Looking to treat myself to a new pair of skis. Have some older Salomon X drive which are a quite wide waisted (88mm?) all mountain ski. I've tried off piste and to be honest it isn't really for me; I'm a big guy (stop it...) and find it hard work. Probably doing it wrong. I really enjoy quick longish turns on piste, so want a pair of piste skis. I'm reasonably accomplished at - admittedly - this relatively easy way of skiing (compared with off piste, moguls etc).
These skis review well, and tend to say you can be not quite as expert to use them if you are a big skier...
Can get 15% off at Absolute Snow with Skiclub discount, so about £500
@buchanan101, even in their longest length, the Magnum is a a fairly tight turning ski so may not be ideal for your skiing style. I would think you would be better off with something with a 16-17m turn radius.
The Dynastar SZ12's above in a 182cm would probably work or you could consider these:
The Volkls have a 17m turn radius in 178cm and sound accessible to all abilities.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Thanks - the Magnum is 14.2m in 177cm length. Will look at the ones you recommend, but maybe in my old age I should be slowing down slightly and going for a bit more style in smaller turns?
I skied the Titans, so not quite the same as the Magnums but pretty similar, for a few years and liked them a lot. Then I got a pair of the Dynastar Speed Zone 12 (actually the 14, but same ski with different binding) from spyderjon and haven't looked back. They just seem to do everything with a real sense of stability and control. They are a longer radius ski than the Magnums or Titans, which is noticeable, but I think I prefer that. If you can get a good deal on the Magnums then go for it (they are a very good ski and I think a good match for your description of your skiing) but as spyderjon is offering the speedzone 12 at £100 less I'd bite his hand off.
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
buchanan101 wrote:
Thanks - the Magnum is 14.2m in 177cm length. Will look at the ones you recommend, but maybe in my old age I should be slowing down slightly and going for a bit more style in smaller turns?
It really depends on whether you can carve or are just doing fast skidded turns. It's not clear from your post what your real skill level is on piste?
A shorter turn radius ski may help in the skidded turn but if you're carving all day can be tiring. If your skills at least allow you to rail the ski (stand on the edge and let the shape of the ski do the work for most of the turn) then a longer turn radius is more relaxing.
After all it is free
After all it is free
You might be interested in last year's reviews by the same tester which include the Magnum:
I haven't tried the latest generation with the graphene but I get the impression from reviews that it is more demanding than the previous version. I own the previous version and rarely go out on them in the mountain. I also prefer long turns and they don't suit me. When I was less experienced, all my favourite skis were 16-17m turn radius and my current daily driver is 20m.
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.
Raceplate wrote:
buchanan101 wrote:
Thanks - the Magnum is 14.2m in 177cm length. Will look at the ones you recommend, but maybe in my old age I should be slowing down slightly and going for a bit more style in smaller turns?
It really depends on whether you can carve or are just doing fast skidded turns. It's not clear from your post what your real skill level is on piste?
A shorter turn radius ski may help in the skidded turn but if you're carving all day can be tiring. If your skills at least allow you to rail the ski (stand on the edge and let the shape of the ski do the work for most of the turn) then a longer turn radius is more relaxing.
yes I can carve - on the steeper runs I will be skidding of course; I'm not that good to pretend I carve everything, especially as I will be wanting to lose speed not gain.
It is funny the number of people who say "it was great carving down that run" when all they did was skid...
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
The Salomon S/Max has a bigger radius than the Head = 15m
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
Raceplate wrote:
buchanan101 wrote:
Thanks - the Magnum is 14.2m in 177cm length. Will look at the ones you recommend, but maybe in my old age I should be slowing down slightly and going for a bit more style in smaller turns?
It really depends on whether you can carve or are just doing fast skidded turns. It's not clear from your post what your real skill level is on piste?
A shorter turn radius ski may help in the skidded turn but if you're carving all day can be tiring. If your skills at least allow you to rail the ski (stand on the edge and let the shape of the ski do the work for most of the turn) then a longer turn radius is more relaxing.
This! a short radius piste ski is not the most relaxing of beasts to ski and the bigger the radius the more relaxed usually. If you are carving properly you'll find a 16-17m ski great to ski. Ive found the smaller radius's a bit fidgety.
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.
OK, thanks. I wouldn't be carving all day mind...
Trying to look up what my 2015 X drives were... 15.9m @175cm. I just feel that as they are all terrain they are a bit of a compromise that I don't need (can always take two sets anyway!)
The Dynastar 12 say "expert" on their website so I'm trying to see what the 10's are for radius etc
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
...15m, both 10s and 12s...
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
I loved the Magnums, when I hired them a couple of years ago. They are reasonably flexible where turn type is concerned...but do favour Short and Medium turns. Letting rip with Super G type turns does require fairly empty pistes.
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
buchanan101 wrote:
...15m, both 10s and 12s...
That's the reference length for the SZ12. In a 182cm they will be 16m ish. You didn't give your stats but if you're a big lad I can't see the 10's being long or stiff enough for you.
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
I'm 185cm, 110kg! Used to be all muscle...
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
buchanan101 wrote:
yes I can carve - on the steeper runs I will be skidding of course; I'm not that good to pretend I carve everything, especially as I will be wanting to lose speed not gain.
It is funny the number of people who say "it was great carving down that run" when all they did was skid...
Indeed! So if you can carve then for sure you can ski a Magnum. The question is do you want something that turns similarly to your current ski or tighter. Of course whatever you buy will be narrower and quicker edge to edge with more grip. You're also likely to be able to bend it and incline it more which will make it turn tighter still.
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?
...I have been called the "Monster Trucks of Skiing"
Current Salomon were the longest they did at 175cm... They do vibrate a bit at speed
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
The SMax Blast are 17m at 180cm.
After all it is free
After all it is free
Most skis seem to stop at 175/177...180 at a pinch, so it may be those Dynastars
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.
Raceplate wrote:
The SMax Blast are 17m at 180cm.
Says for expert... but I have seen elsewhere that a heavier skier can go up a grade in effect (advanced to expert)
I had considered these before...
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
If you can carve clean tracks and like speed then I see no reason why you can't ski an "expert" ski. And you're right, your weight will make it flex more and therefore behave in a slightly friendlier way.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
I'm very light - around 64kg - and found the Magnums had a "playful" nature, in a 170 and suited my build. At your weight, I'd be looking at the Dynastars, which are a more solid, damp ski.
I tried some Blizzard Quatros, which I found very damp, but for me, lacked the fun factor....so maybe another ski to look at.
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.
Had a pair of Dynastar 207cm GS racing skis back in the 80s..the ones with the blobs on the tips
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
Think they'll be absolutely fine though I'd probably buy the ex-demo pair off @spyderjon for £400. Still, fair enough if you want a shiny new pair.
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
@buchanan101, at your stats I'd avoid the NX binding. These are still available from the Dynastar ex-demo sale:
1no. pair 18/19 Speed Zone 12 Ti 182cm c/w SPX 12 Konect bindings. List £600. Offer price £400 - which is a steal.
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
You saying I’m fat?
The Ellis Brigham ones come with SPX 12 Konect. Can get them there for £535.
@buchanan101, I have bought a pair of the ex-Demi Dynastars from Spyderjon.
Quote:
You'd be buying unseen but the skis are in excellent condition as they've only ever been skied at a few demo events.
As one of the testers of the skis I have purchased as well I feel they are really good buys. Certainly the skitest at Hemel you are talking about a few runs in a snow dome.
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
buchanan101 wrote:
.....The Ellis Brigham ones come with SPX 12 Konect. Can get them there for £535.
Ok. Sounds interesting. Assume you are in Nottingham? How are you paid?
Can you set up if I give you boot size (it’s the biggest Salomon shell!). Are they factory waxed only?
Yes, I'm in Nottingham - well in a village called Lambley just to the east to be precise . My contact number is on my website so just call me with your card details (but not AmEx).
I can set the rail to your sole length and set the dins etc but the forward pressure adjustment/verification can only be done with your own boot but if the skis are being shipped it's a doddle to do yourself under my instruction.
The new skis come with a factory wax job which is as good/bad as any other factory wax but I also offer any level of base prep &/or edge angle set-up you require at an additional cost. The ex-demo's come as they are and I can service them or do any set-up work required at an additional cost. The new skis would be ordered in for you which usually takes a couple of weeks or the ex-demos will be available mid Nov when the UK rep has finished his dealer tour/training sessions etc.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
I’ve got the magnums in a 170cm, blizzard Latigos in 177 and blizzard Brahmas in 180.
I really enjoy my magnums indoors (although I’m now looking for shorter radius skis to replace them). But I didn’t like them on a hill.
I took the magnums and my latigos to Andorra this year. Used the magnums for one day and then tried the latigos. Didn’t go back to the magnums. The latigos were just a different class of ski for me.
I’m 14.5st level 7 on iOS scale with about 8 weeks mountain skiing behind me. So the magnums might be a little short for me on a mountain.
I purchased some brahmas from Spyderjon after Andorra and used them in April and now I can’t see me using anything else. Amazing ski.
Probably a better skier than me would get more out of the magnums and I often see regulars at Hemel looking great on them but for me it was night and day on the slopes.
I've rented the Magnums for 2 weeks last season ... and I loved them.
I'm 84kg and 176cm tall.
I wanted to rent the same again from the Oxalys in April, but the only good piste ski they could offer me was a dull looking pair of black and white Salamon X-Max 12.
I thought these will never do, but then little by little they put an even bigger smile on my face.
So I love these now.
FAQ
Poster: A snowHead
Actually I get that. So you need something that's strong enough to bully snow out of the way.