Well gang, I've pondered, calculated, traded thoughts with other ski buddies, read and re- read old and newer postings here and there. and I deceided...
The ski that will take me into boot high and above snow, broken snow, tree glades, and crud, was determined not based on my demo, but my experience with the IM75, then onto the IM 77 had left me with great ski experiences and where Head has been and where Head is going.
What it boiled down to was which of the two newer monsters was it going to be, the 82 or 88.
Here's what i mulled over, ran by friends, and determnined from the latest RS post and others as well:
My Stats:
Height 5'81/2"
weight: 153 lbs
Ski ability: level 8/9
Current skis: Fischer RX8 and Head IM77
Terrain skied: All mountain
Where I ski: 10-14 days out west, 5-10 days Vermont
Avg number of days on the mountain: 60
Skiing style: Harold Harb is my skiing mentor...tip and counter and Clendenin technique for the bumps
What I was looking for:
Since my Fischers can accomodate grroomed, hard pack, crud and powder up to boot high, I wanted a good boot to knee high snow ski that could navigate the deeper snow, crud, trees (not to narrow) and skied off hard pack on the way down the mountain.
The choices:
For me, it boiled down to the IM 88 and the IM 82. I knew from past experience with 95 mm waisted skis that a good float in the crud is sweet. But....how much float vs versatility was I willing to trade off.
The decision: When I thought about the fact I'm not doing any back country skiing, maybe snow cat, but no serious hiking and the heli skiing I did was expensive, the key was to find the ski that allowed me at my height, body weight, choice of terrain, and desired versatility to ski having the greatest versatility. The 88's would give me more float but would require more input in tighter eastern terrain, moguls, and maybe a bit more unruly on last runs iced over back to the lodge. Given my height and weight, I felt the difference in the float factor between the 82 and 88's would be virtually negligable but the versatility factor would be huge with the plus going to the 82's.
Not saying this process makes any sense to anyone but me....but it's how I tortured myself this past 3 months wondering should I make the leap. Well I was able to trade my 77's and a pair of Lange Comp 120's I had before my Head boots and so the actual cost back to me was $265...NICE!
Hope this mental exercise may help other poor soles tortureing themselves in a similar manner. For me, that part is over. I'll be sure to post my review of the 82's once their virgin little bases touch the snow.
Thanks to those that were aware of their help in my decision as well to those unaware posters of past. Oh yeah, thanks to Peter and crew for his continured trustworth reviews.
Best,
Gary