Poster: A snowHead
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Just got back form my fourth week skiing, Invested in boots which were a God send. Decided it's time for my own skis and multiple trips each season.
Had an amazing instructor who was throwing us down next weeks women's world cup run in Soldeu on day 2, jumping off things into the 2 foot of fresh pow pow and generally having a lot of fun while teaching us without us realising he was. Paul O, didn't catch his surname but the man will stick long in my memory for changing the way I ski and the enjoyment I take from it! He suggested the level of skier I am know I should be investing in some skis that I can carve on, but also venture and play in the soft stuff.
I am 189 cm (6'2"), 105 kg (approx 17 st), due to rugby more than eating and boozing (although they have contributed).
Mainly spending my time on reds, very very few blues (only with the Mrs or if they are the only way home) and becoming more and more confident on blacks everytime I go on one (including the odd moguled run). Playing off piste more and really enjoying the feeling of skiing powder.
To me, upon discussion with a few friends over beer thinking we are going to be the next Cuche/Ligety/Miller,we came up with a shortlist, with the help of Snowheads
Atomic nomad
Atomic Blackeye
Salomon BBR (sorry I know I'll kick someone off about these but It would be good to hear genuine thoughts on them)
Volkl Kendo
Atomic Theory
Please help me add/remove from this list as I will be heading to snow and rock to have a chat with them today or tomorrow, then hopefully to hemel to demo some if they have them
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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They are all I'm sure very good skis. I don't have experience on any of them so can only make generic recommendations:
1) You are wise to try before you buy, but you won't get the full variety of snow and terrain in a snow dome so bear that in mind.
2) Atomic Nomad is a range of skis, so you need to think about which you're interested in.
3) From your description you're after an "all mountain" ski, and the Blackeyes fit this bill well and are very popular with other snowheads
4) With your weight you will probably benefit from a stiffer ski (e.g. with Atomic they often do two versions, one normal, one Ti which is stiffer) but sadly this also equates to more expensive. I have the opposite; being less than 2/3rds your weight I can get by with a lighter, more flexible, and often cheaper pair of skis.
5) It's a good time to buy, with a lot of reductions in the mid-season sales, so shop around and haggle.
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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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Atomic Theory is good if you want most time in mixed snow, but you will have to be very strong skier to be able to handle them on sun drenched rock hard pistes of March; if you want a piste only ski that will handle an occasional dusting this isn't it. Yes I have skied a pair.
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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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DB,
Thanks, have seen that thread but noticed the posters dimensions are the other end of the scale from me.
Cynic, That seems to be the problem and the reason the search for the holy grail that is the genuine 'all mountain ski' exists!
kieranm, Very useful, thanks, I have so much to learn it seems
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Rishie,
my feeling exactly, but it's better than buying without a look at all. If I do manage another trip this season I'll hopefully try a few out in some proper conditions
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temitchell, The all mountain ski does exist, it is the skier who makes it so by being able to ski the entire mountain consistently before moving on to find the ski which suits his needs, not cover his inabilities.
My friend has a shop, Snowpark in Tignes Le Lac, has all shapes, sizes, brands, rents them out you choose.
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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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Cynic,
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the ski which suits his needs, not cover his inabilities.
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But my need is to have my inabilities covered!
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I'd say go for Scott or Fischer (the skis designed by the same designer who does the Scott ones)
look at aztec pro for lightweight or missions for a bit heavier build person.
the reason why is that the tip is very curved and it's a long way down the ski before contact is made, so when you hard to soft it rides through without throwing you off and when you put it on the side angle it carves a tight turn, then in the moguls you'll find the tip is not so long as you thought and when you jump, they land so flat it's amazing. so you can go all mountain conditions with these.
they ain't cheap but worth every penny and you'll never look back
all my ski buds are wearing scott and we wouldn't consider anything less....
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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slidergirl, Missions were cheap £350 now alas... are the rocker ski better than the non? I have owned the pre rockers but none of the new ones.
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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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Have now skied for 3 weeks on salomon bbr's. You would have to brake my legs to get them off me. They get better the more i use them.
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temitchell wrote: |
I am 189 cm (6'2"), 105 kg (approx 17 st), due to rugby more than eating and boozing (although they have contributed) |
Identical to me, and pretty much same ski experience... I hired a pair of Rossignol S3's and they are by far the best ski I have used, were really fun on groomed piste and even better off piste in the pow, worth a try, I'm getting myself a pair sometime before the next season starts
http://www.rossignol.com/US/US/s3_RA1SV01_product_ski-men-skis.html
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