 Poster: A snowHead
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Have you these?
I am being drawn towards these skis as they seem to be getting some good review in the ski press.
I am a 90% on piste skier but with ambitions to try ( subject to fitness, etc ) to venture off-piste in the future. I am not a technie and my eyes glaze over when presented with various options of types of skis. Unfortunately, I have to change my skis after 10 years and want to " over -specfify " rather than " under-specify " the requirements in my new skis.
Ellis Brigham in their site give this ski the following ratings :
Ease of use : 9
On piste : 8
Off-piste : 9
Freestyle : 4
Anyone care to comment or suggest an alternative. I want to go to Snow & Rock next Sunday and make a decision.
[ EDITED TITLE ON 29 JANUARY 2005 ]
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Sun 29-01-06 20:12; edited 1 time in total
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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 like them......but check out Decathlon rather than Snow & Rock. Mine cost £360 inclding bindings 
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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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Elizabeth B, that's interesting Elizabeth, they are £435 incl axiom 300 bindings at S&R.
Who is Decathelon and how do I contact them?
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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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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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I tested a pair of B2's at a ski test here in December (having read many pretty good reviews and seeing plenty of people out here on them I wanted to know what all the fuss was about) I was told they are a 70% piste ski at the test, my own ski's at the time were pretty much piste only ski's so the experience of medium fat ski's was really nice off piste, basically it becomes easier to ski off piste which sounds like it might be a good ski for you. Do you REALLY have to buy them at Snow & Rock on Sunday ? You can find these ski's in any hire shop in every resort to test. I would tell them you are considering buying and could they find you a newer pair (ie not worn out and the 05/06 model!!!!) which have been newly serviced etc so you can judge them properly. Rental ski's will only be slightly heavier with rental bindings on and you'll soon know if they are the ski's for you. Most shops out here are happy to not charge you rental if you finally buy a pair of ski's, I guess its the same in most places. Price wise I have no idea what Snow and Rock charge but they are in shop windows here between 500 and 550 euros. Mrs Frosty bought a pair and is completly chuffed with them, the ski shop we use actually set up a brand new pair for her to try although this was at the start of the season.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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The general view is that B2s are a very versatile, generally good pair of skis. Many will say that they are excellent for an intermediate, but somewhat boring/un-lively for an expert skier. However, I was recently skiing with my friend's uncle, who is about the most experienced skier I know (mid 40s or so, been skiing since he was 3, gets a good 60-100 days/year, absolutely rips everywhere at Whistler) who had recently demoed the B2s and thought they were excellent.
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Frosty, thanks for that advise - I will give it consideration.
Any other views or reviews of these skis or altenatives?
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ponder, Thanks for that.
Any others?
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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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Borrowed my brother's, great all round ski, can use them for everything. They softened the flex compared to the original bandit XXs, which I tried years ago. Surprised they got 4 for freestyle, they're virtually twin tip too so you can use them for tricks but they're not specialist trick skis.
I'd recommend them without hesitation. I'd say they were perfect for a mainly on-piste/starting to more off-piste.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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thanks all, but keep 'em coming 
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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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You know it makes sense.
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I bought my B2's in December and have just come back from 2 weeks skiing on them in Canada. For me they handled all types of terrain equally well especially the back heli ski bowls at Panorama which had serious ammounts of powder skiing and I mean deep. I think they are a great ski and from the sounds of your post I think they are what you are looking for. Its always good to demo them though if you get the opportunity. In fact after skiing on the B2's it made me want a set of B3's as well.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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B2's are generally very well recieved. By the sounds of it they will suit you very well.
decathlon is a big French retailer who have two stores in Surrey Quays. They produce some better than average quality own-brand gear (Quechua) and sell some other brands as well across a range of sports. They have been selling B2's this season.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Many very experienced skiers ski on a B2, and most people who have them really enjoy them. I think that if you are at the heavier end of the spectrum then they will suit you as an intermediate, but that as you become more advanced then you may appreciate something a little stiffer.
IMO their only weakness is that they're not so hot at holding an edge on ice as some other all-mountain skis.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| Quote: |
Ellis Brigham in their site give this ski the following ratings :
Ease of use : 9
On piste : 8
Off-piste : 9
Freestyle : 4
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This is a pretty fair rating if you ask me. But if your a 90% on piste skier is the B2 the best ski you could get for your needs. It might be a bit wide. Remeber the EB rating of 8/10 on piste is rated for a freeride ski and if the B2 was classed as a piste ski is rating wouldnt be as high.
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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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As I understand it the 05/06 B2 is different from earlier B2s: this year's model is more piste-oriented. This year's B3 is more like last year's B2, and they have introduced the B4 as the fully-off-piste model.
So when you read a review of B2 and or someone describes it as good for specific types of skiing, check which year's B2 they are referring to!
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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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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Last thought - the B2's have been described here (and elsewhere) as a 'punters ski'. I'm not sure why this is bad? but in any event I guess I'm just a punter!
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I spoke to my local ski shop about this. Apparently the B2 is a 'punters' ski because it is very accessible to skiers at a lower level. However the real technically sound skiers will always prefer other skis like the Apache Recon or the Nitrous. I think people in the skiing industry are of the general opinion that the B2 is nothing special but it is the consumers that love it. Surely thats pretty important as thats whos buying them. I guess it is a bit harsh to generalise like that but you don't see many people in the industry using them. So i think you have to make your own mind up on this.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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I think that you see quite a few people in the industry using them, certainly I've seen a few instructors and ski hosts on them. The one other bad thing that I've heard said about them is that they're a bit fragile, not sure whether this is true or not.
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Thanks everyone - I think that I am convinced on the Rossi B2s although they do have their limitations.
On second thoughts I will consider purchasing them in the Austrian resort I am going to assuming that they stock them. Does anyone know whether they are generally stocked in Austria. I know that it is difficult to get non-French brands in French resorts - protectionism?. Would there be a similar cartel in Austria?.
The other good point I take from the thread is to try and rent the 2006 version out from the hire shop and set-off the weeks rental against the purchase price. Does anyone now the differential between the purchase cost of skis in Austria and the UK. I remember reading that skis are initially priced in Euros and so the price differential in Europe ( incl. the UK ) is marginal. Is this correct?.
I did, this afteroon, ring a couple of ski hire shops in Bad Gastein but was not able to get anything worthwhile out of them. I think that they are very busy and do not have time for calls - anyways I'll be there on 4th Feb which is just 10 days away.
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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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hibernia, consider that you might be seeing a biased sample, namely reviews from people who go to France to ski. Perhaps its time for some reviews of Austrian skis that we don't hear about because they have poor marketing/distribution in the UK?
Other than the ever-present Amer juggernaut consider:
Blizzard Sigma Titan 7, 8
Kneissl X Free
Scott Aztec/Aztec Pro
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comprex, an interesting point you make which frankly did not occur to me!.
I will look these up and see what the review are.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I very much like my dynastar legend 4800s. They may be worth a try with the Legend 8000 as well
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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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hibernia, from memory the biggest ski shop in BadG is near the station, opposite those stairs you have to walk over to get to the Stubnerkogel gondola. I do not remember seeing any Rossi skis in there or anywhere else in the Gasteinertal. It was all Fischer, Atomic, Stockli, Head bla-bla. Salomons were rare too. Things may have changed by you may struggle to get french skis out there.
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the ice perv, thanks for that , I know where it is now as I remember from two years ago from your description - they are called Top Rent Schober and as you correctly say are at Stuberkogel Talstation. I just gave them a call and they do stock the B2s and retail at about 600 euros ( incl bindings ) and to hire at 130 euros per week ( the hiring sounds expensive - but I have not hired in nine years ).
Well I think I now know what to do - hire the B2s out, see how they perform in the resort, and make the decision as to purchase whilst in the resort. The trial period is 3 days and then I have to decide - the good thing is that the rental for the week is offset against the purchase price.
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You know it makes sense.
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hibernia, I note you have "off-piste ambitions" - I was in the same situation last time I went to BadG. If conditions are good head for the Graukogel. It is awkward to get to, and the chairlift is aging, but that means it is virtually empty, and there is plenty of easy-to-moderate slopeside off-piste to have a bash at, as well as some stonking black runs. From memory one is called tiefscheeabfahrt (deep-snow-run) and it does exactly what it says on the tin!
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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the ice perv, I remember you ( at least I think it was you? ) saying that back in 2004 which was the first year I went to BD and I think the Graukogel was closed on the day I wanted to ski it - I totally agreed from discussions with others that is is fairly undiscovered and empty.
Thanks again everyone for your help
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Poster: A snowHead
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IF B2 doesn't work out try Fischer AMC skis
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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hibernia, everyone should remember the perv!
I haven't checked BadG conditions lately but I think Austria is due a big dump soon. The Graukogel is calling you! Easily the best area in the whole valley, even tho it is the smallest.
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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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dan100, have you tried the 79 yet? Bit soft in the tip I thought.
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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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Went to S&R to get some further advice and have a look at the skis.
The S&B saleperson did recommend the Bandit B2s but also the Rossignol Scramber 8 Pilot (which I liked the feel of )and the Volkl Supersports 5.
I will try these two ( in addition to the B2s ) out next week when I get to the resort.
[url=http://www.ellis-brigham.com/cgi-bin/psProdDet.cgi/700404||scrambler~8~@c~@b|0|user|1,0,0,1|2|] scrambler [/url]
[url=http://www.ellis-brigham.com/cgi-bin/psProdDet.cgi/700421||volkl~@c~@b|0|user|1,0,0,1|15|] volkl supersports 5 [/url]
I do ski quite fast on piste and the Volkl was recommeded. The Volkl is quite a firm ski with little flex but feel that it may be too advanced for the stage I am at the moment. Visually was not too impressed with the B2 - seems to be too much flex and as I am an " aggressive " on piste skier and am beginning to have doubts about them.
Any views on these latest two to my list?.
Are 2006 versions available for the Scrambler 8 Pilot and Volkl Supersports 5?.
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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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| Quote: |
Are 2006 versions available for the Scrambler 8 Pilot and Volkl Supersports 5
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Your comparing two skis there that are't really that similar. The Scrambler 8 is a 75mm waisted ski for intermediates going on and off piste. The 5* is 68mm piste ski for doing aggressive piste skiing and a bit of off piste but nothing too deep and challenging. Be very caeful putting these two skis together because they are aimed at completely different skiers. Sounds like typical unreliable SnR advise too me.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Just back from Sestriere - went with a list of 6 or so to try and could only find one. Having said that they were excellent.
Nordica Hot Rod modified - Held an edge very well on Hard Pack & Ice, were very good & stable at speed and worked superbly in 40cm of powder on the last day.
If you get chance, give them a try.
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I've just got to shout about it - I was in Saas Fee last week and walked past a shop it last years B2's at 30% off list, even with the proper bindings - after one days skiing on my tired old x-screams I had enough - I've been putting off buying a pair of B2's for the last 2 years - this was just the excuse I needed, didn't even consult the wife, result one very happy Steve. Even got to ski them in 3in of powder on Saturday morning. They were all I remembered them as from my previous two experiences on them. Roll on St Anton in March when I can play with them again.
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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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stevew, Nice one - welcome back to the B2 fold 
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FAQ
Not a huge issue, but forewarned is forearmed!
