I need a lift ski.

[John Dee]

How about these?

https://vermont.craigslist.org/spo/d/sh ... 25228.html

[tellmetaytay]

It sounds like the K2 Totally Pistes could be a good option for groomed trails on the East Coast given your preference for softer flexing skis. Those old K2 models are very affordable now too. Since you've gotten used to the flexibility of the Asnes and Sbounds in variable conditions, a soft vintage tele ski might be a nice change of pace for firm East Coast groomers without jarring your back from stiffness. The Totally Pistes would give you classic looks too. Could also consider other old-school brands like Rossi or Fishers if wanting to try different silhouettes.

[John Dee]

It sounds like the K2 Totally Pistes could be a good option for groomed trails on the East Coast given your preference for softer flexing skis. Those old K2 models are very affordable now too. Since you've gotten used to the flexibility of the Asnes and Sbounds in variable conditions, a soft vintage tele ski might be a nice change of pace for firm East Coast groomers without jarring your back from stiffness. The Totally Pistes would give you classic looks too. Could also consider other old-school brands like Rossi or Fishers if wanting to try different silhouettes.

I read on reddit that Totally Pistes are very dated mid 90's skis, while skis like the Piste Stinx and Super Piste are good, early 2000's skis. I wish I bought the Super Stinx that I posted here. It was a combination of Montana St Alum's advice and headed out on a beer run that made me miss them. Someone else wanted them, too, they were mint.

Anyways, the red skis above are $50 and an hour away, some I'm wondering what people think of them.

[phoenix]

I'd bet there are plenty more older K2's out there, or will be, if you're not finding them at the moment.

I had a pair of the TM22's, skied 'em mostly lift serve and side country.Didn't care for them, personally. Lightweight (and not durable) foam core, odd flex, longish turning radius. I didn't keep them for long, sold 'em and went to K2's and have one version or another of them since.
The Totally Piste's are the one model I didn't have, but they were same generation as the ones I did, I think the Totally's were maybe a tad bit narrower, and geared more towards... on piste!

Just my experiences and preferences.

[Montana St Alum]

I'd bet there are plenty more older K2's out there, or will be, if you're not finding them at the moment.

I had a pair of the TM22's, skied 'em mostly lift serve and side country.Didn't care for them, personally. Lightweight (and not durable) foam core, odd flex, longish turning radius. I didn't keep them for long, sold 'em and went to K2's and have one version or another of them since.

I didn't like them either.
I had an interesting experience that may support the idea of new skis Vs. old/used skis for resort skiing, especially in locations with icy conditions.

I've been skiing on newer Rustler 9's (maybe 100 days) and decided to move my bindings to an older pair of Vantage 85's to save the R9's from rock damage. V85's are great skis and I have them tuned well (87 edge/89 bottom bevels) but my first day back on them was eye opening. There's a reason I retired them. My first turn on icy conditions felt like I had wood edges! Back to the R9's! If you aren't serious about performance on ice, used is fine. If you are, new is way better.

[John Dee]

I went to the OGX. They had

2023 Blissard Rustler 9 $449
Dynastar Menace 90 180cm $399
2024 Volkl Kendo 88 177 cm $499
Used Fischer Watea 78 178 cm with Hammerhead bindings $149

After they closed, I saw a Elan Ripstick 88 179cm with NTN bindings behind the counter for $499. Depending on the resale of the NTN bindings I may get these.

...and I bought another pair of boots. This makes me lean more towards making do with the Voile Objectives as a lift ski (I sort of wish they had fishscales anyways.)

[John Dee]

I don't feel like the Objectives should be doing jump turns on moguls. I'd like the BC version, but I still don't want to see them get abused. Its really just a bird in the hand vs. bush scenario.

[Telerock]

I said this on other threads, but dont see it here. I suggest, for northeast on-piste, you need a ski wider than the 3-pin binding and/or boots. For 20+ years of Vt on-piste skiing with leather boot 3-pin (+ cable) tele, my major problem was “booting out”. That is, on hard piste or ice, a sharp carved turn, when the skis are tilted way over, the binding or boot would hit the ice, causing the ski to lose its edge and slide sideways ( with spectacular yard sale falls resulting). Unless you ski without tilting your skis, get a pair of skis wider than the binding/boots.

[kniepisler]

I learned tele on a barely used pair of K2 Work Stinx with Cobra R4’s and a worn out pair of Crispi boots… by the end of the season I was ready to give up the form as I couldn’t manage to hold an edge on WNY hard pack with this setup and just thought that’s the downfall of a free heel on whimpy early-gen skis. The next season I discovered the power of the NTN system on modern planks and my enjoyment increased 100x.. fast forward a couple seasons and I started to get into uphill/touring and was in need of a beater ski to use in the ADKs.. so I decided to upgrade my WorkStinx with Voile hardwires and bought a new pair of T2’s to tour in and was pleasantly surprised to find that these old skis kicked ass, so much so that I many times forego my heavy NTN setup for the much lighter 3-pinned K2’s…

Long story short, the K2 WorkStinx (88 underfoot) are a great ski and if you can find a good pair then scarf em up…

[phoenix]

"I suggest, for northeast on-piste, you need a ski wider than the 3-pin binding and/or boots. For 20+ years of Vt on-piste skiing with leather boot 3-pin (+ cable) tele, my major problem was “booting out”. That is, on hard piste or ice, a sharp carved turn, when the skis are tilted way over, the binding or boot would hit the ice, causing the ski to lose its edge and slide sideways ( with spectacular yard sale falls resulting). Unless you ski without tilting your skis, get a pair of skis wider than the binding/boots."

I hear what you're saying, and have booted out a few times before I started skiing risers; on steepish hard pack (VT and ADK's), so I'm not questioning your personal experience... but on the other hand I would not suggest a ski wider than your boot around here. My T1's and Excursions both measure a little over 100cm at their widest point, in a size 27. I wouldn't want something that wide as a harpack ski, moreso if you ski a deep carve. If your binding doesn't have a riser built in already, just put one on the skis if you feel you need it (not you personally Telerock, just skiers in general).