Snow+Rock Monument

I had a bad experience trying to buy boots at S&R. The salesperson didn't seem to be very knowledgable and wasn't really listening to my requirements. He seemed more interested in pushing a particular brand of boot on me. I ended up going elsewhere.

Thanks.

Any opinion that isn't about boots?

tin pot wrote:

Any opinion that isn't about boots?

The K2 Coomback is an awesome ski. Suggest you read more about them before buying some as it's 102mm underfoot with a 22m turn radius. :D

tin pot wrote:Yeah, don't have much time and I've had recommendations for S&R.

Question was more about gear they have for sale than the shop though;

Online the Rossignol Z76 or the K2 Coomback look ok, though maybe I should get something less advanced. I'm a six on their scale, but after the last punt is like to get a lesson on moguls and maybe off piste.

Should have two more ski weekends this season if I'm lucky. Pissed off I didn't buy earlier, but everyone recommended hiring.

Interesting, 2 totally different skis.

The Rossi are piste carvers, which would probably just about hold up to short off piste ventures but not really designed for deep snow, whereas the K2's are the total opposite and are freeride skis ideal for powder but no good on piste.
Maybe you need to worry less about online prices, where to shop, and more about what you want your skis to do for you first?

Sounds to me like you would benefit from an all mountain ski, something you can buzz about happily on piste, and venture into moguls and off piste without any worries. With that in mind, you should be looking at a mid fat with something like 80-85mm underfoot, possibly twin tips but not necessarily (if so ski them a bit longer).

I ski on Scott Neo - fantastic performance on piste and wide enough to float in powder and hold up well on unpisted runs and moguls. They are a semi twin. Scott make excellent skis, funky designs usually, nice and heavy to crash through anything, and a unique designed tip which I often find people on lifts looking oddly at; Scott call it a "snout".
Scott make other skis in that bracket but I chose the Neo for its 50/50 performance and the wood core certainly gives outstanding performance on piste, and they hold a good edge at speed. No flapping either.

Other skis to consider are Atomic Ti Blackeye, K2 Rictor, or something similar.
Salomon Lord is regarded as a good first ski for this bracket, and they're a good price currently too at EB

Hi Tin Pot,

I think the lack of other replies might be a reflection on your tone in the post! I know forum messages are always prone to misinterpretation so my apologies if I've also fallen into that trap.

Anyway I will say that I had a good experience with Snow and Rock in Sheffield when I bought my boots. There are good fitters out there but it's worth knowing what to look out for.

1) Does the fitter measure your feet first or just ask your size and whether there are any boots you like the look of?

2) Once he measures your foot, does he get a pair of boots he thinks will fit, take the inner boot out and ask you to try the shell on for size?

3) Does he ask what level of skiier you are/number of weeks skiing?

4) Does he suggest footbeds rather than the insoles the boots are supplied with?

I would respectfully suggest that if you answer NO to any of the above I would either ask for another fitter or go somewhere else. If you really are pushed for time and you think they are being a bit rubbish you could always try in resort as you might get a more qualified ski tech there!

Regarding the skis Bandit is right to say have a good read about the skis before you part with your cash. What kind of skiing do you do? If you're mostly on piste a waist of 102mm is huge! If you want a ski to progress from piste to off piste there are a number of "all-mountain" skis which are a compromise so won't be as snappy as a piste ski on the hardpack and won't float as well as a fat ski in powder but should be OK in both conditions. Again, a good ski tech, when he asks about your experience and how you want to progress should be able to recommend some good examples!

Equally, let us know how much you have been skiing, what you like to do and what you want to become better at and I'm sure the recommendations will come!

Happy Shopping!

Tony_H wrote:

tin pot wrote:Yeah, don't have much time and I've had recommendations for S&R.

Question was more about gear they have for sale than the shop though;

Online the Rossignol Z76 or the K2 Coomback look ok, though maybe I should get something less advanced. I'm a six on their scale, but after the last punt is like to get a lesson on moguls and maybe off piste.

Should have two more ski weekends this season if I'm lucky. Pissed off I didn't buy earlier, but everyone recommended hiring.

Interesting, 2 totally different skis.

The Rossi are piste carvers, which would probably just about hold up to short off piste ventures but not really designed for deep snow, whereas the K2's are the total opposite and are freeride skis ideal for powder but no good on piste.
Maybe you need to worry less about online prices, where to shop, and more about what you want your skis to do for you first?

Sounds to me like you would benefit from an all mountain ski, something you can buzz about happily on piste, and venture into moguls and off piste without any worries. With that in mind, you should be looking at a mid fat with something like 80-85mm underfoot, possibly twin tips but not necessarily (if so ski them a bit longer).

I ski on Scott Neo - fantastic performance on piste and wide enough to float in powder and hold up well on unpisted runs and moguls. They are a semi twin. Scott make excellent skis, funky designs usually, nice and heavy to crash through anything, and a unique designed tip which I often find people on lifts looking oddly at; Scott call it a "snout".
Scott make other skis in that bracket but I chose the Neo for its 50/50 performance and the wood core certainly gives outstanding performance on piste, and they hold a good edge at speed. No flapping either.

Other skis to consider are Atomic Ti Blackeye, K2 Rictor, or something similar.
Salomon Lord is regarded as a good first ski for this bracket, and they're a good price currently too at EB

Thanks Tony; you're right I'm undecided between pure piste, hence the Rossignol, and a little off piste capability - my online research showed that although the Coomback is marketed as off piste, it's actually a 50/50 plank.

I'll check out you're suggestions too; the aim here is to have some idea of what to get before the salesman sells me what he thinks/wants to sell.

Hudman wrote:Hi Tin Pot,

I think the lack of other replies might be a reflection on your tone in the post! I know forum messages are always prone to misinterpretation so my apologies if I've also fallen into that trap.

Anyway I will say that I had a good experience with Snow and Rock in Sheffield when I bought my boots. There are good fitters out there but it's worth knowing what to look out for.

1) Does the fitter measure your feet first or just ask your size and whether there are any boots you like the look of?

2) Once he measures your foot, does he get a pair of boots he thinks will fit, take the inner boot out and ask you to try the shell on for size?

3) Does he ask what level of skiier you are/number of weeks skiing?

4) Does he suggest footbeds rather than the insoles the boots are supplied with?

I would respectfully suggest that if you answer NO to any of the above I would either ask for another fitter or go somewhere else. If you really are pushed for time and you think they are being a bit rubbish you could always try in resort as you might get a more qualified ski tech there!

Regarding the skis Bandit is right to say have a good read about the skis before you part with your cash. What kind of skiing do you do? If you're mostly on piste a waist of 102mm is huge! If you want a ski to progress from piste to off piste there are a number of "all-mountain" skis which are a compromise so won't be as snappy as a piste ski on the hardpack and won't float as well as a fat ski in powder but should be OK in both conditions. Again, a good ski tech, when he asks about your experience and how you want to progress should be able to recommend some good examples!

Equally, let us know how much you have been skiing, what you like to do and what you want to become better at and I'm sure the recommendations will come!

Happy Shopping!

Thanks; I'm used to golf forums where everyone has an opinion on every model of kit available - regardless of how knowledgable they are ;)

I've actually just stepped out of my boot fitting, so hopefully they're not browsing this forum while I'm out :)

He's four for four on your list so far, so that's a good sign.

I'm a little concerned that the model/price is not something im asked so far, but we'll see how it finishes. The boot is a Salomon Impact something or other which will change if there is a fitting issue, apparently.

I shouldn't worry as that was my experience too! It is a bit unnerving I will admit that you go though a lot of the process before you start talking prices but I think it's probably the best way to go. I went with the idea that I needed a pair of boots that were comfortable and fitted me and which would be used for a good few trips and accepted that most boots were £200/300 + the cost of a footbed. Over the time you are going to use them saving 50 quid by buying a cheaper model doesn't seem that important!