 Poster: A snowHead
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| easiski wrote: |
| ..................... None of us are at the point of not being able to improve more. too much comfort is a bad thing!............. |
So I shouldn't be thinking of just cruising the blues and reds in between restaurant stops? It was beginning to appeal. 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| easiski wrote: |
| None of us are at the point of not being able to improve more. too much comfort is a bad thing! |
Ah but.....!  (you knew there was going to be one!)
Maybe this is just personal, but if I'm going to push my comfort zone in terms of terrain and/or conditions, then I want something comfortable and familiar underfoot. If I'm pushing the type of ski, then I want to be on comfortable terrain. In other words, I want to push the comfort zone, not smash it to smithereens. Moreover, isn't there an argument that "comfortable" when describing a ski also means "familiar"? And overskiing a ski you're too good for is equally uncomfortable
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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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slikedges, I don't think that my effort at descibing an IS above, fits you desciption nor trys to describe an expierenced skier. As i point out, you earn the money, buying skis pays my wages! 
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easiski, sure, but the point I'm trying to make is that I suspect many "intermediates" who have lots of room for improvement don't want to improve enough to want a pair of skis that makes them feel uncomfortable, ie they don't want to "overski" or have to "grow into" their skis. I also suspect that if they nevertheless unwittingly improved over a few years, they'd just go out and buy another pair anyway and not worry about that it might've worked out cheaper for them to have rented after all.
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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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slikedges, very true.
I've almost resigned myself to accepting that the majority of Brit holiday makers just want to ski from cafe to cafe on cruisy runs, twisting their shoulders from turn to turn whilst standing on their heels.
I'm very appreciative of working on the North American continent where skiing is seen more as a sport.
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slikedges, At the heart of this i just want people to stop buying middle market, over priced crap! 
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SMALLZOOKEEPER, can you give us some examples of what you consider to be
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| middle market, over priced crap |
?
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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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slikedges, easiski,
I always hire...I can't be bothered with the expense and hassle otherwise .. and I always ask for premium skis. A big part of skiing is the annual search for skis for the trips and the trawl around numerous shops is a good thing for me. I kind of have a short list and can be in and out of the shop if I don't see what I think I want. But if I have time..and the shop has time..this is v importnat, so pick you moments... I'll talk to the tech and see what he says. Sometimes its worth a punt on something I wouldn't have spotted myself. Thas why I rated the Cas ski test even if I didn't go and that why I like discussions on here, there is always another ski that gets thrown in.
MY current list this year is...so far...
8800
Stockli Snake BC
Karma
Pow Swallow
Santiago Mission
K2 Outlaw
and problably a few more. Now I will not be able to find them all but I think there are a few interesting ones there and I'll enjoy trying....hell, I might even buy one... It might take a bit of re-adjusting of style/technique but I'll want a crud buster that I can get around if need be. I'm not expecting a whippet ski. Horses for courses
I'd love to get out the PSB and and try a few more...
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Nope have to disagree on the basis of the clientel that I see on the hill.
On a powder day - the line is filled with Americans, Canadians, Kiwis and Aussies. Some Brits, but most are in bed still from the night before.
At lunch - the ones with the protein bars and power drinks are mostly all the other nationalities apart from the Brits, they are to be found with the beers and wine.
This is a generalisation of course, you do get the occasional hard core Brit that wants to ski the knarl.
I'm not knocking it, it's their holiday, they should choose what they want to do.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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veeeight, Maybe, in the USA. I have to agree, as i never really see or hear the Europeans skiing, they quietly go about their day, however you certainly can't mistake the shrill "Sheyrl, Sheryl, come over here. I got some freshies!" that seems to come blasting out under every lift. 
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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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| veeeight wrote: |
At lunch - the ones with the protein bars and power drinks are mostly all the other nationalities apart from the Brits, they are to be found with the beers and wine.
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genepi makes you ski better. FACT!
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You know it makes sense.
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slikedges, I love you. X
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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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Poster: A snowHead
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Skis are essentially a bad investment for the holiday skier or punter (a group in which I am included). Whilst I ski 3-4 weeks a year, at the top end of punter skiing but the low-middle end of proper skiing, skis are still a bad return.
I've got a couple of pairs, Movement Thunders and Made'n AK's. The Thunders are a great all mountain ski and are very good off piste, whilst the Made'ns are superb in the powder they are too soft for piste and pretty poor.
However, I don't buy skis to use them until they are worn out, I enjoy owning my own skis and having new models. I will sell them both next season and get another new pair, accepting that I will lose money on the deal, and I would probably have saved money renting.
However, boots are another matter.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| eng_ch wrote: |
Maybe this is just personal, but if I'm going to push my comfort zone in terms of terrain and/or conditions, then I want something comfortable and familiar underfoot. If I'm pushing the type of ski, then I want to be on comfortable terrain. In other words, I want to push the comfort zone, not smash it to smithereens. Moreover, isn't there an argument that "comfortable" when describing a ski also means "familiar"? And overskiing a ski you're too good for is equally uncomfortable |
That pretty much sums up how I feel. I don't think I've yet reached (and probably won't ever reach) the point where I'm 'overskiing' the Bandits, but as I gain confidence from their forgiving nature, I have found myself occasionally tackling gradients and/or surfaces which previously I would have avoided. 
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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 need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| flicksta wrote: |
| Skis are essentially a bad investment for the holiday skier or punter (a group in which I am included). Whilst I ski 3-4 weeks a year, at the top end of punter skiing but the low-middle end of proper skiing, skis are still a bad return. |
I disagree. Provided you buy and sell them, they are a great investment. I am a holiday skiier too, and certainly my last 6 pairs of skis have saved me money over renting.
Just worked it out...
I've had my Head skis for 5 weeks of skiing. If I don't sell them, that means right now they have cost me £34 per ski week.
My Pistols work out at £57 per ski week
My PEs have only done 1 week, so have cost about £250 per week! 
By the end of next season, I expect my Heads to have cost under £20 a week, and the Pistols around £40.
I may well change the Heads for the following season, which means I'll sell them, and use the cash to go towards buying the next pair. (that's how I did it the last time)
I've yet to see anywhere offering me a 1 week rental for £20.
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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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| veeeight wrote: |
Nope have to disagree on the basis of the clientel that I see on the hill.
On a powder day - the line is filled with Americans, Canadians, Kiwis and Aussies. Some Brits, but most are in bed still from the night before.
At lunch - the ones with the protein bars and power drinks are mostly all the other nationalities apart from the Brits, they are to be found with the beers and wine.
This is a generalisation of course, you do get the occasional hard core Brit that wants to ski the knarl.
I'm not knocking it, it's their holiday, they should choose what they want to do. |
I skied at Lake Tahoe last March and we were out in the line before the gondola started most mornings. I have never tasted a protein bar, or power drink, preferring pasta and wine or beer to refresh and replenish at lunchtime. So I half agree with your observations, and 100% agree with your conclusion.
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AxsMan, It's a shame we fear skis so much. They do not bite. Last year for example, many feared the B3 was too off-piste orientated. They tested, bought and i'm sure will be seen all over the piste.
I hope people will look past the marketting and at least test something they think is outside their 'COMFORT ZONE', this is all negative Phsycology(?). Try Arno,'s tip, Genipi, will break this fear, you'll surprise yourselves, be elated, the endorphines will kick in and you'll have got free drugs with your skis.
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Wear The Fox Hat,
With you on that one. My bandits work out at about £40 per week including services, after this year that should drop to less than £35. And if I were to sell them for as litle as £50 it would fall further. But it's not just about cost anyway. As many have said above, owning means no queuing at the shop and always having your favourite ski's available. Even if you only ski 1 week a year, that just means it will take longer to get 'payback' but hey - what's the hurry?
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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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| SMALLZOOKEEPER wrote: |
AxsMan, It's a shame we fear skis so much. They do not bite. Last year for example, many feared the B3 was too off-piste orientated. They tested, bought and i'm sure will be seen all over the piste.
I hope people will look past the marketting and at least test something they think is outside their 'COMFORT ZONE', this is all negative Phsycology(?). Try Arno,'s tip, Genipi, will break this fear, you'll surprise yourselves, be elated, the endorphines will kick in and you'll have got free drugs with your skis. |
Sounds good to me. I did hire a pair of 'high performance' ski's for one day last year at Alpe D'huez. (I'm such a punter that I've forgotten what make they were). I just wanted to try them in comparison to the B2's to see what they felt like. I took them back at lunchtime as they felt awful, no edge grip and reluctant to turn. Maybe this was actually them revealing weaknesses in my technique, but it was an interesting experience nonetheless.
I intend to try a pair of B3's this season to see how they feel, I'm sort of 'working up to it' if you see what I mean. And Yes I have used Arno's tip (or variants of it) many times (in fact just about every trip) and can vouch for its efficacy. (Did my only nose plant of the season at Tahoe last year after a lunch involving several 'shooters'  )
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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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 agree with flicksta the sheer enjoyment of owning your own skis is a big part of it In fact i might get mine down from the attic tonight for a polish!!!!!
Another key thing for Mrs C and I in owning our own skis is that we can happily go across to the alps for a weekend after work on friday knowing we dont have to endure the bun fight in the hire shop on Saturday morning.
Also as Wear The Fox Hat says once you've had a few weeks use from a pair of skis buying your own isnt bad value especially if you sell them on to fund the next purchase.
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The reason I asked SZK what he means by over-priced crap is that last year, the skis I was most comfortable on are marketed as at least "advanced" skis, some indeed as "expert" skis, and the Monster almost as an "everyman" ski. Now I have probably about 35 weeks' experience, but I consider myself an intermediate because there's so much I can't do properly yet. So I'd like to have some examples of these overpriced intermediate skis because marketing and labels are rarely a good indication of what will suit you IM limited E.
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You know it makes sense.
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I've got a pair for a similar reason to flicksta. I ski 2 - 3 weeks a year but I do a couple of long weekends. It's a total pain hiring skis if you're driving to different resorts each day. Plus I've got to know my current pair very well and have a good idea of what to progress to as a result. Also, am I right in thinking that some rental skis have thicker bases and edges than the equivalent production models and consequently have less feel...? SMALLZOOKEEPER?
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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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Sharkymark, I some cases this is true.
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Poster: A snowHead
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SMALLZOOKEEPER, any examples?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Sharkymark, I wouldn't say there are any hard and fast examples. What i mean is (i'm going for the world record for typing B3 more than any other in a day!) Take a B3 for example, there are rental versions, with a denser base, deeper edges and protection on tip and tail (i'd like these on standard skis!), but not will all shops take this model for rental depending on commercial circustances. I could offer you other examples, however there is no certainty that the rental shop you go to will have it.
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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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SMALLZOOKEEPER, I see...so not necessarily a bad thing then; just different
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Sharkymark, I don't think even Jeremey12 and all his expierence, could tell the difference between B3 and B3 rental.
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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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SMALLZOOKEEPER, any answer to my question? While you're there... 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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eng_ch, Sorry there are too many of you whom may be offended by what in mu opinion is 'Middle Market Crap'. Sorry.
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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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easiski, Not sure how many levels, but 'jumping' is something I only try after several Bombardini
SMALLZOOKEEPER, You are damn right (unsurprisingly) about the differences in rental/retail versions. I spent two trips tring to get tip protectors for my B2s like the ones in the rental shops until a tech at intersport showed me that the tips are actually cut away to accomodate the protectors on the rental version.
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AxsMan,
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FAQ
