 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi hoping for info on skis just bought off ebay and if people think they will suit me
I'm 6'2" 16 stone looking at the level info somewhere around 6 or 7.
After the advent of carvers I switched to Snowblades for about 7 weeks (Years) then needed to hire skis as was in Tignes a couple of years ago with a lot of fresh snow. Then last season bought a set of the skis I hired Salomon x-wing 400 which were very easy to use even if felt a bit on the light/flimsy side. (Sidecut 118-70-105)
Thinking that I might like to develop ability to ski off sides of pistes better as well as a slightly tougher feeling ski so have just purchased a pair of 1.84m K2 Apache Xplorers (2009). Looked like good price and reviews found online sounded ok admittedly most from a couple of years ago.
Happy anywhere on piste and not really ventured offpiste so only powder experience is on piste.
Anyone with any experience of these skis?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Probably not fat enough to give an instant ten years of powder experience.
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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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Cheers cynic.
As I'm looking for something better than the xwing400 to help me develop some powder experience do you think the xplorer is a reasonable model of ski to progress to? Have you skiied them?
Anyone else?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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oldmike, I've not skied them but they seem a decent ski as I've just posted on antoehr thread you don't need 100+ odd mm skis to ski off piste. This isn't a personal dig but allot of skiers have huge off piste ambitions that often aren't realistic. Your aims may be just a dabble in the lift served stuff or get to the point where you get a guide and really discover what it's all about.
As you've already mentioned the best way is to get off the piste and back on where ever possible to get used to a bit of varied terrain and IMO skiing moguls is the best way to prep yourself then getting some lessons most schools will do a piste to powder type tuition.
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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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Grizwald think you have it spot on
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Your aims may be just a dabble in the lift served stuff or get to the point where you get a guide and really discover what it's all about.
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As unlikely to be getting more than a week a season for the forseeable future and as can be seen from my admitting to 7 weeks of snowblade use (about 18 on pre carver skis) I'm quite happy rattling around on lift served pistes with a view to a bit more play off the edges.
No illusions or wishes ever to be a god. Reason for approach to ski purchases comes down to being happy In all tour op lead groups on £70 snowblades, £115 xwing 400 or hopefully on £120 xplorers if get on with xplorer may reduce my high quality quiver and recoup some costs 
Could cover a couple of extra beers in val d'isere at end of Jan.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Grizwald think you have it spot on
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Your aims may be just a dabble in the lift served stuff or get to the point where you get a guide and really discover what it's all about.
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As unlikely to be getting more than a week a season for the forseeable future and as can be seen from my admitting to 7 weeks of snowblade use (about 18 on pre carver skis) I'm quite happy rattling around on lift served pistes with a view to a bit more play off the edges.
No illusions or wishes ever to be a god. Reason for approach to ski purchases comes down to being happy In all tour op lead groups on £70 snowblades, £115 xwing 400 or hopefully on £120 xplorers if get on with xplorer may reduce my high quality quiver and recoup some costs
Could cover a couple of extra beers in val d'isere at end of Jan.
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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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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| Quote: |
shame no other viewpoints
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OK, if you want another viewpoint, if you ski almost entirely on piste with some forays off into piste side powder, then you really just need piste skis. Mine are 75mm wide and are fine for forays - I've even had a few off piste lessons in them. Some SHs are into fairly extreme and very skilful proper mountaineeing stuff, but most of us don't need any very clever equipment for what we do, really.
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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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Cheers Pam,
Will be interesting to see how compare with my current skis. Hope have a good season
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I started both on and off piste with the old B2's - 76mm underfoot. OK... they cut through crust a little too often for my liking but didn't exactly hold me back. You will be fine on the new skis.
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You know it makes sense.
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I've been sking Xplorers for 3 years. I bought them to replace the 3 ski quiver that I used to drag out to resort. While I agree with Cynic, they arnt quite fat enough to turn you into a powder god, they are not bad.
In truth I cant fault them for me (Level 7, overweight,underfit and wrong side of 40) they ski well enough on piste and even give short radius turns a go, off piste they are OK for a few inches of fresh.
Give them a go, I dont think you will be disapointed.
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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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I don't think you'll find they are far off the mark as a ski - but they sound a bit long for my money. Going from snowblades to these things is going to take quite a bit of getting used to, but if you persevere I suspect you'll be rewarded in the soft stuff.
I love K2 skis, and would have been tempted by some Xplorers for my latest purchase but couldn't find any coming up secondhand or in the sales at the right price. Sounds like you have, and secondhand I doubt you'll lose much if anything by selling them on if it doesn't work out.
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Poster: A snowHead
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| landlockedpirate wrote: |
truth I cant fault them for me (Level 7, overweight,underfit and wrong side of 40) they ski well enough on piste and even give short radius turns a go, off piste they are OK for a few inches of fresh.
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Well at 16 stone, 42 in 2 weeks and an underused treadmill and crosstrainer in the garage as well as a dodgy patella tendon if they are good for you then must be well suited for me 
good to hear some good feedback on them, obviously if they don't perform it will be some form of pilot error!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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oldmike, Don't be afraid to get a lesson to get you used to taking the new skis off piste. It is a whole new skill... that feeling the balance and making gradual or bounce turns when underfoot isn't the most stable.
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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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| Scarpa wrote: |
| oldmike, Don't be afraid to get a lesson to get you used to taking the new skis off piste. It is a whole new skill... that feeling the balance and making gradual or bounce turns when underfoot isn't the most stable. |
good advice definitely wouldn't reck a trip persevering on something I was hating if pilot error the issue. hopefully a variety of snow around to experiment with.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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oldmike, I kinda think that you are going to have lots of fun 
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FAQ
and no ski carriage costs. Was always entertaining turning up for leading 
