New ski for girlfriend. Is the Graphite Senate a good choice?

[gt2003]

She has been slaloming for 2 years on a 67" P-6. I got a great deal on it, she loved it but now is wanting to advance more in the slalom world. I'm not sure she is ready for the step up to the Vapor. Would the lithium or graphite senate be a good choice? Wakehouse has some great deals and at her weight a 65" would be perfect.

 

Any input on the profile bindings or just stay with the Vectors?

 

She is wanting to try the Hybrid Rear Toe Plate too. Excited for her. I just need to get it ordered!

[Horton]

@gt2003 graphite senate Yes Yes Yes. Please get it from PerfSki.com

[gt2003]

Thanks @Horton, going to check out their selection now.

[jhughes]

Don't count the Vapor out just yet. My wife started running full passes at 26mph the moment she switched to a '14 Vapor Graphite. Then we had an opportunity to move her up to a '14 Lithium (green) and she loved that even more, very consistently running passes and having a LOT more fun than she used to before she went over to either Vapor. Now she has said that she'll never let the green ski go.

[TallSkinnyGuy]

Going from a P6 to a Senate should be a fairly easy transition, but going from a P6 to a high-end ski like the Vapor could be significant. Going to a Senate without demo is pretty safe, but I recommend she demo the Vapor before committing to that one.

[gregy]

One of my ski partners, women just went to a Radar Lyric which the same shape. I think the Senate would be better choice because it has an adjustable fin block, but the Lyric is working well for her.

 

@jhughes is you wife using the suggested size or a size over. I've thought a size larger 14 or 15 Vapor would make a good ski for an entry level course ski.

[gt2003]

Well, I ordered the 2014 Graphite Senate with Vector front and the hybrid RTP. Supposed to come in Thursday. Where can I find the fin/wing settings for the 2014?

[gregy]

I don't think there was a change between 14 and 15 on the Senate.

[gt2003]

Thanks @gregy , its due to come in on Thursday so it will be interesting to see where it is set!

[david_quail]

I'm sure others will offer more insight but for what it's worth, I started slaloming last year and after dabbling with a HO free ride and cx, I went straight into a graphite senate and loved it. Skied at 28mph or 30mph.

It handled great, but as I said, I'm a newbie, so can't exactly compare it with a bunch of others.

 

I also tried the hybrid for fun this year (I'm normally a double boot). Maybe it was just me as I have a wide foot, but it was actually pretty hard to get my heal down. A few others have tried it at the ski club I go to with varying succeess. A few like it, a few really don't. It seems somewhat polarizing.

 

My $0.02

[gt2003]

Well she got to see the ski tonight, tried the bindings and is chomping at the bit to ski it tomorrow. She has an awfully sexy woman's foot and LOVES the bindings at this point. Hoping we can ski tomorrow so she can see for sure. As of now, trying to wipe the smile off her face from getting a new ski/bindings!

[bbirlew]

Skimming the forum thread titles I keep misreading this one as "new ski OR girlfriend. Is graphite senate a good choice"!

[gt2003]

If she can deal with AND take part in my skiing addiction, she's a keeper! So, no new girlfriend!

 

Wind was too high this weekend so no skiing. Weather looks really good next weekend so we'll be on the water Saturday. Hoping she slays it! I get to compare the 2015 Lithium Vapor to the 2016 Alloy Vapor. Should be a fun couple of sets!

[Stevie Boy]

Good ski buddy of mine, didn't want to spend the money on another High end ski, so he brought the Graphite Senate, he is skiing well and I have to say I am pretty impressed with the way the ski turns and it's performance in general, it is certainly not slow.

Good Luck