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 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 for 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 and calm to research numerous global ski test reports, endless wannabe opinions, and get the inside skinny about new ski models from Manufactures, Distributors, tuned in Retailers and credible Pro skiers.
That said, we have collectively decided to focus on buying the latest All Mountain skis to suit say…60% Off Piste and 40% On Piste conditions? But who knows really, as on my travels I only take one pair 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…ish powder ski (178cm x 97 mm) 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 170-172 cm, but still around 95-100 mm. under foot.
Chris is 12 kg heavier, taller, strong as concrete and should consider 180 cm and around 100 mm. Underfoot.
My next considerate is the Radius. Being a light-weight ‘fall line’ skier 15-18m is my max, but Chris could go up to a 20m.+ radius?
Then there is Flex, Rockers, 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.
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 and not take it for a decent test drive? But we do!
However, objective ski testing is quite difficult to accomplish unless there is a very active ski shop “on snow” regularly, and offers current model demo tests in conjunction with a distributor or manufacturer.
Bindings with 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 Ski School at Taos New Mexico.
Since then I have owned, used, and pro tested many different pairs of Powder and 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 more recently two pairs of Dynastar Chams with different rockers, flexes and widths and the revised Legends 88.
Testing skis on snow is Fun, but often confusing…the lengths being inappropriate, the binding locations are 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, develop loyal customers and provide that intrinsic “reputation” they all aspire too?
I have seen bindings mounted at different positions (on the same pair of skis), and often incorrectly located relative to the balance point and the ability (self determined), of a potential customer.
Recently at a ski manufacturers test centre in Val Gardina, they were charging 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 and then skiing every where and anywhere.
O.K. Here is my “Buying an All Mountain ski Check List” and suitable for Chris and myself.
Maximum length between 170+ to 180cm.
Under foot width between 95 to 100 mm.
Radius in meters, being 16-18 for me, and 20+ for Chris.
No twin tips nor pin tails.
Graduating front Rockers (with only subtle rear rocker).
Flex, (very personal) but not a too stiff in the shovel or mid section, nor 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!
Integrated Binding-lifters under the front and rear units (Not plates) as some height is good for using high (relative) edge angles On piste.
Binding brands: (personal, but usually integrated within a brand group). ie Look with Dynastar-Rossignol or Marker with K2-Volkl etc.
Most bindings are top quality, but make sure you understand their How and Why functions.
Modern performance bindings should have some easily adjustable Forward or Back options.
This is IMPERATIVE to establish the individual Fore–Aft balance point and arrive at your ideal skiing- dancing position. Bindings that slide with their lifters or have an integral bar connecting the front and back units will also eliminate the guessing required if drilling more holes in the skis!.
All my bindings are mounted forward of the factory recommended centre point, usually 10mm on Race Cavers and is the starting point to find my sweet spot-balance point.
On my powder skis I am comfortably more forward, this being perfect for the big powder pillows in Japan or in the boot-top pow blanket on top of European groomers and the variable Off piste.
These last few seasons my binding choice has been various Look PX12s with the classic piston heal, another winner is the light weight Marker Griffons. Choices, Choices!
N.B. On my present pow skis my bindings are 5 cm forward of the recommended mount point…and as there were no fine adjustment options under the binding-lifters, they were adjusted (drilled) twice by Pros before I finally established my personal balance point.
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) TAZZARI twin-work machine you will enjoy Ferrari precision!
His Pro Tunes goes like this:
Bindings off, Bases ground flat to True-Bar precision, then a Base structure selected for immediate and future snow 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.
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 of the turn. And a 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 may not come with dead flat bases, and definitely not with these edge angles. Get involved, discuss your individual needs and that elusive balance point with an experienced technician.
Buying All Mountain skis appropriate for your present needs and future aspirations is a complicated but rewarding challenge and requires you to seek out experts to give you honest and unbiased recommendations. There are many options and opinions to be discussed and evaluated…digest the written word carefully, and be wary of all that inexperienced hogwash!
Aspiring Expert Skiers need a quiver of at least two pairs of skis. A Slalom W.C. model or Race Carver and a Wide..ish All Mountain Off piste-Powder skis works well for me.
But in Japan, where you can often access quality waist deep pow (sometimes) in ‘the white room’, or ‘the washing machine’. And a 115mm + under foot model with a softer flex will ensure Big Fun.
RENT THEM. As they will suck on the inbound resort trails-groomers at home and especially after that Off piste ‘thrash in the stash’ which finishes on a slick cat track!
And YES, I have ordered my new All Mountain Skis, being Dynastar’s new M.PRO 99 at 170 cm x 98 mm x 18m radius, with the classic Look SPX 12s or the flashy new Pivot 15 binding.
Chris agonised, then after testing the new Nordica Enforcer (180cm x 100mm) with Tyrolia Attack 2 bindings at Treble Cone, he pre-ordered a pair, for the steep and hopefully deep in Europe come 2021?
