Using old freestyle skis

A snowHead

Hi all, first time on the forum, hoping to get some advice on what to do with my skis.

I've always skied on race skis, spending the majority of my time on the piste but I'm now looking to do more off-piste and thought it might be good to look at using something a bit wider.

I've got an old pair of 2011 Salomon ProPipes, with central mounted bindings. I was wondering whether I could move the bindings back a bit and use them as all-mountain skis. Would that work?

Thanks!

A snowHead

Width?

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

85mm waist, 122mm tip, 112mm tail.

Length is 171cm and I'm about 175cm tall.

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I think the recommendation would be to replace the bindings rather than remount. In theory should work, my Armada skis have a point marked for freestyle and a point for freeride (or something like that).

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

@mhski, welcome to SH's.

I think a lot depends. I mean back in the day 85 waist would have seemed fine. I skied off piste a lot on Rossignol Bandit's that were less than 80. But that was down to ski tech, tradition, etc. and things have moved on. Nowadays I am skiing on something at 97.

Also the question is whether your skis and bindings still have much life in them.

If you haven't any/much off piste it's possible you don't get on with it. In which case you will save money not buying all mountain skis. At the same time, having better tools for the job may actually help you like it.

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@mhski, well,... back in the day, I skied GS race skis for powder, in a 207, and about a 65mm waist.

It's not the skis...

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

@Layne, Yeah, the current set are a bit beaten up, but I thought I should try and use what I've got to start with, rather than launching straight into buying new stuff!

@SnoodyMcFlude, why replacing rather than remounting?

After all it is free

If you are not too heavy, 85mm is worth experimenting with for a few days or a week? Then decide if you want to continue, invest a bit more, or return to racing?

*Ski* the Net with snowHeads

@mhski, because they are old bindings, people usually suggest an issue with warranty and liability etc. as they do have a lifespan.

That said, I've skied with old bindings.

snowHeads are a friendly bunch.

@mhski, Drill & send em, you'll soon find out Very Happy

More seriously, I like finding out what a change like this could do. Based on reasonable evaluation its not a bad thing, or particularly out of the ordinary to get what you want.

If you considered a new binding, then a hire type would be of interest such that you can play around a little with fine movements front to rear within the scope of those.

The most rearward mounted ski I've owned was an early head monster in 88mm waist, hugely different dimensions front of ski vs rear of ski (from bindings) and absolutely brilliant to ride. Great soft shovels, you could ski GS lines in virtually any degree of uncertain snow topology.

snow reports

Thanks all, helpful options to think about.

@mhski, another option might be a second hand pair of AM skis - I tend to buy a set as cheaply as possible out of season, then use them and see how I get on with them. If I don't love them, sell in season, try make a little bit of profit and repeat the process. I have found that I much prefer a wider underfoot for true 'all mountain', around 90-100mm is what I try to look for. I tested a few pairs back to back a few years ago and all of my concerns about a wider ski were completely overtaken by how much fun you can have on them and how truly versatile they can be.

I had a pair of Line Blend from Facebook marketplace for under £100 last year. This year I'm on a pair of J-skis that I got for around £200.

You know it makes sense.

Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:

@andy n netty, Schizos are, what, at least 7 years old?

Anyhoo, IMHO, a small movement fore or aft makes no real difference.

@mhski, to be honest, I think the "Pro Pipes" sounds like a disaster waiting to happen. +/- crap sounding ancient skis and not, by todays standards anyway. off piste oriented.

Where are you based? I.e. are you in reasonably shouting distance of powder when it comes or just having to accept what the snow gods deliver? Hire on the day sounds like the plan to me ...

A snowHead

A snowHead

@mhski, not sure a dedicated half pipe ski is going to help you much in powder. Perhaps look for a 2nd hand pair of 100m+ rockered skis - will make your forays off piste much more enjoyable!

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

Some older skiers, some ski instructors and die hards (and i could include myself in these groups) will tell you i skied powder on my 1970s 65 wide whatevers and yes it's possible but it is just not fun, similar to 1970s cars - requires a lot of work and the ride not as good as modern ones.

I've got and had park skis similar dimensions to your salomons. They can go off piste - but they are not nearly as fun as something a bit wider and more soft snow orientated and i don't fear for my knees as much. Yes you can do what you suggest but i would suggest you'll have more fun, and skiing should be fun, on something 95-110 wide and at least as tall as you. This is not too wide to also be used as an everyday ski either so long as its not constant hardpack where you ski.

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@hsdee, exactly.

On width, the Mrs and I are both on ~98mm widths and have been for a long time. 85mm is a boring piste ski, almost by definition.

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

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Using old freestyle skis

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