 Poster: A snowHead
|
A question for anyone in the know; are there currently or liable to be any rules or recommendations for skis that should be used for BASI ISIA?
Obviously twin tips and the like are out and race skis/carvers in but what type, what radius and what length are best?
Ta in advance for any comments (of the constructive sort!) 
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
Apparently BASI decided not to implement rules for ski specification with the exception of the coaching qualifications. On most courses you're going to ski a mix of on-piste, off-piste, bumps, variable snow conditions, so for me the choice was a ski which was the best compromise in all those conditions. A fatter pair would have helped my off-piste skiing, but would have made the on-piste more difficult than needed (and a very fat pair would have made short radius turns to a BASI standard impossible for me). A stiff pair of slalom or GS skis would have made the on-piste a lot fun (although maybe not so much on CT progression) but would have made it much more difficult for me in bumps and variable. So I chose a 'mid-mountain' kind of ski: Elan Magfire 12; 76mm underfoot, 177cm long, 17m radius and moderately stiff. This ski was recommended to me by a BASI Trainer who skied on them himself. Last season's Rossignol 9X Oversize seemed to be getting good reviews from the 'BASI boys' (as we've been described here, so that advice is probably worthless  ) and you should get a decent discount through the BASI deal.
For my Mountain Safety course (which is run almost exclusively off piste) I went up to a 92mm ski with touring bindings. For the coach course I'll ski on a race department GS ski.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
roga, a couple of BASI trainers have recommended the Rossi 9X OS and I've got a pair on order through the BASI deal.
They are 80mm underfoot, which should give me a fighting chance in the variable. (Although losing 2 stone would probably help me more!)
Don't forget there's a ski test next Saturday at Hemel if you're coming and you'll undoubtedly be able to try both the Elans and Rossis.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
roga, here was my list when this came up a while back and the min radius rule was flying around. I went with volkl AC30's but they changed the rule so i also brought my head supershape magnums along for my L3 exams. Depends on where you need the most helps (shorts, longs, bumps, etc...) Personally i wouldnt use SL skis as you will be doing some pretty high speed skiing on piste and they would suck off piste. as the guys said some float underfoot helps. havent tried the 9x OS but they sound good.
something to consider is that now the sidecut radius rule is no more that a ski like the supershape which although only 71 wide has a big wide tip and tail and actually has more surface area and float than a straighter ski like the AC30 which is 76.. quick edge to edge, soft in bumps and floaty off piste, best of both worlds IMO...
that said my longs were much better on the AC30's and shorts acceptable.
Stockli stormrider Off road XL 174 111/75/102 R18.5 also have 184 in 20.8 R
Atomic nomad
Movement Spark 183 121/82/110 R18 better bases
Volkl AC30 177 118/76/104 R 18.4
Head IM 82
Blizzard Magnums 7.6 124/76/107 170 177
Head Supershape Magnum 177 121/71/107 R 14.5
Dynastar Contact 11 (ltd’s) 178 122/72/102 16R
Elan Speedwave 14 176 116/70/105
Head iM78 124/78/110 14.6 @ 171 165 / 171 / 177 / 183
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
Thanks for the great advice guys 
As you've probably guessed guessed I'm thinking in terms of something from the BASI offer so it's really Atomics or Rossis (not that keen on Salomon and I'm presuming Storm are a bit too all mountain for what I need). However if there was another make of ski that would be better I'd consider it.
What are the requirements for the coaching modules?
FlyingStantoni, yeah I'll be there which is one of the reasons I'm asking these questions 'coz I want to know which skis will be best to try.
Last edited by Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do. on Sun 4-10-09 11:58; edited 1 time in total
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
Use whatever you feel comfortable with. Personally I find my Salomon 3Vs a great all round ski, bumps, crud, powder whatever, so I'd use them. I've been told a slalom ski will not be frowned upon (a lot of trainers use them themselves), but twin tips would be. Personally I wouldn't use a GS race ski as I find them too stiff as an allround ski, but then I'm only a light female.
Ultimately to the best skiers the ski won't make any difference. A guy I know who recently breezed his L4 tech did his APC (as it then was) on twin tips...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| roga wrote: |
| What are the requirements for the coaching modules? |
A GS ski of no less than 18m radius is a requirement for the L2 coach qualification.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| rob@rar wrote: |
| roga wrote: |
| What are the requirements for the coaching modules? |
A GS ski of no less than 18m radius is a requirement for the L2 coach qualification. |
So would you say it's probably better to get a pair specially for the L2 coaching rather than getting a GS ski for everything?
I don't fancy getting a GS ski for everything...
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
| beanie1 wrote: |
| ...but then I'm only a light female... |
By my estimate, beanie1 weighs around half of what I do and a quarter of what skimottaret does
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
| roga wrote: |
| rob@rar wrote: |
| roga wrote: |
| What are the requirements for the coaching modules? |
A GS ski of no less than 18m radius is a requirement for the L2 coach qualification. |
So would you say it's probably better to get a pair specially for the L2 coaching rather than getting a GS ski for everything?
I don't fancy getting a GS ski for everything... |
I wouldn't want to do BASI courses on a full blown GS ski, so renting/borrowing/stealing a pair for the coach course might be a better option.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
When did they drop the minimum radius rule? I've been bumbling around looking for a replacement for my Head Supershape Magnums but if it's only a requirement for the coaching I'll stick with them for everything else. 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
So I'm now thinking about what I'm going to try next weekend; definitely the Rossignol Radical R9X Worldcup TI Oversize but what about the R9S Oversize, are they worth trying too?
In terms of Atomic Nomad there seem to be four models: Nomad Blackeye, Nomad Blackeye Ti, Nomad Crimson Ti and Nomad Savage Ti.
Which would you guys recommend?
I'm also tempted to try the Race Ti SL - worth a go or do you reckon too specialised for use all over the mountain?
I just hope they have these skis at the test in the right lengths for me!
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
roga, what do you use currently?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
beanie1, on snow 160cm Fischer RX8 carvers - am now finding them too soft and I feel I'm generally not getting enough feedback from them (also have some Line Prophets for all mountain use but haven't used them since Xmas 'coz I felt I'd better get used to something a bit less 'fat' and twin tippy!).
Was also thinking of maybe going up to 165 in length after a couple of ISTD mates suggested longer skis.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
|
roga, just test as many as you can and see what you like. Test the same type of ski from different manufacturers though, as there are big differences. When i got my first set of slalom skis i tested the Rossi 9S but found them much too much hard work, but loved the Salomon 3Vs. However most of my (male) instructor friends preferred the Rossis. Again i put that down to weight - at that time the Salomons were generally acknowledged to be the softer more forgiving ski, even though they were both designed for the same job.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
roga, The current Rossignol Oversize models are a fair bit wider than the real race models, other manufacturers haven't done this as much, another reason to just try whatever you can.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
I'm with beanie1, and would probably do it on my 3Vs. I have them and am familiar with them. In 'real life' I much prefer my Karma twin tip's unless it's a hard pack day.
I've an old pair the Silver 1080's I've set up with touring bindings and skins. Do you guys reckon these would be OK for the mountain safety ?
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
| david@mediacopy wrote: |
| I've an old pair the Silver 1080's I've set up with touring bindings and skins. Do you guys reckon these would be OK for the mountain safety ? |
Yes, if you're happy skiing, skinning and boot-packing with them.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
david@mediacopy, are you experienced touring with them? If so then use them of course. If not then I'd say their weight is the crucial factor, the lighter the better.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
beanie1, Not done much touring at all, but the touring ski's I had last time were rubbish when it came to the skiing bit (although some would say the same of 1080's!). I guess you can hire them on the course otherwise ?
rob@rar, boot-packing ?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| david@mediacopy wrote: |
| I've an old pair the Silver 1080's I've set up with touring bindings and skins. Do you guys reckon these would be OK for the mountain safety ? |
In principle. The only thing to bear in mind is that (certainly on my course) the skiing was pretty no-holds-barred - so you need to be comfortable on them.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
david@mediacopy, how fun the boot packing is depend on where you do your course. I did mine in Zermatt - so arrived more or less directly from London, went up to 3200m and started boot packing. Not good.
I'd recommend avoiding Zermatt if, like me, you're chained to a desk at sea level most of the year.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
david@mediacopy, wise words from FlyingStantoni. I did mine in Courchevel 1650 after reading Phil's near death experience in Zermatt. We had a couple of very demanding days, but I think we had it easier than the courses in Zermatt if only because of the altitude difference.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
david@mediacopy, although in theory your skiing ability is assessed, in practice most of the guides are pretty old school in their technique. So as far as ability is concerned all they are looking for is safety - control of speed and line etc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
FlyingStantoni, rob@rar, Cheers for the good advice. This year I'm likely to be mostly stuck in the UK so a rapid change in altitude isn't going to do me much good, but I'm hoping to get out to Tignes in November to try and get fit & acclimatise a little.
rob@rar, In your 1st photo, those K2's look like they may have alpine bindings on ? I assumed that you had to have touring kit, but maybe not ?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
|
david@mediacopy, you do have to have touring kit, or telemark. Skinning is one of the techniques you'll be assessed on.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
|
david@mediacopy, yes they were touring bindings on those K2s, Marker Dukes IIRC. Do you have any BASI courses planned for this season?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
david@mediacopy, they look like FR+ bindings to me. Although it's pretty sad that I can spot the make and model of bindings from a dodgy photo!
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
| FlyingStantoni wrote: |
| they look like FR+ bindings to me. Although it's pretty sad that I can spot the make and model of bindings from a dodgy photo! |
Dukes I think.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
rob@rar, Just toying with a few idea's at the moment. Kerr Stewart may be running a bumps course in Tignes which I quite fancy and I'll see how I go from there. I can see that I'll probably end up having a pop at the 2 tech (old money), but do fancy the mountain safety.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
david@mediacopy, if your thinking bumps in tignes check out R21 and Derek chandler, best course i have ever been on......
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
skimottaret, Yep, the R21 course is the other choice, also recommended by someone else ( IIRC you also know them ? Drill / Medical centre / Rest )
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
david@mediacopy, she all better now? i tweaked a knee a few days after her little smash so we were almost even 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mountain Safety looks like it's pretty serious stuff - I've done a bit of off piste on alpine skis but looking at those piccies makes me think I could do with more experience - what did you guys do to prepare for it?
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
roga, get fit.... i lost 7 pounds that week and took a week to recover. The skiing isnt too hard but we did get into some scary ridge lines and gullies which made me pucker up a few times. performance isnt really graded to harshly more concern over safety, group management navigation etc....
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
What happened to my last post?! Could have sworn I posted something about the technique part being more about control of speed and line etc. ANyone else see it or has my computer gone weird?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
