Skis

Kodiak · Since 01 Aug 2005 1114 Posts Slidey

I used to be a skier and switched to snowboarding in '96. I am thinking pretty hard about switching to skis again this year. I am looking ot try something different and I actually think snow-kiting will be better on skis.

My question is this: I want a ski that will do everything well. I want something I can take out in the powder snowkiting, but I can still use on the mountain to run through the trees or hit the bumps. My question is, does such a ski exist? If so what is it?

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

i like these for backcountry and snow-kiting but ask master lucas and buttersmooth brad:

http://www.rei.com/product/791378?preferredSku=7913780016&cm_mmc=cse_froogle-_-datafeed-_-product-_-7913780016&mr:trackingCode=CA381F0A-CD39-DF11-BAA3-0019B9C043EB&mr:referralID=NA

chanson · Since 31 Jan 2006 1873 Posts WISCONSIN Chimey

def get back on the skis, but don't give up the snowboard!

I've been switching between the ski and snowboard, depending on the conditions for the past 15 years(on the mountain)(haven't skied behind the kite yet)

tons of skis out there for you..
but a little wisco-brewed skis can't hurt...and you're from the MidBest right?

http://www.4frnt.com/index.php/msp-menu-item

i've been on the MSP's for a few years...all around, do everything ski..

plus all graphics done by high-school homie!
but, they ain't no plain-jane-appeal to patagonia/black lab/volvo/mountaineering graphics..... they're a little loud. Cool

either way, get a pair of stix and keep the snowboard too!
there's always a time and a place.

tstansbury · Since 06 Jun 2006 649 Posts Rowena and P.C Addicted

I switched back to skiies 2 years ago I have the havocs and love them but have been talking to pepi about the rosignal s7 seem like they may be just what I need. With AT bindings.

waynepjh · Since 27 Jul 2008 212 Posts jackson wy Stoked

My favorite style of skis are ones with an early rise shovel then traditional camber underfoot! Stay away from skis with full reverse camber. For touring and snowkiting I like my k2 sidestash skis they are light and work well in all conditions. They would be to light for a resort ski. For a bigger ski check out the atomic atlas! The rossi s7 ski is ok but a tight turner and flimsy! depends on how you ski! Also don't give up the board until you have tried the twisted board! Its a very easy board to ride! I have been a ski tech in jh for almost 20 years. Just about any ski is going to be awesome because of all the new technology and great shapes they come in. i hope something I said makes sense! wayne

http://k2skis.com/skis/adventure/sidestash
http://www.atomicsnow.com/en-US/ProductFinder.aspx?cc=en-US&group=4&segment=FREESKI&segment2=park%20%26%20pipe

windpig · Since 28 Aug 2008 282 Posts Obsessed

I don't know... one pair of skis that does it all is kinda like one kite that does it all. Pretty much any of the newer skis you get into are going to be pretty good. For the nasty heavy snow that we get I would think about something in the 95+ under foot. I would suggest demo if you can wait. It's far more important to get good fitting boots than skis. I would start there and then just read up and try some stuff out. I'd check out Bob Olsen at Mt Hood Alpine racing center for boot fitting. I've worked with him in the past and he knows his shit.
Personally, I've been stoked on Nordica and Volkl. I wouldn't rule out reverse or flat camber skis unless your only going to get one pair.

Kodiak · Since 01 Aug 2005 1114 Posts Slidey

I do really plan on only one pair. I definetely don't ski enough to justify more than one.

Also how good are randonee bindings for all around use at the mountain, or should i get dedicated bindings?

jdk · Since 21 Dec 2005 333 Posts Obsessed

i ski my AT setup full-time, in-bounds or not. hitting the park, etc. the stuff is bomber. just get an AT boot/binding setup on the stiffer/beefier end of the spectrum and you're good to go

tele/AT-specific skis are a hair softer too, which makes them better for skinning. i think they substitute material in one layer (1 of 7 total?). i have a couple pair and they've been great for me. but i do a bit of everything. probably wouldn't be ideal if you are way into racing or park riding

cnski · Since 27 Jun 2008 13 Posts

Atomic Atlas is a great ski!! Big turner. I wouldn't exactly call the S7 flimsy but it is a tight turner and that is a good thing. Especially for snowkiting. I have a friend who skis the S7 for everything and he loves it. He is a world-class skier but not sponsored by Rossi. Family guy who pays for his stuff. He absolutely rips!!! About 185 lbs. If the S7 is good enough for him it's good enough for anyone. Except a heavy weight, of course.

waynepjh · Since 27 Jul 2008 212 Posts jackson wy Stoked

I am 6'4" and 210 you are right that is why the s7 felt flimsy. A ski that turns tight for me is hard to kite with. The ski always wants to turn into the wind. A ski that makes big turns like to go fast! slalom skis are for tourists! Wink

Touring bindings like the fritchi don't really like to be skiied at the resort to much. I have seen many pair break. Also if you are wearing them down at the resort they will be more likely to break at the worst time like in the backcountry. not fun! Markers touring binding is heavy but has been holding up pretty well. stay away from full reverse camber!

windpig · Since 28 Aug 2008 282 Posts Obsessed

AT set would work. I agree with the beefier set up idea. Maybe the Marker Duke and you can still run those with alpine or at boots. It's been my experience that AT boots aren't quite enough for resort but I'm a pretty heavy guy who skis on World cup boots. Lighter guys seem to make Rando boots work alright I've just never found a pair that works for me. Again I would stress the boots over skis. Most people who really rip have great boots that they never give up but skis come and go.

Kraemer · Since 24 Apr 2006 1736 Posts Sky Pilot Unicorn Captain

Portland Ski & Snowboard Show is Nov 5,6,7.
Great place to score deals on last years gear.

Also: next Wednesday the 29th http://www.skimovie.com/

Pepi · Thu Sep 23, 10 2:41 pm

Ski width - go with 90-110mm width and you'll be good for all conditions (90-ish if you stay on the main runs, 110-ish if you hit the trees more)

Length - since you're kinda tall, 180-190 depending on how stiff or soft the ski is. If it's a tad soft, then go a hair longer, but in the 190's skis tend to get a bit stiff.

Brands - Everyone is right about their favorite ski. It is the best, for them. Ask questions, and better yet, if you talk to a sales person, they should actually be asking you more questions so that they know what kind of ski to recommend to you that will make skiing fun for you (not get you the coolest or their favorite ski).
If you are going to mainly snowkite, then either a stiffer or less sidecut designed ski will be your best friend - Brad might have the best feedback on this and he is using rocker tipped skis)

Randonee bindings - Fritschi and Markers hold up fairly well for all mountain riding and are designed to work with both randonee and alpine boots (The Markers will only work with randonee boots that have flatter soles, and are recommended to be used mostly with Alpine boots). I have ridden Fritschi Freeride Plus in the park and all mountain on 120mm wide skis with no problems and no damages(old Fritschis in the grey color are not as strong and are over 5yrs old so should not really hold up anyways and are not recommended).

Atlas and S7 are likely not skis you will really want on your radar for your needs. Atlas is big mountain with minimal sidecut, while the S7 is for speed and planing in the powder (but, it is my personal everyday ski).

You'll find a lot of skis in the 90mm waist range that will fill your all-around needs pretty well, and will not damage the pocket book too much (unless you add randonee bindings which are in the $400-500 price range).
Line Prophet 90s or 100s, Rossignol S5 or S6, Atomic Blog or Access, etc....

Our shop has a number of demo skis (as do most shops) in the 90-127m widths. Try demoing skis, but remember to run at least half a run on a groomer to dial in the turning characteristic of the ski and center of balance before jumping into the trees, then you'll have a better idea of how the ski really works instead of accidentally overmuscling the ski around the mountain and not getting a real feel for how it performs.

Lastly. Before you do any ski testing, get a pair of decent boots, or have your boots dialed in with footbeds or a good pair of ski socks to help make sure your foot-to-boot steering is dialed in.

I'm done.

Kodiak · Since 01 Aug 2005 1114 Posts Slidey

Thanks for all the feedback. Boots are definitely a personal choice, but have to think about what kind of bindings I want as well for the boots. Definitely will get a custom footbed stuck in the boots as well. I have found it helps a ton with fit. My last pair of boots it was night and day with the footbed, although my last pair i bought 15 years ago.

jdk · Since 21 Dec 2005 333 Posts Obsessed

good points about the weight i am lighter ~160 (too much skinning Wink

)

and yeah, boots are soo key. i told them i wanted something stiff and they said fit should be prioritized over everything. i got lucky and the best fitting boot was one of the stiffest avail

Mark · Thu Sep 23, 10 5:01 pm

I skied since I was alittle kid. Switched to snowboards when they first came out. Rode a Burton for years. Went back to the new "fattie" shape skis. Wow fun. I use them for snowkiting as well. I think they are answer for snowkiting. You can move around so much more. Not quite as nice a feel as a snowboard when ripping but the mobility more than pays off. I also feel you can kite alot longer as you can shift your weight back and forth off each foot.

Whatever you get, lets make some plans and go this year.

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1861 Posts XTreme Poster

I has a really awesome ski buying experience at 2nd Wind last year. Pepi and crew spent a lot of time dialing me into the right gear, including sending me out the door with demos, having me take home boots and wear them for a few hours, and so forth. I was super impressed. Ended up with Prophet 100's and some Rossi boots.

Happy customer,

Eric