Poster: A snowHead
|
Hi Guys,
So its nearly Christmas again and I am thinking what to get for my other half that has everything.... he LOVES skiing and after talking to some fellow skiers about blades I think he would have fun trying them out... they don't seem to be too expensive and I wondered if anyone can advise on what would be a good option?
He can ski at a good level and has no fear at all... hence I think he would find them fun to have a go on a couple of days each ski trip.... any advice?
Thanks!
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
If he can ski, he won't want blades........
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
@Em1986, just be aware that every time you use blades, God/Allah/Ganesh kills a kitten. A really cute, fluffy kitten. Do you want that on your conscience?
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
|
|
He probably would have some fun, actually but the cool crowd will definitely pour scorn.
They are regarded as irredeemably naff.
Rent some for a day, maybe, but make sure they have proper releasing bindings, like skis.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Plenty of blades, skiboards or short skis on eBay. Normally you can pick a set up cheap and sell for around the same if he didn't like them. Point him towards either skiboards.com or skiboards online.com. Tons of info on those sites.
Don't listen to the numptys on here who will try and mock. At end of the day it's about having fun, regardless of what equipment you use.
|
|
|
|
|
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 would have a look on eBay for some Head 94's. A bit wider than blades and they get good reviews as a starter short ski.
Feel free to message me for any advice on this. Used blades/skiboards for the past 17 years or so
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
The best ski present one can buy is a decent pair of boots from a good* boot fitter.
*This does not mean the Saturday boy at slush and rubble.....
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
We have ski boots but thank you
We got them fitted from Lockwoods and are very happy with them.
Mine killed at first but are now comfy and were so after a few days... his were fine last year skiing after a few days also so that box is ticked.
|
|
|
|
|
|
If you have boots I would bother buying skis for 1 week a year. After servicing and carriage costs you might as well rent the top of the range ski for that season and you get the advantage of swapping them for something more suitable if the conditions require, eg swapping a piste ski for a fat ski after a dump.
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
Before you get the blades, do you have everything else you need?
The gigantic oversized mirror goggles?
A never-been-washed beanie?
Massive headphones?
XXXL hoodie with obscure brand / offensive phrase on it?
Tall tee or basketball vest to go over the top of everything else.
Extra thin pipe gloves to be worn only when temperatures drop below -20c?
XXXXXL pants so that you can't see your feet for folds of slush/french khazi infused pantleg?
A sullen look?
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
@Richard_Sideways,
Like this
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
@graeme, is that the Head 94's in your photo? I've never tried blades but I'm quite tempted to give them a blast for a day or two. Might have a look on eBay.
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
@Valkyrie, nope, those where Revel8 rockered condors. 110cm, with non release bindings
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
@graeme, Pfft - call that rocking the look? Though the goggles and beanie are getting there. Plus you're not going backwards at 40mph.
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
Quote: |
he has 2 weeks skiing under his belt.. that said he has done every black he has been faced with and well .... but he has a long way to go in regards experienced skier's and technique I am sure... his success is he has no fear whatsoever.
|
Lessons. Lots and lots of lessons. Native English speaking instructor. Small groups.
Skis become worth it if you ski more than twice a year or if you have some specific needs. These might be physiological - I like my bindings set up a particular way. Or they might relate to the kind of skiing you enjoy. You are unlikely to be in either of these categories.
I have never seen someone on blades and thought "I wish I could do that." I have often thought "you have no real control over what you are doing". That's not all people on blades. Some people clearly know what they are doing. I've just never seen the evidence.
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
I actually didn't even know you should swap skis depending on the conditions and just trundle on in whatever I am wearing...
I think I will just go with the blades but thanks for the extra tips - sounds like you are very knowledgeable
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
|
|
@Em1986, blades are quite fun in that they feel so ridiculous that you end up trying all sorts of ridiculous stuff for pure shits and giggles.
The problem is, they are simply just so much worse at any performance metric you can think of (other than spinning 360s on the ground), and normally the mark (and/or) cause of poor technique. If your husband values any sort of stability at speed, blades aren't for him.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
Another heresy: what about a snowboard? A real sport and lots of fun by the look of it. And apparently skiing and snowboarding compliment each other, skills-wise.
Or some trick skis. ie the twin tipped freestyle ones. I see you are in Hampshire so he could have a play on the jumps and rails at Southampton or Calshot or Snowtrax before he goes.
As to owning skis, I only ski once a year but I like having my own pair. They have become familiar and I know what to expect of them. It might be an idea to let him find his own pair, though.
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
@Em1986, so your other half is good at GETTING DOWN the mountain, why not some private lessons and learn SKIING DOWN the mountain? You say he is good at the first, so maybe he could also be good at the second - why not to try,mhe would never know before he tries to ski?
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
Big Feet...
Fun present, not too expensive and can fit in a suitcase or even hand luggage.
Good for a laugh for a couple of hours!
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
He has had lessons. We learnt to ski at Tamworth before going Away and did 3 days of further lessons when we were abroad skiing.
As well as that his full speed may not be your full speed? It's all about context. He is very fast compared to me ... But not compared to experienced skiers I'm sure. And he doesn't try to reach 'max speeds' ... he just likes to challenge himself which to me means what he is doing is out of reach as we are completely different abilities.
And he does try to ski with technique and I think he does a good job... He is a safe skier if anything else so you wouldn't need to worry about your family
I think I need to be far more specific on every post .... Basically yes he is an adrenaline junkie, likes speed and exciting sports but safety and being in control is far more important to him.
He is naturally good at sport and skiing but he's not arrogant and knows his limits and is aware of everyone else on the slopes.
He likes to goof around when he skis with me as he gets bored ..as it is slow so he try's to spin and ski backwards ... Hence thinking blades may be fun for him to try out for a bit of fun. Doesn't mean he's dangerous or out of control.
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
@Em1986, I think all we're trying to say is that the right lessons, with the right instructor, can be a lot of fun. I know that the better I get at skiing the more fun I have. A private lesson could be a revelation for him. I can appreciate there's some peer pressure going on tho with the group you ski with.
If you do decide on lessons, let us know where and when you go. Chances are there will be someone who can give you a recommendation.
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
|
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?
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
@Em1986, don't worry about it. Saucer Boy is a spoof character designed to take the mickey out of the "all the gear, no idea" stereotype.
As for your original gift idea, blades can be fun but he might soon get bored with them. If you want to buy something nice, but useful for skiing maybe a set of boot heaters, or perhaps a homemade voucher offering him premium ski hire on the next trip so he can test a different pair of top end skis every day to discover what he likes?
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
I owned blades for a number of years - whenever I was skiing with families / teens / kids I would take them and we would go up on the mountain with them in addition to my skis (click the leg straps together and hang around neck mine were the ones you could adjust out on the slopes - go to the fun park and we would all swap on and off them - they are a lot of fun, but they are not really for skiing in terms of moving around the mountain... However I grew up ice-skating, so found them very natural...
|
|
|
|
|
|
@Em1986, clearly you are already sold on the blades options, but as others have pointed out they are less common these days and potentially limited in terms of their use (but that depends on how much fun he has on them of course).
I'd say if thats what you think is the right decision then go and get some, I'm sure he will have fun and the upside is it may slow him down a little and let you keep up
However, just in case You are not absolutely nailed to a pair of blades for him, as he is into his gadgets could you stretch to a pair of these.... I'm sure he'd be really pleased :- http://www.sportpursuit.com/z3-gps-goggles-photochromic-carbon-matte-black
|
|
|
|
|
|
If he likes "shits and giggles" put him on the blades on a black or red ice sheet. Or powder.
Shits (his) giggles (yours ).
Suec
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
Just don't. A traditional gift for people with 2 weeks experience who like messing around everywhere on the slopes is a comedy jester's hat.
|
|
|
|
|
|