Different types of skis...

Right. Just come back from hols blah blah. I was given a brand new pair of Atomic Varioseries S 151's. There were some other numbers which I guess refer to the width of the skis at tip, mid and tail - 117.5 / 73 / 162.5. I'm 5'4" and they came up to my mouth (feel free to pun away). I saw two guys (or it could have been the same guy twice) using the same skis (but longer), which I don't think means I'm the next Lindsay Vonn, it probably just reflects the fact that I'm a little 'curvier' (tread carefully here) than I should be for my height. Oh and I think the turn diameter was 12m.

I want to start learning the differences between different skis because to be honest I haven't got a clue. At some point though I'll want to buy a pair, and I'd like to start banking some notes on which ones might suit me.

These ones I had worked fine. I don't have the first clue what else to say or think. Oh - two things, 1) for the first time I noticed the benefits of well prepared bases, as I didn't have to pole between flat spots, they just glided along happily. Apart from 2) at speed the fronts were a bit kind of squirmy and wouldn't sit still. It was a bit unnerving but no mishaps occurred.

What else am I supposed to notice about skis? Should I wait a bit longer for my skiing to settle down a bit before I will be able to notice more differences? I still have loads to learn and am improving every time so I guess my skiing itself will keep changing for the moment and that makes a bigger difference than the skis themselves.

Any suggestions/thoughts?

EmmaEvs wrote:Right. Oh and I think the turn diameter was 12m.

I want to start learning the differences between different skis because to be honest I haven't got a clue. At some point though I'll want to buy a pair, and I'd like to start banking some notes on which ones might suit me.

These ones I had worked fine. I don't have the first clue what else to say or think. Oh - two things, 1) for the first time I noticed the benefits of well prepared bases, as I didn't have to pole between flat spots, they just glided along happily. Apart from 2) at speed the fronts were a bit kind of squirmy and wouldn't sit still. It was a bit unnerving but no mishaps occurred.

What else am I supposed to notice about skis? Should I wait a bit longer for my skiing to settle down a bit before I will be able to notice more differences?

Any suggestions/thoughts?

Keep renting for a couple more winters, because it will give you chance to try out different types of skis, at minimum outlay. At this stage you don't know what sort of skier you want to be...Park Rat/Freerider/Piste Carver ) Take a rental contract that enables you to chop and change.

The ones you used have a short turning radius at 12m. By comparison mine are 17m and 21m. This does not make my skis better, just different. Some folks like a "turney" ski, some don't!
"Squirmy"...this is probably due to the ski wanting to be on edge and turning most of the time, to get a modern ski to run flat at speed you need less of an hourglass figure for the ski. Next time on a ski with a small radius, try keeping a tiny bit of edge pressure on when going straight, like a really small turn.
Next time, you could try a ski with an all mountain waist size <85mm and see what happens when you go into deeper snow 8)

Take more lessons, it will help develop skills, ski more, and do more, more easily :D

Thanks Bandit. Yup - I intend taking lessons for the next couple of years at least. This is my third year at them. I'm sure it's helping me not to get into bad habits, and I am being taught new stuff each time. Started learning short turns this time which was good fun.

Me and MrEvs have kind of decided to leave off piste for a good while yet, so if/when I do get skis they're more likely to be purely on piste rather than a hybrid. Doesn't seem any point in compromising if I'm not going to use them elsewhere.

Your 17m and 21m radius skis - how different do they feel on a piste from ones like the 12m? I like the idea of a 'turney' ski because I think they'll be more agile (subject to my skiing limits) to muck about on. What is it you like about a larger radius ski?

I'll try the edge pressure next time. That'll be interesting! It was as much as I could do to stay stable on my feet, I'm not sure I can manage a movement that subtle but I'll give it a go :lol:

Whilst your developing as an intermediate, stick to carving skis for the piste as these will get you used to turning and carving your way down the slopes.

As for ski length, it depends on who you ask. Some say stand them up to your chin, eyes or forehead. Longer skis generally run faster and shorter skis generally are easier to turn as the sidecut of them engages quicker. You dont need to over complicate things.

I have skis which are 82mm underfoot and they handle brilliantly on piste, but someone at your level might find them difficult as you have to work them harder because of the wider profile. These skis are able to take you on virtually on any terrain whereas your pistey skis will really only handle being on a groomed slope.

As has been advised, try a few different ones out and stick with a length and level you feel more confident with. I'd consider trying something like Salomon or Volkl rather than Atomic for you if they are quivering as this may suggest they are too light for you.

All part of the learning curve, and people on this forum helped me with a lot of the more specific details. Keep asking.

EmmaEvs wrote:


Your 17m and 21m radius skis - how different do they feel on a piste from ones like the 12m? I like the idea of a 'turney' ski because I think they'll be more agile (subject to my skiing limits) to muck about on. What is it you like about a larger radius ski?

I prefer longer more sweeping turns. For me a short radius ski is just too "busy". Most skiers will do a mix of turn types, don't get too hung up on the concept of agility, meaning you need a <14 sidecut. I'm not sure anyone carves all the time, apart from Trencher )

I'll try the edge pressure next time. That'll be interesting! It was as much as I could do to stay stable on my feet, I'm not sure I can manage a movement that subtle but I'll give it a go :lol:

The tighter the radius the less stable the ski is when it's not actually in the turn, hence the flapping and squirreling at the tip. It needs to be turning, it what it was designed for, so put some pressure on the edges and make it bend!

What Bandit's saying is learn to ski properly :lol:

On regular camber (most on piste skis)skis, It takes some skill to alter the turn shape with pressure. The turn shape is most altered, when the pressure is applied to the tips of the skis.

At first, you are at the mercy of the whatever radius the ski has. So it is easier to use smaller radius skis, until you are able to exert enough pressure to bend the ski more than you would, just tipping it on edge. For an intermediate skier, 12/14M would be quite versatile.

I mention regular camber, because some newer skis (and many more in the future) have a bit of rocker at the tip and the tail. These skis will need less forward pressure to change turn shape. For example, the Rossi Avenger 74 http://www.rossignol.com/US/US/avenger-74-composite_RR00193_product_ski-men-skis-all-mountain.html

My advise would be to stick with skis with 11/12M radius, as you will progress faster, and have more fun. If you are not going of piste, look for a narrow waist, as this will make transitioning from one turn, to the next easier. The focus should be fun, and developing good technique. Wide waist, large radius side cuts, and too long a ski, might encourage muscling the the turns, rather than developing finesse. You will know when it's time to move on, when you no longer feel challenged by your skis.

Emma,
I don't know anything about skis either. What I do is go to a good hire shop and explain my needs and leave it up to them. I don't ever intend to buy any of my own, because, apart from anything else, the ideal ski one needs partly depends on the condition of the piste (if you're staying on the piste) and this obviously varies from one week to the next. Really keen skiers bring a couple of pairs of skis on holiday with them. After a very heavy snowfall even the piste can become like 'off-piste'. And if your not happy with the hired skis you can take them back and change them, or get the shop to sharpen the edges if you're ski-ing on ice or wax them if you're on powder (free of charge).

I found something about skis here:

http://www.spadout.com/wiki/index.php/Skis

And financially, I reckon one is no better off buying skis than hiring them, because most of the airlines charge £30 or so carriage, and then you have to pay an annual maintenance fee to get them tuned up (unless you're very clever and do it yourself), plus there's depreciation on the skis. And as you improve you may find your needs change. Also, ski technology and design is constantly changing/improving and skiers always seem to want the 'latest' model. I pay about £80 each time to hire top quality skis and I currently only go on one full ski holiday (7 days ski-ing) and one half-holiday (3 days) where I get free ski hire anyway, per year.

Unless you go ski-ing several times a year, I don't think it's worth buying your own skis.

Ally