 Poster: A snowHead
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
flipperthesnowholedigger, welcome to snowheads.  It,s more complicated than that - wait for the experts. And be ready to tell them how much you weigh!
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
Hmm - kind of thought it might be - that's why I didn't buy even though I was nearly seduced by last season bargains. OK - will wait for the experts. Enjoying browsing the site right now!
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
flipperthesnowholedigger, Welcome to Snowheads!
You talk about buying gear for the first time, and ask about skis, which is fine, but your first purchase should be your own boots. Having your own boots is a must really for anyone who intends skiing each year. Also I would recommend having a proper footbed custom fitted by a qualified person, such as fellow snowhead CEM.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
THanks - am def looking at boots too - what is a proper custom footbed? They certainly have a facility at my local shop where they will "heat up" the inner to mould to your foot. Is that what you mean? Thanks.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vital stats (height/weight/ability/aspirations - ie terrain)?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
173cm (5'9"), weight 55kg, or about 8 1/2 stone, intermediate, confident on blues and reds, tend to avoid blacks, more interested in having fun and cruising runs within my ability than pushing my limits and being able to do all blacks.
Thanks!
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
Oh and piste skis. No interested in off-piste!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
|
queen bodecia, he/she's probably about 12!
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
flipperthesnowholedigger, you will have gathered that we are all rather anal about our ski equipment here. Quite a lot of us are also fairly elderly, so we need all the help in the way of nice supportive footbeds etc that we can get. However, if you are young and strong and not made of money, lots of people do get on perfectly well without the absolute latest gear and even without having their own custom moulded footbeds. Good fit is essential, though, and it's easy to buy boots too big because they feel comfortable in the shop. If you have a poor stance (see post above) a footbed would be very helpful.
The other vital thing - much more vital than fancy skis, that's for sure - is really good teaching. You're probably at the stage where you can get around the mountain and enjoy yourself but if you stop learning at this stage there's a danger of bad habits creeping in and you get stuck in a rut (or rather on what used to be called the intermediate plateau).
Where and when are you going?
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
flipperthesnowholedigger, welcome here.
Get your Boots sorted first. The single most important piece of kit.
Skis - how many weeks are you skiing this year - and where are you skiing? If the answer is Europe and one or 2 weeks only - at your level I'd rent tbh.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
flipperthesnowholedigger, Welcome... and if you like gear just wait until you start waxing and sharpening your own skis 
Might be worth getting your boots sorted and hiring skis but arranging to try 3 or 4 different models on your trip (a lot of shops will swap them over). Then if you find a pair you like keep an eye out at the end of the season when they are cheap.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
|
|
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?
|
At a quick glance prob looking for a ski in the mid 160's and nothing too stiff and unforgiving! personally would look into the "all mountain category of skis as you never know what conditions are going to be infront of you in Europe, the skis will still be dedicated to the piste but will have a little more width underfoot to get you out of trouble if the conditions are soft (in good or bad ways)
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
flipperthesnowholedigger, ah ha... Buy the shiny thing!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
stoatsbrother, That's what I hear in my head in climbing shops 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Welcome to  !!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thanks again to everyone who has replied.
I am considering a pair of Atomic Seventh Heaven 76s which are last seasons and in the sale at £246. Does that sound good? They are 157cm so about at my lower lip rather than nose, but chap in shop said that as I have an old snowboarding injury then going slightly shorter wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing. What do you think?
Knee injury not really bad - i.e. never seen anyone for it - just a nuisance from time to time if I don't warm up properly / overdo it either running, hiking or cycling. I tend to wear a tubigrip knee brace for a bit of support.
Is that sound common sense that something slightly shorter would be a reasonable compromise? I realise they won't go as fast as something longer................
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
Go for it if that's what you want, providing it all fits and is suitable then why the hell not - having your own gear is nice 
