 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi - I hope someone can provide some advice ...
I'm intending (well, hoping) to partake in some skicross the coming winter season, but I'm having trouble working out suitable skis for the runs and parks (I'll be in Val D'Isere / Tignes in winter). I am current;y skiing Salomon QST 99 in 181cm (although those will probably be up for sale soon) but I can't see that these will be suitable for a skicross run (they are rather heavy and quite long), could anyone advise on what I ought to be looking at or do most people just use their general piste skis for this now?
My initial thoughts were 'park' type skis, but I think they would be too soft and I can't test out every one as I live in the UK (and quite frankly a run down your local SnowDome is no comparison), I would rather get it as right as I can beforehand.
I'm happy to hear any advice on the above as well, boots, bindings or ski related as this is a fairly new area for me?
Rob
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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If you are seriously racing as close to FIS grade GS ski as you can get - maybe you have a bit more flexibility on the radius and might want a softer flex so also consider women's range.
The more serious locals will be on this and most of them will have grown up gate bashing so if you don't have a racing background be ready for a tough awakening.
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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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The skis used in skicross races are basically older specification Giant Slalom ones, mid 20s sidecut radius, heavy and long. Boots are standard race ones.
Maybe start with a "cheater GS" ski and your current boots.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Note that whatever you choose they will be very heavy and long.
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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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My FIS GS aren't very heavy.
@DrUmbongo, have you raced anything before?
I am guessing not or you'd know already what you are looking for. Skicross makes for great TV as it's not for the faint of heart (not the skiing - it's the rugby like body slams).
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Wow, thank-you!
I wasn't expecting such a fast response, but that's actually very helpful and cleared up a few things for me - could you clarify though what you mean by a "Cheater GS" ski, I'm not totally familiar with all of the terminology?
This is, though, basically in line with what I thought so I suppose I should pick up some GS types and run with those (please raise you objections if I've read this wrong) and put them alongside my collection.
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@under_a_new_name; I have not, it's more a a personal challenge and something I would like to develop, which is why I don't have the background information to pick the equipment, I'm not concerned about the impacts as I am fairly used to them from other sports
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@DrUmbongo, OK, as long as you can see what you're in for.
"cheater" GS (or SL) skis are piste oriented recreational skis that give more of a race like grip. They can be very good to really rather poor depending on who the manufacturer is targetting. I.e. in around teh same period I was very much enjoying my Rossi 9X Oversize and very underwhelmed by the S.i.Law's equivalent Volkl P50s. (I like Rossi and Volkl race skis, generally).
I would expect, for example, that something like the Rossignol Hero LT would suit (or it's predecessors). Almost definitely able to pick something up in the seasonal pre-sales if you're in the alps early enough. Or eBay.
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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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@under a new name, A proper GS ski has a rather hefty raceplate on it does it not? That would be one of the main differences from a punter ski.
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@Dave of the Marmottes, The Rossi ski I mention certainly has some sort of a plate on it. The plate on XOs from a quick image search looks a bit less burly than the one on my FIS skis...
Not sure how much difference that makes.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Race plate on my SLs weighs roughly the same as a black hole. Comfortable the weeniest and heaviest skis in my not inconsiderable quiver.
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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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@Dave of the Marmottes, My Volkls not too bad. Mind you, My Volkl SG 203s are about half the weight of equivalent Nordicas and about twice as easy to ski.
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Thanks guys, you've given me a lot of model numbers and reading to do and I appreciate it - I'm really not looking to break any records or anything, but it's something I would like to experiment with and I think that I know where to aim now.
Many thanks.
Rob
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