 Poster: A snowHead
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My wife tried some Salomon minimax 99’s a few weeks ago in La Plagne and loved them so much she stayed on them for the rest of the week. She much preferred them to skis as her technique was better and found them easier all round. As a result I bought her a pair of 2nd hand Head Bigeasy 94’s. These have a normal ski binding rather than the clip arrangement so should be a lot safer. However, they are a bit shorter (94cm) and are noticeable wider and more curvier (very similar to some skis). She is not an adventurous skier being happiest on a blue run and unlikely to do loops, jumps and (intentionally) go off piste.
She has not yet skied on them (or should that be bladed) and I wondered what they were like to use (both on/off piste) ie, faster or slower on the steeps, better to carve turns, more / less control etc.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Sorry to get your hopes up, this isn't any informationand I hope I don't send the thread off on a tangent before you get some. I have no experience of blades at all. Anyway, I did once hear a young boy ask his Dad what they were. His father answered "They're for fun, not like real skis". 
Again, sorry.
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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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I haven't been on that exact one, but they will be marginally slower than the minimax 99s. She will be able to take them into light powder, which they'll cope with better than the Salomons, and she should find making tight turns easier.
But all these differences will be fairly slight.
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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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I tried blades in Austria two years ago, cant wait to get hold of a pair next week. I was very nervous about anything remotely red until I put them on. They increased my confidence and were far easier to ski on. I know its cheating but at least I can keep up on them!!!!!! 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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My husband says they reminded him of the short skis used for teaching in France, apparently they used to (still do) use a shorter ski to teach.
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Thanks for the comments. I agree with the above, if it means you are more able to ski runs that would be more difficult on normal skis then there can't be too much wrong (can there?). While away recently a friend was also struggling big time on skis, she swopped to blades and although basic ability was still poor at least she was able to turn better and get around the mountain.
Several people have said they are a good method of improving basic ski technique but I think the wife would prefere to stick with blades. Call me old fashioned but I prefer skis.
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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've got a pair of Head Big Easy 94's and think they're great. The main difference your wife will notice is they're heavier than normal blades because of the quick release bindings. But she will still be able to do everything that she did on the minimax's, plus as WTFH said she'll be able to venture off piste in light powder. I now tend to use my head Big Easy's more than I do my skis as I generally have more fun on them.
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If you want some in depth info about blades and a really good forum try www.skiboards.com, that was the site that convinced me I was right to stick to blades in favour of skis, despite all the flack I got from the "experts". Heads are heavier as said before, and because of the distance between ski and boot, you get a slight delay in response, but they will float better in the cut up stuff and new snow. You can of course now get the Salomon 99's with release bindings. Generally speaking, the wider the blade the better the float. Blades now go up 123 cms, though some will argue that a true blade is never over 100cm. Have fun, I've never looked back since dumping my skis!!
Last edited by Ski the Net with snowHeads  on Fri 11-05-07 9:09; edited 1 time in total
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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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Input from Mrs Chris. I have a pair of Head Big Easys and find them great fun. I used them for a whole season after coming off second hand Head skis and I found they improved my skiing enormously as it was much easier to turn. I soon found I could ski anywhere, including moguls, icy runs and off piste. In fact, I could go anywhere on the mountain with them. If you are familar with the technical side of skiing, carving will be easy. The downside was less stability at speed but their shortness makes you feel like you are going fast anyway. When Chris went back onto long skis, I found he was leaving me behind and eventually he persuarded me relectantly to back to long skis which I managed much better than I had before I went onto blades. I think the season on Blades definitely improved my skiing and my confidence. I still like to go out on them now and again and enjoy not using poles but that can be a disadvantage too when on the flat. I also found them difficult in slush during spring conditions. I now lend them our to visitors and family that stay who are beginners. The release bindings are excellent - very easy to put on and take off. The quality and construction of the Head Big Easys are excellent compared to most other blades. In all, I think your wife will be very pleased with them and they should improve her skiing and confidence no end. She will soon be off those blue runs!
I agree with all the comments made bysnowskisnow,
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FAQ
(she's a woman,confusing is her middle name)
