How, when, and why to upgrade your slalom ski

I think it is just plain fun to see how different skis work.  And, sometimes the process of doing that results in better skiing, at least temporarily while your discovering and pushing all of the skis buttons.  Thanks for spending the time and money doing this!

Thanks for the review.  I know last year when I finally switched from the ole' Kidder Redline  to the Radar that I am riding now there was a world of difference.  The new ski seemed so much faster and seemed to ride a rail across the course on a better line with less effort than the old ski.  Maybe next year I will consider another switch?

Hi Johnseed - I just read your post and see that you upgraded from a Kidder Redline to a Radar.  I also usean old Kidder Redline (Supreme) and am considering an upgrade to a Radar.  I can run the course at 29 and am working up to 30, (and then hopefully 32) - which Radar did you buy, with which bindings, and what do you reccommend for me?

Thanks.

Jon

jptak, any of the Radars would be fine for you depending on your budget.  Senate C, Vice, Strada would all work.  Spending more is not going to change your skiing dramatically, it's just fun if you have money to burn, but absolutely not necessary.  Seriously, if you are going to buy new, do what Joel did and demo.  You really never know what ski is going to appeal the most to you until you compare them.  Also, check ski-it-again for great used deals.

jptak, It sounds like we are at about the same level.  FWIW- I bought a Senate with vector boot and RTP and it suits me well.  If you have money to burn  Senate C, Vice, and Strada have all gotten good reviews.  Demo is a good way to go.  Some shops still have new skis from a year or two ago that they blow out (especially in the fall).  Otherwise ski it again is another good way to pick up a ski once you have an idea of what you want.   

To chime in my .02.  I agree with both deke and fu-man in that any Radar would be an upgrade from where you are but which model really depends upon your goals, speeds, and budget.  I switched from a Redline classic 72" with double comp bindings to a 69" Radar Theory.  I had a pair of new o'brien bio boots that I put on the Theory.  Out of the box there was a huge difference just switching skis.  The Theory seemed to carve a tighter turn without any effort and seemed to shoot off the buoy compared to the Kidder.  I ended up moving the bindings forward one hole from where they were originally and I am running consistantly 15/30 and into 5 at 15/32. 

I went with the Theory as originally I was looking at INT wide ride and the Theory just qualifies but is a slightly shaped version of the Strada with a bit more forgiving layup.  I also went Theory as I ski behind an inboard/outboard alot of the time and the wider/longer ski makes deepwater starts easier but skis like a higher performance ski. 

FWIW- If I was looking at a more expensive ski I would do the demo route or at least find a ski buddy with a similar model and try a set.  I did what someone mentioned and bought last year's model at a signifigant discount.  H2osmosis pro shop does the demo program and ski-it-again is a cheaper used option as well.  Good luck!

Thanks for all the helpful replies.  I will look into a demo program.  One question though, for Johnseed - if you could do it all over again, would you get the Theory again, or would you opt for one of the other models, such as the Senate.  I want there to be lots of room for growth.  Thanks.

I personally don't think that getting a high-end ski is something to do "if you have money to burn" only. I'm a big believer in the lower-end skis being less expensive and tied to lower speeds purely because of cost- there is no 1000.00 28mph ski. A 300.00 ski is said to be for 28-30mph because that's what the materials and cost structure can handle- it's economics. Sure, great skiers such as Kyle Tate, Karina, Marcus, etc. can run these skis into very short lengths but they could also run a 2x4 at 15/30mph. Today's high-end skis are going to be a better ski at any line and speed, period. Personally the lowest priced/performance ski I'd recommend would be something that's at least partially carbon such as the D3 X3/Custom X, Senate C, etc. That will give you plenty of room to grow and not hinder progress or get you in trouble. If you have a little more to spend I'd get into a S2, Fusion, Strada, Elite, Goode, etc.- I've heard and felt great things on these skis at all lengths and lines.

jptak - I would go Senate over Theory.  I have had experience with both and the Senate is far superior for 30mph skiers IMHO.

I was on a Vice this year for a few weeks.   It was like a boat anchor for me...  strada was noticably faster and more agile.  I ski 34.2/22-32off and not gracefully!  I grabbed it as a demo (under $500 2012 model) and was coming off an HO A1 that I liked and naturally as a gear junkie myself, wanted to try something new.   Hearing Trent and Brooks Wilson talk about skiing on the Vice themselves "why can't a lesser skier ski on a heavier Strada?"  WRONG.  Maybe its my more aggressive heavy load skiing style?  partly, maybe.  Its definitely because I dont have the technique better shortline skiers do.

I wholeheartedly agree that a more novice course skier should look to the lighter, high end tournament skis vs their heavier siblings.   You will likely notice the benefits more than a pro who can run 39off, until they get to 39 or 41 that is..

If you are in the course, unless you are a heavier guy, stick with the Strada or the Senate C from RadaR.   The senate is a wider version of hte Strada, which I'm not convinced is really necessary seeing how stable that ski already is.  The vice?  spend the extra $$$ for a strada, or find one from last year or 2 on SIA.

At this point I most likely would go for the senate C or something similar.  At the time I never got a pull behind a tournament boat and was looking to ski wide ride INT.  Now I ski with a friend who has a Response LXI about 2 times a week and am looking to ski a USAwaterski tourney at 34 MPH.  The theory is really not suggested to run 34 so I am wondering how it will perform at that level.  Thus far I have only run 32 but I still handles well. 

I would think of it this way - it is cheaper to buy a better ski up front than to first buy a cheaper ski and then have to upgrade again in a year or so. 

If you are consistently skiing into 32mph it's time to move on from the Theory.

You're sacrificing performance and there are other skis that will give you the same type of forgiveness.

You will always end up buying more skis than you really want b/c it's nearly impossible to get it right the first time...even with a ride before you buy program, there is some trial and error as you discover what characteristics you like and don't like in a ski.

Some guys are shortighted when it comes to cost.

They go to ski-it-again and buy a 1 or 2 year old model for half price of retail on a new one.

The problem is that they have never skied on the model they bought and when they take their first ride, they find they don't like it.

Now what?  Time to buy a new ski and they end up repeating the same cycle.

You might pay "more" if you go with a new ski that you purchase retail.  

However you will have the opportunity to demo find out if you like it before you make the purchase.

Why people skip this part of the process I have no idea.

Buy as much ski as you can afford without exceeding your ability level - e.g. you might be able to afford an AM Ski, but will really help?

The only way to know is to try as many different skis as possible.

Thanks for all the helpful replies.

Did you try the Strada in your search? I currently have the Senate and am thinking of getting a Strada just because the shapes are so similar and I believe it will be less of a learning curve over going to a different brand.   Thoughts?

Not yet but that may change...

cragginshred it won't hurt by any means.  If money is no object it is a very forgiving ski.  I've had one for two seasons.  Also, lots of used ones on SIA.

Scarlet Arrow,

I will be buying a new ski this year (currently on a very old Kidder Redline with double high wrap rubber bindings).  Senate sounds like a good fit for me.  But what about bindings?  My absolute, number one concern, is safe release.  I recall reading about your injury some time ago  - did that happen because one of your bindings did not release?

What are your thoughts on the safest bindings?  I am concerned that Vectors or similar type bindings may not release when I need them too. 

Thanks

My injury occured because I skied myself into exhaustion and then buried the tip crossing the wake.  My left foot came out and my right (rear) stayed in as the ski rotated around.

There is no perfect, foolproof binding setup.  All have the potential of injury with the wrong crash.

Bindings are a very personal decision, even more so than your ski.

Everyone has their own opinion, but IMHO the safest release systems are Reflex, Fogman, Strada and classic Wiley's.  Some might want to put the Dual Lock (used on Goode Powershells), but I'm not convinced.

I think Reflex and Fogman are the best release mechanisms, but they are the most expensive and require tinkering.  I liked the feel of the Reflex shell, not of the Fogman (red).

Strada's are affordable and more comfortable than plastic., but can breakdown quicker (tears in shell, .bungee).  I use the Strada's.

Even though they are old school, Wiley's just work.  Can be a little uncomfortable w/ foot cramping since sizing is fairly generic (s, m ,l, xl).  Some make a fuss about the weight - they are the heaviest by far, but are they "heavy"?  I'm not sure that it makes a difference.

Thanks for the reply Scarlet Arrow - I hadn't read your post when I (at the same time) posted the same question on a general forum.  You didn't mention Vectors so by that I assume you would you avoid the Vectors if you were me?