Binding Suggestion: Dynastar NX Exclusive Katherine says: A legend in the making, the Dynastar Exclusive Legend is back again for another season with one of the best cosmetic treatments EVER I might add. Still with the same great shape and construction, the Legend offers a reliable companion for the advanced to expert female skier who enjoys all parts of the mountain. The Exclusive Legend, with a waist width of 75mm, has the ability meander...

Jim Says: The LP is really two different skis within one model. The 176 size is quite a bit softer in flex than the 186. While the 176 is still firm, it is manageable for any good skier looking for a wide all mountain ride. The 186 is a different deal altogether and is a lot stiffer. This is the size that built the reputation of the LP into "Legendary" status among agressive skiers everywhere. The LP in both lengths provides a solid rid...

**This is a flat ski, the bindings are NOT included** Thats right folks a Legend Pro with the Limited Snowbird Graphic. Same dimensions, same core, same ski EXCEPT a different graphic. Jim Says: The LP is really two different skis within one model. The 176 size is quite a bit softer in flex than the 186. While the 176 is still firm, it is manageable for any good skier looking for a wide all mountain ride. The 186 is a different deal altogether ...

The Addict Pro is a beefier version of last years runaway best seller (the Addict). This ski has a thicker solid wood core and is a more solid choice than the Addict for a combo of all mountain-park skiing. While the flex is still a little softer in the tail for park use, this is not a typical noodly park ski. In fact, the park specialist should be looking elsewhere as the Pro is a very equal mix of park and all mountain characteristics. The symm...

Update by Jim....late March '08 I've had the chance to ski a lot of different 50/50 skis this winter and spring and the Watea 84 is emerging as one of my favorites. Within the 50/50 category there are some skis that have a bit of a bias toward hard snow (such as the Volkl AC-30 and Nordica Jet Fuel) The 84 shades its bias a bit toward softer snow. Like most Fischers the characteristics of energy vs dampness, grip vs. forgiveness, are s...

Katherine says: The K2 Burnin Luv has an assortment of talents to offer the advanced to the ez-expert women skier. It handles everything from groomed trail, to moguls, to crud. Its real talent is having a damp, predictable ride that promotes confidence and reliability in its rider. Overall, because of its width underfoot, this ski really shines on piste and has the ability to make variety of turn sizes. It offers quickness edge to edge and a...

"The Dumont" is made to perform in the park and pipe, but it shouldn't be overlooked as an all mountain twin. The Dumont has a solid wood core and is more stable that the justly popular 1080 foil from recent years. The 83mm waist has enough width for mid depth powder and is outstanding in moguls and crud. Launch big air? Why not? Backside 1080? Only if you got the cajones? Rails? You do them in your sleep. Mike's review:...

With crystal clear all-mountain performance the Salomon Jewel Crystal Skis fiberglass Lite Single Wall construction provides excellent performance on snow especially at lower speeds while its Smartrak Grip enables you to pivot easily giving you total control over this gem of a ski. Combined with Salomon 609 TI B80 Bindings the Jewel Crystal Skis bring you superb performance at an awesome price.

Jim Says: When I skied the TS 12, I compared the flex to the powerswitch version. I felt that the flex was about in the middle between the soft setting, and the stiff setting on the powerswitch version. The standard TS 12 is a little softer torsionally than the PowerSwitch version it is slightly lighter. I think it is a little bit more forgiving ski than the "Switch models". In fact, this version feels more like the AC-30/40 than it does the "Swi...

Jim Says: The best attributes of a fairly light ski are that it is nimble and maneuverable on steep slopes. The negative is that a light ski can be unstable when pushed hard in thick rough snow. Dynastar believes that if you give a light nimble ski, a fairly moderate shape, you can get more stability without sacrificing the highly desirable quickness. The new Exclusive Powder takes this concept to produce a new womens 50/50 model with a wide rang...