Head skis

I think that both Pavel... and Bandit have the right answer but it does leave the question on how to offer advice and support to skiers while they build up the experience to "know" they have picked a good ski - for them.
This is a similar thread to Snapzzz and advice in the hire shop.
Unfortunately I don't have the answer!
All I can suggest is to learn a little about the basics of skis and what different skis might do on the snow and then suggest trying out a few models.
I do suggest not buying skis too early in a skiing career. New skiers who have caught the bug do tend to progress really quickly in the first few seasons no matter what age and they can end up with a pair of skis that they outgrow before getting value from them.
Skied for a week with a mate who came to skiing late in life and who bought some skis to save costs of hiring (or so he said) but ...
When we skied the snow was amazing, fresh snow every day, just glorious but he found it so difficult. I persuaded him to hire a pair of skis for the day - epiphany! But a conundrum, he owned a pair of skis with only 2 or 3 weeks use and now wanted something better!
This Easter I persuaded my niece to get some better skis than she would usually hire (no problems, Mum was paying!). Her comment - "These are so easy". Within a couple of days she was carving competently and handling the bumps very nicely.
She found a pair of skis that whilst technically "harder" to ski on suited her abilities, fitness and the snow conditions.
Wish I had a better answer than "It depends" when asked what are the best skis .......
Or what skis should I buy/hire ...
Or what skis will improve my skiing ....
Oh well :D

More skiers should read and follow "OldAndy's advice.

Last night I considered Bandit's relevant comments and the whole issue of ski selection ! To me it is as mysterious as selecting that person you want to share your life with.

There are some essential steps.

1. Read and learn about skis and skiing
2. Ask some of the "older" skiers their opinions
3.Try out various models before buying
4.I would suggest "used" models for first time ( with friend's help )
5.Try demos on the hill
6 Be honest with self evaluation (how many times will ski, physical attributes,personality etc,)
7. Learn to ski effectively ie take lessons
8. take holidays with a better skier
9. Read some more and ask questions so you know about; camber,ski cut, radius, flex pattern, core construction, plate performance, look up REALSKIER site which has the very best independent evaluation in world. Clear, precise evaluation with sections to learn about skis. Well worth the few dollars.

Thank you Oldandy

I have accepted that there is no one way to select skis or mate,,,but the process is so much fun !


If you do not mind OldAndy, I will share with you my selecting process for that mate.

I was 19 and finishing university and had met a young lady who met all my criteria so far,,but I wanted to know how the "insides" were !

So I planned a one week hiking/mountaineering trip in Fall. She had never hiked, did not have boots. Had never slept in a small small tent with wind blowing pegs off, It was a 4 hour hike up to summit trials. At first the sun was out ,,then dark clouds came , following with rain. NO real heavy rain. A down pour !
"This was the moment" ,, I though. She will break down,, cry or just get mad at me !

It did not happen. All I saw was resolve and determination in her face! 4 hours later we found our shelter. Changed into clean dry cloths and had the very best coffee in the world and more !

Had 4 days of great hiking at top of some great mountains. Sun clouds, eagles, wind !

On the way down I knew she could take any "stress, problems,conflicts" life would throw at us ( and it did) She was gold inside,,hidden well by that soft tender look outside !

At very bottom,,at end of trip I asked her to marry me !

PS,, It was Fall and I had not "tested" her on skis. Stupid me ! She was a rank beginner and this was out first "stress" as a married couple. She had one factor which helped,,"desire,,burning desire" to be as good as me, no better than me !
I am married,,,,,, not as long as Dave Mac,,but I am sure I have had as much fun as him,,,,,on skis and on,,,,,,,,,,,!

In short take the time to select both your skis and your future wife/husband both are very important in your personal happiness! Please do not ask me which is more important ?

pavelski wrote:More skiers should read and follow "OldAndy's advice.



If you do not mind OldAndy, I will share with you my selecting process for that mate.

Lovely story, thank you for sharing

Hi

Very nice story. I met my OH up an Alp!

Now I have skied for a few years now but as next year it looks like 3 weeks skiing I thought I'd try and pick up a decent second hand pair on ebay, which was why I was trying to identify those 'orange tipped' skis.

Like OldAndy's niece and his friend, I find skiing on top of the range skis much easier.

On your list, Pavel, number nine lets me down. I have not tried to understand the technical stuff with regards to the ski, so I shall try to rectify that.

But you've not put me off those Head WC SL skis! Nope. So I may buy new now!

Olla,

Via PM send me your address.

Better still,,come and try them for several weeks, since I am getting the 2012 editions soon so my 2011 models will be free.

My wife also has a pair of World Cup SLs. Loves them,,so if you hear anyone tell you that you need "thighs of thunder" and a racing pedigree do not believe them!

They are however very sensitive to edge sets, silky smooth and demand from the skier to never sit back on the turns!

Happy ski season.

As far as that technical material,,,it is not that complicated . I can send you some literature given to company reps when they are trained to do their "marketing" in stores!

Respectfully,
Pavel

Trencher wrote:Not that I would recommend it for everyone, but the Head WC SL was the most fun ski I tried last year. I did not want to take it back to the demo tent.

This is not true; I was having a senior moment. It was actually the Rossi WC SL that I was so enamoured of :oops:

Trencher,
Love that phrase,,"senior moment" ! If you do not mind I will use it often !

If you consider all the SL World Cup skis,,they are great!

All have fantastic plates now. All are truly snow leopards ready to pounce,,yet all have their own "personalities" ! That is the fun is trying out new skis!

I am happy to hear that you still try out the boards once in a while !

Pavel