Help me pick skis...

[Aircorp]

I'm gonna try skiing this year to keep myself busy until riding season... I'm looking for some beginner skis, boots and bindings that can last me a few seasons, so nothing too low end. I work at SportMart and get deals on Salomon, Head,K2 and Rossignol brand equipment so I'm looking at that right now. If anyone could help me out that would be great

[Broken Fusion!]

Ok well, I can tell you right now that K2 will almost definitely be out of stock.
Head I'm not so sure, so ask the rep about getting some Madtrix. They'll be a bit cheaper. You could also see if Rossi has any Scratches left, but it's likely that they won't...

How wide is your foot? For a narrower foot I'd go with Rossi boots, or wider foot go with Salomon. The only problem with Salomon is that they are a bit more expensive.

For bindings I would say go with a s912 from Salomon, or a Scratch binding from Rossi.

The deals you'll get through the company are way better than anything you'll find in stores.

[Aircorp]

what about planks? I don't wanna splurge on some super high end ones, so probably no scratches or 1080s, I'm just starting out and I don't think I can justify getting some nice freestyle skis my first season, regardless of the great deals. I want a pair than isn't "leisure" per say, something all mountain I guess. I was looking at some Salomon Scrambler skis and then throwing some decent bindings and soft boots on them...

[seand]

why would to suggest twinnies to someone looking for a beginner->intermediate ski? what sense does that make?

what type of riding are you looking to get into? how much do you want to spend?

so you have any brand loyalty? how tall/fat are you?

[seand]

Originally posted by Aircorp
I was looking at some Salomon Scrambler skis and then throwing some decent bindings and soft boots on them...


That is a mid-fat alpine ski that is PERFECT for the aggressive carver. Especially if you toss some S810 Ti bindings on them. They retail for about..ehhh $648 USD. Is that about your price range?

[ThE NoRcO]

Originally posted by seand
why would to suggest twinnies to someone looking for a beginner->intermediate ski? what sense does that make?

Broken Fusion posting on this account:

A lot of sense, champ.
Reasons why:
a: he can progress into them
b: the price he's getting them at is lower than most beginner/intermediate skis cost in stores.
c: let's face it, they aren't hard skis to ski.


SeanD.
If the scramblers retail at about $650 US, he will get em for about $300 (US).

Thank you come again!

Aircorp:
You can get a model of Scratches that are jstu called the Scratch, they are like a Scratch ski but with a few differences (the core fior example) that makes it sell for quite a bit less. A pair would probably cost you $200. The problem with prodeals is that they don't usually let you order the low end stuff. I'm not so sure you could get a pair of Scramblers through the Salomon hookup. SO you may as well spend the extra $50 it'll cost you to get a higher end ski, and then you can keep them for a few years and not worry about it.

[Aircorp]

Originally posted by seand
why would to suggest twinnies to someone looking for a beginner->intermediate ski? what sense does that make?

what type of riding are you looking to get into? how much do you want to spend?

so you have any brand loyalty? how tall/fat are you?

Not much brand loyalty although I like the Salomon and Rossi stuff, I'm gonna watch some PK vids tomorrow and see if it explains a bit more. I'm 6'5" and about 195lbs. I was looking at the Salomon seventwenty too, but I think its meant for smaller ppl, might be a bit too flexy for me. I'm looking at getting into freestyle and freeride and thats what I'm gonna concentrate on...although I don't expect to be going too huge this season.

[seand]

Originally posted by ThE NoRcO
[B]Broken Fusion posting on this account:

A lot of sense, champ.
Reasons why:
a: he can progress into them
b: the price he's getting them at is lower than most beginner/intermediate skis cost in stores.
c: let's face it, they aren't hard skis to ski.


SeanD.
If the scramblers retail at about $650 US, he will get em for about $300 (US).

Thank you come again!



hey apu, dont be a tool.

not everyone NEEDS twinnies. if you dont plan on riding backwards...why get them? because they are cool? get real.

he needs some good all mountain skis and go from there. even a small lift on the tail will suffice unless you are riding fakie. some xscreams, some bandits...think all mountain.

if he finds out that he really digs the air trickery, then the time has come to investigate twinnies...but seriously, 90%+ of those that ride them NEVER use them for what they are designed for.

[seand]

Originally posted by Aircorp
Not much brand loyalty although I like the Salomon and Rossi stuff, I'm gonna watch some PK vids tomorrow and see if it explains a bit more. I'm 6'5" and about 195lbs. I was looking at the Salomon seventwenty too, but I think its meant for smaller ppl, might be a bit too flexy for me. I'm looking at getting into freestyle and freeride and thats what I'm gonna concentrate on...although I don't expect to be going too huge this season.


gah i spoke to soon! :lol:

freestyle? well that changes everything.

if you are that big, you will put a big beating on any ski you get while learning how to boost, land, and ride out of things...whatever ski you get will most likely need replacing after a full season of beatings. For a beginner->intermediate rider looking at freestyle and all mountain, you cant go wrong with some scratches. By the time they start to seriously delam, you will need to replace them :P the 720s felt really unstable under me and you have 40 pounds on me...i couldnt imagine riding them if i were any bigger. the 1080s were OKAY at best.

maybe try and see if you can swing some fujatives if k2 has any in stock this late in the game...

there are 1000 and 1 twinnies on the market.

do you want to spend all your time in a park? or have a ski that you can learn in the park with and also go into the trees, powder, and bumps? really makes a difference.

[Broken Fusion!]

hahaha I guess I did sound like a bit of a dink

But for someone who is just getting into skiing, I think he should have the most options open for him.
And I think a twin tip is the way to go, cause you don't have to ride backwards, but you sure can if that's what you decided you want to do.

Squishee?

The nice thing about Scratches is that they seem to get stress crakcs around the tips consistently. They don't affect performance at all, but you get new skis next season :D
I think the only problem with Fujatives is that the mounting point is always a bit centered, which for all mountain isn't the best way to go. Plus you can pretty much count on the fact that they don't have any left

[Aircorp]

Originally posted by seand

do you want to spend all your time in a park? or have a ski that you can learn in the park with and also go into the trees, powder, and bumps? really makes a difference.

Ya, I'm pretty much looking for something than can do it all, I know thats doesn't help much, but since I don't have a disipline at this point, I wanna try most things this season, but right now I'm looking at getting into some air time and just being as creative as possible...There is like 4 models of scratch, the BC, FS, PRO and the plain old scratch.. what should I be looking at? the Scratch and the Scratch BC?

[Broken Fusion!]

Originally posted by Aircorp
Ya, I'm pretty much looking for something than can do it all, I know thats doesn't help much, but since I don't have a disipline at this point, I wanna try most things this season, but right now I'm looking at getting into some air time and just being as creative as possible...There is like 4 models of scratch, the BC, FS, PRO and the plain old scratch.. what should I be looking at? the Scratch and the Scratch BC?
The BC is the fat ski, which I find is pretty good for everything but really is great on deep powdery snow. The FS is the freestyle ski, it's a bit skinnier for park riding. The plain old Scratch is the one is was talking about, it is just like the FS except with a different core material, and lower price. The pro is the kids' version.

[Aircorp]

I am 6'5", I don't know much about sizing, but the BC comes in a 188cm, while the plain old Scratch only comes in a 180cm...

[rfoubi]

personally id go with the 188, im also 6'5" and i ski on a 193, although i went a bit bigger since its a powder ski...if you dont plan on a whole lot of non groomed run skiing, the 180 will be easier to throw around and manoevre, but the 188 will give you a better platform in pow, and more float

[Sharon]

Originally posted by seand


not everyone NEEDS twinnies. if you dont plan on riding backwards...why get them? because they are cool? get real.



so you can spray snow on the people behind you :rolleyes:

Does sportmart rent skis?

The best thing to do is to demo some different skis.

My only advice is don't scrimp on the boots.

[seand]

Originally posted by Broken Fusion!
hahaha I guess I did sound like a bit of a dink

But for someone who is just getting into skiing, I think he should have the most options open for him.
And I think a twin tip is the way to go, cause you don't have to ride backwards, but you sure can if that's what you decided you want to do.

Squishee?

The nice thing about Scratches is that they seem to get stress crakcs around the tips consistently. They don't affect performance at all, but you get new skis next season :D
I think the only problem with Fujatives is that the mounting point is always a bit centered, which for all mountain isn't the best way to go. Plus you can pretty much count on the fact that they don't have any left


but twinnies are designed to flex differently than traditional alpine skis. a true twintip has the same lip in tail as it does in the nose..it also flexes the same behind and infront of the boot...this makes skiing much different than on a traditionally built ski. granted, an experienced skier wont even notice the difference, or it will be easy to compensate for..but for someone learning to ski, this can make a world of difference...

being center mounted isnt all bad. every pair of my skis is center or -2 center mounted and i have zero problems with that. plus it makes rotation much easier.

squisheeee!! they truely were squishee :lol: it was like riding on an FS ski :P



sharon - spraying people behind you is the new cool thing to do :) i agree 100% with you on the boots..the WORST thing one can do is go cheap on boots...your feet will hate you!

aircorp - the scratch BC would be your best bet for all mountain and park use for a rossi twinnie. i dont know about the 05 stuff, but 04 and before on every twinnie salomon ski has had core problems when flexed really agressively. the local mountain here always has busted skis coming up from the backside or park that are mostly PRs and 1080s. if they fixed their issues for 05, you may want to look into a salomon if you cant get a rossi :) besides, the PRs arent nearly as fugly as they have been for the last couple seasons.

find demo days and go abuse some skis...either that or find someone you know who has some skis you want to test out...if you lived close id let you give all of mine a go and see what you think...truely is the best way to narrow it down instead of going off what others think is best for you.

[Aircorp]

Thanks sean, Sport Mart does rentals and I get a 50% discount, but I think they just rent leisure skis. I'm going to rent for my first few times anyway before I make a purchase. What about sizing? So at 6'5" the Scratch BC in 188 would be a good size?

[seand]

for twinnies you want to have the ski a bit shorter than you would normal skis because of the design of the flex/torsion. a 188 would be perfect I would think. I am 5'4" and I ride 178 in powder and 166 for park/all mountain.

[Shmoe]

Im 5'11 or so and about 190lbs now.
I started skiing last season on 164mm line 1260s as I wanted a park only ski. I didnt find the learning curve of the skis all that hard, I found jumping them pretty damn easy. It was in deep powder where I wished I had big fat skis.

Eventually my riding turned to big mountain and such and i just picked up some volant machetes. Now I cant wait to try these on a powder day.

[seand]

OH OH...

how do you like the machetes? ive never ridden them for more than a few runs and those werent really good for telling how the ski handled.

you are 5'11" and on the same size 1260 as me...too funny.

i had a pair of 145 1080s that i used to learn how to get multiple spins and spins onto and off of rails.
smaller park skis rock.

[Shmoe]

Originally posted by seand
OH OH...

how do you like the machetes? ive never ridden them for more than a few runs and those werent really good for telling how the ski handled.

you are 5'11" and on the same size 1260 as me...too funny.

i had a pair of 145 1080s that i used to learn how to get multiple spins and spins onto and off of rails.
smaller park skis rock.

You know what.. I dont know how I like them yet..

I demos a pair last year and I felt really solid on them.. When a deal came up on them this year I took em. Nothing good is open here for at least a few more weeks..

Yeah my 1260's were small, but spinning was so damn easy! :lol: One day in fernie though, we got about a meter of snow and I just sank the whole day.

[Aircorp]

What about K2 Fugatives or Made'n AKs?

[Broken Fusion!]

Made'n AKs are huge, and are definitely not an all mountain ski.
Fujatives might be pretty good depending on where the mounting line is... a lot of park specific skis mount in the center of the ski, which isn't so great for all mountain.

[skimtb1]

fujatives may be too soft if you are a big guy? Did you say something about Head deals? If so, think maybe Madtrix Mojo.

[Broken Fusion!]

Originally posted by seand


being center mounted isnt all bad. every pair of my skis is center or -2 center mounted and i have zero problems with that. plus it makes rotation much easier.

Agreed, but I still think that for a beginner, skis that are center mounted with the different flex of a twin may be a bit much.
I would just say get a twintip, but mounted normally, to start on.

PS I hear you're pretty crazy on them skis :P

[seand]

Originally posted by Broken Fusion!
Agreed, but I still think that for a beginner, skis that are center mounted with the different flex of a twin may be a bit much.
I would just say get a twintip, but mounted normally, to start on.


thats a good point. thats less leaning back when in deep snow, and more center balancing when carving/airing.



PS I hear you're pretty crazy on them skis :P

LIES!!! :P

[Aircorp]

What about boots and bindings?

[Kirill]

Originally posted by Shmoe
I started skiing last season on 164mm wow! thats crazy, so its like skiing on a ruler?



im looking at some scratch bc's or some madtrix mojos, i'm 5,11 and a half , i weigh 175 ish, how tall of skis should i get, they would be mostly for all mtn, at the current moment im running 182's, should i stick to relativley the same length or go shorter?

i would like to be spinning.

[Broken Fusion!]

I'm about the same height as you and I use 169 PE's for my park ski and 176 Scratch BCs for pow

[seand]

Originally posted by Broken Fusion!
I'm about the same height as you and I use 169 PE's for my park ski and 176 Scratch BCs for pow


jesus..

i use 166 in park and 178 for pow. why do you use such short skis?

[seand]

Originally posted by Aircorp
What about boots and bindings?


for boots, i cant recommend salomon 1080s enough...AWESOME boot.

bindings? check these badboys out:
http://www.altrec.com/shop/detail/16418/

they are designed for twinnies. just make sure that if you get a fat waisted ski, you get a fatter brake or you will have a splody binding :)

[Broken Fusion!]

hey there seanny

Do you find the 1080's too soft for backcountry??

[seand]

nopers...i use my 1080s for everything.

[cameron]

if you work at sport mart, pro deal ski's. you'll get them ALOT cheaper then with your little "staff discount". i'm the tech at sport chek, and i'm going to pro deal some b1's, axium 300 bindings, and rossi power 70 boots.

ASK FOR A PRODEAL FORM!

[SkunkworkS]

^ A little late...

I love my Scratches. A little too flexy for my liking outside of the park but super fun at all times.

Also suggest looking into the B1s if you're into the beg/int all mountain ski...

[cameron]

^ A little late...

I love my Scratches. A little too flexy for my liking outside of the park but super fun at all times.

Also suggest looking into the B1s if you're into the beg/int all mountain ski...

b1's are a medium to advanced ski. NOT beginner.

[Aircorp]

Wow, somebody must have dug deep to find this thread. Well, I figure I will give you guys an update for those who care. Picked up some cheap skis from SportMart (Salomon Scrambler 22s), look like a decent beginner ski. I decided to rent all last season so I just ordered some boots for this week, I was going to go for the Salomon 1080s but apparently there are none is my size so I got some X.Wave 8 Frees instead, I will pick up bindings when the boots come in and it will be a done deal, now all we need is some snow!

[SkunkworkS]

b1's are a medium to advanced ski. NOT beginner.

Thanks. I'm way the heck out of the ski gear loop.

[kalisto]

The snow is here! Lets go!