 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 took my wife to a ski shop over new year..in France la Tania...she is a beginner (10 Sunday mornings on dry slope). They offered her beginner skis...no problem..until I saw them edges were so blunt you wouldn't be able to grip anything on a slope with them. The intermediate skies however were fine they where just the newer version of the beginner skis..made her life much easier...
My advice would be to check them first most intermediate skis I've seen hired are just newer and better maintained pretty middle of the road skis I can't see it pays the shops to buy anything other than the ford mondeo of skis to rent out....
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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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If you're skiing in a quite outside-ski-dominant way you might even want to go better than intermediate skis, as the extra stiffness might be useful (it is for me, and I would only class myself as intermediate). I personally wouldn't worry too much about them going 'too fast'. Go for the inters, don't be nervous. Soft beginner skis are probably holding you back. I myself feel a lot *more* in control with the stiffer skis.
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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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feefee, When we skied at MK I would say that you were better than me. Yet, this lot on here said the skis I got weren't beyond me, but they are firmly medium to top end intermediate skis. On that evidence I rekon you'll be OK - why don't you ask for intermediates that are still easy to turn - they might have several options.
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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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If you go for better skis and don't find that they help then you should be able to change them. Why not try a few different types to see what suits ? Most Hire shops will let you swap skis.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Megamum, When you tested your new skis at MK how did they 'feel' in comparison to skis you used before?
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feefee, I think my over-riding sensation was that they were more 'grippy'. You could stand on the outside ski - as you describe in you OP and boy did it 'cut-in' I found this resulted in over-steering. They also seemed stiffer than other skis and it was almost as though they didn't bend round the corners as easy, but in some respects this seemed to be compensated for by the ease with which they cut into the snow. I ended up on my backside (on the slope) twice, but it was quite busy and the slope did have a number of obstacles so it wasn't really beginner territory - also they were a tad longer than what I've used previously. I certainly don't think they are insurmountable and I expect/hope that on a proper ski slope after a couple of hours I'll find them as easy as the Volkl g3's I had on holiday last year.
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feefee, If you're finding them difficult to turn then maybe you had skis that were too stiff/too long. How tall/heavy are you?
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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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erica2004, 5'2" and 57ish?kg I think they were 140cm.
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to tell if they have been waxed and edged: the bases should look densly black (assuming the bases are black coloured!), not grey and 'thirsty' looking. If there is lots of fresh snow it shouldn't stick in clumps under your ski like it would to a non waxed ski. If you run the back of your hand over the edges, you will begin to get a feel for sharp/blunt skis and a properly sharp edge will remove a sliver of finger nail when pulled across it. If it is hard packed or icy the edges being sharp is really important - less so in new soft snow. See if you can get a recommendation of hire shop to use before you go. Don't go higher than intermediate skis or they will be too stiff and heavy and won't do you any favours. 'Intermediate' should be fine for you now.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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feefee, They sound fine. Just tell them how long you've been skiing.
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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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In general if a shop offers you 'beginner' skis and really what they mean are cheap skis that are poorly maintained then go somewhere else if you can, or go for intermediate skis instead if this means the skis are better maintained. The edges of skis should be SHARP, almost enough that you can cut yourself on them, and smooth without jagged bits along their length. Skis with blunt, damaged or poorly sharpened and rounded edges just won't work, especially bad on hard snow or ice, and you'll have the impression that you can't turn. The base should be flat, smooth and shiny. Don't accept skis that are rough, dry and flaky on the bottom as these will be a real pain if the snow is wet or heavy. Really there's no excuse for rental shops shoving poorly maintained skis at beginners because they don't know any better and you don't have to accept them.
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You know it makes sense.
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It's interesting (and very helpful) reading peoples' thought about hiring skis and whether to plump for beginners or intermediates
I'm a ski novice, having learned to ski (the basics over 3 months) at the dry ski slope in Birmingham. I'm off on my first 'proper' ski trip at the end of Feb and will need to hire some skis. Whilst I'm no Ingemar Stenmark, I also want something that's going to make my life easy(ier) on the slopes. From what I can see, the difference in cost betwee beginners and intermediate (superior) skis is only a few euros when it comes to hiring. I guess my questions are:-
1) as a novice, would I genuinely appreciate the difference between the two types of ski?
2) as it's only a few Euros, should I just plump for the superior skis anyway?
3) if I did go the superior route, would it 'hinder' my skiing or make life more difficult?
Any thoughts?
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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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Sleipnir, Yes, Yes, No
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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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My other half has been on beginner and intermidiate skis for the past few years this year I booked her VIP and said nothing she liked them so much she wanted to buy them made a huge diffrence for her couldnt belive 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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Mmmm....
On the thread below I asked the same question but with more detail, naming the skis offered for bronze (beginner) and silver (intermediate) and asking if its worth paying the extra for the silver. There was just one response (appreciated) basically saying that the listed bronze is fine and to save the extra money for beer.
http://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=35368
Is it maybe a case of the state of the skis rather than the spec? If all the hire skis were edged and waxed to the same degree, what difference would it make to either an beginner or intermediate to hire beginner or intermediate skis?
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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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FAQ
we learn something new each time don't we? at least I'll have a bit more of a clue next time! and yes I'll give the intermediates a go and let you know how I get on! 
