![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) Poster: A snowHead
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I note that a lot of people on snowheads seem to use what I'd call detuned GS skis -in the Voelkl 5star category. Is this due to general versatility, a fit with "traditional" ski technique or a desire mainly to carve on groomers? I only ask because from a number of trips to North America this category would seem to be being killed by fatter skis looking at what people with newer kit are skiing.
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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fatbob, I suspect mainly carving on groomers. I think there's a bit of a fat ski fad going on that will reverse a bit once folks get their ehad round the fact that having 2cm each side of your boot is inefficient. I suspect the Atomic Metron B5/Rossi oversize profiles will proliferate.
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) 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?
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fatbob, you'll see people on fatter skis in some resorts, particularly in the US.Canada, because of the "fad going on" at teh minute for skiing powder. If people would only learn that it is inefficient to ski powder, and get back to skiing groomers, then they'll all be on skinny skis again.
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) You need to Login to know who's really who.
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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They should ban over 80mm waist and bob's your uncle....
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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veeeight, I was just mis-quoting DM!
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David Murdoch, I think it's rather a case of those 2cm on either side of the boot being as inefficient on the groomers as the lack thereof is inefficient in powder.
Of course both types of skis can be made to work well in any conditions by a good skier. But they do have different strengths and weaknesses.
I haven't skied the Metron so can't comment. However, really good skiers who use (super)fats go for less sidecut, not more. Apparently it's to do with a) being able to do wide turns and b) big-sidecut skis catching.
I wish I could ski the Spatula once, just to see what it's like.
On a different subject, easiski says we should meet and ski sometime.
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Wear The Fox Hat, that'll be the famous US East coast powder then?
Just consider the needs of the average, mainstream skier. Something that makes turning easier on piste. What are the marketers offering? Something that makes it disturbingly to venture off piste on the rare days that you get powder. (Unless you live in Utah.)
If you only ski 1 week a year it's reasonable that you'll quite rarely see powder!
So why compromise when you're spending your hard won £££ on kit is all I'm alluding to.
Something like the B5 would seem to be a reasonable way forwards. Great on piste performance and I am led to understand good off piste as well.
Cedric, erzactly. IMHO though the number of times the average purchaser of these fatties is going to ski off piste at all, nevermind in powder, is small. It's a poor payoff.
I haven't skied the Matron either, although I am very curious. If I was really good, I think my 218 DH boards would be perfect - if maybe a little stiff. Long, wide, no sidecut.
I'd love to try the Spats too - although I can't get my head around the physics.
Does she? Always delighted - where are you skiing this year?
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) 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.
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Anyone play a round of golf with just one club? You work hard for your money, buy as many skis as you like.
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JT, I agree. Ban anything over 180mm in the waste.
David Murdoch, I skied Spats for a day. It was good, all lift served off piste so a few groomers to and from, they were just weird on the hard stuff. Unfortuntely no real powder to enjoy, they were OK in other off piste conditions from crud to concrete. Felt great when landing anything big. If I lived in Mount Baker, AK or owned a heli I'd have a pair for my quiver.
As Biggie SZK was saying t'other day the future of freeride skis will have a waste of around 105mm. I believe it too, just seeing what different people are doing. Fat skis aren't new, it's balancing fat skis with a little sidecut and with progrssive flex that allow them to be so versitile.
Metrons, Zags and other mid-fat to fat skis with large amounts of sidecut maybe the future for owning one pair of skis.
I don't like too much sidecut, hey, if I wanted to turn I'd take up ballroom dancing.
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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parlor, I agree. Also, given that you can pick up bargains on ebay etc. these days, having a pair of fat skis for the occassion when the conditions cry out for them, can be achieved at a not insurmountable price.
BTW, have you decided what bindings to mount on your Prophet 130s yet???
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) 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.
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I confess I've got some fat twins - lucked out buying them just before I went to California last New Year & fluked the storm of the season. Needless to say didn't ski on my skinny 70mm "freeride" skis at all (just shows how the labels change over a few seasons). Now it wasn't sheet ice but I found the fatties more than tolerable on groomers & corn/crud later in the season that I wonder about whether to bother packing other skis this year.
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) You know it makes sense.
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David Murdoch wrote: |
If you only ski 1 week a year it's reasonable that you'll quite rarely see powder! |
Unless you go to:
Alberta
British Columbia
California
Colorado
Montana
New Mexico
Wyoming
...
(you've already mentioned Utah)
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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David Murdoch wrote: |
If you only ski 1 week a year it's reasonable that you'll quite rarely see powder! |
Recent years I have only skied in France but almost every one of these weeks I have skied powder. Admittedly there have been some weeks without recent snow falls and so a bit of walking was needed to get to places where no one else had skied. But even old powder is powder and it can be very nice powder.
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) Poster: A snowHead
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The other thing is that fat skis without too much sidecut help in a wide range of off-piste snow conditions - not just powder. They're better in slush, crud and all sorts of other unpleasantness
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Wear The Fox Hat, Adrian, Arno, true, I just think there are more fat skis being sold than fat ski skiers!
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) 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?
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I think I agree with you, David, about more fat skis being sold than the number of people who could or should ski them. Some of the off piste skiing you see near the piste is scary. People with no skill and no mountain awareness going down wierd slopes on high avalanche risk days.
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Adrian, for sure. I should also have said well done for being such a powder hound. I seem to only get lots of SMSs about powder when I'm not there!
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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David Murdoch,
Know exactly how u feel...me too..!!
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