 Poster: A snowHead
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| abc wrote: |
| Blackblade wrote: |
| All that said, full disclosure, I'm a competitive sports fanatic. I view skiing as a sport rather than just a recreation and I spend time and money on training to get better. If, like my partner, you're much more into the "it's a winter holiday" mindset and you don't do it so much then it probably doesn't make sense to incur the cost. |
I got the impression OP is a holiday skier. |
I think he actually said as much ... although that was three pages ago and conversations develop 
However, he also asked how things change over time so I thought it made sense to give my perception ... but to also be honest about the mindset/type of skier that I am. Further full disclosure, in case it is helpful;
My partner is a 'holiday skier' not interested in lessons although she is improving. She has her own boots but rents skis ... but tries to find the same make/model each time.
My son is also a 'holiday skier' in that he's not interested in getting better and really just likes the family buzz. He rents boots and skis and is quite happy on them. His style is atrocious but he is in control, can get down anything and is confident.
My daughter is like me and wants to take lessons and coaching and improve. She owns all her own gear (although she didn't pay for it of course).
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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 classify myself as a holiday skier. It’s just I take quite a lot more such “ski holiday” than most  As such, I do own my own skis to remove the rental shop hassle, and occasionally take lessons.
I do see some benefit of having one’s own gear. Most notably own boots. But I’m not as sensitive to skis. Last month in Japan, I hired helmets because I didn’t feel like carrying my own all over Southeast Asia for 6 week just to use it for 1. I must say I couldn’t tell the difference, and frankly forgot about it not being my own.
I think it’s a continuous spectrum of varying benefits in owning one’s own gear. Where an individual can “feel” the difference depends on where on that spectrum that individual is at. Add to that the financial consideration, and an individual’s willingness to put up with the hassle of ownership (carriage, service etc.)
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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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| Belch wrote: |
@Pasigal, How about renting them? Being a proud father of 3x I've considered this but the legalities are complex . . .  |
Pah; I’ll happily rent you mine ! Minimal paperwork, full damage waiver and huge discount for long-term rental.
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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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Perhaps 'Holiday Skier' wasn't a particularly useful nomenclature. After all, except for the pros on Snowheads (instructor, piste patrol, racers etc), we are all holiday skiers.
My categorisation was just seeking to separate those for whom it is more holiday and those who view it more as a sport. My impression, from my own family and friends, is that most 'holiday skiers' are not really that interested in improving other than by spending time skiing. They might take lessons up to a certain point but, then, decide that they're good enough to get around on their own and don't do any more.
The more 'sport oriented' skiers want to continually improve and are prepared to spend time and money having coaching and following that up with practice.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@Blackblade, I use the term to distinguish it from people who ski for the sport of it.
9 times out of 10 when I got on a bicycle, I’m doing a “sport”! Although I may slow down a bit to see the view, or even stop for a picture, those are rare exceptions. More significantly, the moment I got back on the bike after a photo stop, I’m going at 90+% effort!
But skiing for me is the opposite. There maybe 15% of the time that I’m seriously focusing on my technique. The rest of the time, I’m there just enjoying the carefree feeling of sliding on snow. I’m not thinking about how my turn shapes are or whether I’m on edge enough…
That said, I’ve gone through a few periods of semi-seriously working on my technique. But that was typically motivated by incidents of getting stuck on terrain I have trouble getting down (side slipping can get really tiring if it’s a long stretch), or “wasting snow” (condition that can be enjoyable for those having the skill). I would even go so far to say, the better skills I got, the more I enjoy the skiing. Still, the end result is ALWAYS a smooth sliding on snow which is what I really enjoy. I’m there to have a nice holiday, not for the purpose of improving my skills.
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I ski to enjoy myself. Eating, drinking and skiing are all part of the fun. If I have more than 1 large beer at lunch it can negatively affect my afternoon enjoyment but I tend to play it by ear.
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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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we are holiday skiers but still take tuition and desire to improve to a reasonable level.
aim this trip is the hidden valley from lagazuoi. this defines our approach to a ski holiday really. long enjoyable run in epic scenery. we will usually ski the morning then go off and explore in the afternoon, then night ski if available. too old and knackered to ski all day every day!
first year we spent on one change of clothing - base layer, mids and outer. i ended up with really nice kit bought in the summer sale from the only ski shop in dubai the mrs got hers from the outlet village near milan on the drive over.
added to that the second trip, this year it's helmets and goggles.
then as the oh lives in switzerland, will look to pick up boots in the end of season sales at a reputable fitter. i don't think we'll need ski's for a few years yet.
the issue with rental boots for me is that the premium offering is a race fit boot and the beginner offering is the cheapest turd going. would be nice to be able to pay for a premium quiality beginner boot.
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| Quote: |
the premium offering is a race fit boot
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Really?
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Does kit make a difference?
Of course it does.
Put just about any of us here (by definition almost all are keen skiers) in basic rental boots, with basic rental skis, and wearing the jackets and gloves from 20 years ago on a cold day.
We'd all agree that kit makes a huge difference!
Quite where the value/price/marginal gain intersection points are is something for each of us to decide personally.
An example:
Yesterday there was about 20cm of lovely fresh snow off/side piste.
I decided to give my old powder skis an outing.
OMG they were horrible! I used to absolutely love them though.
After a couple of hours I went back down to the bottom and swapped them for my new all mountain skis.
So much better in the fresh, even though significantly narrower underfoot, so less of of a powder ski in theory.
Technology and design move on...kit is better...and better kit makes a difference.
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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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| rungsp wrote: |
Does kit make a difference? Of course it does.
….
Technology and design move on...kit is better...and better kit makes a difference. |
+1 to all that, though wool thermals are distinctly old-school, and work pretty well for us. The much newer tech Paramo top layers we use were pretty good through the three days of rain, followed by full sun for the rest of the week in Alleghe this year.
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Disagree about ski clothing and gloves being worse 20 years ago. Goretex has been around for 40+ years in ski clothing as has merino etc. You stayed just as warm and dry then as you do now.
Hestra gloves just last and last as another example.
Skis, boots, sure big advances over the years since the late 90s.
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You know it makes sense.
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I used to own skis but now prefer to rent.
Why? Because it means I always have the right ski for the conditions. I want a very different ski for Vail compared with Corvara because the mountain is different. Within one resort, I want different skis on a bluebird powder day compared with a snow-drought after multiple freeze-thaw cycles. I obviously want different skis for touring, off-piste and groomers. Anyone who has attempted powder in skinny piste skis, or a steep, icy black in touring skis will know how much difference having the right ski makes.
Of course, a good skier will safely descend any slope in any ski. But it won't be half as much fun as with the right ski, and skiing is about fun.
I don't have the time or inclination to assemble a full quiver of skis, and I certainly don't plan to take 3-4 pairs with me wherever I go. So I rent. And, when I rent, I always start by discussing resort conditions before choosing a ski. Then, more often than not, I change skis at least once if snow conditions change or I plan to vary my skiing.
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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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| Origen wrote: |
| Quote: |
the premium offering is a race fit boot
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Really? |
No. I t might be a 130 flex and a bit tight, but no rental boot will be close to a "race fit" boot. They might say that (much as guides/instructors will say you've just skied perfect powder when it's 4 days old crud) but they don't really mean it.
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FAQ
(although I do visit a fridge now and then)
