Intermediate on 'expert' skiis

I am sure Ian is right.

Advanced could be advanced as in good for going really fast. In this case seems to mean advanced as in you just bought a powder ski.

AllyG said "I would guess that means ski-ing so far off piste that you have to carry your skis to get there! " Sometimes when touring / hiking you carry skis. More usually you would put on a touring binding and walk uphill on the skis, and here is where light weight of ski and boots makes the going a lot less tiring. Notice that this ski has a notch in the tail so you can attach skins for this type of hiking.

If you keep the ski, it would be a great start, with some touring bindings, to get into a bit of touring, first up the side of the piste, and skiing down in whatever powder is within your skill (maybe with an instructor); then maybe book a guided tour and take them for some real off-piste adventure.

I couldn't find a review for your Hells Belles, but I did find one for the Nordica Wild Belle (the one in SwingBeep's second Youtube video on your other thread about this). This is what it said:

http://www.skinet.com/ski/gear/nordica-wild-belle-2013

The Wild Belle is a thoroughbred, to be sure. It requires some expert handling, but it rewards with such flowing power that you can almost feel its muscles rippling underneath you. No. 1 in Hard-Snow Grip and Stability, it begs you to lay your hip down, but its "beefy but subtle" combination means it won't buck you if you get off center, either. Still, it's driven, confident, and utterly focused, which means it's not for the casual skier. Ride it hard and let its mane fly. Notes: Nordica's Hell & Back collection is a group of skis designed for modern all-mountain skiers whose daily adventures may include carving groomers and skiing glades inbounds and a few back- or sidecountry skin laps. Except for the Avenger and First Belle, these skis all feature light and stiff "i-core" wood cores and one of two Nordica rocker/camber, or "camrock," blends: either "early rise" or "high rise." The former blend is for general conditions while the latter is primarily for powder. Like Nordica's unisex Burner, the women-specific Wild Belle is more groomer-oriented than it's wider siblings. It uses the "early rise" camber/rocker blend.
PRICE (MSRP): $749.00
Product Specifications | How We Test
Year 2012/2013
Level Expert, Hi-Expert
MSRP $749.00
Gender Female
Awards Gold Medal Gear
Binding flat
Lengths 154, 162, 170
Tip/Waist/Tail 126-84-112
Rating: Stability at Speed 4.70 / 5
Rating: Maneuverability 2.41 / 5
Rating: Hard Snow Grip 4.39 / 5
Rating: Crud Performance 3.16 / 5
Rating: Forgiveness 3.19 / 5
Rating: Flotation 2.23 / 5
Rating: Overall 3.29 / 5


I have no idea which ski would suit you better, but I thought you'd like to see this review.

I got this Hells Bell(e)s review via google : http://skigenie.com/ski-reviews-2/nordica-hells-belles-ski-review-2012-2013-a-top-womens-all-mountain-ski/

This site http://www.skis.com/Nordica-Hells-Belles-Womens-Skis-2013/277225P,default,pd.html?src=affiliate&utm_source=AvantLink&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=ProductCatalog&mr:trackingCode=FEFA37FD-7E02-E211-BFCC-001B21A69EB0&mr:referralID=NA&avad=33227_d39d7d13 has both Hells Belles and Wild Belles. There is a review tab on that site. These skis are well liked there, apart from one who says they are more for powder than carving.

As Ian said, you will adjust to it and will be fine. So it might be a little hard to turn by modern standards, but no ski can be best for all conditions.

Thanks so much for taking the time to help me. The shop is closed today Monday of course but they can't really tell me anything different.
From the review videos (thanks) they look hardish to steer in tight turns taking more energy which is what sb meant about not particularly good for weak knees . They sort of fit my character actually and I do like the sound of the way they handle. I agree Innsbrucker - great opp to try some touring eventually. They did feel solid and comfy underfoot so I guess I'll bite the bullet. I'm nothing like as good as I should be for them but it may prevent me from skiing timidly and may bring on my level.
Serve me right really for impulse buying... I am such a kid!

Lengths 154, 162, 170
Tip/Waist/Tail 126-84-112
Not exactly a wide ski but look pretty boring unless you want to straight line groomers.

Perhaps Salomon Rocker 2 90 (399$), would be a better bet? Fun on piste and still wide enough for bit of fun in powder. Even Enduro would work quite well for you.

In general I would go for liveliest ski possible as very few people really require stability at high speed.

To be fair i don't think they will want them back after you have used them on a dry slope!

You know what i would do? I would quit worrying about it. Take them to France and see how you get on, if you don't find them appropriate then hire some for the rest of your trip. You can always keep them for the future.
They are wide underfoot but not excessively, they should be ok for the piste and given the recent DUMP in the Alps they may turn out to be just what you need.

Thanks Snapzzz
I had come to exactly that conclusion too.
Cheers :)

Well have to say disagree. You would not be first person to take skis back (have done before, pair of Rossignol something from Snow and Rock around 1996, skied on them once for 30min and knew they were not for me). Right now you can take back and will lose a small amount based on them being drilled. However shop also has excess 2013 stock they need to shift so you are in decent bargaining position to pick something else out.

Dull ski remains dull. You will lose more money on adding ski bag to next flight and then renting that you will lose by returning ski. Width is not the issue here, just looks a bit boring ski from all reviews, straight line charger (does look very cool though). What were the other options in the shop as realistically you are now committed to buying something from them.