It's my birthday in a few days. Ski sales are on. My Atomic Nomad Crimsons are 6/7 years old. There is new technology. I don't really need the. But I'm hoping I'm not paying and am aiming at £300 for skis and bindings which is just about possible in the sales.
My options are Atomic Vantage 90, Scott the Ski, blizzard Brahma or K2 pinnacle. I have head magnums so this is variable conditions , Spring skiing, slack country rather than true off piste and slushy snow skiing. I'm leaning towards the Vantage, but open to suggestions
Me 6ft 2 , 90-95kg, skied about 25-26 ski advancing skier.. Ski comfortably in reds, in control on steeps and badly in moguls I would be aim to get a ski at 180-185.
Any thoughts ?
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Why aren't the K2 Rictor's on your list?
They are a fantastic ski and incredibly versatile.
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?
Think the k2 is discontinued. Looking for around 90mm underfoot.
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Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
What new technology??
After all it is free
After all it is free
under a new name wrote:
What new technology??
it's the justification, doesn't have to be true. It's shiny, it's precious, I wants one.
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I've just been looking at exactly this kind of ski too and finally decided on the new Volkl 90Eight. I was also looking very closely at the Atomic Vantage 100 and K2 Pinnacle 95 and I'm sure either of those would have been cool too.
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@dan100, It does look like it...
Good for me as mine are just a little busted after many seasons of abuse... that means I should be able to grab a steal somewhere this summer!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
@dan100: where do you intend to buy Blizzard Brahma (local shop or online ski shop?) and for what price?
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.
That's the most challenging in the length I need to bring within budget.
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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
I am also considering Blizzard Brahma from my all-mountain ski selection which includes Rossignol Experience 88 and Salomon xDrive 8.8.
I also find challenging finding these skis in length 180...
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
That's always the issue with sales, they seem to sell out first in the longer lengths for some reason. You'd think by now they would be able to work out how many pairs to make in each length based on demand. But it's invariably the short ones that end up left on the shelf at the end of the season. It took me ages to find the skis I wanted in a mid 180s length.
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Looking at price and availability I think it's boiling down to k2 pinnacle in 184, Scott the Ski in 180 or Atomic Vantage in 184. Anyone skied all three. The older k2 amp rictor 90 can be bought for around £300 with binding.
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
I only paid €200 for my last pair which lasted yonks (local advantages ... I'd still say they are worth every penny of that £300. Decent binding too (but fit to the ski).
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Looking at price and availability I think it's boiling down to k2 pinnacle in 184, Scott the Ski in 180 or Atomic Vantage in 184. Anyone skied all three. The older k2 amp rictor 90 can be bought for around £300 with binding.
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?
uktrailmonster wrote:
That's always the issue with sales, they seem to sell out first in the longer lengths for some reason. You'd think by now they would be able to work out how many pairs to make in each length based on demand. But it's invariably the short ones that end up left on the shelf at the end of the season. It took me ages to find the skis I wanted in a mid 180s length.
It's like buying size 9 shoes - the lengths one or two down from the top of size range will always sell out first as they suit the most (male) people. Also they are the size that powerful female skiers will end up going for in many cases.
That's always the issue with sales, they seem to sell out first in the longer lengths for some reason. You'd think by now they would be able to work out how many pairs to make in each length based on demand. But it's invariably the short ones that end up left on the shelf at the end of the season. It took me ages to find the skis I wanted in a mid 180s length.
It's like buying size 9 shoes - the lengths one or two down from the top of size range will always sell out first as they suit the most (male) people. Also they are the size that powerful female skiers will end up going for in many cases.
I know this, but you would think that manufacturers and retailers would know this too and be smart enough to compensate with the volume of each size they make and sell. But it seems to be a surprise to them every season and the most popular sizes invariably sell out first.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
dan100 wrote:
Looking at price and availability I think it's boiling down to k2 pinnacle in 184, Scott the Ski in 180 or Atomic Vantage in 184. Anyone skied all three. The older k2 amp rictor 90 can be bought for around £300 with binding.
I doubt you'll find many people who have skied them all except for reviewers. There are some good reviews over on Blister Gear that I always find useful. Here's their review of the K2 Pinnacle 95 and they've reviewed some of the Atomic Vantage range too, not sure about the Scott:-
If you can't make your mind up based on review strengths and weaknesses, I'd probably just choose based on the best deal and which one you like the look of best. They are all going to do the same job perfectly well and as far as I've read they all get great reviews. I doubt you could go wrong really providing you get the right length.
That's always the issue with sales, they seem to sell out first in the longer lengths for some reason. You'd think by now they would be able to work out how many pairs to make in each length based on demand. But it's invariably the short ones that end up left on the shelf at the end of the season. It took me ages to find the skis I wanted in a mid 180s length.
It's like buying size 9 shoes - the lengths one or two down from the top of size range will always sell out first as they suit the most (male) people. Also they are the size that powerful female skiers will end up going for in many cases.
I know this, but you would think that manufacturers and retailers would know this too and be smart enough to compensate with the volume of each size they make and sell. But it seems to be a surprise to them every season and the most popular sizes invariably sell out first.
Erm, or they're being smart enough to make the right amount of skis in the core lengths to sell at full price before sales start?
Or is your argument that they're making too many in short lengths? It sounds like you're comparing they're not making enough in long lengths to last until sale periods.
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
clarky999 wrote:
Or is your argument that they're making too many in short lengths?
^This mainly, but probably also not quite enough of the longer ones as they often run out even well before the sales start. It's always the shorties that end up on super sale prices right at the end (and any lemons in all lengths that get consistently pants reviews)
After all it is free
After all it is free
^ OK take the Nordica Enforcer - it did phenomenally well in the US. Sold out in all major sizes well before post Xmas discounting. Did they underproduce? Well possibly not really - they were able to get early release 16/17 stock into the shops mid season to mop up latent demand and still maintain their "undiscounted" price point. & they'll have hype to spare running into next season. Selling out is not a problem for ski brands - it's a market flooded with surplus of last years stock that is the problem - ask Rossi back in the Quiksilver days.
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Dave of the Marmottes wrote:
Selling out is not a problem for ski brands - it's a market flooded with surplus of last years stock that is the problem
IME it's a problem when attempting to buy longer length skis in the end of season sales and that surplus of last year's stock you mention are nearly always too short! So they must be over-producing the short ones no?
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Ski the Net with snowHeads
You see the same thing with clothes too. I imagine that the higher the volume of a product (in a given size) the easier it is to predict the volume that will shift at full price. Any maths experts around that could confirm that?
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Basically not enough pixies buy skis and/or there aren't enough pixies. While ski manufacturers have the moulds they may as well press for smaller sizes given having a surplus of pixie skis knocking about doesn't hurt their main sizes but in the longer term it means they just stop producing moulds in those sizes so pixie ski choice is reduced.
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.
184cm Dynastar 97 2.0.
Just an amazing ski!! Go test it
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
Charliee wrote:
184cm Dynastar 97 2.0.
Just an amazing ski!! Go test it
That ski got a great review on the SCGB tests - came out top.
Gets generally good reviews elsewhere too, but not hyped quite so much as the above review
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
Probably was think 90mm under foot rather than nearer 100mm
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
I think any of your original shortlist would be just fine. Unless you actually get to test them yourself, I don't think you're going to be able to differentiate them any further from all the internet reviews. Even if someone else has skied all 3, it will be their personal preference too. So just pick the one that appeals most and enjoy! They're all going to perform.
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Only just seen this but check out a shop called Sail and Ski in Chester. Some keen prices on a variety of skis.
Like you, I was toying with getting an All Mountain ski....my current skis (Atomic 11.20s) were bought in 03 and were what passed as a Freeride ski, back then (107 70 98 )...so I felt something wider might make life easier.
After an awful lot of research, I narrowed it down to Scott The Ski and Blizzard Brahma. According to the feedback, The Ski is a more relaxed ride, whereas the Brahmas have more of a "Race Lab" feel.
It was my intention to test both during next years holiday, but despite these admiral intentions, when some of the Scotts came up for sale at £280 including bindings, I just couldn't resist.
I would expect The Ski to be easier to handle, more playful, with better float in powder and slightly easier in moguls; whereas the Brahmas will be more stable and better frontside carvers, but will need more concentration at the helm....a bit like my old X Screams vs 11.20s.
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?
I had a quick run on a pair of Salomon X-drive 8.8's which seemed to tick the all mountain box. Cham 97's are also on my list and the likely option.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
So today's my birthday and apparently snow and Rock will be elivering shiny new atomic vantage 90 skis with atomic ffg bindings for around £300 after a 10% voucher code. Now the long summer wait till I can use them.
@dan100, It does look like it...
Good for me as mine are just a little busted after many seasons of abuse... that means I should be able to grab a steal somewhere this summer!
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
flangesax wrote:
@dan100, It does look like it...
Good for me as mine are just a little busted after many seasons of abuse... that means I should be able to grab a steal somewhere this summer!
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
I've had a pair of the K2 Amp Rictor 90 XTi's for the last two seasons. They were recommended to me by a mountain guide and have been fantastic. Interestingly several other mountain guides I skied with or met last season were also using them. As already mentioned they have been discontinued and replaced by the Ikonic but if you search you can still get hold of them at a discount. They are a firm ski up until the rocker so good for carving on piste and for powering through crud, but beyond the rocker they are soft to give good lift in the powder.
They go anywhere. I ended up skiing on them out of preference all season last year.
FAQ
Poster: A snowHead
I would be aim to get a ski at 180-185.
