Tag Archive for: Best Skis For Seniors

Jon Weisberg

The Best 2018 Skis For Senior Skiers

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One Might Say You Can Never Have Enough Skis.

My wife disagrees. She skis on a relatively old pair that she loves. They’re relatively soft in shovel and heel. For her, one pair is enough.

Mine is a completely different story; too long to get into at the moment.

Jackson Hogen, publisher of the ski review site realskiers.com, has been testing skis for decades. He works with testers from around the country, gathering their observations and consolidating them into pre-season evaluations of the upcoming season’s crop.

The complete list of the recommended 2018 skis for senior skiers is available free to SeniorsSkiing.com subscribers. Click on COMMUNITY (home page menu bar), then click on SUBSCRIBERS ONLY CONTENT in the drop down box.

(Free short reviews can be found at realskiers.com. The more complete evaluations require a subscription. Details on how SeniorsSkiing.com subscribers can subscribe to realskiers.com for 50% of the normal rate are at the end of this article.)

Recognizing that certain ski characteristics are more suitable for older skiers than others, last year, realskiers.com identified the best ones for older skiers. These skis generally have a soft flex, which allows the sidecut to engage with minimal exertion. When they’re used, the skier doesn’t work as hard. They’re easier to turn. They’re forgiving. You don’t have to be in peak shape to ski better or longer. The entire experience is more enjoyable.

Recommended skis are grouped into six categories, each based on skiing preference, location, and snow conditions. They follow:

Frontside (aka “Carving” skis)

  • These skis encompass the broadest range of skier abilities from entry-level to experienced and are for general use on groomed terrain. Wider models are usable off-trail.

All-Mountain East

  • Skis that are extremely versatile and for general use on groomed terrain. They also work off-trail.
  • This category is suitable for those who have not skied in a few years. 

All-Mountain West

  • These are good for use in the West by high performance skiers and are good both for groomed trails and for powder. 

Big Mountain

  • Skis for use on big mountains with selections for strong and for less strong skiers.

Powder

  • Specialty skis for use in deep powder.

Technical

  • These have high performance race ski characteristics and are suitable for carving turns on hard-snow.

While many consider skis to be unisex, some women prefer skis with weight and flex more suitable to their size and physique. The list also identifies preferred women’s skis.

Jackson advises approaching your next ski purchase by taking these three important steps:

  1. Identify the most suitable category.
  2. Work with a quality ski shop.
  3. If possible, demo selections to compare before purchasing.

To subscribe to realskiers.com: Visit site. Scroll down to/click on “Subscribe Today!” Click “Sign Up” in the “Annual Membership” box. Complete the form and enter SS17 in the field under “Coupon Code.”

 

 

 

schusser_2_skier_491
Jon Weisberg

The Best Skis For Senior Skiers

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 Soft Flex. Minimal Exertion. Skis for Six Different Scenarios.

Update Dec 27, 2016:  Subscribers can now download the list of recommended skis by going to the top navigation bar, click on Community, select Subscriber-Only-Content, choose the download and reconfirm your email address.  If you are not a subscriber, consider subscribing. It’s free, lots of interesting articles for seniors who love winter sports.

Ski manufacturers have never designed a ski for senior skiers. With about one million on the slopes, there’s enough of us to justify the investment.

But don’t hold your breath.

schusser_2_skier_491There is a breakthrough this season. For the first time, an in-depth evaluation of the best skis for older skiers is available. This is good news since choosing a new pair of skis, regardless of age and ability, has never been easy, and the abundance of brands and models is always confusing.

The evaluation is the result of collaboration between SeniorsSkiing.com and realskiers.com, the go-to site for in-depth ski equipment evaluations. The free list is available to all SeniorsSkiing.com subscribers. 

Of the many 2017 skis tested, 38 were identified as suitable for senior skiers. Most have relatively soft flex, allowing the sidecut to engage with minimal exertion. The result is ease of turning and forgiveness, which, regardless of physical condition, reduces stamina loss.

In other words, using these skis, it’s easier to ski more runs and have more fun!

Working with testers from around the country, realskiers.com has been reviewing ski equipment for many years. The results are gathered each spring and published in September, where abbreviated reviews are available free and in-depth information comes with a modest, paid annual subscription.

The recommended skis are grouped into six categories, each based on skiing preference, location, and snow conditions. They are:

Frontside (aka “Carving” skis)

  • These skis encompass the broadest range of skier abilities from entry-level to experienced and are for general use on groomed terrain. Wider models are usable off-trail.

 All-Mountain East

  • Skis that are extremely versatile and for general use on groomed terrain. They also work off-trail.
  • This category is suitable for those who have not skied in a few years.

 All-Mountain West

  • These are good for use in the West by high performance skiers and are good both for groomed trails and for powder.

 Big Mountain

  • Skis for use on big mountains with selections for strong and for less strong skiers.

 Powder

  • Specialty skis for use in deep powder.

Technical

  • These have high performance race ski characteristics and are suitable for carving turns on hard-snow.

While many consider skis to be unisex, some women prefer skis with weight and flex more suitable to their size and physique. The list identifies women’s skis, as well.

When selecting skis…

  1. Identify the most suitable category.
  2. Work with a quality ski shop.
  3. If possible, demo selections to compare before purchasing.

To Access the List

SeniorsSkiing.com subscribers were emailed a link to the list. The email was sent on October 14, 2016. Check your inbox or spam folder.

If you have not yet subscribed, click on this link and sign up using the subscription form in the right column or the pop-up which will appear on the page. After confirming your subscription, you will receive and email with a link to the list of senior ski recommendations. And, as a new subscriber, you will have access to discounts and deals on gear and clothing from top brands, and a lot of info relevant to the older snow sports enthusiast!