Struggling To Choose New Skis

A snowHead

@SkiG, 170 is not necessarily too short for the Magnum which is 170/r13. I'm about the same weight as the OP (which matters much more than height) and I often ski on 165/r13 world cup SL skis. Admittedly they are stiffer than even the Magnums, but I rather doubt that the OP will overpower them. That's not to say that the 177/r14 might feel better, but that's more a question of taste.

However if the OP wants to go longer I would advise considering a model with a slightly longer turn radius. Hence my suggestion of looking at the iSupershape Speed in 177/r15.5 or 184/r16.6

My shortest skis are 165/r13 and my longest skis are 215/r45. The 165s are not too short and neither are the 215s too long. They are just different types of ski and for completely different kinds of skiing.

A snowHead

Hi everyone,
Thank you all very very much for all your comments. I think the ibuprofen comment did take things off topic and to some extent I do agree that taking them regularly isn't a good idea. I'm a strong, fit, healthy 33 year old and avoid taking ibuprofen/paracetamol wherever possible, so I think I'll just stick to a good warm up before hitting the slopes.

@Scrumpy - I think your comments regarding ESF are very harsh, I've used the same ESF instructor in Morzine twice a season for the last 2 seasons and he is absolutely fantastic, we've practised techniques on easier reds and then gone on to much more difficult reds to get used to the speed (in his words, some of the steeper reds we skied in the shade required more technical ability than some of the black runs).

I'm not adverse to going fast, I just want to really nail down my technique before tackling more technically challenging runs - and there's nothing wrong with that. The last thing I want to be is one of those people you see hurtling down a run completely out of control, they are just endangering themselves and others on the mountain.

Anyway, back to the skis..... Thanks to everyone for your recommendations you've all been a real help. I've spoken with the guys at Ellis Brigham and Snow & Rock and we've narrowed the choice down to the Head Magnums and Titans (both in a 177).

I've read a lot of reviews on both and would be keen to know which of the two you would suggest would be better for turn initiation and also on harder/icier runs.

Can't thank you all enough for your opinion's I really appreciate the help.

Chris

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

Definitely the Magnums for harder/icy snow.

they are a great ski, you won't be disappointed.

M

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Thanks for that suggestion. I've just been looking at the following side by side comparison of the two skis and on paper it seems to suggest the Titan is possibly a little better, however, so many posts on here seem to say the Magnums are the ones to go for:

http://www.newgear.net/skitest_show_ski_compare_final.asp?BRID=HE&TID=SAS&NID=1266&CBRID=HE&CTID=SAS&CNID=1262&TT=SKI&ST=&SSTX=&TTX=&SLB=&SLT=&SLA=&SLE=&SLX=

Thanks again, Chris

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

I've also just come across the "Head Integrale 1000" which appears to be a softer ski, I'm still leaning towards the Titan as I want a ski that will push me to develop a better technique and therefore last a little longer. Any thought's on these two and any others would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

Chris

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You won't go wrong with either Chris. Its definitely not a question of one being better than the other, the Titan is simply the wider, more all mountain orientated big brother of the Magnum, but either should suit you well. The Titan would certainly open up playing in the softer stuff a bit more for you.

I would have thought that you need to go for the 177cm in whichever you pick.

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

@SkiG, thanks very much. I noticed the Titan is 5mm wider front, back and underfoot, does this just make it easier to control in different conditions or with the additional width makes turning and overall control a little better or easier?

After all it is free

*Ski* the Net with snowHeads

A wider ski takes a bit more effort and time to get up on edge. As you tip a wide ski over your foot gets lifted up slightly. That means it travels through a longer path and this takes more time and effort.

The Titan is often reported as being stiffer than the Magnum. Normally fatter skis are deliberately built softer because they are aimed at skiing in softer snow and uneven snow. A more forgiving ski helps anybody but an expert get out of trouble. The Titan is an exception to this rule, it's basically just a wider Magnum. Since it's physically a few percent bigger, it's actually stiffer. So for expert skiers it offers more float in powder and a stiffer more powerful ride on hard snow. BUT at a cost of being less forgiving and requiring more effort and precision to get from edge to edge cleanly.

For on-piste skiing the trade off is stiffness and power (Titan) vs speed edge to edge (Magnum). I feel the Magnum wins out. But if you weigh in the better float of the Titan and provided you have a powerful enough skiing technique, the the Titan edges it.

Hope this gives you a clearer picture.

snowHeads are a friendly bunch.

I haven't skied either of the Heads but I feel that hyperkub has summed up the differences very fairly.

It's actually quite easy to visualize the difference in the effort required to turn two different ski widths. Imagine you have a narrow ski and you lean to one side - your foot doesn't have to move up very far to put it on an edge at a given angle. Now imagine exactly the same ski but 50mm wider - you can get it onto the edge at the same angle but your foot will have to move much higher off the ground. In other words, you have to apply more leverage, and it will take longer to get it to the same edge angle as the narrower ski.

It sounds like both skis will be available in your resort so if you can it would make sense to have BOTH pre-arranged to be available for you. Then you can try them back to back at your leisure ... Confused

snow reports

I don't have a problem with the specific comments about the skis but why not try before you buy somewhere where you can get the rental discounted off the purchase price to see which one you like. Presumably would not commit to buying clothes or boots without trying so why skis. I have bought skis in the past without advice or trying and I ended up buying skis too advanced for me at that stage which were a waste of money and held back my progress and fun. Just don't what others to make same mistake as I did. People do tend to justify their own decisions rather than give the right advice which is very difficult without seeing someone ski.

My experience as a skier (but not the age, height, weight) looks similar to the OP and both Ellis Brigham and Snow and Rock suggested the new Salomon xdrive 80 ti's would be fine. So I bought them from Ellis Brigham (10% off with Ski Club of GB membership) and they just had their first outing yesterday at the big fridge in Manchester - seem to be very good based on the limited conditions to be found indoors on a shortish slope

You know it makes sense.

@ChrisKitchen, My general anti-ESF stance is because of their major involvement in stopping the tour companies and now SCGB from on piste group skiing.

My anti ESF stance for you is that he seems content to let you not push yourself. I suppose I like to do that - I found myself in the top group with 8+ week skiers on my 2nd week of lessons / 3rd week of skiing - and I'm sure that I learned to be a lot more confident because of it.

Having said that, I know that there is always something to learn and I always have at least one private lesson and/or go on an instruction holiday each season. This year there will be a week on piste touring with an instructor and an off piste guided (& instructed) holiday.

Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:

@Hyperkub & &Irie, thanks very much for both providing a really good explanation as to the differences between the two, it really helped me understand the differences and based on that I've decided to go with the Head Magnum as I'd like something a little bit narrower underfoot with slightly easier turn initiation.

With regards to some comments around testing them in the fridge before I buy, and I agree this is a good way of doing it, but I work long hours in the city and run another business I have setup on weekends so my time is extremely limited and a day off to go and test some skis out just isn't an option for me at the moment sadly. Yes, I could try them in the resort, but to be completely honest (and I know this isn't the best) but my free time is so limited, when I get to Morzine I just want to have my skis and hit the slopes, I'm also the sort of person who likes to be organised and have everything ready up front. I suppose if I really don't like the Magnums I can just pop them back in the car and leave them there until I get back to the UK and then go and test/get a pair from a shop out there (hopefully it won't come to that!)

Can't thank you all enough for your comments and advice on this, really appreciate it. If anyone has any IT/computer related questions, I'd be happy to do my best to answer them as a thank you Smile

Now that I've chosen the skis, that leads me on to a couple of thoughts that have come into my head...

1. It's a difficult one to say without seeing the skis etc... but "as a general rule of thumb" are the skis ready to use out of the box or is there anything I should do with them before I ski on them? With regards to servicing etc... once I've used them I'm pretty clear on what to do, a few years ago I went to one of the SnowHead members house (his name was John, if memory serves me correctly) and I did a day ski servicing workshop which was absolutely fantastic.

2. I'm looking for new boots, my Salomon ones are a bit battered and last season they became quite uncomfortable. This might be a silly question but I'll ask it anyway.... With regards to boots, is it best to go with the same make as the skis wherever possible or doesn't it matter as long as they fit well and are comfortable? The reason I ask is because I assume the manufacturer mainly test their skis with their boots, or is that an incorrect assumption?

Many thanks,

Chris

A snowHead

Hey Chris, good choice I think, the other two questions are easy-

1. They will be good to go straight from the box.

2. Definitely zero benefit in matching makes. Different makes do have different shape characteristics, but its your feet that they must match, not your ski. Most important thing is when looking for boots you must go to a decent boot fitter, there is nothing more important in any area of ski gear.

A snowHead

@SkiG, thanks very much for confirming, much appreciated, thought it would be best to check with the experts Smile

With regards to "Most important thing is when looking for boots you must go to a decent boot fitter" who would you suggest as a decent boot fitter? The main stream ski shops or a specialist?

Thanks,

Chris

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

I'm beginning to think that I'd go to a sock puppet........................................

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Sorry, don't follow........

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

Many people will ...........

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IMO the best option is to go to solutions4feet in Bicester just north of Oxford.

Even if the best fitting boots are pink with twinkle lights then buy them - fit is everything.

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

I don't know how one should choose skis.

I've bought a few lemons over the years, usually because I'd read some report in a ski magazine and bought the "Ski of the Year" or sumsuch.

The only way is to go to a good ski shop in the town where you are skiing and ask them to let you test a whole variety of skis and buy a pair at the end of the week with the rental price discounted.
Any good ski shop will let you do this.

You will probably find you come home with the ones you fancied in the first place no matter what the advice is.

I have always found that its not actually how good the ski is ... but how you feel about it.

The differences can be so subtle that you never know which is the best choice.

A lot of it is to do with fashion as well ... Big fat powder boards for helicopter skiing seem to be the must have now ... just in case there is that almighty mythical dump of shamoo powder that happens every 10 years turns up the night you arrive in the resort.

Also test for the length that suits you, anyway love your skis ... at least till next season!
or love the skis your with.

After all it is free

@ChrisKitchen, Where are you based?

@Scrumpy, care to share the joke? Or is it aimed at me?

@DrLawn, thanks for your thoughts, I completely agree with what you are saying, I'm trying not to get a short list of all the boots I like the look of and then choose the most comfortable and instead, pick the ones which are most suited to me regardless of style.

@SkiG, I'm in central London.

Thanks,

Chris

*Ski* the Net with snowHeads

Nobody other than a good bootfitter can give you any advice on what boots will suit you, and that has to be done face to face on his premises after he has measured your feet and ascertained your standard of skiing.

There is no alternative.

snowHeads are a friendly bunch.

I eventually narrowed mine down to 3 skis, then went to la plagne and rented a pair of each for a full day...then got home and bought from local shop the ones i felt were right... after 5 seasons on my Salomon i'm relunctent to change...tried a pair of rokcers last year but was not convinced !!

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Struggling To Choose New Skis

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