Dana wrote:

> The Black Diamond Crossbow has an avid following amongst AT skiers for
> skis in that width range. It's THE go-to ski for a lot of B.C./Alberta
> backcountry AT-skiers. It's pretty good on everything 
> 'ceptin' skritchy
> skratch. It's soft enough that a lot of big-boys DON'T like it, but
> plenty of 125lb ripper-chicas seem happy with the 163cm 
> length. (I know,
> a lot of 5'2" folks are gonna think that's LONG, but it it ain't,
> particularly with that ski.)

Funny; every review I've seen of the Crossbow indicates that they are
quite stiff and require a good deal of attention and agression to get
the most out of them.  They also have an assymetric sidecut that makes
them extra carvey and responsive to edge technique.  They sounds like a
ski that will very quickly take you for a ride if you get in the
backseat.  While plenty stiff, their sidecut, foam core and liveliness
likely keep them from being the damp, burly snowplows that "bigboy"
rippers prefer.  
 
> 
> There are also some deals out there on the 153cm Teledaddy too, but
> that's a freaky-fat ski (99mm waist)- much better for the truly deep
> than groomers, but stiff enough torsionally that a lot of 
> peops find it
> tolerable. 

Teledaddies are also on the stiff side - not uberburly like heavier wood
core rides like the Explosiv or the Head/Fischer 10cm wide models, but
certainly very  stable due to their girth.  The 153 is available cheap
and could be a great option, if Amy is interested in skiing something
that wide (or if she's building a quiver). 

- Patrick

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