 Poster: A snowHead
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Hello everyone,
It's my first time in France and I'm not sure what to expect, I’m heading to Tignes soon and looking to hire top-range skis. Are they similar to those in large Austrian resorts (in terms of age/condition)?
Also, would it be better to hire skis at home and bring them, or rent on-site, wdyt?
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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If you are looking at top range - they will be new stock for this year. You may well be surprised by the price when compared with rip off Austrian resorts where cartels still rule (like St Anton).
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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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You should get what you pay for. One down from the top level is usually decent quality. If you don't like the choice go elsewhere (provided you haven't booked online), as there are plenty of options.
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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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@skicasserole, I highly recommend visiting "Mountain Story" in Tignes le Lac, right by the Palfour lift.
I had brand new skis almost every time I've used them (In early December).
They let me change skis as often as I wanted, just a great shop.
My tip for this season is Salomon Addikt Pro 76 (different animal to the narrower skis)
I've never had a ski which was so much fun.
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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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| DrLawn wrote: |
My tip for this season is Salomon Addikt Pro 76 (different animal to the narrower skis)
I've never had a ski which was so much fun. |
What kind of benefits do you get working for Amer? Just asking because I'm looking to change careers... 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@DrLawn, plus 1 for the addict pro. Had the 66s at BB last year and had a blast on them.
Was disappointed with tignes spirit rental in lavachet 2 yrs ago, might have got the dregs of the day but helmets were downright bad and skis so so.
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@Thomasski, I don't know who "Amer" is, honest gov, never heard of him.
@noodlehat, I was not very sure about the 66 addickt pro last April, it just felt a bit "above my pay grade".
It was probably because it was just too nice as well 
When was a child I used to live in a row of cottages in Saltash and the view went right across to Dartmoor.
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If you avoid the major budget chain rentals and go for independent companies that rely on word of mouth you're already (generally) taking a big step up in quality.
@noodlehat, I'm not sure why anyone rents a helmet, you have no idea what treatment it has so therefore how much protection it actually provides, not to mention the ingrained sweat of a thousand foreheads...
Given the cost of a ski holiday, £60-£100 for a new helmet (that work out cheaper than the combined rental cost over several trips) isn't exactly an extravagance.
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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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So, on a theme….
Off to the 3V next month (Les Menuires)
I’ve been a skier for the last 6 or 7 years, mid-range intermediate who likes to stick to pistes only. I’m a lump - 6”3 and about 18 stone inclusive of kit and boots (have my own custom-fitted Dalbello Panterra 120 flex)
Always hired skis and think the economics mean I likely always will. I ski about 9 days a year at most and my end goal is to be able to ski anything, reasonably well and with all limbs in tact. Currently can ski blues and most reds - hoping to try some blacks this year.
Now I have the right boots, I’m starting to pay more attention to skis. However, I’m a massive ski novice and am looking for some pointers so when I walk into a hire shop, I’ve some semblance of what’s going on and what would suit me.
Just spent three days on Rossignol R6s (forgive me if I have got that model wrong) and they were ok. The ski will always be better than me at my standard I’m sure.
Any extra pointers for a lump like me would be much appreciated. Of course, happy to have a chat with the shop staff but like to have some pointers in my back pocket if possible. Or of course, if there’s an applicable thread that covers this….my search isn’t throwing anything up.
Thanks in advance.
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@Reezo, My experience/perception, FWIW, is that as long as you don't book the beginners skis and you're booking from one of the big chains where you just pick a package colour you'll get whatever is in the rack. The higher up the package levels just defines where they start looking in the rack and maybe the pick longer skis relative to your height if you say you're a better skier etc.
And in that scenario the length of ski and how well the skis have been serviced is much more important that the actual ski you get. Any ski will seem like the best ski you've ever had if it has just had its edges sharpened, any ski will feel like poo-poo if the edges are blunt and there is no wax left.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| bouquetin wrote: |
@Reezo, My experience/perception, FWIW, is that as long as you don't book the beginners skis and you're booking from one of the big chains where you just pick a package colour you'll get whatever is in the rack. The higher up the package levels just defines where they start looking in the rack and maybe the pick longer skis relative to your height if you say you're a better skier etc.
And in that scenario the length of ski and how well the skis have been serviced is much more important that the actual ski you get. Any ski will seem like the best ski you've ever had if it has just had its edges sharpened, any ski will feel like poo-poo if the edges are blunt and there is no wax left. |
Nice one, thanks.
What’s the etiquette in asking the shop if they’ve recently been serviced/sharpened and waxed? I would presume they’re subject to service intervals like a car (time or mileage etc) and as you say, at my level, sharp and waxy within an appropriate model range would see me right.
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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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| Reezo wrote: |
What’s the etiquette in asking the shop if they’ve recently been serviced/sharpened and waxed? I would presume they’re subject to service intervals like a car (time or mileage etc) and as you say, at my level, sharp and waxy within an appropriate model range would see me right. |
They should be freshly edged and waxed when you get them.
Find out if you can make ski changes through the week...and if so, how many times.
If unhappy, politely (but determinedly) ask for something else.
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| Quote: |
@skicasserole, I highly recommend visiting "Mountain Story" in Tignes le Lac, right by the Palfour lift.
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Thanks for the recommendation @DrLawn, btw did you book on-line in advance? I'm seeing they have different prices on-line than in-store.
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You know it makes sense.
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| Quote: |
| Given the cost of a ski holiday, £60-£100 for a new helmet (that work out cheaper than the combined rental cost over several trips) isn't exactly an extravagance |
Or save yourself a packet with a trip to Decathlon, Sports Direct or Trespass 
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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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@skicasserole, I did'nt book anythink in advance.
I was there on the snowhead bash in December, and Admin had organised a discount for Snowheads on the Bash.
I'd recommend giving them a ring at a time of day when they are not too busy and ask directly to the guys fitting the skis if they would still honour the fabulous deal you were offered on Snowheads back in December.
Just to see what they say. They may or may not offer you the 40 odd % discount we were getting then. (dont forget this is before the season really starts so it has to be good)
I'm sure they will certainly offer you a discount if you go direct and speak to them rather than SkiSet etc.
I'd suggest ring them about 11am in the morning on a quite day and talk to them.
Ask them what models they suggest so you can do your homework on them.
Apart from the Addiikt Pro 76 ... The Kassle dx73 was a very smooth and forgiving ski they last year.
One thing to watch, the really top end skis may not be worth insuring as they explained to me the excess on a claim for the skis being stollen can be the price of teh skis new.
This is for the Stokli's, Kassle & Addikts.
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