 Poster: A snowHead
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Is there a good ski mag to buy if so what is it
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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What are you looking for?
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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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| David Murdoch wrote: |
| What are you looking for? |
Wipe clean pages?
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jtobin03, don't know where you are, but if in London try newsagents with big magazine selections - the ones in Soho (no, not those) are worth a try. Also, branches of Borders bookshops have been known to carry the big US ski magazines (Ski, Skiing, Powder).
There's the free magazine 'Snow', available in some ski shops. There's the Daily Mail ski mag, Ski+Board, Fall Line Skiing etc.
Many rate Powder, edited in California, as the best buzz. It began in the early 1970s and has a very wide perspective on the scene.
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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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jtobin03, IMHO the UK mags (with the exceptions of "Fall Line" if they still exist and "Dark Summer") are more or less useless (who suggested I'm opinionated?). "Fall Line" has lots of great piccies but little else to back it up. "Dark Summer" seems great if you can find it.
Otherwise, they're aimed squarely at the 1 week a year "Snow and Rock" market, which I humbly don't align myself with. Little race coverage, no real industry news, poorly written resort guides, mid to low level equipment coverage, etc. (Sorry if any readers work or contribute to them). That's just my opinion. As far as I can tell, the Daily Mail one (if it still exists) has a sole objective of selling advertising and the DM ski show (now defunct?)
The "mainstream" US mags ("Ski" and "Skiing") are much better - if hard to tell apart. Just more and more sensible content. You can get a feel for this by checking out their websites.
"Powder" as suggested has a long history and following, and I'm a subscriber. But I won't be renewing. Lots of great pictures but the editorial leaves a bit to be desired. A seemingly better idea might be "Freeze" which I might subscribe to next. The equipment review in the last issue of Powder was a complete waste of rainforest and my time reading it. Utter male cattle ordure.
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Fall Line is the best of the UK mags by a long shot, with Powder the best of the US ones. I'd agree with David Murdoch, about the gear review in the latest Powder though, it was useless. The Fall Line equipment reviews are generally pretty good though.
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David Murdoch, Freeze has been dead for over a year...
The best way to get Dark Summer is subsribe at their website. The magazine is actually free but can be hard to find, for a few quid you can have it delivered.
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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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comprex,
Agree with your choice of the US mags - ski press being a great freebie as is Dark Summer (with a freeski bent)
falliner obviously isn't around but interested to know what subscription offers he's throwing in this year and if he took the suggestions for DVDs on the cover.
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I've always found the snowboard mags to be a better read than the ski mags.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Kramer, not if you're looking for ski reviews surely?
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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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David Murdoch, I'd buy one of the ski mags once for the ski review, to get an idea of what's around, but in terms of snowsports pornography I find that the snowboard magazines have better stories, as well as pretty good pictures. I'm also not quite as much of an equipment fetishist as some. I tend to just try whatever is lying around in the shop and choose what I liked best, rather than having a list and tick chart and getting all anal about it, hence ending up with my B2s.
Of the ski mags in the UK fall-line is head and shoulders above the rest IMO.
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Oh and having met Fallliner at the last EoSB I can attest that he's a top bloke, and proper skiing nutter. 
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You know it makes sense.
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Most ski mags seem to be all style and no substance. Mags like Powder have greaty pics but not much to read. Daily Mail is the same year in year out. The reviews are okay but there is little else of interest in there, and the resorts sections are basically lifted from Where to Ski and Snowboard. Ski & Board has had the occasional good article, particularly on lesser known places to ski. Same goes for Fall Line. However, surely there is a gap in the market that could target the ski "enthusiast" ie. cover all areas of skiing from beginner to off-piste to world cup coverage / personality profiles, as well as equipment testing. I think this could be reasonably achieved in a "normal-sized" monthly magazine.
If the Americans can get close to this ideal with Skiing and the Canadians with Ski Canada, then why can't we? Perhaps there just isn't the market over here for anything more than 1 week a year skiers who want resort and clothing reviews?
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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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| conor wrote: |
| Perhaps there just isn't the market over here for anything more than 1 week a year skiers who want resort and clothing reviews? |
I think that's the reason. Also, the internet is increasingly providing informed and timely coverage of news and opinion, so whu go to the expense of subscribing? It's been a long time since I bought any of the ski magazines, but I despite this I feel better informed about choice of resorts, equipment, discussions on technique, etc, etc.
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Poster: A snowHead
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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 read Fall Line regularly as well. As others have noted, it's basically just ski porn, although the gear reviews are useful, and they often have good articles on equipment maintenance and skiing technique. Overall though, I think it's a pity they don't cater a bit more to the intermediate/advanced end of the market, who I'm sure make up a fair share of their readership.
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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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johno, The whole point of Fall Line is NOT to cater to the intermediate market! At least that's what I understood when they started - many moons ago. It's called Fall Line for a reason, surely? It's a problem if most of the other mags have just become advertising vehicles, but there is lots out there for the average holiday skier - Fall Line caters to serious skiers and good for them!!!!
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I understand that easiski. It's just that Fall Line is the only magazine that comes close to providing the sort of coverage that relatively advanced recreational skiers are looking for, so it's frustrating that its style is SO unrelentingly 'hardcore'. I just wish they'd acknowledge that not everybody gets around the mountain by helicopter or snowmobile, and that even advanced skiers occasionally spend some of their time on the piste!
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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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| Kramer wrote: |
| Oh and having met Fallliner at the last EoSB I can attest that he's a top bloke, and proper skiing nutter. |
Agreed. All the 'Fall Line' team deserve thanks for the test days they laid on at the EOSB. It was one of the highlights of the week for me.
The magazine was also a good read when we got back to the accommodation. I promise not to be so cheap this year (I usually just read all magazines in WH Smith - if they are shrinkwrapped I open them). I will actually buy a copy of 'Fall Line' as they deserve support.
I think a lot of magazines go for an aspirational market. Hence the heliskiing articles and the photographs of people up to their waist in powder on a glorious day with not a soul in sight.
One thing the magazines could do is publish 'best of' summary reviews for skis boots clothes etc. in every issue. This could justify a purchase. 'Today's Golfer' magazine has a couple of pages detailing their top picks for golf; why can the ski magazines not do likewise ?
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But is's like the car mags & motoring sections on sunday papers - how many readers are actually 911/Landrover/Ducati owners ? I read fall-line because I dream if pushing myself & going to extreme places. I don't read DaylMailSki&Board becuase its booring (and full of advertorial). (Ok I will buy DMS&S just to get a snow fix - but with all the reals skiing I did last season I didt need a paper fix so often  )
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I think they have a good balance: there's only one or two extreme articles in each mag and they make very interesting reading
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I like Ski & Board. It's reviews on skis are as good as I have seen anywhere, there are usually good skiing tips, some articles are novel, and the photography is excellent. During the season, its editor monitors, and responds to, opinion in the SCGB forum - and either makes changes in response (in the medium to long term - print deadlines are print deadlines) or explains why some things have to be as they are. He even roped me in once to write an article when I said there should be some reflection of what ordinary members do.
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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 very rarely post here, much as I'd like to, but at this time of year especially things get frantic on Ski and Board, and we are an extremely small team. We have had similar discussions on the ski club website (which I haven't visited for more than a month because of pressure of work), and I am grateful to Achilles for a sympathetic take on the mag. The short answer is that no ski magazine can please everyone. Fall-line types want one thing, snowboarders another, middle-aged skiers yet another. We try desperately hard at ski and board with a team of just 4 (me, a deputy, a designer and a picture editor) to get the best balance but obviously it is impossible to get it right for everybody. But we do work crazy hours trying. I have spent this whole weekend and today (a bank holiday for most) working on our final push before the printers and there's never enough time. I agree that Ski Canada has a good formula but I feel the American ski mags are a pale imitation of the force they once were. As a very keen follower of American skiing, I used to devour all their magazines eagerly as soon as I got to the USA, but nowI hardly bother. They are paper thin, lightweight in both senses and I think Ski and Board knocks spots off them at least in terms of quantity - and, I like to believe - quality too. But then I would say that, wouldn't I?
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Move to Resort, working, living ski magazine. 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| achilles wrote: |
| I like Ski & Board.. ... He even roped me in once to write an article when I said there should be some reflection of what ordinary members do. |
Was that an article about ski touring and the regime in ski huts ? If yes, it was a very good article. I am not sure I could hack a week of that myself. I like my creature comforts. I trust you checked 'Terms and Conditions' before the magazine went to press 
As to 'Ski & Board' I get that anyway as a SCGB member. It is not a discretionary purchase. 'Ski & Board' has got better. I would still like to see 'best of' pages. If space is a problem, as Arnie Wilson once said, I would advise losing the history articles eg First World War Austro/Italian ski wars, Hannes Schneider, Tony Sailer retrospectives etc.
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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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| Latchigo wrote: |
[
As to 'Ski & Board' I get that anyway as a SCGB member. It is not a discretionary purchase. 'Ski & Board' has got better. I would still like to see 'best of' pages. If space is a problem, as Arnie Wilson once said, I would advise losing the history articles eg First World War Austro/Italian ski wars, Hannes Schneider, Tony Sailer retrospectives etc. |
Best of what? And how would you set the standard of "better" so that you don't wind up with "most popular" pages, which would just be a re-affirmation of successful advertising?
I like history articles. Even skiers need origin myths.
I could see best of ski schools/ski patrols, things that aren't normally advertised.
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comprex, If you are unduly influenced by advertising then any ski tests will be flawed. I can read the blurb in Snow & Rock and Ellis Brigham catalogues but I would like something unbiased to help me separate the wheat from the chaff. The magazine tests products in most issues I just want a couple of pages that summarise the market to appear in every issue.
If you want history, buy a history magazine.
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You know it makes sense.
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| Latchigo wrote: |
| ...........If you want history, buy a history magazine. |
I get to much printed matter in the house as it is. Don't want another magazine. I liked the historic article about the soldiers - sort of put what we do now into perspective.
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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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I too like the history articles in Ski & Board - very interesting!
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Poster: A snowHead
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cathy, yes, so do I, as history is always interesting and gives a perspective to the present.
Well jacksonhole, you've been busy I see, when will the the first issue, be out?.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Another vote for keeping the historical stuff here as well, I like reading what is was like for those hardy souls back then.
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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 have all just proved my point - you can please some of the skiers and boarders some of the time, but you can't please'em all - all of the time! Personally I think ski heroes is one of the best features in the magazine. I was called in to run this series many years ago - before I became editor - and every time I think we might have run out of candidates, 10 more present themseves. We will never run out, of course, although people may tire of the series. Hopefully not. And they are by no means all "historical" figures. Our ski hero in issue one is the late, much lamented Doug Coombs, who died in La Grave last April, still a relatively young man. But isn't it wonderful to celebrate individuals who have, for whatever reason, epic stories to tell about their skiing days? Issue One is due out in 2 or 3 weeks. And yes, we still have major space problems! Too much material - should make for a good maagzine, perhaps!
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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I like it 
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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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Where do you get ski and board from??
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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eddyr, You can buy it in WH Smiths or members of the SCGB get it free
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eddyr, this page has the option to subscribe to the mag, just about to do so myself.
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| Linds wrote: |
| eddyr, You can buy it in WH Smiths or members of the SCGB get it free |
members of SCGB get it FREE after paying £70 to join. 
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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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| Odin wrote: |
| Linds wrote: |
| eddyr, You can buy it in WH Smiths or members of the SCGB get it free |
members of SCGB get it FREE after paying £70 to join. |
Where did you get £70 from? Like every other single membership subscription, I pay £49 (by direct debit).
I agree about the free comment; as part of the membership package is probably Linds meant.
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| jacksonhole wrote: |
| I agree that Ski Canada has a good formula but I feel the American ski mags are a pale imitation of the force they once were. As a very keen follower of American skiing, I used to devour all their magazines eagerly as soon as I got to the USA, but nowI hardly bother. They are paper thin, lightweight in both senses and I think Ski and Board knocks spots off them at least in terms of quantity - and, I like to believe - quality too. But then I would say that, wouldn't I? |
Well, no, you wouldn't necessarily!
Do the editors of these magazines make derogatory comments about your organ?
Without wishing to be unfairly critical, there's something to be said for a magazine proving its mettle by means of its sales figures:
What are the respective sales figures for Ski+Board, Ski Canada, Ski, Skiing, Powder etc?
Obviously the figures should be judged fairly, in relation to the respective sizes of the UK, Canadian and US ski populations.
Last time I checked it was striking how much the sale of Daily Mail Ski and Snowboard (snappy title) had declined - what's it's latest ABC? (Audit Bureau of Circulations figure)
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FAQ
