 Poster: A snowHead
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I'm beginning to think that I've got to the point where it would be better to have a pair of my own skis - but am completely confused about what to look for. I've skiied (indifferently) for many years, am happy on reds and blacks once I've done them once (!) - my husband says I ski too slowly but that's a man thing, I'm sure ... am off in 3 week's time; any suggestions on what I might ask for in the hire shop to try out with a view to buying eventually? (oh, and BTW I'm a 5'2, 8 stone weakling - views on length appreciated too).
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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It's a big thing. I sat down and worked out what it cost recently
Look at how often you ski, and what it costs on average to rent
then look at what it costs to buy skis
add on £15 per trip that charter airlines now charge for ski carriage
add on £20 per trip for the cost of servicing
I worked out that a £400 pair of skis would pay for themselves in four years if I so twice a year, once to europe and once to north america
I'm still looking for my own skis, just not at full price.
I'm hoiping to demo some 1080s, maybe pocket rockets. at 5'9" I'd be lloking around the 170 mark, my wife who';s 5'4" is looking around the 160 mark
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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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My wife bought herself a pair of Salomon Crossmax 10 Pilot skis - 160cm. She's 5' 4". Skis like a dream on them. You can get a very similar ski in a 155cm length (Crossmax 8W I think). Try them - you never know.
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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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Crossmax 10 Pilots were the latest thing 2 years ago and much raved about but I just didn't get on with them. One of our skiing companions also had them but was much happier when she moved "down" to Crossmax 8's. That same season ('02) I also skied on Volkl Vertigo's probably the 'hire ski grade' version of them and loved them. More recently I found Rossignol B2 Bandits to be excellent, although my girlfriend prefered Head C160's to Rossi B1's (B1 narrower version of B2).
I'm off skiing again in 2 weeks and looking at ski hire I see that SkiSet say that with 6 days hire, you can change your skis up to 3 times. So, explain to your hire shop that you want to try different skis everyday and see what they come up with. You'll have to try the skis yourself as it really is a personal thing.
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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 loved the Crossmax 10s of two years ago. However, that ski was already aimed at advanced skiers and I understand the new one is even stiffer. If you don't ski fast, you won't need that much ski and it will actually hamper progress and be tiring. So, whatever the brand you're buying, don't aim for their top of the range ski in the relevant category (which I presume would be 'carving' or 'skicross').
I haven't skied the Vertigo G3 or this year's version, the AX3 (though I'd like to!). I do hear, however, that it's also a stiff ski (in keeping with most Volkls).
Finally, unless you go offpiste often, there's not much point in getting a ski that's more than 70mm underfoot.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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I bought some Rossignaol Saphir Fun 1-I too am a small lady, and my hubby says I ski too slow. Now I keep up, easy to turn, nice on bumps. SKi STop in Banff gave me 150's-excellent. The Pulsions were good too.
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Also worth remembering is the second hand value of your skis on ebay. For example.
I've seen '03/04 skis worth in excess of 500 quid new go for about 350. Thats with about 3 weeks on them.
Do the maths. In theory you could buy a new pair of skis every two years, and provided you treat them well and use them in excess of twice a year, they've practically paid for themselves.
In any case at least your not renting skis with big heavy rental bindings and a suspect tune...
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I've heard the new women's version of the Salomon Pilot Scream is the perfect all-terrain ski. Anyone tried them out? Saw them at 650 euros (with bindings) in Val the other day.
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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 last years Scream 8, I'm pretty sure it's a womens ski. I like them, they are firm on ice and I can ski powder and slush at last with them. The main problems I have are on fast straight runs where they can flap, and easy blues where I can catch an edge. I now fall over more on the simple runs than anywhere else. My skis are 160, I'm 5' 8" and fairly well built.
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Jane,
What you may need to do is take them to a shop and get the base bevel increased. If it's about 1-1.5 degrees, that should reduce the catchiness.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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2 years ago I rented a pair of crossmax (blue/red/silver?) - have a feeling they were children' skis (!) as my son had exactly the same ones - I loved them - what would the difference be between childrens' and adults' skis?
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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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Poma
I'm 8st and I'm 5ft short. Bought my first pair of skis last year - Saloman Women's Xscream 152cm. They have made a big difference to my speed and control and can keep up with husband now. Ooh! forgot to mention have been skiing for 9 weeks.
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Why wife hired the Rossignal Saphire's in Jan. Loved em, she went faster, and turned more smoothly. Hiring a pair again in 2 weeks for a weekender, or maybe will get her to try the Salomons.....
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You know it makes sense.
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IMO the best thing to do is to go to a good shop in the resort (the Which Good Ski and Snowboard Guide should have listings), get some advice on what would be good for you - be really honest with them about your ability and what you want to use them for. The try a few pairs over the week on a hire basis - if it's a good shop they will knock off the hire price if you buy a pair. Ski preference is a very personal thing - what works well for one person could be hated by the next!
I wouldn't buy in the UK as they tend to be more expensive, and you don't get a chance to try. Good luck.
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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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Fantastic advice - keep them coming. sounds as though I shoudl be looking to hire the rossignol saphires, salomon crossmax 8, x-scream to try... have a recommendation for Francis Blanc in Courchevel 1650 - was in there at Christmas and they seemed to have a good selection then so I shall go fore-armed this time. thanks everybody!
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