Help choosing the right slalom

[skimississippi]

I am an aggressive open water skier. I would like to start running courses this summer but still want to enjoy the open water. What is the best ski under 500. I have been looking at Obriens.

[mathews01]

I picked up an O'Brien Allegiance last fall from Overtons. I paid about $400 with shipping. It was a brand new '06 model with '07 double bio high wraps. Last I checked I think Overtons still has some '06's w/ 07 bindings available on its website. You just need to watch for specials, i.e 15% off, free shipping, etc., and you can get a pretty decent deal on top of what will already be a closeout price for an '06 ski.

I haven't skied it enough to give you any meaningful insight there (I am an open water skier that prefers to foot over anything else, so take what I say with that in mind). But I did get this ski based upon advice from my cousin, who is a very solid slalom skier who has skied O'Brien his entire life. I, too, have mainly skied O'Brien and I simply trusted him when he said this ski, at the discounted price, was well worth the money. So far I have not been disappointed but, again, I've only been on it a couple times at the end of the season last fall.

Good luck.

[scoke]

skis

If you are making a transition into the course, an HO CDX would be an ideal ski actually.

www.wileyski.com has a great deal going for about $500 with boots on CDX's and some other skis as well.

The CDX is a great ski that will take you easily through 22/28 at 36.

[DanielC]

RE: skis

What is best for somebody else may not be good for you. You need to demo skis yourself. If you have a skiing coach, ask their advise, but take it with a grain of salt if they are selling skis.
Is there a ski club near you could join? That would also help you make a decision. Just be aware that whatever ski somebody else is skiing on is the best ski in the whole wide world. Maybe for them.
You really need to get different skis between your feet and water, at 36 miles per hour, to start making a good decision.

[NCH2oSki]

RE: skis

I was skiing on Obriens and switched to a CDX, hated it. Others love it, so as mentioned its all about personal preference. Call the guys at H2osmosis and see what they recomend and try their demo program.