soubriquet 0 Posted March 15, 2007 Share Posted March 15, 2007 Another 20cm overnight, so duty called. I was on the quad when it opened, and spent all morning cutting fresh tracks through 10-20cm of powder. Spiffing. It's gratifying to feel that I'm skiing better now than at any time since I learned, over 30 years ago. Partly its the regular practice, but when the snow is this good, I can really trust the ski and be confident in the powder. The downside is I don't have the fitness or strength to handle really difficult or steep terrain any more. But so what, I'm still having fun. I wonder if I should look out for something a little fatter than my carvers? Link to post Share on other sites
samurai 0 Posted March 15, 2007 Share Posted March 15, 2007 That depends. Do you want to end every run with a laugh and a jest about how easy that was? Link to post Share on other sites
soubriquet 0 Posted March 15, 2007 Share Posted March 15, 2007 In a sense, I guess that's the question I'm asking. I'm very happy with the skis I have. Would it make much difference, and if so what should I be looking at? Link to post Share on other sites
samurai 0 Posted March 15, 2007 Share Posted March 15, 2007 what are you skiing on now? specs? Link to post Share on other sites
soubriquet 0 Posted March 15, 2007 Share Posted March 15, 2007 Atomic C9. 168cm long, 112, 64, 94mm from tip to tail. Link to post Share on other sites
nagoid 4 Posted March 16, 2007 Share Posted March 16, 2007 Just a word of warning - change is bad!! Well it can be. I got some new gear this season and I have spend most of my time actually back with the older as I prefer it. It would be great to try things out before you buy to make sure they are suited to you and the way you ride. I suppose thats what demo events are for Link to post Share on other sites
samurai 0 Posted March 16, 2007 Share Posted March 16, 2007 Hey soub. if you are considering a wider ski for pow, I would recommend it after seeing the specs you displayed. the good news is, you don't have to replace your carvers. If you get a pow ski, it will just be a supplement. You'll greatly appreciate having a new-snow ski and an old-snow ski. Of course, then you'll have to choose one each day you go out. (although it should be obvious each day.) there are maybe 50 options available to you today. but a starting point would be around a 100 mm waisted atomic, being as you seem to like atomic already. The sugar daddy is quite popular amongst atomic men. http://www.untracked.com/p1221c2b43-07_atomic_sugar_daddy_freeride_powder_skis.html Nagoid has a good point about demoing. Although, here in Japan, pow skis aren't readily available for demo. Also, the link above ain't the cheapest in the world. I just wanted to show you an option. There really are very solid and comparable skis out there for a couple hundred bucks that would change your pow experience for the better. Ask daver, his pow skis are maybe 6 years old and just as solid as any thing on store shelves today. (they're wooden volkls, buy wood and they'll last forever; atomic, dynastar, volkl, K2 all make solid wooden skis- some livelier than others.) Link to post Share on other sites
soubriquet 0 Posted March 16, 2007 Share Posted March 16, 2007 Thanks samurai and nagoid. I'm not a brand person, per se. I have Atomics, because I got a deal on them and that's what they sold me. I've no idea whether they are good, bad or indifferent. They are my first skis, and much better than any rental gear I had previously. Something inexpensive which does the job is fine. I'm never going BC, so it's a ski for groomers + in-bounds powder. Link to post Share on other sites
samurai 0 Posted March 16, 2007 Share Posted March 16, 2007 finding the magical ONE ski that is enjoyable to ride on groomers and pow can be difficult. If you like your C9 on groomers, I would recommend picking up a fat ski that is left-over on a store shelf somewhere. (or ebay) If you want a versatile ski to actually replace your C9, yet be fun in softer snow, I would recommend a mid-fat; Volkl Mantra, Nordica Afterburner, a k2 apache. many mid fats really have to be skied hard though to make groomers fun. The Volkl Mantra has been getting rave reviews for the past few seasons about its versatility. I think you may want to have a look. also check out epicski.com for forums and help finding a ski. Those guys really know their stuff and have been advising people in your situation on ski purchases for many years. you would probably find value in chatting them up a bit. I'm a pretty biased guy. I love wooden skis. I'm happy to help, but there are another million opinions out there. Link to post Share on other sites
skidaisuki 0 Posted March 16, 2007 Share Posted March 16, 2007 K2 Apaches - bought some in December and love 'em: http://www.snowjapan.com/e/gear-reviews/ski-review-002-K2.html Link to post Share on other sites
soubriquet 0 Posted March 16, 2007 Share Posted March 16, 2007 Thanks for that. I'll give it some thought and start sniffing around the auctions. Really, I want a powder optimised ski that's going to be easy on me. I'm not particularly aggressive so I don't want something that needs a lot of speed to work on groomers. Link to post Share on other sites
samurai 0 Posted March 18, 2007 Share Posted March 18, 2007 Quote: Originally posted by soubriquet: Thanks for that. I'll give it some thought and start sniffing around the auctions. Really, I want a powder optimised ski that's going to be easy on me. I'm not particularly aggressive so I don't want something that needs a lot of speed to work on groomers. check out salomon's new "X-wing" line. I (admittedly) haven't skied them but KNOW they will be super user friendly. Gun Lab. X-Wing sandstorm. ak rocket lab. Hurricane. They are starting to use wood themselves. They're famous for foam/cap, turny skis, but have combined some newer wood constructions that may deliver some durability. They're generally pretty light too. Nonetheless- your post popped these skis into my head, but don't forget about the Mantra. http://www.untracked.com/c2pg17-skis_ski_packages.html#bid-39 Link to post Share on other sites
soubriquet 0 Posted March 18, 2007 Share Posted March 18, 2007 Thanks. I've been reading up on the Mantra, and it looks pretty much what I'm after. A bit pricey though. Ouch. Would you care to explain the significance of wood vs. foam cores? I'm intrigued. Link to post Share on other sites
soubriquet 0 Posted March 19, 2007 Share Posted March 19, 2007 2am and chucking with snow. I need some fatter skis. Link to post Share on other sites
samurai 0 Posted March 19, 2007 Share Posted March 19, 2007 wood vs foam. Either an old-school bias sticking around to today, or worthy of debate. There are heaps of really nice skis out there that aren't wood. Wood usually ends up being very damp and stable. Also very durable. Most of my foam skis from the past ended up breaking, wehre as most of my wooden skis over the years tend to stick it out a bit longer. Durability and longevity are my excuses for liking wood, as well as the damp feel. Rossi and salomon, both famous for metal/foam skis, are famous for legit reasons- people love them. If you haven't developed a bias, I wouldn't fret it. The mantra, you mentioned is a bit expensive, all of this year's and maybe even still some of last year's will be pricey. Anyway, Salomon's earlier Pocket Rocket (blue fat twin) is still lingering for used options, so don't forget about skis from 3 seasons ago. Link to post Share on other sites
ShinyDiscoBall 2 Posted March 20, 2007 Share Posted March 20, 2007 Woww just read through this thread - some rough times in Jan and Feb it seems. Glad to see that there is decent snow now in places, suppose too late for quite a few people. Link to post Share on other sites
big-will 7 Posted March 20, 2007 Share Posted March 20, 2007 Where were you Shiny? Link to post Share on other sites
ShinyDiscoBall 2 Posted March 20, 2007 Share Posted March 20, 2007 I had to be out of Japan for a while and I was not well for a few weeks as well. It has been a bit of a stressful few months actually. Things are pretty much ok now though. Link to post Share on other sites
soubriquet 0 Posted March 20, 2007 Share Posted March 20, 2007 Sorry to read that. I've been out again today. A late start meant a midday arrival, but despite the tracks there was still plenty of fresh snow to be found. Conditions were fantastic, again. I'm still rubbish in powder, but it was great to get the feet together, the weight centred between the skis and enjoy that 3-dimensional feeling. My carvers work in the powder because they're pretty broad at the front, but I have to keep my weight too far back to be comfortable. The sweet spot where everything is balanced is very small, and hard to stay in. I'm still all over the place when I hit some chop too. I guess that's where a softer, well damped ski starts to work. The weather has changed. It's still windy with showers and flurries of snow, but the wind has backed to the west from NW, and it's several degrees warmer today. Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted March 22, 2007 Share Posted March 22, 2007 Sorry about that Shiny. Just think, you didn't miss a season that will go down as "classic". I'm not that good in powder, I do enjoy it though. I just have to not get too carried away. Link to post Share on other sites
soubriquet 0 Posted March 25, 2007 Share Posted March 25, 2007 Warm and wet this morning, just like pussy Winter's gone. Think corn. Link to post Share on other sites
soubriquet 0 Posted April 5, 2007 Share Posted April 5, 2007 Snowing heavily, right now (06:20). Link to post Share on other sites
Snow-Woman 0 Posted April 5, 2007 Share Posted April 5, 2007 Cool! Still snowing now? Link to post Share on other sites
soubriquet 0 Posted April 5, 2007 Share Posted April 5, 2007 Nope. We had about 5cm in a couple of hours. It's all gone now, but it did look nice. I got pretty well coated on my little trek to put the rubbish out this morning. It's definitely spring, but I was outside gardening all day yesterday. The NW wind was bitter. Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted April 5, 2007 Share Posted April 5, 2007 I woke up to it snowing this morning but it soon finished and we probably didn't get 1cm - gone now. Link to post Share on other sites
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