Here is an answer to Dennis Chin's call for feedback on the new "Shaped Skis". Last March I went with my long-time ski group to a fantastic week at Steamboat Springs. The first day was sunny with a nice packed base, so I skied on my Dynastar Slalom 200cm skis that I bought from the demo rental shop at Ski Apache, NM in February 1985. As you can see, I am not one to rush out and spend lots of bucks on the newest fad in ski equipment.

The next morning we awoke to find eight inches of fresh powder on the mountain. Being a one-week-a-year skier for many years, I seldom have powder opportunities, and am still struggling to learn the technique. So, I rented a pair of Volant Chubs. They really do float up in powder. However, by lunch time, the powder was packed with scattered piles waiting to snag edges. Those six-inch wide Chubs are really heavy, and I did one of my career worst face plants trying to maneuver around the snow piles on the packed powder.

The third morning brought us another 4-8 inches of fresh powder. So I ditched the Chubs and rented a pair of 178cm K2-2s. The length was due to ski shop recommendation and availability. I started in the powder and found them forgiving and easy to maneuver. Then, after the powder got skied off, I found these moderately shaped skis the easiest I have ever skied on. They had superb edge control and responded quickly to my efforts to turn on all types of snow. That afternoon, as my ski group gathered in the Jacuzzi, I had only one thing to say "I have retired my skis"! The rest of the week, I kept my 178cm K2-2s. In December, I reserved a pair for our return to Steamboat this March.

You hot shots may want to indulge in the more parabolic versions. This is the most exciting improvement in ski equipment since the replacement of cable bindings and long thongs. With the cost of new skis and bindings reaching astronomical heights, and with the rapidly changing technology, my one-week-a-year ski career has seen the last ski purchase. But I certainly will follow the new developments.

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