Poster: A snowHead
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I currently use Whitedot R.98s for all my skiing. But I’m tempted to try some proper stiff and narrow piste skis, particularly on those days when the off piste is not so attractive and pistes are icy where piste skis would be more fun being able to hold and carve an edge at speed on steep pitches etc.
I’m looking for advice on:
How easy is it to hire good piste skis with bindings that can be adjusted for the thickness of touring soles?
If buying I assume that GS skis would be the best choice for fun and versatility? What would be a good choice of binding to accommodate touring soles. What would be the appropriate width under foot, sidecut and length for 68kg 165cm skier?
Thanks
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Depends what boots you have too, but these days there are plenty of piste-ski-suitable bindings that are Grip Walk compatible (often packaged as sets too).
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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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@clarky999, Tecnica Cochise Pro Light (booster strap added for extra stiffness)
Last edited by Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see? on Mon 10-01-22 19:39; edited 1 time in total
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Tricky. If you can use a gripwalk compatible binding then there are lots of options. The Marker piston plate will even take a GW compatible binding so you could get quite a high performance set up.
I'm not sure what the best option is if GW isn't an option. I'd probably look at something like a Black Crows Divus and put a Marker Griffon or Salomon Warden on there. Not a recommendation, mind, and I don't have experience of the ski but narrow piste skis without a system binding aren't exactly common these days.
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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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@On the rocks, if you either have gripwalk soles on there or can get a replacement sole kit then you can rent or buy pretty much whatever you want.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Your boots need to have Gripwalk soles or a swappable alpine equivalent, then you can use any Gripwalk binding (wouldn't recommend Marker Griffon) for your Gripwalk soles, or if you have swappable alpine soles, then any binding *should* be fine
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On the other hand, if you have full touring soles (unlikely I think on a Cochise?) or WTR soles, it will be very difficult especially for rentals.
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@KenX, Thanks Ken. This is not as simple as I hoped. The soles on my Tecnica Cochise Pro Lights predate Gripwalk so wouldn’t be compatible. There are still Alpine soles available for my boots but they are quite a struggle to change over so not convenient if swapping skis often. My only option seems to be to get the most piste orientated skis I can in the flat with bindings that are compatible with my boots
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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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My first step would be to call anything technical in Kendal and see whether they can put a GW sole on your older boot.
Kastle MX83 also a good option in the flat but it isn't cheap. The edge hold for something with an 83mm waist is unreal. I liked it a lot but the price made me want to hurl and I bought some Atomics instead. They're ok but it isn't the same.
Also Black Crows made a limited edition Vertis with metal in it a few years ago. There may be some still knocking round.
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Without paying stupid money for the Kastle 83 or some Stockli's the best solution IMO, and one that I've done many times, is the Blizzard Brahma 82 c/w either Marker Griffon ID's/Warden MNC's/STH2 MNC's/Shift MNC's. This will give you superb hard snow performance with a cheater GS radius but that's still extremely versatile.
The only other option is buy a rail mounted performance piste/race ski that has a flat deck and ditch the rail system. The problem with that is you'll be on 70mm or less width underfoot so you're gonna need a plate/risers to avoid boot-out etc. Those types of skis are also a bit one-trick-pony and any benefit from a narrower waist is kinda lost as you're driving them in a touring boot.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Brahma 82 is a really good choice. I've experienced the best skiing process with them. I have 5 years of experience in general, so I know what I'm talking about. But in general, just be sure your boots are comfy and you won't suffer with them. Once I made a huge mistake and my feet hurt almost all the tour. Not the best experience in my life tbh. Now I'm very careful with choosing...but suffer anyway. No matter how many boots they make, most of them aren't good enough for me. But recently I've finally found appropriate shoes at forstepstyle online shop. That was exciting, you know...finally found what I like!
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