Poster: A snowHead
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Hey there !
I'm looking for a pair of skis.
The past 10 or so years I always used rentals. It was the best deal for a 1 week/year trip from the Netherlands to the Alps. This year I will go to Val Thorens, Ischgl and Vallandry (1 week each), and the "black" category of gear is getting a bit expensive at 100 euros a pop. I'm really torn what to get, so I would really appreciate some advice!
This is what I want to do on skis:
- All marked runs. Steep runs, groomed runs, moguls, hard icy snow. I like some speed and some carving but I don't need to aim for speed records. I don't like skis with flapping tips/tails and I want to have some sort of control in steep/icy spots.
- Play around. I go with a group and most of the time they are a bit slower. I don't like to wait, so instead I cheese around with small jumps on the slope and silly things like one-legged flat 360s. (My goal for last year. Ha! )
- This year, I'm looking to learn some basic grabs and switch carving. I don't get many laps in the park. Think natural features off to the sides of groomers.
- If conditions allow it, I go between runs to find some powder. Never more than knee-deep, usually less. If it's steep or uncharted terrain I'll take a guide.
I am 184 cm tall and weigh 73 kg. I am a bit sporty but not athletic.
To summarize, I think I'm looking for some kind of allmountain/freestyle ski, narrow/medium width with twin tips and enough camber for stability and pop. I was looking at the Line Chronics, but I cannot find a vendor near me or in Val Thorens that will let me try & buy them.
I read the best thing to do is to demo a few pairs. If so, which ski store should I go to in Val Thorens? Which skis should I ask for?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I skied the rossignol S4 for almost exactly the same stuff for 3 years (I'm 68kg and 185cm) I found it to be pretty well suited to it if your not expecting slalom ski performance on the ice, it's now called the rossignol scratch but the ski hasn't actually changed in about 8 years I don't think.
I started venturing off piste more and more so I switched to something wider and with a bit of rocker but I think if you're after a freestyle ski that isn't too "freestyly" and can handle a bit of everything on and around pistes I think it's definitly worth a test.
Ps : Last year's version can often be had pretty cheap
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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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Jodiug wrote: |
Hey there !
I like some speed and some carving but I don't need to aim for speed records. I don't like skis with flapping tips/tails and I want to have some sort of control in steep/icy spots.
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I would have said this sounds like Volk Mantra , Kendo, or Blizzard Brahma , Latigo until you started talking twin tip and switch. I d look at the Blizzard and Volk freestyle options instead then.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Whitedot One or Zero One, both in 180cm.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Dynastar Powertrack 85 or 89
The 89 is amazing, and does not feel very freeride, but has the width if you do go off piste and will handle crud and chopped stuff with ease.
They rail on slope very confidence inspiring ski.
G
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Jodiug wrote: |
Hey there !
I'm looking for a pair of skis.
This year I will go to Val Thorens, Ischgl and Vallandry (1 week each), and the "black" category of gear is getting a bit expensive at 100 euros a pop.
This is what I want to do on skis:............ ski .............
I am 184 cm tall and weigh 73 kg. I am a bit sporty but not athletic. ......Which skis should I ask for? |
You got 300 Euros t play with ................ you are tall but light ................ suggest you buy online but not mainstream ...................... take a slight gamble at brand ............. look to experience new skis rather than be committed to any particular ski ..... conclusion................. BLIZZARD BRAHMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! in 180cms.
* sending you a consultation bill tomorrow!*
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Thanks all! Some really nice suggestions. I will try to demo some of these. Possibly Rossignol Scratch/Storm, K2 Revivals, Line Chronics or Blizzard Brahmas. Fingers crossed that the French have some of them in stock
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Blizzard are now completely sold of 180cm Brahma's with no more coming so the only ones available will be on dealers racks. Luckily I snagged the last pair from the factory for stock
The Brahma's are superb but don't really meet your 'playfulness' requirement as they really need to be 'skied'.
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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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From the Blizzard section in the above link, the Latigo seems the go.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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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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Whitedot One.
Does everything you specify, and an absolute joy to ski backwards and to jump.
Mine are on Jester Schizo bindings, and despite being the oldest and most knackered pair of skis I own, are still brilliant.
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