 Poster: A snowHead
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
Not been on the raiders, but i have been on the Recon and i own the Xplorer. IMO, if you're going to have the recon, you might as well have the Xplorer. it does everthing the recon does just as well but gives you that extra bit confidence in the "magic fluffy stuff" due to it's very slightly softer flex, few mm's extra underfoot and slightly different shape. They also carve those fast GS turns very well and are easy to slow it down a bit as well. Here's the review i wrote of it.
Pros: everything about this ski is positive for me. it blasts down groomers with very good grip, it blasts through crud with sure footedness, it handles well when it gets steep, it responds well to aggressive input but can be laid back as well, and turns all but the very tightest turns very well and predictably, it carves in powder, it does excel in medium turns anywhere you want it to, it's stable... The xplorer is just a sorted ski that does everything very well. I've never yet had a feeling that these skis were out of control! It's just a fast, smooth ski that links turns very well. It's not mega stiff, it's not too soft. Only condition i've not tried them on is moguls. i'd imagine they wouldn't be the best there, but they are soft enough to give the forgiveness to get down in one piece.
Cons: I'd want bigger skis in really deep powder, but that's a rare thing in scotland, and for the majority of any trips to the alps and the rockies. Not too keen on the graphics - i'd prefer something more creative.
Other Thoughts: The apache xplorer is my one ski quiver! It does most things i ask of it brilliantly and i have total confidence in them. some people say k2 ski too damp, i'd say that they ski smooth... my xplorers certainly do. They flatter my skiing  )
There's many other brands out there, but volkl (AC) and dynastar (legend) seem highly regarded here and elsewhere. If you can get to an Ellis Brigham at a indoor snow thingy, you can demo their skis for free.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
K2 Shuksan might be worth considering it's a true light weight all mountain ski that is highly thought of.
Love mine 
Regards Mark
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
Topsmoke, they not a telemark touring ski? if not, what bindings you got on them?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
Kersh, Definitely recommend the Ellis Brigham try before you buy at Xscape. Bought my Apache Crossfire this way and love them for fast carving - maybe not ideal for off piste but that suits me 
K2 does seem to get a very good rep for edge grip. Also the Crossfires I bought (06/07) model received the best score in the Daily Mail Ski Mag that year. Think the newer model has a slightly wider waste to make it more appealling to going off piste, but I'm sure there are other models that are designed with that more in mind
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
Thanks for the tips.
shoogly, is the Xplorer a bit more forgiving than the Recon? This is one of the reasons I was considering the Raider (same dimensions as the Recon, just more forgiving ski). Also, i've never skied on wide(ish) skis. I was going for the Recon just because it would be wide enough to head off piste but not too wide. I think i'm paranoid about wide skis thinking they're like riding a pair of flatbed trucks and i'll need a different technique. Mind you, the Xplorer is only 6mm wider than the Recon so am I worrying about nothing.
Talking about alternative options, I looked at a pair of Volkl AC30's but was told by the chap in the shop that they are quite an aggressive ski. How does it stack up against the Recon for example? About similar?
I think I will get myself to Castleford and test some K2's there then before I head out. It may also be worth buying them here before I go too.
Cheers
Kersh
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
If you can actually get a ski up on edge and understand the differnce between 'angulation' and 'leaning over a bit' then wide shouldn't be a problem.
Rossi now make an 80mm wide 9x with a tip about a yard across, which I must say looks like a hoot, even to an inept lazy free-ski slacker like me.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Not sure if it's more forgiving, but it's certainly a wee bit more stable. It's also a bit softer in the tip so is a bit more relaxed and handles softer conditions better. It is just as smooth to ski as the recon though. I have no problem at all getting it up on edge at all and you couldn't describe my technique as brilliant.
The AC30s are a bit stiffer and not as damp (or smooth) as the K2s. I'd say that they require you to be more on top of your game more of the time.
Best thing to do is to get out and try some... you might find you like something totally different from anything we've talked about here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
| shoogly wrote: |
| Topsmoke, they not a telemark touring ski? if not, what bindings you got on them? |
It's an Alpine Touring Ski,A one quiver all mountain ski.I have Freeride plus bindings on them.Fat enough for the powder,Excellent edge Grip,Lightweight.Good allround really.50% piste 50% off + Light enough to tour
Tested them at the Coe Saturday for the first time and very impressed.
Regards Mark
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Saturday at glencoe was brilliant... my body still hurts from it 
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
Spoke to a very helpful chap at Ellis Brigham today and gave me some good advice. He recommended to Salomon XW Tornado. They get pretty good write ups, anyone own a pair?
Cheers
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
Hello ....
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MX88's... if you can find a pair..
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
lots of reviews here
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
shoogly, I never thought of a Google search. 
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
|
JT, word.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
comprex, blitzed it over here...
demoed 178 and 188 ...... just wait for next season...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
)
