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Summer Ski Tests 07 Reviews

 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Ok thought I'd kick this one off while I can remember. I don't really do marks out of ten as I think putting objective measurements on something which is highly subjective is misleading at best.


To put in context I am a big guy so lightwieght ladies & gents may want to factor this in. Skiing style aggessive rather than technically excellent. I also tried a number of skis where it is fair to say a short snowdome slope would not be in their recommended use spectrum. Normally ski a 97m waist ski everywhere.


In order of skiing



Icelantic Nomad 168

Really good fun, skiing them first off meant I didn't have any preconceived ideas about how a ski should ski. Good in long radius then you could just stomp on them to scrub speed or swing into short radius. A bit like a go kart and very agile for a 105mm waist ski. At this length thought they would be great for "cowboying" in tight trees or narrow chutes.
The importance of tuning into these should not be understated, I got on them for one final run late in the day from a more traditional ski and struggled to get on it so anyone testing them shoud bear this in mind before writing them off


Icelantic Shaman 173

As you might expect for a moe specialist powder ski a little bit less agile than the Nomad but worked fine if you knew what to expect, could still get an edge in and arc. Would defnitely be worth trying in an open mountain pwdr/crud environment (kiwi1 if you're listening I'm prepared to perform this service for you if you want to fly me out to Argentina wink )

K2 Hellbent (big)

I suspect I may have been the only person to take these out all day so I spent a while on them. A brute of a rockered ski - really not designed for indoor us rolling eyes . I found them pretty easy to turn (a benefit of the rocker?) although I wouldn't expect to win any slaloms on them and seeking out the sugary patches by the rails gave the faintest hint of what they might be able to do in deeper stuff. I suspect these will feature quite heavily in next season's ski porn.

Nordica Doberman Spitfire 170

Apparently a detuned punter version of the doberman race skis. Fisrt run, coming straight off the Hellbents was probably the worst I had. After that got a bit more tuned in to "proper" skiing and found these could edge change pretty fast with decent grip (hmm.. no real surprises there then). I suspect I'd go for the proper GS or SL version though if I wanted a ski like this.

Scott RX 169

Easy to ski piste ski, more punter friendly than the Doberman. Does what it says on the tin. No real surprises - wouldn't kill you. If I was after a piste cruisng ski it would be on the shortlist.

Scott Punisher 182

Probably most like my regular ski of the ones I tested, competent all-rounder. I suspect this will be quite popular amongst those in the know.

Head Monster 88 188

A biggish "proper" ski. Most reasonably high end Heads I've skied seem to only get going once you're up to speed and these seemed to be no exception. A fine burly "traditional" style ski - no doubt will continue to popular with instructor types.

Rossi XXX Vintage retro 188

Some idiot had mounted flimsy bindings on these that disn't seem to be attached at the heel. Result a bit of tourettes on the ice patches and the increasingly large moguls on the main slope. Mainly pilot induced - but good to get humbled a bit after hooning around on the new shiny toys.



So the verdict. Acually there are no bad skis out there but I think you have to be prepared to adapt your skiing style to get the best out of everything and have realistic expectations


Ski I'd buy if it was 15cm longer - Icelantic Nomad


Ski I'd buy if I lived in Tahoe - K2 Hellbent
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
OK, here's my pennyworth.
I'm 6'0" and 14 stone. Ability: I can turn both ways.
Did 3 runs on all skis.

1) My own Stockli Stormrider XL's, just to warm up & get a datum point.

2) Icelantic Pilgrim 169 Very Happy
Easy to initiate turns. Feel very light under foot. For a wide ski, I found the edge grip very good. they would make pretty much any turn shape you wanted. A very good start to the session. I would be happy to recommend them, to all levels of skier. The more you put in the more responsive they become, but they don't bite back.

3) Elan Magfire 14, 168 Very Happy
Very cool 3D graphics. Ribbed top sheet, for extra pleasure. Elan man said the ribs were to increase torsional stiffness without affecting flex, bit like corragated cardboard. Seemed to work. Basically a fat GS ski. aimed at Skiercross. Huge edge grip. Had to work them pretty hard to get the best from them, but gave big rewards if you did. I'd recommend them for strong, good skiers only. Magfire 12's are probably a better all rounder, but didn't try them.

4) Head Supershape Magnum 163 Very Happy Very Happy Very Happy
Top end cross Slalom ski. My favorite ski of the day. i had 2 go's on them. They are so fast. Edge to edge is lightning quick. Grip is phenonomal. Every run the smile got bigger.
Fantastic piste ski. As the day went on a few crispy patched developed. the Head's skied them like they weren't there. Fabulous.

5) Nordica Dobermann Spitfire 170 Sad
GS body with Slalom tip. Supposed to be able to do both turn types, but did neither well. Just felt like a big compromise. Neither one thing nor the other. Worse ski I tested.

6)High Society 187 Very Happy
Huge. Not the ideal place to test such a gigantic ski, but I was pleasantly surprised that they could still be usable in a snowdome, rather than Alaska where they belong. Feels like they would be a great off piste ski.

7)Scott Mission 178 Very Happy Very Happy
Really well sorted ski. I felt that you could take this ski anywhere, in any conditions and it would perform. Any type of turn that you fancy. So easy to use. If I could only have 1 ski with me on a trip, not knowing the conditions, this would be it. A great allrounder, highly recommended to all.

Cool Fischer RX Fire 8 175 Very Happy
Performance ski for good intermediates upwards. Gives a good taste of top end performance, without biting back to hard, if you technique isn't perfect. Loads of edge grip and easy to use. Good ski.

9) Icelantic Scout 143 Very Happy
Looks like a giant snowblade, but skis like a ski. Lots of fun, need to really stomp on them to get the best from them. Never a great lover of blades, but great as they skied more like a proper ski.

Ski I'd most like to take home: Head Magnum.

Best all rounder: Scott Mission.


Last edited by Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person on Sun 24-06-07 12:19; edited 1 time in total
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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?
Made the mistake of not filling in my sheet after each ski, but here is my thoughts on those i did make notes on.
Testing was based on a couple of runs of long turns, and a couple of runs raking in a couple of jumps off the bumps.

K2 Public Enemy 179, Knowing a fair few friends who ski either the 05 or 06 PEs I had high hopes for this ski, and was rather dissapointed. It was very stable, but just felt rather dull and very average.

Scott Punisher 182, Fantastic allround ski again really enjoyed it. felt good for normal piste skiing

Dynastar Big Trouble 176, I can remember not being impressed

K2 Seths 179 , I cant actually remember what it was in particuar that I liked about these skis, but they would have been my top choice if it wasnt for the icelandics.

Scot P4 191 , BIG, very big... found it difficult to control in the small confines of the snowdome, but must be amazing given the conditions to push it in.

Icelandic Nomad 168 , these were the last ski of the day which i tested, and I wish I had taken them out earlyer! Really enjoyed myself! despite the short lengh I found that they were still very stable, particually on landing, and great fun chucking it through some turns. Only thing I did notice was that you definatly cant lean back on them if youd like to stay upright, a good thing i think as it kept me in a better position for the last runs of the day. These were the only ski of the day that really gave me that feeling that i must go out and buy them!

Ski I'd most like to take home: Icelandic Nomad

Best all rounder: Scott Punisher
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 You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
Hmmm..... all I know is I've spent the afternoon watching ski vids and I want a wide ski. I also like the sound of the Nomad but about 15cms more ...but then I guess it would be a totally different ski.

So, I'll be looking at a 180 plus ski with a 95mm plus waist if I get to the type of conditions I want.....
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 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
JT, Dynastar Pro Rider Very Happy
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 You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
OK, I did at least 3 runs on tested skis, after doing a few ruins on my own Missions. I was looking for a ski that would complement them.

Fisher RX8: 165. Solid and heavy ski. Performed well. I thought my old legs might pack up after a day skiing with them, though. I though they'd need aggressive skiing to work well.

Fisher RX6: 165. Just a little more yield than the RX8. I felt I could ski all day on any piste on them, and feel confident, even on steep icy stuff. If I go for a purely on-piste ski the RX6 may be the one.

Titicaca Embrums 3000 173. You have to be careful about taking these out; you might want to take them to bed. They were incredibly cheerful skis to be out in soft snow at the ESOB. I wondered there if they would hold an edge, I found out at MK that they did. If I did not already have the Missions, I would have been tempted to buy.

High Society 178(?). Felt very like the Missions (which I am very happy with) at MK - though I think they are a little heavier, and perhaps more rigid along their length. I would guess you could ski the mountain on them.

Magfire 10 (168). Hideous colour unless you are an Easyjet fan. But a great ski. Nice and agile at MK, held an edge well. I thought they'd be great on-piste. Yet, if you were with a group that was planning an on-piste day - but saw something tasty off-piste (or the on-piste got covered with ungroomed powder as at the MSB at Wengen) then they'd be fine there too. I am tempted by these.


Last edited by You'll need to Register first of course. on Mon 25-06-07 12:34; edited 1 time in total
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 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Spyderman,

That would be on my list along with the Chiefs,/Coombas, assortment of Black Diamond and a DP pro...!!
As long as they don't come with the weight of a battleship..!!!

achilles, I have always been impressed by Elan Skis, none more so that the last few years but if the Mission is your all mountain ski, then I would balance that up you a piste burner SL/GS race ski as long as it wasn't really tring. But the how tiring can piste skiing be as opposed to yomping all over in all sorts of marginal snow...Laughing Not having tried the Mag 10, I'd be thinking you get more fun out of the Race breed GS skis. A Magfire 10 and a Mission seem to cover the same sort of ground...???
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 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
JT, I think you could be right. I am edging towards the Fischer RX8 or 6 - but I am kicking myself that I didn't try the Head Supershape Magnum 163 now that I have read Spyderman's review.
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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.
achilles, Try them at Castleford in a few weeks.
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 Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
spyderjon, can't make that Crying or Very sad
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 snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
Good reviews.
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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.
I think I am going to have to buy some of these new RX8 FIRE. Are they OK for fat slow skidders? Will they make me less fat slow and skiddy? They certainly seemed to do the last two on Saturday!



snowHead
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 So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
Quote:

Will they make me less fat slow and skiddy?
No Chris Bish, , but lessons might Toofy Grin
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 You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
Frosty the Snowman, Old dogs and new tricks spring to mind. I was the one even Charlotte didn't make much impression on!

admin, should I paste my inane ramblings from the "events" thread here too, or would it be better for them to reside in obscurity?

snowHead
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 Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Chris Bish, I have a pair of RX Fire great on piste ski with fantastic edge hold. A little confused by RX8 FIre as last year RX8 and RX fire were different skis is there a new model this year?
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 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
kevinrhead, Thanks for the feedback. I think I am convinced having read lots of rave reviews. From what I recall of what the EB guys told me, the Fire is now using the WC shape from a couple of years ago. Please be warned I know next to nothing about skis!

It was the edge hold and sense of stability that impressed me the most. I felt so confident on those RXs!


snowHead
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Chris Bish,
Quote:

should I paste my inane ramblings from the "events" thread here too

I think that was the idea. Contrary to what was posted about last years ski tests, about having to be a professional ski tester. I think it's perfectly valid for someone who knows very little about skis, to be able to form a judgement on what skis they like or dislike and let others know about it. After all your the ski manufacturer's potential customer, not some pro who gets his kit for free.
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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?
Spyderman, all the encouragement I needed! Here goes then:

Around 30 snowHeads met up at Milton Keynes for an abundantly supplied ski-test. There were skis of all sizes, even some close to pixie! Some that might have been canoes; and some that might have been ironing-boards.

By now, any new readers will have got the idea that I know nothing about skis, so I’m glad to have made that clear straight away. I will say that, thanks to the friendly and helpful expertise on hand, I learnt an awful lot about them during the day, but more of that later.

Now the Xscape itself is an impressive place. It appears to be in the heart of a shopping centre and has a lively, spacious modern feeling to it. Those of us used to Tamworth made favourable comparisons. The slope is pleasant, has a reasonable degree of steepness and apart from some scary man-traps arranged either side towards the bottom is well-appointed with good recognisable snow. The man-traps appear to be for snowboarders, so another plus there. (Yes, I know that sentence is ambiguous.)

Cards on the table first, about my ski-level and aims for the day. I am over-qualified for lardiness and skid more than I ski. I have some Head C140s which are an ideal lazy lardy ski for the lower intermediate. Seems ideal! I wanted to test the theory that a more challenging ski would make me ski better (This matters because…?) and I also wanted to see if those fat wide things did anything other than the ironing. I had been advised that my next step to ski-superstardom was to get off the blue runs and try a bit of off-piste. Fat and wide was good for this apparently, so I qualified, but I needed some skis to match.

Scott Neo, were my first test skis. U had thoughtfully provided some sheets on which we could record our tasting-notes (I went to a wine tasting recently – they gave you homework too.) My note said “Too good for me!” which you can take as read for all of them actually. They had a good holding edge, which I liked, and in the deeper snow at the edges, even I could see what they were about. I hope somebody else has something nice to say about them, because they were probably very good indeed. I would think they would be super at the bottom of the OK in April. And I don’t mean in the bar.

Next I asked for something more conventional and went off on some sexy black Nordica Gransport, . I thought they were fantastic! Almost perfect as a piste ski for me and probably an exact equivalent of what I have now! I feel I want to push the envelope a bit with my next skis and move a little further to the edge of the plateau. I went back for something sportier. Smashing skis those, though.

My request for something a bit more challenging got me onto Fischer RX FIRE 6, s in 165 length. Love at first slide! Jon will have nothing to do with any ski that doesn’t have Fischer written on it and I can see why. What a ski! Straight away I was experiencing new sensations from my skis (Calm down old ‘un, you’ll blow a fuse!). They were feeding energy back to me somehow (anyone who knows about this phenomenon feel free to explain) and the edge hold was simply miraculous. I felt so confident on these skis and People Who Know (like Spyderman) said, “I thought they would suit you.” These lime-green fellows were saying, “We can take you faster!” and they did. So that is Objective Number 1 met then. I have found skis that will make me go better on the piste. My inclination to slide out of turns was gone. The edge hold was so perfect you just didn’t want to waste it. Tremendous.

So with that sort of settled (wanted to try the RX8s – might be even better) (bigger number = better ski. Obvious!) I went back to the “Dipping your toes the other side of the marker poles” search. Well, that is about all my off-piste amounts to. I went off with some big and wide K2 Apache Raiders, . I guess these are a sort of all-terrain ski and probably had a lot going for them. I was still on the rebound from the Fischers and hoping for that odd “feedback” thing I had just discovered, but it didn’t really happen for me. I think that given a bit more space I would have loved them, but I couldn’t get them going in the confines of the artificial slope. I will leave them on the maybe list, but I’m not sure that the Rossignol B2 doesn’t do the same stuff better. Is this heresy?

Having been lukewarm about those (“It is me, not the skis, guys!”) I went off with some Scott RC, . I was very iffy about those. To me they felt a bit like the worn-out Salomons they give you at the Snowdome. You know, soft and wibbly. I did not feel they were offering me anything much at all. I also fell over on them, but that is standard for me. I was, apparently, the first person not to rave about them, so just remember all these skis are too good for me, will you. Anyway, I wanted back onto the Fischers and set off with 175cm RX8s, . Bigger number, better ski, remember. Well, unsurprisingly, not. achilles, had tried both and expressed a preference for the 6s. Just too big and heavy those 8s, was his view. Well, big and heavy is me, but I realised that I was better suited to 165s. Fortunately, there were a pair of orange 165s in the RX8 available, and these were definitely what I wanted. I nearly paid up for a pair there and then, but wiser counsels, i.e. Bev, said I needed to try them in resort for the day in case they were going to be too much for me.

I want to say thanks to all the people that made this event such a great day out. I learnt so much about skis today, as well as meeting up with some great people. Probably the most significant thing I discovered was how much difference there is between skis.

snowHead
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 brian
brian
Guest
Chris Bish, excellent write up.
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 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Chris Bish,

Very enjoyable read. Interesting reading all the reports, helps to balance the magazine/manufacturers specs for me. Its helped to convince me to test before I buy next time round.(hopefully in the new season Toofy Grin )
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 You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
Thanks to all involved I had a great day.

Having relatively little skiing experence i did wonder how much use i would get out of a day like this. (like putting a learner driver in a F1 car).

but i like to mess around in any sport that i do, so i am rapidly getting into freeride/park/powder, but didnt want to lose piste skiing.

so:

K2 Public Enemy
It was an obivous first choice, it is meant to be an all round ski capable of doing it all, and un-surprisingly thats exactly what it did. Capable in virtually every way, but nothing special, nothing earth statteringly great about them.

SAL 1080
next up was a slightly more park based ski, this lost some the of the width and length of the the PE's, which made them great fun in the snow dome. Light fast almost twitchy skis that had a little better balance in the air than the PE's. i enjoyed these, but they are really only for the parks and larking around, i dont think they would cope with deeper/steeper snow.

Volkl Bridge
This went the other way from the PE, more of a big mountain ski, wider, longer and heavy (felt very heavy after the 1080s). the turning was ok for a ski that big. In the air they felt a lot harder work than the PE or 1080s, the balance just wasnt there and the landing was heavy.

Scot Punisher
My mate recommended these to me and said they were better than the PEs. so i had a go, and little more lively than the PEs they felt a little more like the 1080s but similar dimensions to the K2 so should handle powder well. overal these took the 'most like to buy of the day so far' award.

K2 Silencer
These were the cheaper alternative to the PEs, and as i am on a budget i felt these were important to try. to me they felt very similar to the PEs, and if i was to buy a K2 these would be it. but the punisher was a better ski than either K2.

K2 Seth
Just for fun i thought i would try the seths to feel a real powder ski (just to get my eye in) and the first impression is just shear size and weight, big skiies! but i was surprised, they seems to handle better/the same as the Bridges which for a bigger ski is impressive.

High Society FR 177
Another ski from the PE/Punisher style of all rounder Free ride ski. all i can say is these were the best skis of the day for me, they were as close to what i was looking as i could find, very impressive piste skiing with light and balanced in air performance. Tired skiing backwards on most of the twin tips, but these felt most natural (apart from some center mounted i tried later).

Icelantic Scout
After talking to the guy (didnt get his name) with the FRs he suggested the Icelantic Nomads as something to try, but they were out, so for fun he gave me the Scouts. Interesting is all i will say, almost blades, but over 100mm waist. Laughing

Icelantic Nomad
Finally got the nomads of my mate who has fallen in love with them. Interesting ski, relatively short for a powder ski, and very stiff. turned well, and pushing them hard helped. enjoyable, but not really what i was looking for, too specialized.

Icelantic Pilgrim
the last ski of the day was the pilgrim an lovely little park ski, first time out i had the bindings in FR position as thats how i would ski with them. felt like the 1080s in the balance and light feel, but didnt have that twichiness (which was nice) best park ski of the day imo. after about 10-20mins of playing with them i took them back and the rep refused to take them back, i had to go out again with the bindings set in the center as i had been seen skiing on them and thought center mounted would suit me, im not gonna argue with a man telling to ski more (and he was bigger than me).

Icelantic Pilgrim Center mounted binding
This first center mounted ski (well till that morning i hadnt skied a twin tip), it felt a little odd in the corners with such long tails. but then i got them in the air. and omg thats what those skies were for, and they loved flying. the balance and landing felt more natural than any other ski of the day, just made it easy. on my second time down with them i did a little 180 to half cab on one the the rain ramps. and third run tried a 360.... ate snow hard snowHead but loved it.

But a Great day, i learnt alot about skis, i really started to get a feel for the differences in shape, size and length.

IF i had enough money for two pairs of skis then it would be the Nomads for Powder/carving/off piste and the Pilgrim for park and messing.

But saddly thats not an option, i only ski 1-2 weeks a year and so cant justify spending that much. so i think the HS FR are the skis for me. they could do all that the two Icelantic skis (maybe not as well) and i think would be better on piste than both.

Thanks
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 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Thought I better add a caveat given the rave reviews some of the wider skis are getting. There may be some inherent bias in testers' minds here in that actually they would only buy a wider ski. This is certainly the case for me in that I would probably buy a race ski if I wanted something narrower than 85mm. Accordingly I'd say that for many users if on-piste is your targetted use there may be more suitable skis that will obviously perform better.

The generic point that is interesting is that wider skis do seem to be usable in suboptimal conditions and that there are more than ever on the UK market next year. Pose value or real functional progress?
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 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
brian, Gilberts Fridge, Thanks. I love having my witterings praised!

snowHead
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
fatbob, in many cases I think it is real functional progress as the latest manufacturing techiniques now give high torsional stiffness (= on piste edge hold) in wider/softer skis. My 08 Atomic Nomad Crimson's are a perfect example of this as is the Ielantic Pilgrim's - soft tip'n'tail for good off-piste/bumps but still a good on piste carver with strong edge hold.

Add this torsional stiffness to a 90mm ski & have the manufacturer (Scott) throw in a pretty forward binding location for good turn initiation on piste (which is were most folks test them) & hey presto, you have the Mission, probably last year's most successful ski.
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 Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Thanks Admin, had a great day testing skis.

I dont know much about skis so dont expect anything tecnical here. I've only done 4 weeks skiing in total and I am lower intermediate.

Elan Wave Magic - I couldnt believe how easy it was to turn in these skis. you only had to think turn and they did it, almost effortlessly. My own skis are K2s and after trying the Elan I wonder if my bad skiing is completely my fault Laughing

Icelantic Scout - These really were like barges attached to you feet and quite heavy, especially those periods where you have to do a bit of walking in them. But, saying that they were really easy to ski in. Needed very little effort at all.

K2 One Luv - As my own skis are K2s i was a bit apprehensive about trying these. My doubts were correct. i didnt find i had the control in these, that I had in the Elan or the Icelantic. I just dont think K2s suit me very well.

Fischer Vision Tempest - Nice skis but i found that if i touched the slightest bump, then these skis wanted to go on a detour. Wasnt impressed.

Elan - (one of the spice ones) - Good ski but was still not as impressed as with the Wave Magic.

I finished the day trying out the Elan Wave Magic. The snow had got icier and i wanted to see if that made any different. It made no difference at all. Loved these skis.

overall not easy to get a good feel how any of these skis would react on a more challenging run but had a great time. I'm sure some of these skis would have been great with someone more skilled.

Thanks to the Elan guy for your help and thanks also to CEM (Colin) for his advice with my feet. I will be seeing him later this year, and yes i am doing the exercises Laughing
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 snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
achilles wrote:
OK, I did at least 3 runs on tested skis, after doing a few ruins on my own Missions. I was looking for a ski that would complement them.


What are you looking for that the Missions don't give you? I had some short slalom skis I used for indoor slalom, and took them to La Tania along with 1080s (didn't have my Missions then).

I found on days when I said "ok it's a piste day" and took the slalom skis we then found some lovely looking off piste, so for me, skiing with the Missions all the times seems to cover all eventualities and they are fine on piste.

Regards,

Greg
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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.
kitenski wrote:
......What are you looking for that the Missions don't give you? I had some short slalom skis I used for indoor slalom, and took them to La Tania along with 1080s (didn't have my Missions then)...


Agility and speed on piste. The Missions will go anywhere safely, and enjoyably. But I noticed at the MSB that others on piste skis were slipping away from me when straight-lining on shallow sloping pistes - and I don't think it was a question of the wax (though it maybe in part that the bindings are too far forward - when I don't have to swim to spyderjon's I will find out). Also, whilst you can welly the Missions round deepish moguls on very steep slopes, they are not a naturally agile on-piste ski.
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 So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
achilles wrote:
kitenski wrote:
......What are you looking for that the Missions don't give you? I had some short slalom skis I used for indoor slalom, and took them to La Tania along with 1080s (didn't have my Missions then)...


Agility and speed on piste. The Missions will go anywhere safely, and enjoyably. But I noticed at the MSB that others on piste skis were slipping away from me when straight-lining on shallow sloping pistes - and I don't think it was a question of the wax (though it maybe in part that the bindings are too far forward - when I don't have to swim to spyderjon's I will find out). Also, whilst you can welly the Missions round deepish moguls on very steep slopes, they are not a naturally agile on-piste ski.


Yeh understand that, but are you not going to go out on your piste skis, and then find some great off piste, or find it turns slushy and you wished you that extra width?? Or as opposed to straight line, carve and you may go faster Smile

I guess I don't get the >1 ski quiver thing, I feel you will always wish you were on the other set you left at home/car/room etc.

Cheers,

Greg
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 You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
kitenski wrote:
........Yeh understand that, but are you not going to go out on your piste skis, and then find some great off piste, or find it turns slushy and you wished you that extra width?? Or as opposed to straight line, carve and you may go faster Smile.....


Probably Madeye-Smiley
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 Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Icelantic Pilgrim 169
I was one of the first to turn up, and since Jon & Kiwi were there already, I got them to set these up for me. A surprisingly agile ski for 90mm waist. Since they were my first runs of the day, I was pleased with how they handled. Nothing spectacular, but not dull either. Good edge grip, quick enough from edge to edge, and they seems to like to run. Would be worth trying on a real slope.

Icelantic Nomad 168
These were the skis I wanted to try. Looking for something to replace my Seths, that I could ski shorter, but still have as big a surface area to give me float in powder. They ticked those boxes well, and provided a stable platform when going from the icier mid section to the crud-like sides of the slope. In a sense they reminded me of my old K2 Axis X Pros – they would go through anything unwavering. The Nomads, but, would have it in the soft stuff.

Stockli Stormrider XL 184
Some bloke left a pair lying at the bottom of the slope, so I grabbed them. It’s the longest ski I’ve ever been on, and given my penchant for going short than normal when indoors, it was a bit of a shock to me. Nice skis. Totally inappropriate for a narrow, short indoor slope. I reckon I would need about 5 times the width, and 20 times the length to get these things going – and I suspect that if I had the right conditions, they would fly. Basically they are a fatter GS ski. It was good to try them.

Elan Magfire 12 (168?)
Very good piste ski. Enjoyable, but perhaps missing the spark that I look for that would take the ski from head to heart. I thought they had some similarities to my Head 1100SWs, but perhaps not as lively.

Icelantic Scout 143
RachelQ didn’t like these, and I’d normally consider her a good judge. In this case, for my first run I was in total agreement with her. But the way to ski these things is to dump your poles, and start putting extra angle onto your edges – ski them like skiboards. They were fun. I’d like to try them in powder to see if they were up to it, or just too short. I’d not recommend them for men who are lacking in the trouser snake department.

Elan Revert (170?)
Ski of the day? My first run on these and I thought they were great. My second run, and I thought I was great. Good edges, very quick edge to edge. Competent. Fun. They are a park ski, but I’m not a park skier. I’m almost tempted to put in a “Pocket Rocket” comment here, but they are a better piste ski than the PR, but perhaps with similar “hero” qualities – if you can’t look good skiing these, you’re not going to look good on anything else. Looking back, they were great, but perhaps too good on the indoor slope. What I mean is that they might be great on a short slope, but I’m not convinced I would like them as much out in the open.

Head Supershape Speed (163)
Like putting on your favourite slippers, or, more like opening your favourite wine. These reminded me of my 1100SWs. That’s a good thing. I think they are great skis. Excellent edge grip, great speed and control. Fun. Although, when I talked to the Head rep, he told me the Magnum is more like my current ski!

Head Supershape Magnum (163)
So, these should have been even more like a 2004 Chateau Cantin, but they weren’t. They were close. Very close. But not quite. Again, great grip speed and control, but a fraction less fun that the Speeds.

Scott Punisher (170?)
“You should try the Scotts”, “The Missions are the best ski”… So, after all the comments on here about Missions, and based on last year’s outing on Scott P4s (I think that’s what I was on), I decided to try the twin tip version of the Mission (as their rep called it. After all the raving, and three runs (like all the others got), I returned them to the rep, who was waiting for my glowing report. I told him that I’d blame it on a bad tune. They didn’t seem to have usable edges. Skidding them round was OK, but I didn’t feel confident on them. Definitely not in my top 8 skis of the test.
===============================================================


In conclusion:
If I was only allowed 1 ski to do it all, it would be the Pilgrims.
If I was to replace my Seths, it would be with Nomads
If I was to replace my Heads, it would be with the Supershape Speed.
If I wanted a dry/indoor slope ski, it’s the Reverts.



And now the moment you've all been waiting for.

Graham, the envelope please...

snowHead snowHead snowHead snowHead snowHead snowHead snowHead snowHead snowHead snowHead snowHead snowHead snowHead snowHead
My ski of the year: The Icelantic Nomad.
snowHead snowHead snowHead snowHead snowHead snowHead snowHead snowHead snowHead snowHead snowHead snowHead snowHead snowHead
snow conditions
 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Great fun on Saturday, I hadnt been to an indoor slope before but it was certainly worth the trip. I'd recommend anyone who is considering attending the remaining sessions to give it a go!

Thanks very much to Admin for organising the day and thanks also to Kiwi1, Spyderjon, the guys from Ellis Brigham, the Elan guy and the Head guy for being so helpful. There were so many skis to test.........

I managed 3 runs on each of 10 different skis. I'm very happy with the Head Mojo 90s I have for messsing about off piste but was interested to see what I might choose for piste use to replace the Head IM70s that I sold a couple of months ago on ebay. As such most of what I tried had a piste bias.

For me the best ski I tried was the Fischer RX8 (175cm) it had fantastic grip and was great at shorter turns, ideal given the confines of the slopes at MK. Notable mentions in 2nd and 3rd respectively for the Head XRC Chip (177) which was very stable and held it's edge fantasticaly well (but is V.expensive to buy) and the Salomon X Wing Tornado (178) which although slightly wider underfoot (75mm?) was still great fun and very easy to turn.

I'd like to try the Icelantic Pilgrim (169) and Head Monster 88 (186) on real slopes as I enjoyed both but felt they needed more room that MK allowed to give them a fair test. I was also impressed with the easy of use of Visit bindings and also the easy boot sole length adjustment offered by the Elan Fusion system which would make them ideal for skis to share with a friend!

Edit - I'm 6'1 and 100kg or so


Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Wed 25-07-07 19:27; edited 1 time in total
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Thanks to Admin for sorting the day out,it was my 1st of hopefully many Snowhead Events.
Great to meet up with some fellow Snowheads in the middle of our great English summer.
Right onto the skis I tested.

Nordica Hot Rod Eliminator
First skis of the day,very easy to turn,good on the ice,ideal for someone that hasn't skied in 6 months & isn't that athletic.

Scott Mission
Took a few runs to get used to.Got on ok with them,but would have liked to have tried them on a mountain rather than at Xscape.

Icelantic Pilgrim (Twice)
Took these out twice,1st time I didn't really get on with them too well. 2nd time much better (might've been due to getting my "ski legs" back),again as with the Scott Missions would love to test these on a mountain in powder to see the best of them.

Elan Magfire 10
A ski I'd heard about,came with a good reputation & it didn't disappoint.
I immediately felt comfortable on them & enjoyed skiing them.

Elan Magfire 12
Ski of the Day for me!
Excellent pair of skis,felt even better than the Magfire 10's.
Could easily have kept hold of them for all of the last hour.
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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?
Chris Bish, That's just the sort of review that I can understand!!
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 You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
Megamum, Yes, me too!
Having managed to leave my report sheet at MK (doh!) I am unable to post much of a report myself. However, my skis of the day were the K2 Misdemeanors, closely followed by the Head Supershape Magnums. The former were just great fun, inspired me to try a little jump or two (later thwarted by the piste patrollers) and generally be a bit misbehaved. For one who prefers both feet on the ground, that was saying something. Very Happy
All in all I had a great day out, look forward to the next one.
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 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Kitty wrote:
....closely followed by the Head Supershape Magnums....


It's late, and I am getting a bit tired. Thought you said Head Supershape Megamums for a moment. Now that would be a name for a ski.
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 You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
achilles,
Quote:

Head Supershape Megamums

She'd deffo be coming though with a pair of those strapped on her feet. Laughing
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 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Laughing Laughing
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 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
I think it would be helpful if all you reviewers could ensure your weight and height are on your reviews.
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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.
micky, Shocked

Laughing Laughing Laughing

A useful point
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 Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Dear me, my thighs are a wee bit 'throbby' and the bones do ache from a couple of heavy landings . . . but I still bounce (just not very high) and there were plenty of 'plankers' having a yard sale. Toofy Grin

Firstly, I must thank Admin, Kiwi1, Spyderjon, Gavin Dunlop and the guys from EB for their incredible and magnanimous efforts . . . and to all the other Interweirdos that make these events so much fun.

You'll have to take my thoughts with a pinch of salt as it's down to others to judge my level of ski ability. (5'7½" [half inches are important], 100Kg and dropping)

Start with the boards:

1: High Society Empire, quite short at 160(I thought it was a 156) but beautifully finished.
First impressions was of nice easy pop and very responsive to front foot pressure, there was no stomp pad so getting off the Poma was going to be interesting . . . but with just the slightest of pressure it turned and ran true. This would make a great board to learn on.
Once sliding it had no vices, easy roll over to carve and very responsive to backfoot steering in what soft stuff there was and it passed through/over the crud at the side with a lovely oily smoothness. It wasn't as happy on the scraped clear ice . . . but few boards are. Wouldn't hesitate to recommend it. I'd probably buy it long to keep the narrow waist and still be able to ride powder. I stacked this one fairly hard . . . rider error only.

2: Radical Pro (think this was the 158). Exquisite and so light Shocked . It wasn't as smooth as the High Society but it exuded minimalist quality. It turned quickly and easily with enormous but strong resistive flex and great edge hold.
It's a park board and waaaaay beyond my skills but I've discovered that they make a 163 Wide model and for anyone that wants a light and strong board to schlep to uncharted powder, I can't think of any I'd choose above it. There are a couple I'd like to try it against just to find the one that suits me but that's one seriously nice tool . . . and at a serious price.

3: Boardski Bulldog Skiboards/Snowboard (copied from t'other thread)
a: Firstly, they're VERY stiff (read that as virtually solid), and though I didn't ski them as blades, that's probably ok if you've got one on each foot and can roll them from edge to edge or twist steer them to turn, but bolt them together and you've some more problems . . . and they're big ones.
b: foot stance is fixed and 'duck' . . . fine in soft boots . . . but in stiff (and mine are very stiff) ski boots, comfort is in short supply
c: My ski boots have a 321mm sole-length and even when bolted down in a splayed angle they don't project over the edges of the bolted together boards . . . this thing is WIIIDE! which means that you feel and essentially are bolted down to a piece of 300mm wide marine plywood.
All this leads to having virtually no low speed control and needing to twist-steer the thing from the shoulders and stay balanced by large(ish) upper-body 'english' Once you get beyond walking pace you can start to edge . . . which because of the width, is a real and concious effort rather than a subtle weight change . . . and because of the torsional inflexibility , has to be centrally balanced over he edge on both feet to allow it to track around the sidecut.
Which gets us to higher speeds and putting forces into the tool rather than bumbling around as a passenger on it.
Once warmed up, I had some nice turns at the top of Cas. but very aware of the effort to get from edge to edge and struck by how wooden and dead it felt under-foot, you can't torque steer because you're in skiboots and it's rigidly bolted together (that may be a major failing), but got near the bottom moving fairly quickly heading into the soft crud on the right so shifted my weight hard forward and onto my lead heel into a heelside turn as I hit the sugar . . . and the nose of the leading board folded up and I ate snow . . . busted!
These are my thoughts:
a: IT'S TOO BLOODY STIFF! It couldn't bend so it broke at the binding. It'll never work as a useful snowboard until it's about 6" longer and has a lot more flexibility. You can get away with having a stiff(ish) centre but the nose and tail need progressive deflection. That would be easy to achieve by flaring down the construction from the centre-point and giving it a modicum of torsional flex.
b: It needs some lateral thinking about the fixing and binding mounting system. I can already see a way to eliminate 4 of the 8 mounting holes and to incorporate the use of either standard soft-boot or hard-boot bindings
The idea is sound and could easily (but probably expensively) made to work well, but in this stage of development and at £660 . . . I can't recommend it.
Just a note for reference: I'm 100Kg and ride aggressively but that's the first plank of any sort I've broken, the developer is about 60Kg and I've not seen him ride and I don't think the vids on his site show the tool being used in a 'real-world' way

SKIS . . .

1: The Icelandic Nomad (couldn't find the size but Kiwi1 will tell you) . . . First things I tried on the slope and I couldn't get on with them. Could just about carve them but couldn't slide the tails. It was probably me, first slides and never having been on a fat twin tip . . . ten minutes later and it's no better so on to . . .

2: Fischer RX8 (I can't recall if they were 160 or 165) . . . a glorious little quick turning, accurate, grippy ski . . . perfect for Cas and any narrow steep icy piece of hell you find yourself on.
Straight off the Poma and the tails skid round to avoid sliding into the back wall and off down the slope, nice easy half carved turns with the tails loosened off to scrub speed before the next turn . . . lovely easy effortless, even thoughtless sliding. Then warm up the legs and start dropping into the turn and you feel the edges bite into long carving arcs. They're quite stiff so the radius is quite long until . . . You load up the speed and aggression and oh boy! Press the noses and feel them bite into the turn, drop hard as they whip round and feel the tails load up. The harder you drop the tighter the turn and the more punch you feel as the ski rockets away . . more than once almost without me. Even straightlining down the slope they were stable and weren't knocked out of shape in the crud at the side as long as you kept a tiny bit of edge on them.
Anyone from beginner up would find these very easy to live with as long as they were staying just on piste, choose the pitch of piste to suit your mental switch and your skill level and the RX8s will make you grin like an idiot. They're light, responsive and forgiving. They're nicer than my SX10s . . . and that takes some dragging out of me

3: Back to the Nomads . . . Kiwi1 moved the bindings forward and I instantly felt more at home on them, still not 100% but much better. It's at this point I realised that they felt like a snowboard, you can spin them round in endless and effortless 360s and felt more stable going backwards than forward. I had a long play on them . . . and that's what it was, playtime. I'd need to take them out for a few days on a hill to decide if I could live with them full time. But that's probably more a problem with me than the skis. They'd certainly suit someone younger, bouncier and more willing to crash into the furniture . . . but I'd still like to play some more on them . . . quite a lot . . .

4: Fischer RC4 Worldcup RC . . . I'll tell you after the PSB Twisted Evil Twisted Evil Twisted Evil


Last edited by Ski the Net with snowHeads on Mon 23-07-07 12:35; edited 1 time in total
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