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Skis for BASI L1 & L2

 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
I am booked onto a BASI Level 1 course at Tamworth in May and, after looking through the BASI website, I’m thinking I need skis appropriate for L1, teaching afterwards (hopefully) and then, maybe, moving onto L2.

My ski locker currently holds new Whitedot CL Rangers (awesome, but a freeride/touring set up), Scott Missions (Telemark bindings) and a geriatric pair of Salomon Xscreams (too long at 192cm), so none of these really fit the bill and, of course, it’s a given that you can never have too many skis.

I’ve been looking at 174cm Atomic Nomad Blackeye Ti and 170cm Salomon Xdrive 80 Ti as possibles, but what do those with some BASI experience recommend?

Both of these are just over the £300 mark on Sport Conrad, which is way cheaper than UK stores. Or would I be better off just using Tamworth’s rental skis and buying something through BASI later on? Btw, I am 77kg and 178cm tall and been skiing for 30+ years.
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I'm not in the BASI system but have trained through the CSIA (just done my Level 3 training) I used the Blackeye Tis and would definitely recommend them. They're a cracking ski, very responsive and versatile and with enough in them to carve high speed turns without a problem. They're perfectly capable in powder as well as long as the technique is there. We skied after a huge dump of fairly heavy and often wind affected snow. I haven't taught on them yet but would think they'll be a really good teaching ski. Mine are 174s; I'm 6ft and about 12 1/2 stone.
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 Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
be interested in what others think but I'd look at something slightly narrower perhaps around 75mm underfoot??

There is/was an article by Lee Townend on what skis to get in one of the BASI PDF news but just had a quick scan and can't find it anywhere
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duncan wrote:
Or would I be better off just using Tamworth’s rental skis


Not this.

For your L1 a decently serviced piste ski should be fine. Where are you in relation to Tamworth ?
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
AndAnotherThing... I tend to agree ... I am not really looking forward to using a tired old rental ski with no edges and a worn out base ... hence the search for something newer

I'm near Ashbourne, about 35 minutes drive time N of Tamworth
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duncan wrote:


My ski locker currently holds new Whitedot CL Rangers (awesome, but a freeride/touring set up), Scott Missions (Telemark bindings) and a geriatric pair of Salomon Xscreams (too long at 192cm), so none of these really fit the bill


Would you teach on any of these skis?
Hopefully not wink

So get yourself a decent pair of piste skis Very Happy
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 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
stewart woodward, I know I need piste skis ... I was asking for recommendations. As you can see from the skis I already own, I've not been on any for years and don't know what's good or bad.
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 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
Head i series magnum, rally or titan are great teaching skis and would do fine for your tech exams at L1 and 2
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+1 - or something similar - Snoworks I think are currently recommending 72mm Salomon 24s. All pro instructors normally have a deal with a particular manufacturer. Magnums are something of an L2 classic.
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If you pass level 1 and all the other bits you will get access to the pro deals.... I got salomon xrace for doing basi 2 as suggested by the instructors
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Something you are comfortable sliding around on; I use Xwing Tornado for my L1 and some Slalom skis (because that is what I had) for L2.

Find something YOU like that is suitable for skiing on piste (mostly) for you L2; A mainly piste ski you like would be fine; The Head's mentioned abouve would be fine!
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 And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
@duncan, ah ok, a bit of a trek from me.
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I love my titans, brilliant on piste skis Smile
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 You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
Thanks for all the good advice, guys. Looks like I'd better go find a pair of Magnums.
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 Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
If you are after an L2 ski think a little wider for variables... whats your height weight?
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 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
skimottaret, I'm 77kg 178cm
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I usually suggest Titans as good all rounders but magnums probably a good bet then given you already have some wider skis... I did my 3 tech on magnums and they were great. the Rallys are a touch softer than the magnums
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 Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Given all the advice to go narrower, I had concluded that the Titans were probably a touch too wide at 80mm.
I had also been trying to find out the differences between the Rally and Magnum, so maybe a slightly softer ski with a few extra mm under foot might not be such a bad idea - thanks!
Hmm ... more thought requried.
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@duncan, personally i would go stiffer, the magnums are wide enough for the slowish variables you will have to do on L2...
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See if you can get some 2nd hand or previous year titans as they were narrower... Mine are 74 or 76mm underfoot I think.

I may sell mine after Easter if my stiffer longer gs skis are ok....
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Just as a matter of curiosity, what would be the equivalent skis in the female specific lines? I would like to try a slightly more piste orientated ski ( I have BBR's which I love 90% of the time, but feel like there may be a better alternative when skiing hardpack all day.). I look to the female specific lines as I need a shorter length.
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I see a good few ladies on Mags and Titans. @lynnecha
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 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
rossignol Experience 80. Spent an afternoon on some recently. Immensely flattering, do everything well, reasonably priced and frankly perfect for consistent, smooth skiing.

Great skis for training.
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@lynnecha, as a matter of interest why do you
Quote:

need a shorter length


Is this because you're linking it to your height? If so, I'd encourage you to forget that, however that does depend on your ability. Once you're at late intermediate / advanced, you should be skiing a ski based on weight, waist (the skis not yours wink ), and stiffness. If you think about it, the world cup skiers don't vary the length of their ski to how tall they are. This is much more of a "punter" metric. Apologies if you are a "punter"!

A
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@lynnecha, My daughter did her level 1 when she was very light and only just 16. We had a job getting piste skis for her which were short enough and stiff enough. She tried some out and got some Blizzard Viva Ultrasonics in 153cm. They really helped her skiing a lot. I'm not sure what the latest incarnation is though.
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@abd, interesting comment. I have been thinking about trying a longer length piste ski- I am 5ft 1in (60kg) and my Soloman BBR's are 149cm but I just feel they are a bit 'twitchy' at speed and a slightly longer length may address that. I have linked them to my height up to now, but probably have the confidence (and speed) to be a bit more adventurous now.

@Claude B, I have seen some Blizzards which are very well reviewed and so they have caught my attention of late.

Thank you both for the input, very helpful. I am going to have a trawl of the hire shops and see what I can find for a trial.
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 And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
@lynnecha, I'd recommend trying something like a 165cm. Are you going away to the mountains soon? I have a pair of 163cm Head Titans that I used for my L2, you'd be welcome to give them a go at Castleford (I'm only in Harrogate, so you could pop by and pick them up. Alternatively I teach at Cas as well, so can always take them there). Let me know if you'd like to give them ago.
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 So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
Thank you @abd, that is really generous. I am in Canada but will pm you when I get back - do you do private lessons at Castleford? I could come down and have a session with them. Thanks.
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 You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
I'm starting my BASI 2 exam on Monday in Meribel and am on the Head Magnums and they are perfect for BASI.
Some others are using the Head iSpeeds and they all seem happy with them!
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 Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Thanks for all the suggestions and advice. I went for 170cm Magnums and toook them to Nendaz last weekend. They are so fast edge to edge it's as if that chip on the back of the ski reads your mind so the ski turns by thought control - very impressive. I am very pleased with my choice.
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 Poster: A snowHead
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@duncan, Cool Cool Cool when you dong your BASI?
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@skimottaret, I'm boooked onto the course at Tamworth at the end of May. Do you have any suggestions on what prep I should do?
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 Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
we run a prep course at Hemel but over the summer so no good for you.. hard to say without having seen you ski to be honest snowHead
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Not too much to add, but I would suggest you use a pair of skis you have used quite a lot if you can.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
@lynnecha, my wife has moved from 150cm BBR Skylites to 156cm Volkl Allura. The Volkls are much better piste skis, great grip on hard pack and a lot more stable at speed.
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@duncan, Hope the course goes well, I'm thinking about doing L1 at some point in Tamworth. Would be good to know how it goes.
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I passed BASI 1 at Tamworth last Friday. 35 hours shadowing then onwards to BASI 2. The Head Magnums were perfect - looking forward to getting much more use out of them.
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 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
@duncan, congratulations Happy
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
Well done @duncan, you'll soon find the courses are surprisingly addictive, and there's always just one more you could do...
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Well done Duncan Happy
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