 Poster: A snowHead
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I’m wary of starting another ski recommendation thread as it is somewhat a personal choice (and skills matter more than tools). Skis that I’ve owned at various parts of my life (not counting rentals): Head isupershape magnum, Brahma 88 (telemark binding), Mantra M5 (again tele binding). As you can see, these skis are all quite hard charging and stiff.
I’m looking to add to my quivers. I’m looking for skis that:
Have a different character to M5 so perhaps a bit softer and more playful
Shorter radius (perhaps no more than 16m) so I can ski trees and moguls
Waist between 80mm to 95mm. Wouldn’t consider wider as I would just rent powder skis if needed. Probably won’t consider narrower either as I hope this pair can handle the odd powder days.
Stability at high speed (probably contradicts with shorter flex)
Weight is not a significant consideration. My tele binding allows me to tour but I tour maybe 5% of the time (mainly to chase powder rather than actual touring)
I ski mostly 50/50 on/off piste (by off piste I mean either side off the piste or I’ll take a ski lift up, then find a line down and take the lift up again, and not backcountry)
At the moment, I have two skis in mind, Mirus Cor and Line Blade. I’ve looked at Ripstick too but not sure if the flex would be too soft.
Mirus Cor is interesting as they are different from any skis I’ve owned before. My only concern is that online reviews suggest they are quite unstable once you go above 40mph.
Line Blade – fit my criteria above and Blister has a favourable review on these skis. Downside is that Line seems to have durability issue with the topsheet and that the tip of the skis is massive so not sure how that will fare in the tele stance.
Other than Blister, I don’t really trust much of the online reviews as I’m never sure how much of those are marketing. So would be curious to see if any of you have on the ground experience with them. Feel free to recommend other skis too.
Thanks a lot.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I picked up some Mirus Cor last year and they're just a fun ski. Never had an issue with edge grip unless it's super icy. I've chased a few people around the mountain and they're nice and stable, super turn-y I shouldn't be able to crank em over and hand drag in my 50s...
In soft stuff the softness of the ski makes them really out perform their dimensions.
I've just come off some k2 Poachers which have been great but overall I think I prefer the Mirus Cor, I've also got some rtm 85s for some charging on piste but they hardly got any use last year.
It's a great ski.
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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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@euanovsky, are you mostly tele (in which case my opinion is not very valid)?
Can you ski bumps on teles? Wouldn't you just fall over? 
Seriously, I can see softer as being a fun addition (I'm probs going to add softer + more rocker myself this season for softer snow, thinking Movement GO 98s).
I feel radius is a false friend. My Bonafides are 13m nominally and do not ski like a slalom ski! Also, dedicated bumps skis are more like GS skis.
I'd suggest the Ripsticks are too soft (although I believe they've been beefed up a bit in recent years). No idea on the Mirus but my ski advisors tell me I wouldn't like Black Crows. No idea why.
The Lines are very pretty and I like the look of them, a lot!! Hmmm ...
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I’ve skied Scott Slight 100s for the last 5 or 6 years. I have to say they have been absolutely fantastic.
I primarily ski off piste and they handle all conditions from deep powder through cut up to skied out pack.
On piste they are remarkably versatile from long, sweeping carving turns at speed to medium moguls.
Great grip and consistency of edge behaviour.
I’m just in the process of buying the Scott Pure Mission which are 98 underfoot and the next evolution of the Slights.
I’ve also got a pair of Rossignol Hero Elite ST Ti slalom skis which are fabulous for piste and short turns but I hardly ever use them as the Scott’s are so versatile.
I thoroughly recommend the Scott’s.
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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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@rickboden, [drift]lots of folk on here rave about Scotts - I really must try a pair[/drift] 
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I’ll have mine with me on the bashes. You can try them if your boots will fit. I could bring my old Sagebrush with me as I can fit a rail binding setup on them.
They are an excellent ski imho.
I’m hiring at the PSB/PiPAU though. Going to really annoy the hire shop and do a 13 day ski test on all their brand new stock. 
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As a board rider it amuses me that any skis with under 16m sidecut radius are considered "short radius" when the vast majority of boards are under 8m. Even my carving boards are only 7.8m, it's got to be a pretty specialist board to have over a 9m radius. I know there are boards up to about 15m but is it even feasible to ride skis with a sub 8m sidecut? They would certainly look pretty weird!
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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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@euanovsky, Can't make any ski suggestions --- Mantras were my do-it-all tele ski for about 10 years --- and I think that's what you are still looking for, just a bit softer? I'd actually look at two pairs of skis -- a really piste oriented ski (less than 80mm underfoot, short radius) for hard snow, and the something of Mantra size/radius for soft and off piste stuff. Depending on the binding you have using inserts, plates or a Rotty second ski kit makes swapping bindings between skis achievable whilst you are away.
My feeling is that most skis feel softer mounted tele, so bear this in mind reading the fixed-heel brigades' recommendations?
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Can you ski bumps on teles? Wouldn't you just fall over? Twisted Evil
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@andy n netty, thanks does the Mirus chatter at high speed?
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@ski, thanks re the ski feels point I thought skis would feel stiffer not softer on tele. We pressure skis just on the toe vs toe and heel on alpine. So the skis will bend less vs alpine?
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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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| euanovsky wrote: |
| @andy n netty, thanks does the Mirus chatter at high speed? |
TBH yeah a little bit, the rocker combined with the lack of metal does make it a bit "flappy" but you need to be cracking on.....
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Mitch from Black Crows had some on the Oktober test last year, maybe he'll have some again if you can get there???
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You know it makes sense.
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@under a new name, yea I only tele these days. Not the hardcore tele type so I’ll do parallel turns too. Yes I can do bumps but not very well. This is down to technique though. I’m not as good a tele skier as I’m alpine.
How does one get a ski adviser??
Last edited by You know it makes sense. on Sun 29-09-24 9:59; edited 1 time in total
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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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| Quote: |
So the skis will bend less vs alpine?
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Complicated! We can't generate the same pressure as an alpine skier, but an alpine binding/boot restricts ski bending at the toe and at the heel. We don't have the heel, so it's easier for us to bend the ski.
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Yes I can do bumps but not very well.
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Can you get to Hemel on October 18 in the morning? Planning quite a tele posse then 
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Poster: A snowHead
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@euanovsky, hehe having a bro-in-law with a ski shop 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@ski, sadly not. Is that when the Oktober test is? I’m away for work most of October 
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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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| Quote: |
sadly not. Is that when the Oktober test is? I’m away for work most of October Sad
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No, it's the last time they'll have bumps this year, we should have a fair few tele skiers on the Friday morning. Have you come across the Freeheeler Telemark Campus? Last week of November in Hintertux.....
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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What about new BC Octo? Currently procrastinating between these and Mirus Cor . . .
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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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| andy n netty wrote: |
| Mitch from Black Crows had some on the Oktober test last year, maybe he'll have some again if you can get there??? |
Unfortunately there is no Oktobertest this year... admin can't get enough skis to make it worthwhile.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| Belch wrote: |
| What about new BC Octo? Currently procrastinating between these and Mirus Cor . . . |
Thanks will take a look. Ideally I'd like to try them on before buying them. The problem is that I've only skied on stiff skis so I can't tell if I'd like skis with shorter flex! Have to say I'm leaning towards Blade at the moment though the BC skis are pretty...
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| euanovsky wrote: |
| Belch wrote: |
| What about new BC Octo? Currently procrastinating between these and Mirus Cor . . . |
Thanks will take a look. Ideally I'd like to try them on before buying them. The problem is that I've only skied on stiff skis so I can't tell if I'd like skis with shorter flex! Have to say I'm leaning towards Blade at the moment though the BC skis are pretty... |
Why don’t you hire on your next trip. Pay for model change and do a week of ski testing changing every evening. That’s what I’m doing for the PSB
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@rickboden, thanks. Can we do that in Europe? I thought its quite common in North America but less so here. Also not sure if hire shops stock the skis that I want to try...
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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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| euanovsky wrote: |
| @rickboden, thanks. Can we do that in Europe? I thought its quite common in North America but less so here. Also not sure if hire shops stock the skis that I want to try... |
Absolutely you can do it, but you need to select "Model Change" or something similar when you make your hire selections.
It will annoy the shop and you might initially get some French shrug resistance but if you've booked model change they can't stop you.
The worst case is that they don't have the skis you want to try out but that is relatively low likelihood imo at this time of year. Plus for an added bonus they will be brand new as effectively first week of the season.
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@rickboden, a good shop will let you do that anyway, if you promise to buy at the end of the experience.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@under a new name, IME they'd be prepared to waive rental charges of up to 3 days, but not the whole week. Obviously you may be able to persuade them otherwise.
Another factor though is to look at the relative cost of skis on the internet compared with resort shop prices and compare the difference with the rental costs for a week. It may well be worthwhile just paying for the ski hire and buying your chosen ski later from glissshop or similar.
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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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@rickboden, @under a new name, do you know if they have similar offerings in Austria? As @Chaletbeauroc put it I'm probably not going to buy skis from them at the end (unless their price is competitive or offer free bindings mount say).
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@euanovsky,
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do you know if they have similar offerings in Austria?
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Are you hoping rent with Telemark or Alpine?
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You know it makes sense.
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@ski, well alpine. I thought it would be impossible to demo telemark skis on the bindings and skis that I wanted but if they do have telemark demo I'm not going to complain!
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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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@euanovsky,  When you do decide, let us know how the skis compare between alpine and tele...
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Poster: A snowHead
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| euanovsky wrote: |
| @rickboden, @under a new name, do you know if they have similar offerings in Austria? As @Chaletbeauroc put it I'm probably not going to buy skis from them at the end (unless their price is competitive or offer free bindings mount say). |
Model change is generally an option from all hire shops for a small extra fee
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@ski, I used to work in the US pre Covid so I did demo on some skis (on alpine binding). I ended up buying a pair and mounted tele bindings on them. The feel on tele is similar. My slight regret is I should probably have gone for the 176 or 178 length (basically one size down) instead of the 184 I demoed on as the skis are quite stiff so I dont think I can pressure/edge them as well on tele as I did on alpine (could also be down to my skills as I’m better at alpine than tele).
(I’m 183 and about 80kg)
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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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Love my Mirus Cors.
I wanted something with personality.
There are so many great skis out there that work well in most circumstances.
To me, this irons out a degree of quirkiness that I find exciting.
I found that it took me a bit of time to work out the Mirus Cors.
They are mounted much more centrally than I am used to, and require you to put in a bit more energy than normal to get the best out of them.
But...once I understood them, they became the most fun skis I have owned to date. You can trench the most satisfying medium to short radius carves at a sensible speeds....
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| FoofyNoo wrote: |
Love my Mirus Cors.
I wanted something with personality.
There are so many great skis out there that work well in most circumstances.
To me, this irons out a degree of quirkiness that I find exciting.
I found that it took me a bit of time to work out the Mirus Cors.
They are mounted much more centrally than I am used to, and require you to put in a bit more energy than normal to get the best out of them.
But...once I understood them, they became the most fun skis I have owned to date. You can trench the most satisfying medium to short radius carves at a sensible speeds.... |
Thanks for the review. I definitely appreciate some on the ground feedback. Do you also find they chatter at high speed? Are they good for moguls and trees too?
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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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@euanovsky, A 184 Mantra will be a burly beast! Yes to a bit shorter for tele. Have fun.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| euanovsky wrote: |
Thanks for the review. I definitely appreciate some on the ground feedback. Do you also find they chatter at high speed? Are they good for moguls and trees too? |
Great in moguls. They turn on a dime.
Haven't got them in the trees yet but the way they behave in the moguls would suggest they'd be fantastic in all but knee deep snow.
Do they chatter at speed?
The honest answer is, yes, but not much....but that's not what they are made for.
There is so much fun to be had in trenching tight turns, I have never cared about the lack of top end.
Especially as I am am old git....
It would be difficult to recommend them as your only ski as they are so unique. But that's kinda the point.
The limitations are the reason why they are so much fun.
I also have a pair of Stockli Stormrider 102s.
Totally opposite to the MCs
I love them as well, but for their ultra-smooth user friendliness.
As a two ski quiver, it doesn't get much better
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"Why don’t you hire on your next trip. Pay for model change and do a week of ski testing changing every evening. That’s what I’m doing for the PSB"
Not sure I've ever witnessed BC skis for rental in hire shops before; primarily because I've never looked closely (owning my own skis anyway) but also maybe because I don't ski France that often - assume they are readily available in certain places (eg Chamonix) ?
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| Belch wrote: |
"Why don’t you hire on your next trip. Pay for model change and do a week of ski testing changing every evening. That’s what I’m doing for the PSB"
Not sure I've ever witnessed BC skis for rental in hire shops before; primarily because I've never looked closely (owning my own skis anyway) but also maybe because I don't ski France that often - assume they are readily available in certain places (eg Chamonix) ? |
Yea I might do that though as you said it's just a question whether they have the skis I wanted to try!
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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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| euanovsky wrote: |
Yea I might do that though as you said it's just a question whether they have the skis I wanted to try! |
It depends a bit on whether you want to test a specific model of ski (e.g. BC Camox) or a range of skis of a particular type (e.g. 70-80mm piste-focused). The latter generally works well, as most shops have a range of manufacturers with an option to test. But if you are after a very specific ski, and especially if it's not one of the mainstream manufacturers in the country you are visiting, then best to do your research beforehand and find a shop that definitely stocks the ski you want to test. Otherwise you may well be disappointed.
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@Belch, I'm not sure BCs are really in the rental fleet zone of the curve haha
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FAQ
(I would) [she also doesn't nerd out on skiing 
