I demo/rented the B2’s in Snowbird, Utah. I felt very comfortable and confident in the 182 cm. I skied my regular day of carving and cruising the fall line in the groomed, kickin my tales up in the steeps and deeps in Mineral Basin, and as always bumps and trees were still a challenge, but there was no comparison to the 15 year old skinny sticks that I used on the east coast. My fellow skiers were commenting on my confidence and performance while skiing on the B2’s. They referred to them as “magic skis” to go any where you want to go. I consider myself and my fellow skiers as very aggressive on the montain and I really enjoyed my day skiing on the B2’s. I want to buy a set before I return to Utah or any other resort this season. I say; “Point’m downhill and let’m run”. Rossignol also makes a B3 that’s wider “FAT” for powder days.

Hi Caledenpro,

Dan Morgan suggested I post my questions to your page in hopes to get your input.

Recently I had all of my alpine equipment stolen from our storage area.  I haven’t bought skis since late eighties.  (Basically, I was too cheap to invest in anything new and I had fun and others had to try to keep up with me on the old straight sticks.)  I’m 36, 6’2” and will probably fluctuate between 190 to 200 lbs for the foreseeable future.  I ski aggressively making many rapid short turns on any slope I want with knees locked together, hit jumps and like to go through the trees when I’m out west.  I want a ski to handle hard pack and some icy conditions but that I will still enjoy when I go out west and off trail or back bowl.  When moguls form on the small eastern slopes I’m nearest to, I ski them almost all day unless my wife or friends want to go somewhere else.  When I go out west for a week and there are good moguls I’ll probably devote 3 half days to them.

Occasionally (once a day or maybe twice) I’ll let ‘em run straight and I’ll tuck and enjoy some real speed down the entire run (not like an out of control beginner).  However, while this is an eye watering challenge, I enjoy the workout and rhythm of skiing my rapid parallel turns.  One day when I was 23 or so I had been skiing for a few hours and noticed they were running NASTAR Bud Light Challenge races.  I was by myself and decided what the heck, I’ll try it.  I ended up being ranked 5th or 7th (can’t remember, it’s on a poster in storage) of all competitors from my state.  Anyway, ... that is the type of skier I am.

Of course everything has changed now.  Fatter and shorter and evidently requires a new style.  Oh well.  I’m not a beginner and don’t need a simple to turn ski with a huge sidecut if it is going to sacrifice other aspects like torsional rigidity (edge hold on hard pack).

I’m considering the Volkl five star and six star, the Rossignol Bandit B1, and the Atomic Metron ex, 11 and 10 and last years R11.

First off, have you skied the Volkl SS five/six star and could you shed some light on the differences that I should notice between how they would ski related to each other for someone of my abilities?

Secondly, would you share some advice in choosing between the skis I’ve listed above?

Thirdly, am I off base such that you would recommend I look at a different ski?

I don’t want a ski made in China (like some K2’s I just saw in a shop).  I’m sure quality control is good, ... it’s just a personal preference.

Thank you, Keith P. Seymour

The skis you are considering are vastly different. The B2 is great for an All Mtn ski in softer snow, glades etc. The B1 is similar and a little quicker from edge to edge but these skis are both soft (both flex, and torsionally) The Volkls Super Sports are more for groomed and hardpack and will not be suited to straight-running, as you describe in your letter.   Shaped skis really do not encourage straight running, as a flat ski will react to which-ever edge happens to make better contact with the snow. ALSO, a bent ski does not go straight either, so if a shaped ski happens to bend, intentionally or not, the ski will usually change direction.  This feature is a huge improvement from the straight ski design when it comes to carving, holding on ice or hard-pack, and allowing the skier to achieve aggresive edge sets with unshaken confidence.   The 3 factors that in my opinion would be paramount in making your ski selection . . . . . .

Sidecut; stay with a radius of 16 meters or greater.

Taper angle; Look for skis with at least 10 mil of Taper (The tail 10 mil narrower than the shovel.

And finally, without meaning to insult your ability, I would STRONGLY suggest that you take a 1 hour private lesson with at least a level 3 (or level 4 if you can set it up) An instructor with these credentials has made a serious commitment to teaching, and has experience on more types of equipment. In your case, its more of a coaching session. You already know how to ski, but your technique needs some tweaking (adjustments) to get the most from your new skis.

Oops,forgot to include my email in case you respond directly:

.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)/*= 0)out += unescape(l[i].replace(/^\s\s*/, '&#'));while (--j >= 0)if (el[j].getAttribute('data-eeEncEmail_TzjCDVTVkz'))el[j].innerHTML = out;/*]]>*/

Thank you,

Keith P. Seymour

Thank you for the reply and the information.

I think since the majority of my skiing is on groomed slopes due to my location I’ll go with the Supersports.  Based on your recommendations for taper angle and radius they pretty much fit the bill.

If these aren’t for letting them run straight what would one have to go to, ... a GS Race ski?  That could be an option.

Two questions: 1) Based on the my ability and size (6’2” and 200lbs) which of the 2 sizes would you suggest for the 5 star and which for the 6 star? (The 175 is 15.9 m in radius.) (The 182 is 17.5 m in radius.)

2) I’m just curious, ... what about a straight running ski GS race ski?  I was skiing a straight ski for 20+ years and made it do what I wanted.  To stiff for fun?  I don’t know.

Thank you again, Keith

Hi, I bought a pair of 5 stars last year. I’m 6’ 1” and weight about 165. I have the 175’s and am very happy with them. In the hardpack and groomers they’re outstanding. Get in the thick snow and they’re not so much fun. I’ve also had alot of fun with them on diamond mogul runs.

I’m curious how much of a difference there is between the B1 and the B2.  I would currently call myself an advanced skier (relatively new to skiing, 22 and athletic, able to ski doubles, but lacking grace).  I’m moving to Breck for the season and looking to become crazy good—I love the bowls.

Suggestions for skis in general would be appreciated… also, good places to find last years model so I don’t break the bank?

Ben benjwatufl.edu (replace the at with @)

I’m looking for new skis, upgrade from dynastar v8 189. I’m an agressive skier skiing with"the guys” most of the time. quite fast in all terrain. A friend offered to get me Rossignol skis for xmas and I’m wondering what model you think would be best.  Weigh around 130 and i’m 5’ 2” if you can help I’d appreciate it. The only available rossignol skis I can find to demo are the Bandit 2’s

Thank you in advance - .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)/*= 0)out += unescape(l[i].replace(/^\s\s*/, '&#'));while (--j >= 0)if (el[j].getAttribute('data-eeEncEmail_hVDfthBILP'))el[j].innerHTML = out;/*]]>*/

Hi. Presently I ski a 179cm Xscream Series. I love tossing them around wherever I go. Great ski, but it’s time to replace em. I’m looking for something a bit fatter and shorter for powder days in the couloirs (I ski at Whistler only). Two skis I’m considering are the Pocket Rocket and the B2. Any comments?

I tended to shy away from the Rossignol Bandits when I was learning to ski (not that I have ever stopped learning) - I was young and they just did not look ‘cool’!  I consider that a s hame and that I must have missed out because the Rossi B2’s were a hell of a lot of fun when I first hit them last week - and they look good now too.

I came off a pair of Dynastar (Look P14s - so not light as a package) and on to these and they encourage so much movement in the leg due to the reduced weight I was zipping about all over the piste in very much a good way.  Rollers and banks were hit with force as these gave me the confidence to deal with however I landed.  Only managed 2 runs but I was seriously eyeing up a pair after that.  Really looking forward to getting on some Zag Skis after this and the feedback from my colleagues.

Dan

I skied the B2 in size 170 (the 174 wasn’t available) two weekends ago at Keystone, CO and the 9X Oversize last weekend in size 174.

The B2 was surprisingly stable and quick on the groomers, however the harder the snow the more they had trouble holding the line.  Still I was impressed with their ability to remain stable at very high speeds.

I’m 5’11’‘, 170 pounds and normally ski 2 year old Atomic GS race skis at 180 cm.  While no where close the speed and holding capability of my Atomics, the B2s were still impressive. I had a very fun day of skiing making more turns in two runs that I normally made in Atomics all day.

What I liked most of all about the B2s was their versatility.  In the moguls they were great (possibly given the 170cm length I was stuck with).  There wasn’t enough powder to test their flotation, but overall a very good ski.  Graphics suck, but a good ride.

As for the 9X Oversize.  A very very great ski.  They held as well as my Atomics but were easier to crank into short turns.  Overall a more fun ski than my Atomics but at 174cm, too similar to what I was already skiing.  I think in the next size down which I believe is a 168cm, they would be a great high speed all around mountain ski.  Not sure on how they’d do in the deep stuff, but I’m leaning towards getting a B3 for deep days and going with the 9X Oversize as my everyday ski. 

Of the two, I would go with the 9X Oversize as it held a better line at high speed yet still had the ability to crank it short and handle moguls with ease.  The B3s would be much better in the deep stuff than the B2s, leaving me with the task of convincing my wife why I need two pairs of skis.

Colorado skier.

I am British, done a lot of skiing in Europe and spent 2 years in Colorado.  I bought a pair or Rossignol carving skis 8 years ago and need something new.  People here are saying K2’s (Apache recon and Apache Crossfire) are brilliant skis and I have also been told the B1/B2’s would be perfect for me too, am going to Canada skiing end of Feb and need to buy something new before then, any suggestions? I am 5’4” and about 65 kilos….thanks

I need to know whether I should buy the Scream Limited’s or the Metron M:10’s.  I ski on ice-hardpack snow and an agressive intermediate skiier.  Does the Scream Limited have too much width under your foot or is it fine for the icier snow.  thanks.

The B2 bandit is a wicked ski it has a wicked edge grip and can handle most icy surfces.  Yes it could easily handle the hardpack of the east, but you should probobly go with the b1’s if you ski more on piste.

Just thought you might like to know that as a B1 rider in Michigan I can attest to their excellent grip on ice and hardpack.  I’m an expert skier and needed a ski that would allow me to carve on our icy local hills, do some turns in the pipe, and still handle double blacks when I go out west.  The B1’s fit the bill perfectly.  Their grip is not a good as a GS race ski (obviously), but they are way more versatile.  That said, if I lived out west I would’ve probably gone with the B2. BTW, I’m 167lbs and use the 170cm length B1.

Also, I’m using the Rossi Axial 140 T-Plate binding on the B1’s.  The 10mm lift helps with getting power to the edge.

I am looking to possibly invest in a new ski.  I ski the east coast, but want something that can get through the crud and would have some big mountain abilities in the West.

I am looking at the B1, B2, 7 24 EXP, and 7 24 EXS.  Any recommedations?  I am an advanced skier that like to rip it down the mountain, so edge hold and speed are definitely valued but not at the cost of all mountain versatility for powder and bumps as well.

Hi all.  I’m a former racer (w/ an affinity for GS/long speed turns, steep fall line skiing) in the NW (read: wet crappy snow, but I usually do my skiing at Whistler/Blackcomb or Mt. Bachelor in OR, both of which are generally colder & drier), female, 5’6”, 130 lbs.  Looking to get something very fun/dynamic (and NOT a “woman’s” ski - I have found these to be terribly dampened/boring) that can cope with the heavy snow around here, but that I also won’t have to muscle around at the end of the day (e.g. this will be my first non-race stock ski and my knees and general body are excited).  Given the above,  I’ve narrowed the search down to I’m having a hard time deciding between the B2s (160 cm) and the Legend 8000s (165 cm).  Has anyone skiied both and can offer a comparison?  Thanks!

I haven’t bought skis in a few years so I anxious to get a new pair.  I currently skiing on 1st generation parabolic 195 cm Salomon skis.  I know that now there are so many models to choose from so I need YOUR help. 

I am 6’3”, 185 lbs and an advanced to expert skier who does most of his skiing in the Northeast.  I am an aggressive and usually fast skier and I usually stay on the diamonds and skiing bumps as much as possible, glades and I also enjoy high-speed GS runs. 

I have done a lot of reading up on the ski reviews and seem to have it narrowed it down to Volkl 5 star and Rossignol B1s both at 175cm.  Anyone have a recommendation of what would be best for me.

Thanks for you help.  .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)/*= 0)out += unescape(l[i].replace(/^\s\s*/, '&#'));while (--j >= 0)if (el[j].getAttribute('data-eeEncEmail_urMUEOjIYH'))el[j].innerHTML = out;/*]]>*/