 Poster: A snowHead
|
|
kitenski, no snow off piste, just rocks and brown patches. It was 15º last week!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
If it was 15 deg fat skis would kick ass in the pm on piste when everyone else is bottling out cos "it's too slushy".
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
| fatbob wrote: |
| If it was 15 deg fat skis would kick ass in the pm on piste when everyone else is bottling out cos "it's too slushy". |
Perfect, I should suggest, for "all mountain" skis - rather than "big fat" skis? Same as pistes where there's a load of fresh stuff around.
I suggest that "all mountain" skis, far from being no good any anything are perfect for skiing soft pistes - which sit somewhere between "steep and deep" and "boiler plate".
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
| James the Last wrote: |
| fatbob wrote: |
| If it was 15 deg fat skis would kick ass in the pm on piste when everyone else is bottling out cos "it's too slushy". |
Perfect, I should suggest, for "all mountain" skis - rather than "big fat" skis? Same as pistes where there's a load of fresh stuff around.
I suggest that "all mountain" skis, far from being no good any anything are perfect for skiing soft pistes - which sit somewhere between "steep and deep" and "boiler plate". |
Most of these 'big fat skis' probably were just all mountain skis...
I don't understand why everyone's going on a bout Brits with big skis too, have you never noticed the Skandis???
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
| clarky999 wrote: |
| I don't understand why everyone's going on a bout Brits with big skis too, have you never noticed the Skandis??? |
Yes but the Skandis can ski (runs for cover  )
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
| DB wrote: |
| clarky999 wrote: |
| I don't understand why everyone's going on a bout Brits with big skis too, have you never noticed the Skandis??? |
Yes but the Skandis can ski (runs for cover ) |
Ha good point!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Plenty of Frenchies love a fatty too you know!
It's just the Italians are a bit stuck in the 90s. Still love the rear entry ; )
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| queen bodecia wrote: |
| kitenski, no snow off piste, just rocks and brown patches. It was 15º last week! |
So really just pistes surrounded by brown earth up to the highest point?? I really find that hard to believe, I bet there was/is loads of off piste available.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
kitenski, was in morzine and there were web snow avalanches absolutely everywhere.... only a bit of off piste on the north slopes seemed sensible...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
|
gatecrasher, The difference was quite marked even on my skis which have decidedly not very sharp edges!
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
clarky999, disagree a wee bit...
Bigger skis let good skiers ski longer before their legs give out.
Arguably lines were a bit dofferent 20 years ago, maybe....
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
Lines were the same 20 years ago... Just that fewer people were skiing them. The sport has developed though... Along with the people taking part in the sport. Mr plake et all opened up a whole new world.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
|
More about how the lines are getting done though - most (all?) old offpiste videos or pictures I've seen involves lots of short radius jump turns. Even the old Plake stuff is nothing like big McConkey style smears and slarves. By 'better/harder' above I guess I mean 'faster/striaghter/higher.'
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
The istructor might have a point which is quite illustrated in some of the answers found on this thread : Scandinavians, Austrian, German seem to be the ones (what about the French and the Itlians and Slovenes) most often seen with fat skis.
They are the one most likely to take immediate advantage of the fresh dumps because of their geographic position and make the most of their fats. As for the Brits... maybe if they devote thenselves to ski-ing off piste every single time they are going to the Alps, every day all day... if they are lucky to find fresh snow during their average week or two max a year. Although some wide skis can come handy in the "soupe, trafolee, pourave and Co."
On the other hand I am aware some of us are quite keen to tramp the globe from Iran to Japan and Chile with our fats and regulars (and the rando ones thrown in for good measure and to the delight of most airlines) just for the fun of it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
Fats popularity started in US in the 80s, Chubb Volant, K2 big Kahuna being the most skiable, locals called them cheaters for powder days. I have skied fats eversince but we skied them at 190cm, most only available as 180 or 190.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
shoogly,
| Quote: |
Mr plake et all opened up a whole new world
|
mmm I think a few of the French Extreme guys would turn in the graves, while I love Mr Plake the yanks were just copying what was going on in the Alps from years before.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
| skimottaret wrote: |
| there were web snow avalanches everywhere |
Seen a lot of those on snowheads this year
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
davidof, 
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
There seems a lot of anti fat skis on here are they becoming the new snowboards. As I see it you do what makes you smile. If you want to ski fat ski on piste or skinny skis off piste and that make you smile and happy great. 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Glen Charman wrote: |
| There seems a lot of anti fat skis on here are they becoming the new snowboards. |
No. You can still traverse or negotiate rocks on fat skis.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
fatbob, Good point
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
| livetoski wrote: |
shoogly,
| Quote: |
Mr plake et all opened up a whole new world
|
mmm I think a few of the French Extreme guys would turn in the graves, while I love Mr Plake the yanks were just copying what was going on in the Alps from years before. |
Was waiting on that response
I realise that and know it well, but the pioneering french chamonix boys didn't bring it to the masses, whereas Blizzard of Ahhhs took it state side and the freeriding explosion took place there and then and suddenly it was "cool" to go ski Europe!
No doubting there were better more gnarly skiers in Chamonix and other Alpine resorts doing extreme stuff before Plake, Schmidt and Hattrup turned up, but the locals never went out seeking the attention that the Blizzard of Ahhhs lot did.
Now we have things like the FWT... the game has moved on and largely that's down to the marketing exploits of Plake et all and the team behind them.
In fact, I'd say Plake's hairstyle(s) has done more for marketing extreme skiing than the actual skiing. Normal folk would look at the haircut first and then the skiing second. Skiing "enthusiasts" would obviously look at the skiing first. I have vivid memories of the first time I saw Plake skiing some crazy mountain when I was in my early teens. Can remember the hair, can't remember the mountain.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This thread has inspired me to watch Blizzard of Ahhs.
It's awesome.
Thanks guys.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
| Glen Charman wrote: |
| There seems a lot of anti fat skis on here are they becoming the new snowboards. As I see it you do what makes you smile. If you want to ski fat ski on piste or skinny skis off piste and that make you smile and happy great. |
I don't think we are against the skis, we (I at least) just don't think it is a good idea to substitute lessons with fat skis. If you can afford both then great, if not working more on the piste technique will probably get you further in the long run. If you have decided against any lessons and just buy fat skis so you can survive the powder then end up skidding about on the piste most of the time that's fine, your choice; but people are going to find it amusing and make comments.
shoogly, Yes (in my opinion) Scot Schmidt was the better skier but Plake stood out more with his hair, antics, balls, multi-coloured fartbag and humour.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
DB, I have regular coaching with Scott and Rob and my skiing has improved a hell of a lot over the late two years. I take the point your making about skidding around. But my Preacher can carve turn so well it shock me White Dot have got the design just right and at the end of the day I’ve had a great time on or off piste
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
Notice just how many SX92 Equipe boots ("the magic shoe") in those vids?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
davidof, so fat skis are like mopeds fun to ride but you don't want your friends to find out?
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
I think that in some parts of the ski community girth has become the new length, i.e.; the belief that the wider the ski, the better the skier you are. Just like in the old days, if your skis were less than 200cm you might as well go home. I am happy with about 115 across the middle, sort of Pro Rider or S7 width.
Ahhhh, Blizzard of Ahhhs = sex wee.
So, do you think Glen et al were wearing a transceiver and had a shovel and probe with them? ; )
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
| Quote: |
I think that in some parts of the ski community girth has become the new length, i.e.; the belief that the wider the ski, the better the skier you are.
|
Bit of both, or so the girls say 
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
| DB wrote: |
Glen Charman,
I didn't realize Scot was ... |
Scarily, I recognisedall of the stills fronting the segments and was eagerly anticipating 808 State at the beginning of License to Thrill....
Sad, sad, sad...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| DB wrote: |
Glen Charman,
I didn't realize Scot was ... |
Scarily, I recognisedall of the stills fronting the segments and was eagerly anticipating 808 State at the beginning of License to Thrill....
Sad, sad, sad...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| fatbob wrote: |
| If it was 15 deg fat skis would kick ass in the pm on piste when everyone else is bottling out cos "it's too slushy". |
Are you sure? I've always found that nice carved turns and good edge angle help to slice through the slush on piste, rather than surfing it? More energy efficient and stable, and seems to punch through the rough lumps easier...
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
| Harry Flashman wrote: |
| fatbob wrote: |
| If it was 15 deg fat skis would kick ass in the pm on piste when everyone else is bottling out cos "it's too slushy". |
Are you sure? I've always found that nice carved turns and good edge angle help to slice through the slush on piste, rather than surfing it? More energy efficient and stable, and seems to punch through the rough lumps easier... |
You can do nice carved turns with good edge angles on fat skis too. I preferred my Mantras to my my SL skis for afternoon piste skiing on recent late season trips.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Harry Flashman, Bit of heft can help. If you can really ski then probably no big deal but the concept that wider skis are only for deep powder is a bit dated, nothing finer than GSing through a corned up pitch when it comes to late March/April.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
