Recently one of the guys I coach in Kiwiland phoned and said just that, then the obligatory “can you help me”?
Well,..I ‘m here in the warm Whitsundays winter, (topping out at 26 degrees) quarantined for the second time and the Queensland boarders are still locked down. Of course “my eyes are wide open” as there is a possibility of a Trans Tasman Bubble opening soon…yeah, maybe?
Chris is a very good skier and nearly a Level 9 ski anything, anywhere, any time kinda guy. I have also coached him in my A.O.Clinics at Mt Ruapehu these last six seasons and recently in Switzerland at Zermatt, Zinal and Verbier. He is fit n’ healthy, has sponge like attention and is determined to “pop the cork” when he has earned his level 9 accolade.
Buying a ‘One ski(s)-Do every thing’ is unrealistic at this level, as no skis design-construction will provide Race Carving precision On piste and good Powder Flotation in knee deep pow Off piste.
As I am also procrastinating about ordering a new pair of skis, I will expose my personal logic with suggestions and recommendations and hopefully this will enlighten YOU before your next ski purchase?
Since returning from my last Gypsy Ski Travels in Europe and then being locked down has given me time to research numerous global ski test reports, endless wannabe opinions, and the inside skinny about new ski models from Manufacture’s, Distributors, tuned in Retailers and credible Pro skiers.
That said, we have collectively decided to focus on buying the latest All Mountain models to suit say…60% Off Piste and 40% On Piste conditions? Who knows really, on my travels I only take one pair of skis and then dream the season is going to provide me compatible weather and snow conditions. Or, “just deal with it”, as this is always a huge guess with some very illogical logic?
Presently I use a beautiful pair of 174cm x 72mm Race Carvers and alternate to a narrow powder ski (178cm x 97mm) under foot when planing a predominantly (hopefully) snowy trip.
For my new All Mountain skis I am going to down size, (length) from 178 to 172-174cm, but still around 95-100mm. under foot.
Chris is 12 kgs heavier, taller, strong as concrete and should consider 178cm-180cm and around 100mm. underfoot.
My next consideration is the Radius. Being a ‘slightish’ fall line skier 15-18m is my max, but Chris could go up to a 20m. radius?
Then there is Flex, Rocker, Torsional rigidity, and Camber to consider, and finally the actual shape and design features of the skis, construction, weight, and of course the intended use. (no longer park style for me).
Finally there is the BRAND integrity, history, and reputation etc. And all that written guff, including the holy grail… PRICE with bindings.
That’s a lot of choices…OK. Lets get started.
It is completely crazy to make a decision about which ski to buy without SKIING ON THEM.
Would you buy a high performance car with out taking it for a decent test drive?
However, objective ski testing is quite difficult to accomplish unless there is a very active ski shop who is “on snow” and offering current model demo tests in conjunction with a distributor or manufacturer.
Bindings and Lifters are also an important consideration and especially WHERE the Bindings are mounted on the ski. This is a Critical issue and is usually not prioritised enough by technicians? Remember, modern ski bindings are an integrated part of every pair of skis and there are subtle difference’s between the Brands, Design, Quality and their intended use.
I have always enjoyed having a wide…ish Powder Ski in my Quiver, since 1994!
Yep, my 1st pair of Pow Skis were Volkl Snow Rangers when a member of the Ernie Blake School School at Taos New Mexico.
Since then I have owned, used and tested many different pairs of Powder, now All Mountain skis
with different bindings and set ups all over the planet.
Particularly memorable are:
Public Enemy, K2 Experience, (still rotating in the family stash) Seth Morrison K2s, (now objet d’ art in my front parlour) Blizzard Answers, (killer good) Big Trouble, (exactly that!) Scott Reverse,(magic) and recently two pairs of Dynastar Chams with different rocker profiles, flexes and widths.
Testing skis on snow is a must and always confusing…the lengths are usually inappropriate, the binding locations are often wrong…and the ski tune is dumb!
It’s a hassle for Distributors and Retailers, but regular ‘on snow’ ski tests will give them good cred, loyal customers and that intrinsic “reputation” they all aspire to?
I have seen bindings mounted at different positions (on the same pair of skis), and often incorrectly located, relative to the balance point of the ski and the (self determined) ability of a customer-skier.
Recently at a ski manufacturers test centre in Val Gardina, they charged customers for a 2 hour demo on their latest models. And this “pay to test the best” worked for me, enjoying two premium models in my chosen lengths for two hours, every where and anywhere.
O.K. I am now going to build a Buying an All Mountain Ski Profile, suitable for Chris and myself.
Maximum length between 170+ to 180cm.
Under foot width between 90 to 100mm.
Radius in metres, between 15-17 for me, and 17-20 for Chris.
No twin tips nor pin tails.
Graduating and subtle front Rockers (no rear rocker).
Flex, (very personal) but not a too stiff in the shovel nor mid section, nor too tail-soft.
Remember the original criteria: (60% Off piste, 40%) On piste).
Skis not too heavy, but you do need a solid stance and not ‘touring light’ as we are downhill skiing!
Binding lifters under the front and rear units. (but not plates) as some height is ideal for On piste.
Binding brands: (personal, but often within a product group). ie Look with Dynastar-Rossignol- etc. or Marker with K2–Volkl etc.etc.
Today all bindings are quality products, but make sure you understand their How and Why.
All modern performance bindings should be easily adjustable Forward and Back.
This is IMPERATIVE to establish your individual Fore–Aft balance point and get your ideal skiing- dancing position. And bindings that can slide on their lifters or with an integral bar connecting the front and back units are best.(no pre drilled race plates on All Mountain Skis).
All my bindings are mounted forward of the factory recommended centre point. Usually 6 cm on Race Cavers, this being the starting point to find the sweet spot to initiate a turn from the shovel.
On my powder skis I am comfortably more forward, being perfect for the big powder pillows in Japan or on the boot-top pow blanket on top of the European groomers.
These last few seasons my binding choice has been Look PX.12s with the piston heal, another winner is the Marker Griffon which allows fine cable adjustments, and my ‘killer’ Blizzard Answers pow pow skis (174 X 114 under foot) use an integral track on the ski, and are easy to adjust. Choices, Choices!
N.B.On my present pow skis my bindings are 8 cm forward of the recommended mount point…and as there were no fine adjustment options on the binding lifters they were adjusted (drilled) twice by Pros to compensate the aggressive rocker and stiffer flex.
Usually I use new skis ‘out of the box’ to get the feel of their generic factory tune, then go to my Italian mate Diego at the Snow Centre in Auckland. He is The ‘down-under’ PRO TUNER and now with a new (2020) Tazzai twin-work machine you get Ferrari precision!
His Pro Tune goes like this:
Bindings off, Bases ground flat to True-bar precision, then a Base structure selected for immediate and future conditions and temps.
This is followed by an accurate Base bevel of .5 degrees and then a full length Side bevel of 3 degrees (87), followed by a very light ceramic stone debur.
Selected hot waxing, a hand pressure ‘brush out’ and always straps to eliminate cutting (everything) when travelling. Pro Ski Tunes take commitment, passion and time. (at least 2 hours per pair).
I use this tune on all my skis. If they are too hooky at the shovel use a gummy stone softly to help the initiation in the turn and the 3 degree side bevel on All Mountain skis will grip when hitting ice patches Off Piste, or when skiing puff powder over those invisible frozen moguls.
Diego is a wizard tuner and skier, and his World Cup experience and passion is priceless.
Most premium skis are pretty good out of the box, but surprise, surprise, they won’t come with these edge angles nor dead flat bases. Get involved, and discuss your individual needs and binding position with an experienced global technician and hopefully an expert skier.
Buying new skis appropriate for your future needs and aspirations is a complicated but rewarding challenge and requires you seeking out experts to give you honest and unbiased recommendations.
There are many opinions and options learned from global experience (usually a racing back ground)….digest the written word carefully, and be wary of that inexperienced hogwash!
Expert skiers need a quiver of at least two pairs of skis. A Slalom W.C. model or Race Carvers and a Wide..ish All Mountain Off piste skis is my present choice.
But in Japan where you can often access quality waist deep pow (sometimes) in ‘the white room’, or ‘the washing machine’ a 115mm + under foot model with a softer flex can be Big Fun.
RENT THEM.! As they suck on the inbound resort trails-groomers at home and especially after that Off piste ‘thrash in the stash’! Enjoy!