Kneissl White Star M1X are terrific.
I have skiied Kneissls for almost 30 years (since my teens in the 70s).
I have two pair of M1Xs, 178 and 188.
(I also have a pair of Kneissls from the late 90s, in a 203.)
I like to bomb the Birds of Prey at Beaver Creek (and any other trail I'm on) and both the 178 and the 188 hold the edge and don't chatter in the high speeds.
If you can find a pair and like to go fast - you'll like these.

I just finished my second season of skiing at age 49. Although I am new to the sport, I have given it 110% effort, getting out over 30 times this year. The first season, I skied Atomic 6.20 and felt like I outskied them! I opened this season with a pair of K2 Axis 180cm. 1/2 way through the season, I took a lesson in the "carving technique". Took a lot of spills until I learned to check my speed by coming out of the groove and going back to the more traditional skid turns. Next a bought a pair of Elan 173 SCX Monoblock with around a 12 meter turn radius. What a screemer! After improving my skills, I was amazed at how much better I could ski the K2's! They had a lot of kick! I decided to purchase a new pair of 2002 model Kneissl M1X White star in the 188cm length. My first day out was after a perfect grooming the night before and temps dropping to mid 20's. I was a bit timid the first few runs, but then I let loose and put those babies on edge. I was totally "shocked" that these skis would almost throw me into the back seat with so much turn response. I was expecting som lazy old man turn, but was totally impressed with what I could do with them. Next I tried some balls out kamakazi runs with just a hint of wide radius carving. These things were really stable! As the day progressed, bright sun and temps rose to near 50. The snow began to warm up and soften. Still no signs of problems or loss of control. All in all, I have to say I am completely satisfied with this ski. Of course, as the snow began to really soften up, I skied a bit more conservative, so as not to catch an edge. Unfortunately, it was after the first spill! I am 6'2" and 205 pounds. I would have no problem going up a size to the 193cm, or down to the 183. It's a matter of preference, I think. Or, what will fit in your ski bag! PS. Thanks Tom, for your assistance in choosing this ski!

Super stable at high speeds when I demoed them-came across a pair of oh-so-rare 2003s so I got em. Love these skis-raced on Dynastar in college and felt that they were always too skittish. The Kneissls are bomber stable in a 183, especially with the VIST 12 hole plate. They require lotsa power so be prepared to suck lotsa wind. Boosted the edge grip with a 1 degree base and 3 degree side bevel-they could carve in a hockey rink. The stock chevron grind is super fast too. These are the fastest skis I've ever skied, period

Similar Products Used:

Atomic GS 9 & 11, Volkl P50 and race stock GS, Fischer race stock GS, Rossi 9x and oversize, Salomon 2v, Elan race stock GS, Dynastar A-Drive 63, 64, Race stock GS

I used to race on long Fischer RC4's but decided to go with the crowd and get a GS ski with more sidecut. I tried the Rossi 9X Pro's and the Salomon 102V's in addition to the White Star's. All of them skied vastly better than my RC4's. Out of the 3, the M1X was the most balanced. It doesn't have quite the energy of the Rossi's but is more forgiving, and it has more bite than the Salomon ski in ice. The one issue is that the White Stars need to be skied a bit longer than the Rossi's to get the same stability, so I'm skiing a 193 White Star instead of the 188 cm Rossi or my older 203 Fischers. My one regret is that you could get them $150 cheaper at the end of the season. At that price, they'd be an outstanding deal!

Similar Products Used:

9X Pro, Salomon 102V, RC4 World Cup.