]

Thanks!

[@stranger360th]

What a funny coincidence. I was just in a skiing holiday in the wonderful Dolomites in the German speaking part of Italy (Südtirol). I took some lesson with my 71 year old maestro de Ski Toni and he told me the things I was doing wrong or forgot about. I was slowly improving. On day two, I rent a new ski with a smaller midth than my all mountain ski…and I literally entered a new world 😳😃 No matter whether it was the skidded parallel turn or the carved turn or even my weak side short turns…everything seems to fall in place and I was skiing with a control I never experienced before. So in short: You are so right…as always 😉 Thanks and greetings from Bavaria👋

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Thank you. Great story