Buying snow Solo

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Buying snow Solo

Registration's totally free, of course, and makes snowHeads easier to use and to understand, gives better searching, filtering etc. When you register, you get our free weekly -ish snow report by email. It's rather good and not made up by tourist offices or people that love the tourist office and want to marry it either We don't share your email address with anyone and we never send out any of those cheesy 'message from our partners' emails either. Anyway, snowHeads really is MUCH better when you're logged in - not least because you get to post your own messages complaining about things that annoy you like perhaps this banner which, incidentally, disappears when you log in Username:- Password:. Or: Register to be a proper snow-head, all official-like! Prev topic :: Next topic. Poster: A snowHead. I'll be spending few months in VT this coming season, and starting to think about gear. Like most 18 yo my budget is slim, and I would like to spend as little as possible while still buying gear I would enjoy using. If I learnt anything from browsing skiing forums is that boots should be fitted, I definitely plan on going to a boot fitter and I am willing to splurge on the boots. Which means I probably should save as much as possible on the skis again, while still meeting the requirement of being quality and enjoyable. I am under the impression that buying skis online should be cheaper than in resort, so I have tried to search and narrow the endless options. I have skied around 5 weeks, I manage to go down about everything on piste though not always in style. I like to be somewhat silly on skis spinning, jumping on the side of the piste, trying to ski only on the tails. I haven't really been off piste much, but I would like to experience and gain confidence off piste during the season. Then, with no real good reason I've picked a few brands that I recognize and found their skis that fit my hard criteria. Honestly I came to think that it doesn't really matters which ski I'll get, I have nothing to compare it to, apart from rentals which I have never bothered noticing how they felt. This is where I am looking for reassurance, would I ultimately be happy with any of these and should just get the cheapest? Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person. When are you going out and wear are you doing it there apart from skiing. It would be a good chance to blag some skis to try from a hire shop in return for sending punters their way, if that's part of your remit? Or borrow some from folk who are already over there? If you are buying, I'd go for a decent piste ski sub 75mm because it will help you learn better than a wider ski. Your technique is likely to improve significantly during an extended period and you probably won't like the ski you started with by the end of your stay Also, I can't stand all mountain skis! Have fun. Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see? IhaveAchance , You seem to have your homework I think you have the right idea in looking after your boots first. As Klamm Franzer , says you will be part of the scene there and be able to blag some kit. Oddly enough, I would allow for something narrower if you get the offer, don't be fixated on just fat skis. You need to Login to know who's really who. As someone who is also light, this would be my advice to someone with 5 weeks experience, who is about to get a lot more: - As stated above, making Boots a priority is very wise. It absolutely matters what ski you go for. There is a big difference between a forgiving light playful ski, with no metal in it; and a heavy, damp charger, with 2 sheets of metal. If you are light, you will need to be going fairly fast to bend the latter. There are of course skis that fall somewhere in between the extremes. You will be a completely different skier at the end of the period, than you were at the start. You don't want skis that remove your confidence at the start; or that you outgrow after a month or two. Both brands have a softer and stiffer version. I agree with Klamm Franzer about learning the ropes on a more carving type ski. Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do. Check out the old model Blizzard Rustler 9 and the Ripstick You'll need to Register first of course. Agree that you should progress on a ish waist carving ski. That is grand, even if you want to ski 'off piste' at the edges of the piste. Being able to easily roll edge to edge and bend a narrower carving ski will be much more enjoyable and build technique. If you really must for slightly fatter I agree the cheaper not CTi Wingman 82 is a great ski. Elan skis in general are brilliant value for money, I'm a big fan. Then you can post your own questions or snow reports IhaveAchance , Firstly definitely spend the bulk of your budget on boots, but also remember that after a couple of months skiing you will probably need a more advanced boot next season. For me the next consideration for your budget would be lessons, lessons and more lessons because that is how you will improve fastest. I know it sounds boring but the worst thing you could do is try to self teach and end up in a position where you have ingrained bad habits to a point that it is a monumental effort to undo it all and then learn the good habits. Last on the list would be skis. They are definitely the sexiest piece of equipment and the manufacturers have an easy job selling them as a result but they probably have the least effect upon your progress so my advise would be find something secondhand to start with. I think the waist widths you are looking at are definitely on the fat side - 73 might be better range, especially given you seem to weigh as much as a feather and should be able to get a lot of float in powder on a relatively narrow ski. Lastly I would also consider twin tips given you seem to have a taste for tricks and flips. After all it is free. IhaveAchance , the QST 92 is ideal for what you want at that price. But not in a cm, you should buy the cm. The Bent 90 probably works, the Nordica 94 definitely does but the lengths aren't as suitable for you, the Black Crows will have the most theoretical credibility with your seasonaire mates but 5 week skiers don't really have credibility - it's more likely you'll get an 'all the gear no idea tag' than respect. You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net. IhaveAchance , And a word on bindings - if the boots you get have grip walk soles make sure the bindings are compatible. Ski the Net with snowHeads. Je suis un Skieur wrote: the Black Crows will have the most theoretical credibility with your seasonaire mates but 5 week skiers don't really have credibility - it's more likely you'll get an 'all the gear no idea tag' than respect. Even then and having skied both, the Elan Wingman 82 Ti is a much better ski. Plus Elan are way better value and so you won't cry when some tramps over it in a lift queue and scuffs the topsheet. As for bindings, you'll struggle to buy any binding in the recent model years that isn't GW compatible. It is the new assumed standard for all boots nowadays. And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports. Out of your list the Bent 90 or QST 92 would be my pick given what you've stated Personally I don't agree with some of the advice above regarding skinny piste skis. I also think you'll get probably get them cheaper online these days. So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much. You know it makes sense. That is the other side of the argument - and it absolutely should be made The middle ground, is around 86 underfoot The problem is - the ski that is best suited for the ability of the OP at the start of the season, is not necessarily the ski that is best suited at the end. I suppose it depends on the standard the OP is at. I think it's fair to say that learning the Carving ropes is better done on a more carving orientated ski I suspect that the Seasonnaires you are referring to, are already very competent skiers, with many weeks under their belt. Unless the OP has had 5 weeks of intensive Private Lessons, they will still be at the Intermediate stage at least at the start. I think the OP has some head-scratching to do, re what his goals are Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:. No it isn't, it's pragmatic. If they had 5 weeks of experience and were buying skis to go on holiday with I'd agree with you, but not as a single pair of skis for an 18 year old for a whole a season. I've got to laugh, I've had some right rows on here over the years saying exactly the same thing, telling people they should be on a mid 70s ski for development rather than something wider. But the OP's 18 and not interested in technical development, they IhaveAchance wrote: like to be somewhat silly on skis spinning, jumping on the side of the piste, trying to ski only on the tails. A narrow, piste biased ski that'll likely have a flat, mostly straight cut tail and comparatively stiff flex pattern simply isn't going to meet the brief, so it is what it is. Might as well just answer the OP's question. The OP'll know by the end of the season if they want to get more technical or not and then they can invest in a higher level piste ski that's more appropriate to their end of season ski ability level rather than where they are now. I'm going to take a completely different line. Depending on what you're doing in resort you might find you can beg, borrow or steal, some skis. My son, when cooking in Val d'Isere, admittedly in very high end places, skied most of the season on a pair which a punter had deliberately left behind in the chalet, having bought himself some flash ones. They were knackered and died when he had a huge crash up on the Grand Motte and had to ski back down into Val d'Isere on the remaining one. He was a good skier being on one ski didn't slow him down much though he did swap legs every now and then and gave the fatally injured ski to his young cousin to carry but wouldn't have spent big money on skis. You sound a bit like the same sort of skier - just going for it. You'll be fine, whatever you're on, having not noticed what you've rented before. You can try some skis belonging to the mates you end up skiing with, and get a better idea of what you want before splashing out. Have fun! Je suis un Skieur , You have nailed the position exactly. There are 2 ways the OP can go. A lot of the forum is made up of older skiers who know the importance of a good technical foundation and find it hard to get past that. Going for a wide, soft ski to have fun on and worry about the technical stuff later, just seems to be the wrong way round At least the arguments for each position have been made Either way, I hope the OP has a ball. Quote: A lot of the forum is made up of older skiers Well I definitely fall into that bracket and now I think back to my 18yo self I made some terrible ski choices but no one would have told me different at the time Or split the difference - buy the QSTs, rent a pair of basic beginner carvers for a week or two, get a few lessons, then realise you were right to buy the QSTs. I'm with clarky and Je suis un Skieur here. OP is a young kid who wants 'a do it all ski' not a technical piste ski. And I say that as an old fart - all be it one with the two older teens. As a few others have suggested - I'd wait until you're in resort. If you're there working you might just get given a pair as part of the job, or a good deal on a pair from a hire shop in exchange for saying 'I get my skis from XXX' if any punters turn up and ask where they should get skis from. And even if you're not working there you will have an EU address, so can buy online and get them shipped there. Thanks for all the opinions, honestly this thread convinced me that I am right. There's no one right answer and the suggestions vary wildly. I'm going to embrace the beloved it mentality, which usually results in me being more content than when I overthink and compare endlessly. That being said, I do think I should at least give some thought to this point: Quote: the QST 92 is ideal for what you want at that price. Most of the advice I have read suggest that skis should be between head to chin height, are they just more relevant to flatter skis? IhaveAchance , Yes that is more relevant to fully cambered skis. With a tip and tail rocker and the amount of rocker varies quite a lot between skis then the length of the effective 'carving edge' is shorter so go longer with this type of ski. IhaveAchance wrote: Thanks for all the opinions, honestly this thread convinced me that I am right. As you have said, there is no one 'Right' answer - but - once you have decided what you want from a ski, then it is much easier to make a recommendation that is 'Right for what you will be skiing'. Now that you are comfortable with your original brief, I think the QST will work exceptionally well. At 92 underfoot it is still not overly wide - It has enough headroom that you won't outgrow it. It does have some metal in it - It is decent value - I would absolutely go with the If your goal is to have a fun, forgiving ski, that you can take anywhere and won't outgrow - it should be at the top of the list. IhaveAchance , I doubt if the effective edge length on piste of a cm QST 92 is much more than about cm. Something like a Head supershape piste ski in a cm would also be about cm, maybe cm. The difference is that the piste ski would only gain around 4cm off piste whereas the QST 92 is going to gain around 10cm, and that's where you want the extra length to give you float. It'll still only ski around cm in most off piste conditions unless it's the very deepest and freshest snow. And if you get some of that, you'll be more than grateful for something that skis a bit above your head height because you'll need it! Don't make the mistake of buying the punter length cm for your stats, cm is the seasonaire length. Should be very obvious from those as to why you need a longer length in a twin rocker ski. Old Fartbag wrote: IhaveAchance wrote: Thanks for all the opinions, honestly this thread convinced me that I am right. Thanks everyone! IhaveAchance , The idea of putting forward the alternative argument, was to get you to think about it before going ahead with your original brief. The assessment of the ski is from Ski Essential's description, as I have no direct experience of this model Come back and tell us what you bought and how it's working out. Updates of your progression throughout the season would also be welcome. IhaveAchance , Go for the Volkl Kendo. That would be a good choice I think. That said, I personally would go round the hire shops and see what they have from last season's stock that they would sell you cheap. Then buy something late season in the sales when you know exactly what you want after your skiing has improved massively. Which it will if you want to work at it. And yes - have a great time! Another vote for the QST's as a great all round option that you can grow into and will still feel like a strong enough ski as you progress. I like the QST's as a fun on and off daily ski so much that I've bought 2 pairs including the latest version. Really good on piste, fun in the bumps and through the trees and definitely enough float. There's good advice been posted about possibly waiting until you get to resort and picking up a cheap pair and working out what suits you best over the season. This isn't the equipment sales thread so PM me if interested for details. Good luck with whatever you choose. Personal question first though. Snowheid which Scott skis are you Skiing on in the photo sharkyMark posted in GnarliBug and do you rate them? Back to topics 1. Start on absolutely anything you can blag at home or from your employer then try out whatever your mates have got and see what suits your style. Bartering your skills whatever they are is a very large part of living a season in the ski resort. You can probably borrow or earn a pair of old skis for a Shop simply by doing a few hours work for them in the evenings. You can also pick up some amazing deals on eBay during the off-season. Do whatever you can to make friends with a Ski technician who can edge and wax them for free for you. Maybe we will get Ski together in the coming season. Once in resort, you will have plenty of opportunity to try all manner of skis. Not saying you are wrong but does it really work like that? And don't worry about buying from the US, some shipping costs are the same as the EU. The trick is to know your skis! Never had this problem when I started skiing, skis were all the same width! Default length was cm New Topic Post Reply. Snow Snow Snow! Solo Skiers v Groups - Orga Archives Lost and Found Ski Club of Great Britain To one side secret Mountain Hideout snowShops You cannot post to forums until you login You cannot read some forums until you login Read about snow conditions : snow conditions And leave your own snow report : snow report Find advice to help plan your ski holidays : ski holidays The snowHeads Ski Club : Ski Club 2. Terms and conditions Privacy Policy. Snow Reports. Last edited by You need to Login to know who's really who. After all it is free After all it is free. Je suis un Skieur wrote:. So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much. Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name: Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:. NoMapNoCompass wrote:. That being said, I do think I should at least give some thought to this point: Quote:. IhaveAchance wrote:. Last edited by So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much on Mon ; edited 1 time in total. Old Fartbag wrote:.

The improver's guide to buying ski equipment & clothing

Buying snow Solo

It's no exaggeration to say that any adventure is nothing without the right pack. It needs to be well-fitting, packed with all the features your adventure calls for and big enough to carry everything you need, including your emergency kit. We've got a huge selection of packs from the best brands on the planet, just waiting to get out there with you - here's everything you need to know to choose yours, and some of our favourites to help you pick one. We probably don't need to tell you that the size of pack you'll need, is dictated by what you'll be carrying. If it's just a bottle of water and some energy bars for a day hike, your pack will be a lot smaller than the one you'd use to go backpacking for a week. Here's a rough guide:. Packs for activities like running or cycling are often within the region of litres. This type of rucksack is designed to be small, light and as closely-fitting as possible. They are often only big enough for a few items, ie. You should therefore only take one of these packs if you are confident in your route, your ability and the weather conditions. This is a great feature to look out for if you'll regularly be doing fast-paced activities like running or cycling. Day packs are, you guessed it, designed for one-day adventures. Usually at around litres, daysacks are perfect for one-day hikes, city breaks or days spent climbing where you may need to carry additional equipment. Day packs are often neat and simple in design, with a single internal cavity and a few small pockets for a phone or a water bottle. Many will have a hip belt and shoulder straps, as these help you securely carry what can still be a heavy load, although the straps are not as bulky as on the larger multi-day packs. The size of your day pack depends on what sort of activity you need it for. Summer hikes and short excursions only require a to litre pack, whereas ha trip onto the hills and mountains in winter may require something closer to a litre pack as you'll need more gear. Main features include a large padded hip belt and chunky shoulder straps, which help to support and efficiently distribute the heavy load. They will have a large internal section for the majority of your items, as well as internal and external pockets for storing gear that you may want to access more easily. Multi-day packs often have a variety of external straps and buckles. Some of these allow items like a tent or a roll mat to be strapped to the outside, whereas others are to compress and stabilise the load. Take time to familiarise yourself with these straps as although they may look alike, they have very different functions - and you don't want to be caught out in the wild. With a large, heavy rucksacks it is very important that it fits you correctly to avoid getting injured. Sometimes, a duffel bag or wheeled luggage will be a better choice than a pack. If you're travelling long distances on foot, over changeable and broken ground or will be staying in a range of accommodations, then a rucksack is definitely the best choice - think backpacking, bothying or solo camping. However, if you're off on a more conventional holiday, ie. Some rucksacks are designed to be women's-specific. This is to do with the overall shape, size and intended position of the bag. However, you are not bound to one type of rucksack or another based on your gender. If a rucksack fits you, then it's the right one. It's not always as complex as it seems. It's important that your pack fits you correctly to avoid injuring yourself and to maximise your comfort during your trip. Visit us in-store for a free rucksack fitting, and we'll be able to fit you for a new pack or adjust the one you have to fit you just right. We use marketing, analytical and functional cookies as well as similar technologies to give you the best experience. Third parties, including social media platforms, often place tracking cookies on our site to show you personalised adverts outside of our website. For more information, please see our cookie policy. Services Stores Login. Shopping cart. Order before 9pm for next day delivery. Pack Size Guide. Activity Type. Rucksack Capacity. Pack Types. The Right Fit. Related articles. Expert Rucksack Fitting Appointments. Read more. Expert Footwear Fitting Appointments. Your hiking boots are your gateway to epic adventures, so make sure they fit. Pack for adventure to the max with our ultimate guide to travel luggage. For fast and light adventures you need to carry the right gear. Gear that will support your trip without weighing you down. Here we get the lowdown on the essentials and some expert tips on the extras to pack. Let us know you agree to cookies. See our cookie policy. Yes, I accept.

Buying snow Solo