 Poster: A snowHead
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Hey all, after big help this time…
Ok, I’ve moved out to a ski resort and bought an apartment, definitely here for the long haul. It’s time I set about the next check box on “matt’s dream” list… the perfect powder ski (for me).
My plan is to research and design a ski that is perfect for me and the conditions I usually encounter (in and around Mayrhofen). I know there are a number of people on here who have a lot of experience with powder skis, some may have custom skis of their own, Am looking for any advice you can give.
So here goes: (far too much information I’m sure)
Me: 6 ft (183cm) 12stone (76kg).
Austrian ski instructor, Ex-Racer
Prefer skiing in a race stance with feet a little wider even in powder
Always ski in a hard boot, normally aggressively
Usual snow conditions: Rarely more than 2 or 3 feet of powder
Usually wetter/heavier Powder
Large number of tree runs or obstacles in off-piste
Looking for
a ski that is: Stable enough for my weight at speed,
Stiff enough to deal with ice/crust/sastrugi etc.
Agile enough to ski trees on flat light days
Wide enough underfoot to take drops of up to 4/5 meters
Not be a complete dog on piste (not a full-on rocker)
Light enough to take an alpine touring binding for last 300 m skinning.
Basically the perfect big mountain ski (on the old scott pure at the moment) Any advice regarding brand skis I should test, custom companies that you do/don’t trust, materials/shapes/profiles that work/don’t work. I realise the custom ski companies can give me advice regarding their own skis but i want to have all the bases covered.
Anything,
thankyou, I hope 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Something stiff and Dynastarish. Which ever are the widest most chargy ones by the sounds of things. I haven't kept up with their current models so i don't know what they're called.
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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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| dulcamara wrote: |
Hey all, after big help this time…
Ok, I’ve moved out to a ski resort and bought an apartment, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa,
blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa,
So here goes: (far too much information I’m sure)
Me: 6 ft (183cm) 12stone (76kg).
Austrian ski instructor, Ex-Racer
Prefer blaaa in a race stance with feet a little wider even in powder
Always blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, aggressively
blaaa, blaa: blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa,
blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa,
blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa,
Looking for
blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa,
Stiff blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa,/sastrugi (wtf is that?)etc.
Agile blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa,
Wide blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa,
Blaa, blaa a complete dog blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa,
blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, skinning.
Basically the perfect big blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa, blaa,
blaaa.
thankyou, I hope |
fixed for the lady s
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Que?
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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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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Ahh masque but I could have a face like Gary Busey... the miracles of faceless text chat.
livetoski, Those Movement Super turbos look like great fun, tip reverse camber seems a little over the top for me, but i tried movements when they first came out like 8 years ago, hated them, looks like they've been busy while i've been a closed minded twit.
el nombre, I really like the dynastars and other heavy things like the big Stockli stormriders, i just have issues with them at low speed in trees or that almost stationary turn to get the tips lined up before doing silly things.
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as a DPS fanboi i would recommend checking out either the Wailer 112 or the Lotus 120 but they seem to be sold out. you could put yourself on the waiting list or make horizon an offer he can't refuse for his 112s which might not be getting too much use this year 
dynastar legend pros or big dumps will be worth looking at if you are looking for a stiff stable ski. might not be so great at quick turns in the trees
maybe check out the rossi super 7s if you can find some to demo?
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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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dulcamara, the LPs of old are quite difficult to get going in small spaces but they aren't too much... you'd probably struggle to get a hold of a pair now anyway. I'd probably say don't be scared of too much rocker, as long as they are manageable on piste you'll be fine. Assuming you have skis for days where you won't be straying from groomers all that much?
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Rossignol S7's have been getting a load of great reviews so far this year..
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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From the 3 days I've had so far on them, my Moment Bibby Pros seem to be a perfect powder ski for the conditions we usually get in Austria, and are much (MUCH) more versatile than I expected once the pow was skied out. I'm out to Innsbruck for a month tomorrow, I'll write a proper review once I've had a bit more time on the skis.
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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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PM Gear Llasa Pow / ON3P Billy Goat / DPS Wailer 112 / WDF Ragnorak
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dulcamara, get the the green room and demo. it's the best freeride shop in town.
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You know it makes sense.
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Masque, you have a decidedly dim view of the fairer snowHeads. All I saw in his post was powder, boots, off-piste, drops, big mountain 
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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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Sounds you like you need some Movement gladiators, in a 193 - maybe a 183 if that's all you can find 
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Poster: A snowHead
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spyderjon, That ON3P Billy Goat seems very much like the odd-one-out in that line-up.. any reason for that?
Some very interesting skis suggested, Is it worth me trying to find something that is JUST stiff enough for my needs, or is it better to be on the safe side, go extra-stiff and hope the shape of the ski will make it agile enough?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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stiff and agile don't usually go hand in hand... you could try something burly with rocker (faction 13 maybe?)
carbon in the dps allows them to be very stiff torsionally but have a bit more forgiveness longitudinally. i'm 95kg and a bit taller than you and the dps flex 2 is really nice for my needs. i highly doubt that i am as a good a technical skier as you but i can put a bit of power through my boards when i put my mind to 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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at the risk of saying something stupid, i'll say it anyway...
what about the K2 Sidestash? flat tail, moderate rocker, damp to plough through various snow conditions, skins available cut to size, tail and tip holes, couple of sheets of metal in the construction for stiffness and dampness, rocker makes it ski shorter so is more manouverable....
http://k2skis.com/skis/adventure/sidestash
just another option. 
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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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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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PM Gear, ON3P, Whitedot, Faction, Movement, Rossi, Atomic, DPS, Head, Praxis will all off the top of my head do something for your needs.
Do you really want extra stiff in a powder ski? To me a powder ski is about fun and nimbleness (especially in trees) not 30m+ sidecuts and straightlining 200m couloirs. While you don't want something that will fold when you hit some sastrugi or crust, skiing variable conditions is not the primary purpose of such a ski. I guess I'm saying if its a specialist tool don't go too much toward making it all mountain.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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At risk of being pedantic.....
The perfect powder ski is a full reverse camber.
Something like a K2 Poonton, Movement FlySwatter, Volkl Kuro or Black Diamond MegaWatt.
However I am guessing (from your description) that you are after something a little more versatile.
That would also be fun to use on variables such as piste, ice, steeps, moguls.
K2 Sidestash is currently rocking my world.. And from your description might be what your after.
Subtle rocker honestly makes it agile for a big ski - and its stiff under foot.
Not had chance to open them up at mach 10 in good snow just yet.
But it seems to be much more nimble than a Dynastar XXL or Mvmt Goliath in short turns.
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| Do you really want extra stiff in a powder ski? |
A true dedicated powder ski (that will only be used in 20cm+ conditions) doesnt need to be stiff.
Your floating in a 3d space - not carving against a firm surface.
However its actually the tip stiffness that makes the biggest difference to deep snow performance.
Stiff tips tend to submarine under the snow, softer tips or rocker stays above.
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hang11, He'll need two of them . . . nice stick
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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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The High Society range is also worth looking at.
126mm underfoot in either traditional build or with a bit of rocker.
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Soultion 2 given you're in the Hof - just borrow the Doc's demo Redeemers everytime there's a storm. "Ooh I still haven't decided can I have one more go"
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Lots of great skis here, getting an idea now of what im looking for, might try putting some ideas into boardcrafter, see what they look like.
To explain my choice of ski. I want an all-mountain ski because I don't believe off-piste should be limited to days when there is a meter of fresh powder, lucky for me really as we never get that here. Those who know Mayrhofen will attest to this, one is normally sliding down a foot of powder with back breaking ice underneath (not right now, but usually). Plus with the tight narrow valleys in resort, you often have to ski a few hundred meters of wind blown ice before you get to the sheltered-perfect runs that the 20 million kids on K2 Hell bents and floppy twin tips won't ruin. Everyone here seems to have the latest coolest stuff every year, but very few can really ski powder without superfat, soft rocker type skis that hold your hand on the way down, (little rant sorry about that)
oh, found a few interesting custom ski makers, anyone have any experience?
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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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dulcamara, i have 3 pairs of DPS (said i was a fanboi...). the skis are incredible; they always seem to miss their delivery dates though. if you pre-order early, you will be top of the list but people who ordered late this year are looking at quite a delay. they are nice about it, offer money back etc but i can understand people getting frustrated
that said, it looks like they are moving to year-round manufacturing this year so maybe this will be less of an issue in future
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| Arno wrote: |
dulcamara, i have 3 pairs of DPS (said i was a fanboi...). the skis are incredible; they always seem to miss their delivery dates though. if you pre-order early, you will be top of the list but people who ordered late this year are looking at quite a delay. they are nice about it, offer money back etc but i can understand people getting frustrated
that said, it looks like they are moving to year-round manufacturing this year so maybe this will be less of an issue in future |
Pre-order: 8th April 2010
Shipping date of my skis: TBC
I'm sure I'll still be stoked when I get them, but all the same ....
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You know it makes sense.
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| dulcamara wrote: |
but very few can really ski powder without superfat, soft rocker type skis that hold your hand on the way down, (little rant sorry about that)
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Obviously now betraying your racer roots you'll be best sticking to a factory SG ski as anything less is for poofs.
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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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| dulcamara wrote: |
| but very few can really ski powder without superfat, soft rocker type skis that hold your hand on the way down, (little rant sorry about that) |
These tend to be the same people that have perfected the on-piste nu-skool 'skurf' turn rather than carving as the latter is so 'last millennium', which is probably park-rat lingo for "too difficult, cannot do"
Have a look at the Volkl Katana?
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Poster: A snowHead
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I ski with an race orientated skier quite a lot and he rips up the powder on his slalom or gs skis. I spent a season on a pair of salomon 3vs on and off piste in all conditions. I now use a battered pair of pocket rockets for off piste and general days out. A man of your ability should be able to handle most skis in most conditions, so just select a pretty colour ski.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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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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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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If youre in Mayrhofen check out the Green Room there and have a word with Patrick ref the demo Redeemers....should heve the rest of the fleet soon!
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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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| Quote: |
We were in Wagrain last weekend skiing over 3 feet of powder on our 66 mm waist, 155 cm carvers and had a fantastic time! We used the same skis in Alta in deeper powder 3 years ago and again had a fantastic time.
We skiied a similar depth of snow last year in Canada on 100mm waist fat skis.
I can't honestly say that the fat skis enhanced the experience that much. Yes, they made it easier, but not necessarily more fun....
I think the ski market is beginning to get carried away with the hype of fat skis and the numerous pairs on view in lift queues on non-powder days (or less than 3 feet of powder days...) bears testimony to that. Makes me wonder what skiers did before all the hype/marketing....
As a humorous Aussie said to me in Alta, "I want to ski in it not on it!"
Everyone's got their own way, you dont need wide skis to ride pow but you couldn't do what I do on 66mm carvers.
_________________
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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| Quote: |
you couldn't do what I do on 66mm carvers.
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the_doc,Out of interest, what is it you do?
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I used to only ski on race skis and had a great time in the powder, one of the best days of my life was in Lake Tahoe in over a meter of powder on a pair of Rossignol factory skis, but i must admit i don't think i have the stones to jump off anything more than head hight on them, there was often a lot of sudden stopping.
fatbob, i try not to be a racer snob but like a couple of other have pointed out i think Skis are making powder skiing too easy... why is that a bad thing?
1) Some super fat rockers are like beginner skis for powder, easy to turn but lacking once you start to push them.
2) They have opened off-piste skiing to people without any idea of the dangers or even the most basic training
3) God damnit they're stealing my powder.
I may also be a bit of a skiing snob, Sideshow_Bob, I HATE the "skurf" and anyone who thinks that "real" skiing is only done in the park.
either way, at this point I really like the looks of the Redeemers, super turbos, wailer and llasa pow,
Could i possibly have some feedback on an initial idea before testing anything. if its possible to picture.
Around 185 long ~20m turn radius about 110/115 underfoot, ~30cm tip rocker (softened), into a fairly stiff but hopefully light normal camber mid section and a 0 camber tail into a semi twin tip for the moments when things go very wrong. oh and an oak veneer for prettys sake.
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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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I went for the Volkl Mantra for my all round ski. They're great to break through crud and surprisingly nimble on moguls. Only issue I have is on hard packed ice surfaces on piste where they can slip out. Probably more skier error though!. My penny's worth anyway.
No-one has mentioned Armada JJ's. R these any good?
I heli-skied with some K2 Coomba's provided but I didn't like, however was a massive fan of the Reacons for more general use.
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dulcamara, Just yanking your chain. Truth is I think that for every gaper who shouldn't be there trashing your pow there's someone going harder, longer, jumping off something stupid because they've got skis that enable it. So ski snobbery of every sort is a bit pointless as is agonising too much over the perfect ski. People like different stuff and most holiday skiers aren't going to be too much of a threat to your lovely goodness even if they're wearing Tall Ts & massive Skullcandy bins.
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FAQ
