 Poster: A snowHead
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I need (or soon will do, I hope!) new skis. I just skipped an ancient ex rental pair of Rossig Pursuit 14s, 163 long. They did me ok, but were beyond saving. The problem, is what the heck to get...
I'll be 66 when I go in January, have about 18 weeks of skiing since starting in 2015, having been taught by the Air Force in the last century. We (wife and I) like cruising blues and the cruisier reds for her; and 'going places', but I like to challenge myself too, and can do for example, any reds n blacks in the 3V and GM. I am sensible on those. I think I'm an 'agricultural' intermediate, I'd say.
The problem seems to be, how to choose; and if done online (or even a uk shop) getting the choice right? With rental, you just go back and change em.
Any advice welcome, ta.
I can afford about £350, which is not a lot, I know, but would be ok with used if from an SH for example. But where to start and where to look. Ta.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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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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£350 is a tight budget these days for decent new with bindings (unless you have something to remount) particularly with suppy chain issues that seem to have hit stock (plus a whole winter of no trade for UK retailers). So I think you're better looking at decent used and sH is as good a source as any for that. Only skis for sale seem to have dried up a bit here too (a normal summer would see plenty of people selling stuff in your bracket to "trade up" to sexier off piste skis or touring etc).
You're basically looking at piste performance or the skinnier end of "all mountain" skis. It's the main bread and butter for actual retail as distinct to rental. You just need to bnavigate the marketing fluff and dangly bits and understand a few model ranges for the big brands.
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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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You sound roughly like me - I use a slalom ski - have hired Hero's for a couple of years, and used Nordica Doberman's this year which I really liked. Not much good for off piste though, if that's what you mean by 'going places' 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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There are also different numbers in the range... The lower numbers are soft beginnery skis and the higher 963, is an awesome ski but there's nothing cruisey about them.
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Ignore that and do what @SaraJ, said - sounds like she knows her stuff
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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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@Charliegolf, I don't know where you are, but when I got my new skis 4ish years ago, I found some I wanted online (Scott reverse 184cm) and then rang Ski Bartlett in Uxbridge, who matched that price. I did then end up paying a little more to have quiver killers added. I'd say they would be worth a call at some point in your search. With an open mind on model and make, I'd be surprised if you couldn't find something good on that budget.
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@MorningGory, No, rather 'going on trips on the piste' to other stations and villages in the area.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@thecramps, South Wales. One shop in Cowbridge! 
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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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Wow, everyone thanks for the replies so far! But some of you are going to have to metaphorically 'speak slower' in the tech descriptions lol.
Also, 8 weeks on the 163cm skis... should I stick with that; or go up a bit? (I'm 175 cm and 72 kg)
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@Charliegolf, I didn't have to go into Ski Bartlett. They sent them by courier. But they were very helpful on the phone, great service and I was offered a choice of bindings with advice to match. Good aftersales too.
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You know it makes sense.
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@thecramps, Noted ta- was just on their site...
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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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@Charliegolf, The price they matched was from Glisshop btw.
Happy hunting.
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Poster: A snowHead
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@Charliegolf, I'm 183cm and 100+Kg and get given 170's by the hire shop (and Il Professore in Alleghe!) so 163 sounds reasonable. But there are others who know more than me 
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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: |
Also, 8 weeks on the 163cm skis... should I stick with that; or go up a bit? (I'm 175 cm and 72 kg)
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How does that length feel for you? Do you always feel happy and comfortable on them? Do you feel uncertain when you try to go a bit faster? Are they easy to turn? Do you sometimes over turn them i.e. they turn very easily and you end up facing almost uphill?
In your position I'd try a longer ski before I bought one. If you can try the same ski in different sizes one after another you'll know immediately which you prefer.
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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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| SaraJ wrote: |
| Quote: |
Also, 8 weeks on the 163cm skis... should I stick with that; or go up a bit? (I'm 175 cm and 72 kg)
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How does that length feel for you? Do you always feel happy and comfortable on them? Do you feel uncertain when you try to go a bit faster? Are they easy to turn? Do you sometimes over turn them i.e. they turn very easily and you end up facing almost uphill?
In your position I'd try a longer ski before I bought one. If you can try the same ski in different sizes one after another you'll know immediately which you prefer. |
I think that's the only way to go.
Most people don't know what they really like (though it's easier to find out what they dislike). So something that works ok, vs something works very well, is hard to tell without experimenting back to back, in the condition one is typically skiing.
For ages, I though 156 is fine (I'm only 50kg and 165cm). Not until I tried a pair at 167 that I realized my old ski was too short and too soft, hence unstable at even moderate speed. Since getting the new longer skis, I've skied piste I thought that was "too difficult" which the new ski makes it feel perfectly enjoyable.
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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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| SaraJ wrote: |
| Quote: |
Also, 8 weeks on the 163cm skis... should I stick with that; or go up a bit? (I'm 175 cm and 72 kg)
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How does that length feel for you?generally good Do you always feel happy and comfortable on them?generally yes Do you feel uncertain when you try to go a bit faster?no Are they easy to turn?very, i think Do you sometimes over turn them i.e. they turn very easily and you end up facing almost uphill?no
In your position I'd try a longer ski before I bought one. If you can try the same ski in different sizes one after another you'll know immediately which you prefer. |
Understood, and perfect sense.
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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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@abc, Yours and Saraj's response fits with the one above about Oktobertest... Thanks.
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