How do you choose, do you just take your favorite ski?
If you don't mind more detail and 'TLDR'...
Since it looks like most of us have a quiver to select from, what is your thought process to decide what ski you would use to receive instruction or for training? To use the automobile analogy, what if you have skis that range from luxury rides (more forgiving, requires less attention, a 'casual' piste ski - all mountain) to performance rides (less forgiving, demanding, a 'sporting' ski - a racer)? Do you go with the easy riders so you can focus on learning and make the lesson more fun? Or do you go with a harder ski to gain experience with it and to push yourself? I am especially interested in hearing if people use multiple skis for lessons and training to vary their tools for progression and for fun.
My perspective: I have only used a carving ski for my lessons, at least two group classes a season. That ski is a Volkl T50 4 star Supersport, 178cm/17m. It is an easy ski and a lot of fun. I am 5'11" 200#, low intermediate skier, meaning I can get down a mountain over most marked trails with skis on my feet (not the same as 'skiing') using some recognizable techniques. It is my favorite ski and I only use it for on-piste plus or minus a couple inch dusting of powder. For lessons, it has served me well. I think the techniques taught (intermediate level content like controlling speed with turn shape or improving turning mechanics using pole plants, flexion, and extension) were just as easily executed on my other skis. I am contemplating taking my cheater skis (Atomic Redster D2 GS 184cm/19m) out for my next lesson but I'm not sure if I'd enjoy the lesson as much since it is a more demanding ski (heavier, stiffer, needs constant attention to stay on top of) - but - taking the more demanding ski to a lesson is going to show more of my inefficiencies and the lesson will give me quality time and experience with this ski. I regard that as a big plus to use the cheater skis during the lesson.
If you don't mind more detail and 'TLDR'...
Since it looks like most of us have a quiver to select from, what is your thought process to decide what ski you would use to receive instruction or for training? To use the automobile analogy, what if you have skis that range from luxury rides (more forgiving, requires less attention, a 'casual' piste ski - all mountain) to performance rides (less forgiving, demanding, a 'sporting' ski - a racer)? Do you go with the easy riders so you can focus on learning and make the lesson more fun? Or do you go with a harder ski to gain experience with it and to push yourself? I am especially interested in hearing if people use multiple skis for lessons and training to vary their tools for progression and for fun.
My perspective: I have only used a carving ski for my lessons, at least two group classes a season. That ski is a Volkl T50 4 star Supersport, 178cm/17m. It is an easy ski and a lot of fun. I am 5'11" 200#, low intermediate skier, meaning I can get down a mountain over most marked trails with skis on my feet (not the same as 'skiing') using some recognizable techniques. It is my favorite ski and I only use it for on-piste plus or minus a couple inch dusting of powder. For lessons, it has served me well. I think the techniques taught (intermediate level content like controlling speed with turn shape or improving turning mechanics using pole plants, flexion, and extension) were just as easily executed on my other skis. I am contemplating taking my cheater skis (Atomic Redster D2 GS 184cm/19m) out for my next lesson but I'm not sure if I'd enjoy the lesson as much since it is a more demanding ski (heavier, stiffer, needs constant attention to stay on top of) - but - taking the more demanding ski to a lesson is going to show more of my inefficiencies and the lesson will give me quality time and experience with this ski. I regard that as a big plus to use the cheater skis during the lesson.