 Poster: A snowHead
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I remember a year or so ago a thread about the season’s purchases. It was quite an interesting thread and I can’t find the original so thought I’d start one. I don’t normally buy much new kit but for some reason I’ve had a bit of a splurge this season. I’ve not really bought anything interesting or innovative and mostly just replaced old, well used kit - some 10+ years old with the last 4 seasons being around 50 days.
Poc helmet replacing old Smith helmet
New gloves (Racer) after my Snow Shepherds developed a hole in the thumb
Touring set up - brand new skis, binding, skins and boots for a bargain €720
Odlo base layers
Buff balaclava to replace the uncomfortable free one I got when I went go karting in Schladming
Tecnica boots, replacing my old first pair of boots that were a bit bendy!
Nordica Spitfire TI skis to replace my first pair of skis that were well used and battered
Goggles (brand called Hysteresis) to replace my no longer trusty Smiths that now seem to get foggy in between the two lenses on snowy/damp days
Anyone else got anything interesting?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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New skis with shift2 bindings. The bindings are a complete game changer - not sure I’ll ever use my lightweight touring skis with dynafits, ever again.
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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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Jacket as have lost weight. Goggles from a SH as they were Oakley hi vis yellow after mine disintegrated
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Not sure I've bought anything. In fact I can only recall wandering into one ski shop for a browse.
Oh actually bought a new belt in Decathlon today that I thought might be good for my ski pants.
Must try harder.
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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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In the last year I’ve had to buy everything as I only just started my ski journey, I’ll go with just the last 6 months 
Atomic hawx 110 boots
Elan ripstick 88s with marker griffon bindings
Helly Hansen base layers and Arc’teryx atom mid layer
More money on socks than I care to think about
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I bought new skis (QST echos), and a crap ton of metal in my ankle 
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New skis & boots for kids
Milo communication thigeys
Clipstic for all of us (loved them)
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Nothing! Must be a first…
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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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Only things I bought this year was a new base layer and liners for my gloves as my others had holes, neither I actually bought as the wife bought them for Xmas, however need a new helmet and goggles next year as my old helmet had a big bang this time in a heavy fall in a snow park and goggles now steam up .
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Spent more than usual this year.
New skis for easier piste skiing.
New Mojo as previous one was being held together with string and looking a bit bent.
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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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It's quite funny, some seasons ( this one included ) I buy nothing, and other years it's brutal.........
Next season will fall into latter category. On the list so far :
Boots for the wife
Boots for eldest offspring
Skis for youngest offspring
Which, probably means deferring the replacement of my de-laminating skis until such time as I can procure the winning Euromillions ticket 
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A 2nd hand pair of GS skis
A new set of foam liners for my boots
A 2nd hand shell jacket
CARV 2 units
A new helmet, which I should replace as I had a heavy fall 2 weeks ago
A new GS race helmet
Think that's it
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You know it makes sense.
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So far.
- Rossignol branded jacket without hood, yay! Does have snow skirt though, so not perfect.
- Smith Summit MIPS helmet. Low profile. Don't know if it works or not, fortunately.
- Julbo shadow 0-4 goggles. Wider range than the Atomic Count & Salomon I've used before. Do the job well.
- Lenz socks and batteries. I don't need to wiggle my toes in the cold any more
- Death Grip Zombie mitts. I didn't pay for them. I've not needed anything warmer this season. Reminds me I need to add idiot retainers to them. The deal with these is that you can break your hand out of the mitt without removing it, more useful than usual as they're "under jacket" mitts. Too complex for my liking, but they do work if that's your thing and they're kind of funky.
- Lafroi compression shirt, smallest size. Too big. I'm used to being relegated from Medium to Small to Extra Small with jackets, but compression shirts which only work for big people? Time to try another brand.
- Ortlieb Dry-Bag Light Valve. For use inside my snowboard bag, as a couple of airports I visit (YVR, KEF) tend to leave outsize bags on the tarmac in the rain, and they're not waterproof. Tested in anger this last trip, these work fine. The valves are unnecessary but fun.
- Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 headphones. Work well, easier to operate than ear buds.
- A nice man gave me a new balaclava and explained how the manufacturing business for those works.
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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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@hammerite, How are you finding the Spitfire TIs? I've bought the same this year. 
I don't usually bother, but here goes-
Wife- new Elan skis (about time), Poles-Atomic Carbon Fibre. She doesn't love them. (previous pair pinched from outside of the Luiskeller, Selva), Gloves- Hestra Fall-line. Jury is out. (required because lost one in the Luiskeller, Selva) New base layers and socks.
Daughter-new Dynastar women specific AM skis. She's blown away by them.
Me. New Nordica Spitfire TIs after 18yrs on Head Magnums. New POC Obex lid, baggage handlers in either INNS or BRS put a significant dent in the previous one. A Dynastar hybrid mid-layer jacket. Very, impressed with it. Love it in fact.
Last edited by Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name: on Mon 24-03-25 10:26; edited 3 times in total
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Poster: A snowHead
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It's been all about actually affording to go skiing this season....
Although I did buy helmets for everyone in the family so had a few bargains; Head helmet for me for £30, Kask helmet for the missus for £25, one of those visor ones for the eldest for £25 and a Rossingnol one for the youngest for £15, all BNWT ex-demo from various places.
Vinted has also had a punishing for my ever-growing kids; didn't fancy spending big money on anything new so got some nice pre-loved stuff for the kids that'll see them through. The immaculate £50 Dope Snow jacket for my lad was a notable victory.
Would have loved a new snowboard fr both me and the boy but that'll wait for another year
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@Specialman, Vinted, Ebay and the like are an absolute must for a growing skiing family. I did it for our four over the years and picked up some amazing bargains. I became quite the expert modesty aside. 
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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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Peak performance 3L shell jacket.
Oakley Iced iridium lens for my goggles
New boots for the kids (eBay bargains both)
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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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| Mollerski wrote: |
| @Specialman, Vinted, Ebay and the like are an absolute must for a growing skiing family. I did it for our four over the years and picked up some amazing bargains. I became quite the expert modesty aside. |
Agreed. Been a lifesaver, as my kids seem to be having growth spurts each month.... the buy/wear/sell cycle on Vinted is now quite familiar to us LOL
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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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A tube of Fantastic Elastic flexible glue and some more gaffer tape
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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@Timberwolf, yes, seems like me, all or nothing with the purchases.
@Mollerski, I only got them last week and have only used them for about 3 hours last Thursday - it's been snowing here so been using my all mountain skis - I've yet to make a full opinion on them yet. The shop down the road had 30% off so thought I'd get them after reading up about them including your thread. I was actually going to get some Salomon Addikt Pro 76s but couldn't find any in my size nearby. Coincidentally, we've also bought the same helmet this year!
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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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I'm in the hunt for some new ski goggles next season, does anyone know when the end of season sales typically start online? And which sites are best? Thanks.
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| snowdave wrote: |
| New skis with shift2 bindings. The bindings are a complete game changer - not sure I’ll ever use my lightweight touring skis with dynafits, ever again. |
How are the shifts2? Have you used the original shifts before?
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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New skis and boots for both me and MrLG (both replacing 10+ year old kit, what a difference!)
I got new poles in a random shop in Les Menuires after I snapped one slipping and skiing over it on some horrid bumps.
My OH repeatedly tells me I need new gloves, but I got decision fatigue because I didnt want to just buy the same Hestra 3 fingers I used for years and ended up going for a 3rd trip on the backup gloves I replaced with the Hestras maybe 8 years ago. Lets see what 25/26 brings for the trusty old Burton Mittens with disintegrating fabric.
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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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I actually sold quite a bit of surplus gear at the beginning of the year due to my impending shoulder op. Date set for April so managed to squeeze in a trip to Italy in February. Bought the wife a jacket from absolute snow for £63 westbeech 15k 10k bargain. Bought myself level leather gloves for 80 quid from eBay brand new and so comfortable. I sold my union atlas bindings and realised I needed bindings, luckily I found this season's atlas asadachis on sale so bought them. I always wanted these as previously they had sold out so had to get the normal ones. That's it, not buying anything else I promise!!
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Just a shell jacket, need shell trousers as well, but finding any in the shops in a light colour at the right price, hasn't happened.
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You know it makes sense.
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Zen Soul Splitboard - great
Union Explorer Bindings - Meh but they were super cheap and do the job
Union Crampons - Good
Karakoram Ranger Skins - Good
Frendo telescopic poles - (snapped one) - Not strong enough
McKinley telescopic poles - (emergency buy, going to get BD Expedition 3s)
Black Diamond Spark Mitts - awesome
ABS Vario Airbag - Fine
ARVA EVO BT Beacon - Great beacon compact and super easy to use.
ARVA Probe - Does what it says on the tin
ARVA Shovel - Dito
A few items on my list for next season any suggestions are welcome.
Touring bibs
Touring jacket
Touring helmet
Uphill touring gloves - I think I will get some winter MTB ones
Directional - All Mountain/freeride solid board - Nitro Alternator is top of my list
Touring Sunglasses maybe either Julbo or Smith Photochromic
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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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New piste skis, Volkl Peregrine 72 in 173. OK but not one of the skis which I loved instantly, still trying to see if I can get to love them for those full days on piste (but deep down regretting not demoing before buying). I was hoping it would fill the gap between a Sl type ski, which I do enjoy but not for all day use, and a GS type ski which again I find fun but only with empty pistes
A nice combo for v.cold weather, a light Brynje under-helmet beanie and a "lower half" balaclava from Brubeck (like a light Buff) that combines well with the beanie to give balaclava like coverage but more versatile and avoiding the dodgy SAS look! Only needed a couple of days this winter.
A pair of down filled Goretex mitts from Reusch, toasty for the cold days (again only needed a couple of days) bought off season at decent price
A replacement pair of trousers, HH Legendary, lightly insulated and bought for a decent price post Xmas
New helmet for wife, bought in resort with much attention to ensure it matches the jacket, so premium price (but it was Xmas prez)
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Poster: A snowHead
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Boots with a really snappy name; Atomic Hawx Ulta XTD 130
Although i also need to buy new poles now; as some twat stole mine.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Shell trousers and 3/4 merino leggings
Best move I ever made, so much more comfortable now in all conditions
Spy+ Marauder goggles with the Happy Boost Plus lenses
Choice between them or Outdoor Master Zeiss Ultras, think I made the right one! Not sure if I've noticed being more 'happy' after wearing them because to be honest I'm always happy when I'm on my skis!
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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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Lip balm and a 6 euro resort logo'd snood. Last of the big spenders.
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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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| mooney058 wrote: |
| How are the shifts2? Have you used the original shifts before? |
I'd not used the Gen 1 shifts, just dynafit tlt, and also Marker F10. However, the Shifts2 are amazing - they ski just like a good downhill binding, and going uphill the pivot is in exactly the right place. Not at all fiddly, tho' I did have premature brake release at one point; I've not figured out if that was user error, or if the brake lock isn't quite up to it.
Clearly there's a weight penalty vs pins, but it's only about 1% more total weight that I'm dragging uphill vs a pin setup, and well worth it for the descents.
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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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| dh900 wrote: |
| I'm in the hunt for some new ski goggles next season, does anyone know when the end of season sales typically start online? And which sites are best? Thanks. |
Now. Try sportpursuit.com
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| dh900 wrote: |
| I'm in the hunt for some new ski goggles next season, does anyone know when the end of season sales typically start online? And which sites are best? Thanks. |
Now is definitely a good time. Absolute Snow can be good.
I highly recommend Oakley Prizm, Smith Chromapop/Chromapop Photochromic, Julbo Reactiv 0-4 High contrast.
Personally, I have been rocking Smith Squad XL with Chromapop everyday and storm lenses for the last two seasons they are fantastic. I have heard very good things about the new Smith Chromapop Photochromic lenses which I might get in Sunglasses form for touring next year.
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I bought some K2 Mindbender 96c skis with Marker Griffon bindings and I've been super happy with them so far. As the bindings are now grip walk compatible I bought some GW soles for my K2 boots too.
I do need a new helmet though to replace my Smith Vantage which I've had for a few years longer than recommended and is starting to show wear and tear on the ear pieces. Its been a fantastic helmet, integrates perfectly with my Smith goggles, and is pretty low profile for someone with a big bonce like mine. I'll probably try and do a like-for-like replacement if I can find one to try on (in case the fit has changed over the years)
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@Whitters, My Son had a Smith Vantage helmet which literally split into two halves around the seam without any kind of knock. Smith wanted us to jump through hoops before replacing it. It was POC all the way from then on.
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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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| hammerite wrote: |
I remember..
Poc helmet replacing old Smith helmet
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Safety is all but this is ridiculous. Why not keep to the Smith instead of going to support other businesses. Yet again another example of trends over reason.
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@Mollerski, that's really poor, not to mention surprising as reviews have always been really good. Maybe its lucky the only bangs I've received on the helmet are over-enthusiastic lift bar lowerers 
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FAQ
The Salomon Addikt 76s were on my shortlist. I'll not say anything re the Spitfires until you've given them a bit more of a bash. 
