 Poster: A snowHead
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I find myself on the verge of deciding to buy my first skis, after much deliberation on the merits or otherwise.
I may not quite be 100% ready and am weighing up the options.
Some advice, perhaps.
Salomon Enduro xt 800 or Volkl Tiger Shark 11ft PS
One around £550 new the other around £750 new (according to SnowInn - a Spanish based company....anyone heard of them?)
So, setting price aside for one moment. I've skied both these skis and really like them. Both great on-piste carvers - sure and fast. The Volkls are heavier - so that may be a consideration in terms of tiredness towards the end of a day.
I haven't been off-piste on the Tiger Sharks, so if anyone has any insight that would be helpful.
The Salomon rocker technology seemed to work well (for me) off-piste.
Some background: I reckon I am about a 7-8 on Inside Out's scale. Definitely a piste-oriented skier. I can manage resort GS courses (probably badly) and have done a few competitions (just the tip up, pay your €5 or so and then wait in line - so nothing grand). I've had around 24 hours of lessons one of which with an Italian FIS racer - he reckoned I was pretty good, though I am sure there are things that could do with improving. I tend to ski two weeks a year. I have about 21 weeks under my substantial belt.
S & R rate the Enduro as 7-10 on there 1 - 10 beginner to expert scale. Realistic? Or just marketing.
Why am I going to buy? Well, every time I have a skiing trip, I start hand-wringing (not really that bad) over whether the hire shops will have a ski I want to ski on. Plus, I'd be pretty happy with either of these skis.
I think I need either a push, or maybe putting straight.
Thanks 
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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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Claude B, thanks
I should also have asked whether anyone has any knowledge of any UK-based Volkl retailers.
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Chasseur, there was a big discussion about Snowinn recently - unreliable, hard to get hold of, will tell you stuff is in stock when it isn't. I think it was in the context of the heated boot bags. I've seen Tigersharks in Filarinskis in the past, and bought Volkls from them myself, but they don't have any on their website now.
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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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Thanks, pam w  Must have missed that one.
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skisimon is the only one I've ever seen with the Tigersharks, but not sure how far off piste he's ventured on them. As you say, they are heavy, but then so are my K2's (probably made on the same production line, since I think Völkl are made in taiwan now?), and I've not really had any issues with tiredness due to ski weight.
Actually I've not tried either, so can't comment either way, but will say that I've had sterling service from Sport Conrad many times, and from time to time they ship skis pan-Europe totally free of charge (and half price courier to US/Canada). Don't know any UK retailers.
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My motto is never buy Salomon (skis) so..
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fatbob, ok....?
Thanks, andy.
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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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don't know much about the volkl's but the Sallys are an excellent skis - TWO of my friends bought as my first mate bought them and let my other pal try them. Granted they both have very little imagination I am sure you will agree but having tried the skis they were excellent and if they are cheaper.........
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And that shambles of a company Snowinn can bleedin do one!! Honestly, they are a freakin' nightmare to deal with and my stuff didn't arrive for ages and then when it did arrive, it was damaged/used and of course as they are in Spain, Distance selling rules didn't apply so I couldn't send them back and as they were delivered and signed for my credit card company didn't want to know about a charge back.
Pretty mierda!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Chasseur, In General, Salomon tend to be a softer ski and more forgiving, Volkl tend to be stiffer and you need to ski every turn. Some people wont buy French skis i.e. Salomon, although they are owned by Atomic now and are far better for it, see their race programme. Volkl are German and some won’t buy that country’s skis either, but they have always made good technical skis. So if you are lighter weight skier I would lean toward Salomon.
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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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Chasseur, I think Lizzard has - or had - Tiger Sharks. she might be able to give you some useful info about them.
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Cynic, helpful, thank you. I probably tend towards heavy weight and had thought the Enduro a stiffer ski to be honest, though clearly not quite like the Volkl, for sure. Given that there is unlikely to be a dramatic development in my skiing nor skiing frequency (unless extremely lucky), I imagine that the skis will be around for 5-6 years or 10-12 weeks (not really much is it?).
Thanks again pam w and to davidhammy. Sorry you had such a shite experience - good of you to share it.
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You know it makes sense.
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Chasseur, How much do you weigh?
I've demo'd the Sallys 175cms in St Anton end of last season. Late season fresh stuff both on/off piste for half a day. I would have been happier with the 182cms, weighing in at 95kgs and still skiing in moderate to fast speed range. On piste around Valluga/Schindler/Alpe Rauz, Off-p Stuben front face. Took me a while to become comfortable with the all terrain rocker, and I found the 80mm underfoot quite feely-feely and ready to set quickly from edge to edge. Where I was disappointed with the XT 800 was at pace, just too little front ski feedback, not a great deal of hold/kick from the rear, "squashy-squishy" feeling when shussing. IMHO the skis perform better in softer conditions, lacking grip along their full length, especially carving one edge at speed there's a damp feel. FYI my piste skis are Sally 2V Equipe Race, 186cms.
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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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| fatbob wrote: |
| My motto is never buy Salomon (skis) so.. |
Me too, or used to be, anyway. They really seem to have got their act together for this season.
Chasseur, in the past Sally had a habit of making floppy light weight skis that fell apart too quickly (Lord is a prime example). They do seem to have upped their game recently though.
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Poster: A snowHead
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skimastaaah, similar you and they were 175cm that I skied too. Interesting feedback. I did a blue (it was practically empty, before anyone gets too upset) with a pretty consistent slope and some good corners in the tuck, top to bottom and don't recall them feeling squashy-squishy, but that could equally be a failure to interpret what was going on underfoot.
I also did, under instruction, some err, not sure how to explain this....full (downhill) leg extension where you bring/bend your uphill leg significantly then reach out and touch the snow with your uphill hand and repeat turn to turn - thereby trusting the skis to grip at much higher velocity and turn pressure. Skis seemed pretty sure in those drills too.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Chasseur, which ones did you like the best? 
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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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I don't think I've skied many Salomons that I've liked, original Xscream being the outstanding exception.
I haven't skied any Volkls I haven't liked.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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gatecrasher, hmmm, well to be honest, I liked them both pretty equally, though the Volkls may well be a better ski - for all the good that means to my skiing 
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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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Chasseur, There's your answer, saving you £200
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Yeah, I am leaning that way...I think... 
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I don't ski salomon either, in the same way I don't ride Marin bikes or play with Callaway clubs.
Volkl must be the way to go.
............................................................or Movement 
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Mosha Marc, Callaway's are for duffers!
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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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gatecrasher, exactly. I don't use them, ergo I am not a duffer
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| Quote: |
I don't use them, ergo I am not a duffer
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there's a logical fallacy there.....
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| under a new name wrote: |
I don't think I've skied many Salomons that I've liked, original Xscream being the outstanding exception.
I haven't skied any Volkls I haven't liked. |
My only Sallys were Screams and there was certainly nothing wrong with them. I have a set of Volkl P60s that I've have from almost new (now kept as rock hoppers). They were a great fun GS type ski well suited to my heavy & aggressive style. As under a new name says, I haven't got a bad word to say about Volkl. I've always been very pleased with them.
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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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Mosha Marc, Mizuno forged blades it has to be, you should see mine...still like brand new in the middle! The only thing that matters is they look great just before the 1st and after the 18th, a bit like the volkl's in the lift queue, Chasseur, scrap that.... go for the volkl's. 
Last edited by And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports. on Thu 13-12-12 20:03; edited 1 time in total
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Chasseur, "Squishy-squashy"............. is an unnerving imprecision in the retention of a leading edge leading to a slight feeling of flapping towards the front of the ski, and thus control of the setting of an edge.
My only other advice is to look at other options at £500 plus.
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You know it makes sense.
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voelkl are pretty much faultless, and yes, makes us so happy to say Salomon are back in a big big way!!
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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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| skimastaaah wrote: |
| Chasseur, "Squishy-squashy"............. is an unnerving imprecision in the retention of a leading edge leading to a slight feeling of flapping towards the front of the ski, |
skimastaaah, tbf to them, you are probably not their intended target market so It's difficult to know what other skier levels would make of them!
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Poster: A snowHead
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Chasseur, Possibly Volkl Gotama with a Baron or similar to give it lift for steering would be good all mountain ski, but try secondhand the 2011 model was good and £300 would buy suggested combo if available. They will also be able to cover O/P when you decide to take the step; or meet that lovely that does and they give 5 years powder experience just putting them on.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| skimastaaah wrote: |
Chasseur, "Squishy-squashy"............. is an unnerving imprecision in the retention of a leading edge leading to a slight feeling of flapping towards the front of the ski, and thus control of the setting of an edge.
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Well I understand that - and probably have experienced that on other skis. Didn't on the Enduro, but then I doubt I'm skiing them at the level you did (as alluded to).
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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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Thanks to all for the contributions - appreciated. I think I'll see if I can hire the TS again for the next trip and then make a decision before the one after that
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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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Chasseur, Come to ADH & buy my little used Tiger Sharks sitting in the cave feeling lonely!
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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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gatecrasher, They sound like my Mizuno forged (semi) blades.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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I have Tigershark 10ft and love them. Also have the Mantra and they're great too.
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Nick D, tempting....verrry tempting
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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 borrowed some Tiger Sharks a few years ago; well I swapped my skis (Blackeye Tis) for the instructors for the afternoon. They are the best piste ski I've ever used. Everything just felt so easy on them. Tight turns, carving whatever. If I was after a full on piste ski they'd be my reference point to test anything else against.
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Crell, the reference point is actually 2007 Nordica SL-R slalom skis....
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