Although I should be adding a dedicated piste ski to my quiver I find myself lusting over big fat skis...
Currently love my r108's and directors (similar dimensions but totally different skis)for fresh snow days. First thoughts would be WD redeemers but they stopped making these a few years ago so what's the other options.....
Although would qk shifts on to them I would have no interest in touring on them (got lightweight plus the r108's set up for this).
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
@WASHOUT, just how dedicated do you want to go? IME truly fat and pure powder skis (eg my 194cm 135mm Down Countdown 1s) are far more usable on not-super-deep days than you'd think, however you really do want to be skiing untracked snow on them. 20cm untracked feels bottomless; 1m but quickly tracked feels like a lot of work.
One of the most fun, and reasonable versatile, powder skis I've tried in the last few years was the old style (second gen, asymmetric version) Blizzard Spur. You can find them new and fairly cheap online still - I guess they look too exotic to sell well!
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’ve got DPS 138 (192cm, 138mm) and Spoons (190cm, 148mm), both are phenomenal in new snow or deep powder, but are a liability on ice or bumps, and exit traverses due to the full reverse camber and short running edge. Unfortunately neither are available new at the moment, but you might find them available.
3 weeks experience and you’re already after a big pow ski! Kudos...
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
I would have loved to progressed that far in my 1st 3 weeks unfortunately the 1st 6 years of skiing I was a one week a year,king of the easy groomers (horrified when look back as i was the type of skier i dislike now, fast, reckless and no technique on blue runs)..... Then I foolishly went on the not PSB bash many years ago,my bank account has never been the same again with my best season was 18/19 with 7 weeks half of which was in Canada.
My sister, bro in law and twin neices are new to skiing (3 weeks) and turn to me for advice, often I don't know so I ask on here as I dont want them to make the same mistakes I did!
Last edited by Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do. on Mon 30-11-20 10:55; edited 4 times in total
I want to stress this is a dedicated powder ski, I am happy to carry this on 3 or 4 trips for one perfect day.... I am booked for Canada this year and I am planning a few days catskiing there. japan or a dedicated cat trip next season is on the cards..
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
@WASHOUT, rent? won't a cat skiing op have decent powder skis?
After all it is free
After all it is free
Rent would be a smart move for a ski that wont be used a lot but I dont like renting.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
Quote:
Rent would be a smart move for a ski that wont be used a lot
This.
Quote:
but I dont like renting.
Why not? A properly decent shop will keep their fleet in excellent nick. You can pick and choose. You've only done 3 weeks skiing? (Right?) renting definitely a good idea. IMO.
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
I'm a big fan of my Atomic Bent Chetler 120s. Bought them 2nd hand last season and only used them three times but on the one bluebird powder day we had at Grand Montets they were dreeeeamy. The size, but more the forward mounting position took a little getting used to but only about 1.5 runs.
As others have said, surprisingly usable on piste as well. My girlfriend said I looked more stylish skiing down a chopped up bumpy red than I do on my normal skis (102mm) although I debate this
EDIT: just seen you've only skied a few weeks. I'd echo the renting idea then, I bought a pair of skis before moving to Cham and quickly regretted it. I rented/tested 6 or 7 pairs (thank you Concept) before getting my current skis which I've loved for 3 seasons. The Bent Chetlers I got cheap from a mate but I still tried them before buying
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
Regarding 3 weeks on the snow, I often ask questions on here on behalf of my sister who is new to the sport 3 weeks over last 2 seasons. I have been skiing for a bit longer.
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.
Quote:
I rented/tested 6 or 7 pairs
This. We bought our previous Mantras (2010) having rented some a few years prior. But when they wore out we took advantage of Concept and tested everything that vaguely fitted the mould. I think we tried 6 different models? i've said elsewhere, all very similar geometry on paper, surprisingly very different feels.
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
WASHOUT wrote:
Regarding 3 weeks on the snow, I often ask questions on here on behalf of my sister who is new to the sport 3 weeks over last 2 seasons. I have been skiing for a bit longer.
Ok well it's up to you obviously. I think the BCs are very approachable as far as powder skis go and you wouldn't necessarily feel the need to change out of them for the afternoon when its all tracked out (plus pretty much all models are lovely to look at!). I'd still recommend trying before buying though, where possible.
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
My experience of renting has been poor but it was at the budget end of skis and I was new to the sport, tbh I did rent a touring rig when I started touring a few seasons ago in aviemore and ended up buying the same rig (superguides, whizz skins and alpinist bindings) . Problem is when conditions are right I dont want to faff with renting (although I would have to change over bindings anyway).
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Quote:
but I dont like renting.
The majority of experienced/ regular heli-skiers rent their gear.
Rental is included in the price at many places (eg Northern Escape, Wiegele etc). Where it's not, the operator will
carry a stack of gear precisely appropriate to the terrain. If it's cat-based then they can even carry a couple of pairs
for you to swap around if you ask nicely. Resort based operators tend not to rent gear as there are rental shops
in the resort... but ask the operator for a recommendation for shops which supply the right kind of gear.
If people have to ask what they should buy (!) in my view their best solution is to rent like the experts do.
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
This is like trying to advise you what ice cream flavour to buy, only you can ultimately decide what you like. Your skill level and body weight amongst other factors will make a difference.
In your position I'd be inclined to go to a resort with lots of off piste (e.g. Cham, Verbier, St Anton or similar - USA/Canada even better) and test many skis (arrange to rent for a few days and make clear you can change the skis up to X times per day beforehand). Then buy the ones you like (agree discount of rental coats from skis beforehand)
The K2 Reckoner (122mm waist) might be worth adding to your shortlist.
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Mon 30-11-20 14:41; edited 1 time in total
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Powder cat skiing dont rent gear direct but can point you in the right direction. I simply like to own my own gear I can chop and change as when needed but more importantly I get to know my gear, if I have any gear failure it's my fault not somebody else! Asking on here has served me well over the years apart from the €99 corrupt fire sale on sport conrad although I shifted them for £100 on fleebay the following season.
Last edited by Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person on Mon 30-11-20 12:29; edited 1 time in total
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?
@WASHOUT, yeah, "budget" end of rental not necessarily a great place!
I like the idea of a bigger version of the directors but ski a bit shorter with more lift. I would prob take 3 or 4 sets to Canada might ditch the directors if get a fat set up. Would also take the superguides haven't used them much.
Last edited by You'll need to Register first of course. on Mon 30-11-20 12:20; edited 1 time in total
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
There is something intangible about having a good powder ski on a deep day - when you just know you aren't going to submarine and you can dive down pitches with confidence and open up the speed a bit. That said a pure play powder ski doesn't get that much use if you fly to ski whereas a BIG all mountain in the 118-120ish width might be possible. Recently I've taken a big and a moderate all mountain on trips to N America. Sometimes the big gets used the majority of the time (when its dumping frequently) and others not at all.
In your circumstance I'd hold out for someone flipping big skis at a decent price here.
After all it is free
After all it is free
Lots of great pow skis out there but IME they all feel different. If you’re willing to drop the cash the DPS Alchemist 124 is an amazing ski, and the one I reach for in Verbier if it’s a fresh snow day (doesn’t matter if it’s 10cm or 30cm). If it’s 50cm @PowderAdict Spoons are an option! Also have the Blizzard Rustler 11, mentioned in the reviews above. It’s more of an all rounder than pure pow ski, excellent in chopped up stuff and fine if you need to do a few piste laps. I also tried the Scott Scrapper 115 in a 189 and found it very stiff. A mate has Bent Chetler 120’s mentioned above. Very light for a big ski but forward mounted and a bit of a marmite ski it seems. It’s often hard to find a good range of big pow skis to test in Europe so not as easy to test a big range as it seems. Blister reviews are the most accurate IME if you want others unbiased opinions.
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@WASHOUT, If you did decide to stick with Whitedot, we have:
The new Ragnarok Asym, current ski, last chance to bag pre-season pricing this week.
One pair left of Redeemer 190 in carbonLite (there not on the website as someone deleted the product page ). They won't be massively cheap as they are CL and last of a very popular model.
Several pairs of aging but still in the wrapper Redeemer 180's in trad. Not sure of your dims, but if these aren't too short then they will be a hell of a bargain.
If any are of any interest you can PM me or speak to Jon at the Piste Office.
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
How about the Bents here if you're serious but don't want to break the bank - do a deal - ski em. Flip em on for £150+ if you don't like em
@Dave of the Marmottes, already sent Washout a PM on this - but thanks for thinking of me
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.
Was tempted with atomics but the redeemers have taken my attention.
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
@WASHOUT,
I picked up a pair of old model redeemers from spyderjon a couple of years ago and I love them when there is fresh snow. They are incredibly manouverable and obviously float like a boat. Pretty horrible on a firm piste though.
I has a trip planned to Canada at Easter but covid intervened. Was planning to ski mainly Whistler but with a a bit of backcountry and one or two heli days. Despite that I was only going to take my R108s. Flying with multiple pairs is just a PITA and although the redeemers would be better, I wouldn't be spending a powder day on R108s wishing that I'd brought the redeemers - I'd be having too much fun.
To my mind, a ski like a redeemer only really makes sense if you regularly drive somewhere that gets lots of powder or are lucky enough to have ski storage in resort (my situation)
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
The ASYMs are the natural successor to the Redeemer to be honest, they improve the Reds on their weak points whilst maintaining the majority of their benefits in deep snow. They are way more versatile on the pistes in between pow runs and float like a boat!
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
@WASHOUT, I've a pair of redeemers for sale . if interested pm me an email address and I can send you details, photos etc
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
jedster wrote:
.......Flying with multiple pairs is just a PITA......
It isn't with QK inserts fitted, which the OP has.
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
spyderjon wrote:
jedster wrote:
.......Flying with multiple pairs is just a PITA......
It isn't with QK inserts fitted, which the OP has.
With respect, that just makes it a bit less of a PITA.
Family of four, four pairs of skis, four pairs of boots, four avvy packs, four helmets. That is plenty! The last thing you want is more skis, in particular a highly specialised ski that you might use , what, one day per week on average?
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?
@jedster, unless you drive
but in these mad times dreaming of conditions where such a ski would shine does bring a smile to my face!!
.......Flying with multiple pairs is just a PITA......
It isn't with QK inserts fitted, which the OP has.
With respect, that just makes it a bit less of a PITA.
Family of four, four pairs of skis, four pairs of boots, four avvy packs, four helmets. That is plenty! The last thing you want is more skis, in particular a highly specialised ski that you might use , what, one day per week on average?
As the Doc says, I think you’ll find the recent batch of pow skis are much better in mixed/piste conditions than the first gen without giving up anything in the pow. I tried my old Volkl Kuros on a powder day a couple of seasons ago and was surprised how unwieldy they were compared to the current pow skis, which you can genuinely use in all conditions with no problems.
Buying an old model pow ski is a false economy IMO given what’s about now at reasonable prices.
Last edited by You need to Login to know who's really who. on Wed 2-12-20 11:14; edited 1 time in total
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
I usually fly with 3 pairs with BA and two pairs with easyjet.
.......Family of four, four pairs of skis, four pairs of boots, four avvy packs, four helmets. That is plenty! The last thing you want is more skis, in particular a highly specialised ski that you might use , what, one day per week on average?
That's an unfair comparison. For those who are only responsible for their own luggage then flying with 2/3 pairs of skis flat packed sharing one binding is easy. If there's dump then I want to be on my big ski. For pre-April skiing I reckon you're right at 1 day per week average use in Yurp but it would be a lot more in NA and daily in Japan. For April skiing in Yurp I'll be on them daily.
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Still don't think it makes sense really - outside the peak periods it'll be quicker to walk down to the hire shop and take a pair of big skis for a day than get your drivers and loctite out!
Before we bought our place I used to fly with skis a lot and I hardly ever bothered taking more than one pair.
Now if you have a roof box on a car it's a different story!
After all it is free
After all it is free
jedster wrote:
Still don't think it makes sense really - outside the peak periods it'll be quicker to walk down to the hire shop and take a pair of big skis for a day than get your drivers and loctite out!
Before we bought our place I used to fly with skis a lot and I hardly ever bothered taking more than one pair.
Depends if you can find a rental shop with them! Renting in the 115mm or so bracket is quite easy, but it's a lot harder to find genuinely dedicated powder skis (as in the OP) to rent.
2 pairs of skis, one pair of bindings and 1 pair boots in something like a Dakine Fall-Line Double ski bag is quite easy to fly with, at least for single travellers.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
clarky999 wrote:
Depends if you can find a rental shop with them! Renting in the 115mm or so bracket is quite easy, but it's a lot harder to find genuinely dedicated powder skis (as in the OP) to rent.
2 pairs of skis, one pair of bindings and 1 pair boots in something like a Dakine Fall-Line Double ski bag is quite easy to fly with, at least for single travellers.
This - most places there is a very limited supply of true powder skis. I once had luggage delayed in St Anton and went round the shops looking for something suitable to rent for the next day powder day. Being laughably presented with some sub 100mm skis as "these are our fattest skis" was a bit of a joke.
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
clarky999 wrote:
jedster wrote:
Still don't think it makes sense really - outside the peak periods it'll be quicker to walk down to the hire shop and take a pair of big skis for a day than get your drivers and loctite out!
Before we bought our place I used to fly with skis a lot and I hardly ever bothered taking more than one pair.
Depends if you can find a rental shop with them! Renting in the 115mm or so bracket is quite easy, but it's a lot harder to find genuinely dedicated powder skis (as in the OP) to rent.
2 pairs of skis, one pair of bindings and 1 pair boots in something like a Dakine Fall-Line Double ski bag is quite easy to fly with, at least for single travellers.
I might be missing something here - I regularly fly with 2 pairs of skis to Europe, but those two pairs are a piste "dedicated" ski and a c.100 freeride ski. I have over the years probably said to myself on very few occasions that I wish I had something even fatter in Europe.
The idea of taking a c130mm+ ski and then a narrower c.105mm just doesn't make sense. A new generation c.100-105 skis well enough in Euro-Powder and spring corn as well on a piste for when you do occasionally use the pistes. When it is tracked out, you're not doing BC or touring, then surely you want to have a piste day you drop onto a slalom/GS or 75mm width ski and all is well.
Have to admit I haven't tried a 130mm+ski in Japan - but I can say the 118mm ski has not failed me there - and surely part of the decision is your skiing style - do you want to be surfing and slashing the pow - or do you want to be a bit more in it?
FAQ
Poster: A snowHead
). They won't be massively cheap as they are CL and last of a very popular model.
