 Poster: A snowHead
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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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OliviaDB, What's really hacking me off is now I know for sure that if I look at yer norks I'm really not the one you should ask . . . It's you! You have to go out and play on these tools. Go to the hire shop and tell them what you want to do and if it doesn't work . . . go back and tell them either they are full of crap or you cannot control them. There is hardly any retail ski available that cannot be skied in any condition . . . it is just your skill. There are skis that will make a specific snow condition easier to play on but you want an 'all mountain ski' then test and buy . . . we are nowt but opinions . . . and your opinion is the one that counts, so go and play on what you think will work and then play on what others in the shop say . . .
The reality is . . . it's ALL bollux! the right skills will take you and any ski wherever you want on the hill . . . it's solely down to your skills and endurance.
crap! I'me being logical, concise and mature . . . I'm never gonna get laid 
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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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Masque, please note that there should never be more than one 'look at me-ist' on any thread. If there are two or more people clamouring for attention, the rest of us risk getting swivel-eyed.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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| Masque wrote: |
OliviaDB, What's really hacking me off is now I know for sure that if I look at yer norks I'm really not the one you should ask . . . It's you! You have to go out and play on these tools. Go to the hire shop and tell them what you want to do and if it doesn't work . . . go back and tell them either they are full of crap or you cannot control them. There is hardly any retail ski available that cannot be skied in any condition . . . it is just your skill. There are skis that will make a specific snow condition easier to play on but you want an 'all mountain ski' then test and buy . . . we are nowt but opinions . . . and your opinion is the one that counts, so go and play on what you think will work and then play on what others in the shop say . . .
The reality is . . . it's ALL bollux! the right skills will take you and any ski wherever you want on the hill . . . it's solely down to your skills and endurance.
crap! I'me being logical, concise and mature . . . I'm never gonna get laid |
... but the only opportunity to play is on the actual ski trips. Which means ... several more trips before I've played enough to find the right ski, assuming I try a different one each day. Would rental shops even allow that, or would that be taking the pi.ss?
(Or are you saying: "Just improve the f up, poor workman, tools?" - i.e. stick with rentals till I know whether I'm going to be an off pister or not?)
I'm absolutely aware that my skill level isn't great - but I suppose the thought behind my wanting to buy was: "perhaps better skis will enable faster learning".
Which, if total dangly bits, does indeed mean stick to rentals, since the saving in having your own is negligible, and takes years to pay off.
(No no, logical, concise and mature doesn't not get you laid. But if you don't know that by now ... well, you might not get laid.  )
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Thank you. I will have a look at reviews. Might see if I can rent a pair next trip ... :-S
| Pedantica wrote: |
| Masque, please note that there should never be more than one 'look at me-ist' on any thread. If there are two or more people clamouring for attention, the rest of us risk getting swivel-eyed. |
Unless we stand next to each other? Masque, over here!
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OliviaDB, I tried a brand new pair of Dynastar Edens on Wednesday, hired for one day from Intersport (the one at the end of the road, near the tunnel down to Bollin etc) for 28 Euros. Really nice people in there, if you happen to be going back to Tignes. They got the skis for me from their Val d'Isere branch.
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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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OliviaDB, he's always banging on about being old, which is usually quite boring, but in truth he may be just a teensie weensie bit long in the tooth for you. 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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kitenski, and they usually have a good stock of Dynastars.
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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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| Quote: |
OliviaDB, he's always banging
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You know it makes sense.
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Wow. I know barely anything about skis, but this thread is awesome. 
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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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Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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He is a billionaire, dashingly handsome, charming and quite the philanthropist I am told. As DB says he doesn't like to brag and even I beleive goes as far as arriving last to the bar so he doesn't get caught in the early expensive rounds. He often books 2 sets of accomodation when skiing, obviously the 5 star luxury chalet with personal chef and all the usual extras but also he usually books the smallest cheapest room and it is alleged even goes as far as to sneak into the cheap room early in the morning to give the impression that he has no money and doing everyhting on the cheap.
What a guy...
Now about those ski's. What I think is needed is a detail phyisical and biomechanical review. Strangely Masque is also qualified in this respect I believe and his assessment is total. I can't remember the full list but I think it included.
A full review of all joints and movement, including knee flex, hip extension and thigh abduction. Though I gather this is done in underclothes to ensure he can carefully assess all aspects of the subjects movement.
I'd sign yourself up for that if I were you.
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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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| OliviaDB wrote: |
| horizon wrote: |
| OliviaDB, can't comment on which model, but get some piste skis now. Then, if you do ski three-four weeks a year, you'll be wanting a new pair of offpiste skis soon enough - so you'll get the thrill of buying a new pair again, and we'll get the pleasure of a new thread (on which I may be able to comment more specifically). |
Might you be able to comment were I to request good intermediate skier all-rounders? |
Here you go:
(but bear in mind that the last time I bought a pair of skis that were under 90mm waist was about six years ago, and they got hardly any use).
In your place I'd go for a ski that's not at the stiffest end of the range (ooo err etc). Unless you turn out to be a speed demon (or to ski with my sometimes Soviet tank style), you'll be very able to work and progress with versatile skis that are still somewhat forgiving.
I'd go for a waist width of around 80mm. This is a bit more than is ideal for piste only, but you'll lose 10% of precision carving and gain some comfort on cut-up snow / afternoon slush etc, plus have something ready for offpiste forays.
In terms of price range, this would mean moving away from the cheapest in the range, but not necessarily going to the top end.
Personal preference, I'd go for skis with a wood core.
With that in mind, from what I know I'd look amongst others at the K2 range and the Scott range. K2 because they tend to make skis that are quite compliant with the skier's input, even if they don't really talk back to you that much to tell you what they're doing. Scott because the Mission was for a few years one of the most versatile skis around, and I'm sure they have something similar in a thinner waist.
Yeah, I know I'm generalising. In that same vein, Volkls are more likely to be stiff.
But: this is the beginning of the season, not much chance of getting great deals online etc. You might as well test several pairs and pay full retail when you find the skis you like.
| OliviaDB wrote: |
| I just love words. And writing. And reading. |
Those (+ skiing) make a nice combo
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Yes not too stiff, a bit fatter in the waist, a tried and tested model but relatively cheap. Anyway, enough about Masque - good luck in finding a pair of skis though.
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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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H8 to say it but I'm with Masque - at the level you are skiing it would be better to keep renting. Buying a hand made set of race orientated skis is not going to help you. Fitness and technique lessons will do much, much more and decent rental skis will be OK until you decide if you want to play 'all mountain'. Skis do not last for ever (although a good set Kneissl should last a fair while) so why not keep trying different types of skis out as you improve. NB: if you do choose to buy skis you should also learn how to look after them and you need to buy additonal kit for lugging them - and the poles - around (which you don't have to do with rentals).
The fact that we both live in London is now starting to worry me .... a lot.
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at the level you are skiing it would be better to keep renting
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I reckon she skis better than me. imho.
that, and...
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| I intend to ski at least 3-4 weeks a year |
sounds like good enough reason to think about buying. no carriage charges on Swiss to GVA either
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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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andy, she likes swooshy blues, No offence but where does that put you?
Lets do this by the numbers - OliviaDB, where do you fit on the scale (I am guessing 5) ?
Level One: "Never-Ever"
Level One skiers are first time skiers who have never skied before.
Level Two
Level Two skiers are cautious novices who are able to do a " snow plow" (wedge) turn both ways and are able to stop, but linking turns smoothly may be difficult. zSB(3,3)Level Two skiers may have skied once or twice before.
Level Three
Level Three skiers are confident novices who are able to stop and make round snow plow turns on easy beginner trails.
Level Four
Level Four skiers are cautious intermediate skiers who can link turns but still moderate speed. Level Four skiers ski in a small wedge and their skis may even be parallel at the end of the turn on green or easy blue trails. Level Four is a transition level in which skiers will begin to ski more blue intermediate runs.
Level Five
Level Five skiers are intermediates who are confident on easy blue runs and ski mostly parallel but may at times use the wedge to begin a turn or to stop. Level Five skiers may be cautious on intermediate trails that are slightly steep or icy.
Level Six
Level Six skiers confidently make parallel turns on blue runs but do not ski many advanced trails. Level Six skiers use their poles to time turns. A Level Six skier is interested in learning to ski better on more challenging terrain.
Level Seven
Level Seven skiers ski controlled parallel turns and can ski very well on blue trails. Level Seven skiers can control their speed and rhythm on black diamond trails, but they are looking to ski on challenging trails with better style. Level Seven skiers can adjust the size and length of their turns and are learning to ski on a variety of different types of snow and terrain.
Level Eight
Level Eight skiers ski with good technique on all terrain and snow conditions. Level Eight skiers can ski moguls and are able to ski black diamond trails with confidence using carved turns.
Level Nine
Level Nine skiers enjoy the challenge of difficult ski trails and ski moguls, steeps, and other black diamond terrain.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Wow, there's a big jump from 6-8 compared with 1-5?
From using a pole plant to time turns - to carving blacks! 
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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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RattytheSnowRat, all those scales differ, and can be interpreted differently. 5 on that scale would be an underestimation IMO. But we only managed to ski swooshy blues and swooshy reds with a hint of piste-side fluff together, and there were no real steep icy blacks. 8 would be exaggerating. Somewhere in the middle - bits of 6 and bits of 7.
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gatecrasher, The problem is that these 'levels' are a generality. I can only bumplant moguls when skiing but can zipper-line the same on a board. I'm happy to carve (yes carve) a path down an icy black on skis but play at bulldozers on a board. We all have preference and comfort zones. There are moments when my dial is hard against the '11' and other times when you'll find me hiding in the porta-potty. It is ALL about skills development and not about the tools. Yes, bottom of the market skis are pretty awful . . . but do you remember when Blizard skis were considered discount crap when in reality they were very well, European made quality kit?
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You know it makes sense.
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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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gatecrasher, ummmm you coming on to me
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Poster: A snowHead
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| andy wrote: |
| RattytheSnowRat, all those scales differ, and can be interpreted differently. 5 on that scale would be an underestimation IMO. But we only managed to ski swooshy blues and swooshy reds with a hint of piste-side fluff together, and there were no real steep icy blacks. 8 would be exaggerating. Somewhere in the middle - bits of 6 and bits of 7. |
I'd say that's about me. (Sorry, been actually having to work a bit today. Poor show, I know!) Was wondering whether Tom the instructor might be able to suggest a skill level for me, but don't know whether he actually posts?
I love swooshy blues because they are fun, easy and safe. I can ski higher, but nerves sometimes start to kick in, impacting on style - when my skill level is actually capable, if I could just smoke weed and chill, if that makes sense? (I THINK TOO MUCH!)
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Masque, think I might be! 
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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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Don't know who it was, but someone down at Taverne des Neiges was certainly on the herb.
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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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| OliviaDB wrote: |
| I'd say that's about me. (Sorry, been actually having to work a bit today. Poor show, I know!) Was wondering whether Tom the instructor might be able to suggest a skill level for me, but don't know whether he actually posts? |
And you define what I've been saying, all fun aside, it really is all about your skills. I'm a bit odd in that I like to experiment
(no . . . not like that . . . I've really got to start thinking before posting )
with different equipment, so I'm constantly having to evaluate, define and improve my competence. It is a truth that you are the skier, you drive whatever you clip into and it's you that has to develop the bio-mechanical feedback to understand what the wood, plastic, etc. you are standing on is doing . . . as well as the hill conditions. All this ski choice bollux is just the same as buying an expensive/better condom, there may be less chance of it exploding from vigorous use but it's not going to make me a better lover.
Just read the reviews (link to DB) go back out and play on no more than half a dozen toys and keep learning, there's no such thing as an 'expert skier', there are just people more practice skills than you . . . the best of us know they will always have more to learn.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Megamum, HA! I speeet on yer sensibility. We need to get back to the FILTH & SMUT
Hi julia, you're not wrong, go for what you like the look of and learn to ski 'em
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Masque,
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go for what you like the look of and learn to ski 'em
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that works at all levels...............skis............check!................men.................check!!
BTW. re: bashes and
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the best peer support in the World
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ain't that the truth  forever!!
and I'll reserve judgement for now, but when I find a man that produces a box of gold plated condoms I'll report back on performance!
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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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help!
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gatecrasher,
Level 12, I am a fluid skier with a unique style.
Unique style . . . check √
Fluid skier . . . yup, frequently wet m'sen, check √
Level 12 . . . check √
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FAQ
I'm onaroll 
Forget about the op! 