r/skiing • u/AutoModerator • Jan 14 '22
Megathread [Jan 14, 2022] Weekly Discussion: Ask your gear, travel, conditions and other ski-related questions
With 1,200,000+ subscribers, there are a lot of repetitive questions posted that have been previously asked or are covered in one of our multiple resources listed below.
- The guide for beginners by a professional bootfitter and tech.
- The sidebar and related ski subreddits.
- Wondering what gear to buy? We recommend you start by reading Blister's annual Winter Buying Guide. Also, consider asking any questions at r/skigear.
- For real-time chat, check out our Discord
Use this thread for simple questions that aren't necessarily worthy of their own thread -- quick conditions update? Basic gear question? Got some new gear stoke?
If you want to search the sub you can use a Google's Subreddit Specific search
Search previous threads here.
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Jan 15 '22
Went to Disco (SW Montana) today. Awful conditions, completely icy and crowded. Still better than sitting at home though.
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u/Spikes252 Ski the East Jan 15 '22
Man I hate that Travis Rice just gets to close off a huge section of JH every year for weeks at a time for his event. So many sick lines up in that glade that used to be hike to. There’s obviously plenty of other terrain but man cmon.
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u/AFrostNova Jan 17 '22
I’m planning on going out today with my new skis. This is the first time I’ve ever owned skis & will be my first time using them.
Is there anything special I need to do to ready them for use today/should know about a new set of skis? I’ve only ever rented before
5
Jan 18 '22
Sleep with them. Say nice things. Dry them when youre done
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u/AFrostNova Jan 18 '22
Dude after how they rode today I just might! They felt leagues better than the random rentals I’ve been using the past two years, not sure what it was, just very smooth
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u/Bierdopje Jan 17 '22
You're good to go!
Just know that the wax that is applied in the factory won't last very long. Maybe a few days, so get them properly waxed after the first couple of days.
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u/AFrostNova Jan 18 '22
That’s very good to know, thank you!!!
It ended up going amazingly! The feeling of my own, new skis is absolutely amazing compared to the banged up rentals I’ve been getting for the past 2 years. I’m not even sure what made it so different but it just felt smoother
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u/jbizzlr Jan 17 '22
Ski recommendations for a mediocre intermediate skier?
I am going to finally buy skis. 48m & I typically ski blue groomers out west. I've never skied a black diamond(on purpose) and sometimes have a little trouble on steep blues. I am looking for skis that offer good stability, easy turning and are somewhat forgiving. I am still working on graceful smooth looking turns. I'll most likely ski in Steamboat and Mammoth this year. But I have an Icon pass so hopefully I'll get to a few more places. What are some good skis to demo before I buy. Thanks for the help.
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Jan 18 '22
If you ski groomers just buy Katanas or Mantras. You don't need to spend that much money for fun skis if you want to rip groomers. Dream ski for you? Armada Declivity TI.
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u/404__LostAngeles Crystal Mountain Jan 18 '22
Blizzard Rustler 9, Salomon QST 99 (or the newer 98).
I’d also recommend checking the All-Mountain More Forgiving section of Blister’s Winter Buyer’s Guide.
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u/Dicky_big Jan 17 '22
Elan Ripsticks maybe? But someone will have to back me up on this, never tried them myself.
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Jan 18 '22
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Jan 18 '22
Define amazing. Backflip? Depends on your age and athletic ability. Cork 10s off cliffs? Probably not. Really good carving? Yeah sure why not. Also, take lessons when your progression stagnates and you've gone through all of youtube
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Jan 18 '22
I love this. My kids literally said to me today, “Stop showing us skiing YouTube videos.” I’ve been leveling up every day I hit the slopes.
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Jan 18 '22
Then just keep on keeping on. I find I get better the fastest when I ski with people way way out of my league. "Try to keep up" really pushes you more than lessons
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u/christianooga Jan 18 '22
When I got back into skiing last year, I was taking one hour lessons 2x a week. Helped me so much!
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u/SPF12 Jan 18 '22
(Finally) Taking our honeymoon to Banff, Kicking Horse, Sunshine Village, etc. Suggestions, please?!
Hello! After a crazy 2 years (2x unemployment, 2x canceled wedding dates, bear destroying our home/car, canceled honeymoon, mandatory fire evacuations, mother diagnosed with breast cancer, tree falling on/totaling my car, and surely other stuff I've gone numb to) we are finally taking our honeymoon!! Wahoo!
We currently, and have for +10 years, lived in the Lake Tahoe area and have dreamed of a snowy honeymoon. Originally we were going to Japan, but with their travel restrictions, we have decided Canada (Banff, Kicking Horse, Sunrise) is a better option. Our trip is in a few weeks (Feb 4-16)!
About us, we're very experienced snowboarders. For the most part, there isn't any terrain we don't ride and really enjoy the challenges. Since it's our honeymoon and we want to treat ourselves, we'd consider doing a Cat trip or something focused on the backcountry. We do a lot of touring here.... we wont be bringing our touring equipment unless something really catches our attention.
We've never been to that area so PLEASE give us any tips, suggestions, warnings, etc. about the area. We are renting a car so we have some mobility and staying in most places for 4/5 days. Activities, food, terrain, events, etc. Please share with us your knowledge/experience.
Thank you!
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u/homeonthe40 Jan 19 '22
Quick Question before I give too many recs. Where you staying? Louise Area, Banff, Canmore? I lived in Canmore for years but now have gone the opposite way (lived in the Bay until recently moving to Santa Barbara), so hopefully I can give useful comparisons.
Few quick thoughts:
+Canada is fucking cold. I can't wear my shell that I wear in Tahoe, even with 3+ under layers. I need an insulated jacket. I also need liners in my gloves.
+Snow is nowhere near as deep, but much more predictably good. It will get firm when tracked out, but it is different than the ice you get from freeze/thaw in Tahoe, you can actually hold an edge. 6" of fresh power will actually stick for at least a day or more and give you good bowl skiing (less people, it windpacks well and is lighttttt compared to Sierra Cement). I have never skied ice moguls in Canada like I regularly experience in Tahoe/California. I have also much more rarely skied waist deep power (IMO this is a good thing for a planned vacation where your ski days are pre-determined and you can't select to go on powder days).
+Roads are pretty good, and IMO way less stressful than Tahoe area roads in winter. Most of the resorts are only a short drive off HWY 1, which is the main national highway, so it is very well plowed. We also don't get the 10' dumps like Tahoe. Most drivers are experienced winter drivers, not yahoos from sunny climates. Chain controls aren't really a thing with all the above taken into account.
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u/acwx18 Jan 19 '22
Looking for ski recs:
Female, 5'11", 150 lb, long legs, shoe size ~8.5-9
Intermediate skier (learned at age 7, didn't ski much from 16-22, picked it back up at 23), ski in Colorado, love blues and blue-blacks (blues w moguls, blue groomers, blue + blue-black tree runs, the occasional black groomer), not a huge speed demon (like some speed though), don't see myself doing parks any time soon (or at least not on these skis)
Skied on Volkl Kenja 163s two seasons ago and loved them, somewhat constrained by what's available locally/reasonably priced, though (hoping to stay under $600 total including good boots)
Two options locally that sound like the right length but no clue if they're what I want: (1) Head Link Pro XL2 172cm with Tyrolia demo bindings (~$200) and (2) Head Kore 99 162 cm with Atomic Warden MNC13s (~$400)
Would love to hear any and all thoughts on ski length/what brand I might wanna go for or if either of the two options available locally sound okay--feeling a bit unsure of what to look for so any help would be awesome!
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Jan 19 '22
Get boots with someone at Boot Mechanics in Golden, or Larry's Bootfitting in Boulder and demo more skis to see what you like.
I would pass on the two ski options you listed.
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u/acwx18 Jan 19 '22
Thank you, this is super helpful!
What price range would you consider reasonable for the boots? (I know that's pretty vague, but with a total budget of ~$600 I'm curious what portion should go to boots)
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Jan 19 '22
Get the right boots and custom footbeds for your ability, your goals, and your foot shape. Do not cut any corners when it comes to ski boots. It's cheesy, but this is why they say:
Date your skis, marry your boots.
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u/Relevant-Jump Jan 19 '22
Where would you ski, if you could pick any resort in the western United States for next weekend, Jan 28-31, given the current conditions? Let’s say you have an airline voucher that would get you pretty much anywhere. Unfortunately, it seems like the entire West is pretty dry right now.
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Jan 19 '22 edited Jan 20 '22
Personally, I will be skiing at <redacted> given the current conditions and better than usual forecast.
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Jan 20 '22
Finally made financial sense to buy my own gear this year but I'm trying to go used on skis to save some money. I got fitted for and bought a solid pair of new boots. There seems to be a ton of variance in price and age in the used ski market. The ski shop warned me against buying skis older than 10 years old because shops might not want to work on the bindings? I'm pretty overwhelmed. Any tips on a strategy to sort out all of the variables involved?
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Jan 20 '22
Look for some ex demo skis from a reputable shop. There is so much junk for sale online, if you really aren't sure what to look for you're probably going to get scammed.
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u/dkdantastic Jan 20 '22
Buy from a reputable shop or buy new skis from last year. You should not buy from another individual or on eBay. You don't know enough to judge the quality and remaining life of the skis.
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u/shiwkajandbxjska New Zealand Jan 20 '22
Is it a good idea to buy boots but still rent skis to avoid the hassle of transporting them?
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u/abcdef__a Jan 20 '22
Depends. If you’re a beginner to intermediate skier who doesn’t go out more than maybe a handful of times per year, yeah sure. Having your owns boots is nice, they’re almost certainly more comfortable than rentals. You can spend anywhere from $200 to $1000+ on boots. I don’t personally see transporting skis as much of a hassle, toss them in my car, but I guess flying with them is a bit annoying. If you’re flying around to ski though, you probably should invest in your own skis if you can. You can have a pair of used skis for $200 that get the job done.
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u/z11nk Jan 20 '22
I live on the east coast and mostly fly out west to ski and did this for years, would generally recommend -- while renting demo skis can get expensive ($40-80 a day for just skis) you also get to try a lot of different types of skis to figure out what you want and can pick a ski appropriate for the conditions.
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u/thoeoe Alta Jan 20 '22
There’s definitely a cost/benefit to both.
Having your own skis means you can get used to how they ski, and you can pick the perfect pair. But you have to transport them, and get them serviced which both cost money. If you are skiing more days per year this averages out though.
Renting means you don’t have to pay a shop to wax and sharpen them, or for checked bag fees, and you can decide day of what the conditions are if you need a fat ski or not. Also if you are a beginner/intermediate you might quickly grow out of beginner skis, so renting allows you to “trade up” every season.
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Jan 20 '22
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u/concrete_isnt_cement Crystal Mountain Jan 20 '22
I know that’s a thing in the US, but I’ve heard that’s not the case in Europe. Don’t know the situation in other parts of the world.
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u/thoeoe Alta Jan 20 '22
Every airline I’ve ever flown counts ski and boot bag as one bag, and so if they charge for a checked bag it’s gonna cost “one” checked bag for that.
But if you don’t have skis you can just carry on your boots, or put them in your main checked bag and don’t need a boot bag specifically. I always viewed it as “boots come for free” when checking skis not the other way around lol
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u/r0bski2 Jan 20 '22
Anyone know if, with Switzerland dropping the requirement for the pre departure test, I will need any kind of test to fly from England to Switzerland and then transit to France?
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u/SomeRunner Jan 21 '22
If you had to pick between a 1 hour private lesson or a 2 hour group intermediate/advanced lesson, which would you choose? Just starting to ski blacks and want to make sure my foundation is solid. These 2 options are close in price, can't justify the cost of a half day private lesson.
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u/jas417 Bachelor Jan 21 '22
Neither. Half day or full day. An hour doesn’t get you a lot of runs in, and unless the group is only two people the group lesson doesn’t get you any more personal attention from the instructor. There’s just only so much an hour can do for you, especially considering a lot of that time will be spent on the lift.
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Jan 21 '22
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u/Maladjusted_vagabond Certified Tech and Boot Fitter Jan 21 '22
Yeah absolutely, no idea of the pathway you'd need to follow to make it a reality though.
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u/Rat-Tricks Jan 14 '22
Are 157cm or 62" skis too small for someone that is 5'8? I saw a really good deal on marketplace for skies this size and was wondering if they'd work.
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u/jas417 Bachelor Jan 14 '22
Probably fine depending on the ski. If it’s a powder ski I’d wait around for something longer.
That being said tons of skis come and go on marketplace and if you want something longer you’ll find it with a little patience, especially because you’re in a very average size range.
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Jan 14 '22
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/DoctFaustus Powder Mountain Jan 14 '22
It is not enough to get the most advanced terrain open. Even still, Taos is fun. Go have a good time.
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u/Salad20 Whistler Jan 15 '22
Hey guys, I'm looking to get a pair of skis for doing ski instructor courses on. I've been recommended the head super shapes but I'm trying to decide between the titan and the rally. For the course, there will be parts testing skiing on more bumpy/choppy runs so the ski would have to be good for that as well as carving on groomers. Just wondering what are the main differences between the titan and the rally and which one you guys would recommend?
Thanks!
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u/StarIU Jan 15 '22
I have skiIQ around 100 on Carv. It says my biggest focus should be on outside pressure but I haven’t seen much progress lately.
Would an instructor session help?
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Jan 15 '22
Yes, an actual human watching you ski will be able to tell you far more than some sensors in your boot.
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u/Potis_Sum Jan 15 '22
Fritschi Tecton 12 Carbon Brake Release Issues- after having a couple falls with these bindings, the heel has released but has knocked the ski into touring mode and kept the brakes locked up. Has anyone else experienced this issue with these bindings? Know a fix for this?
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u/kpmcg20 Jan 15 '22
The heel piece is loose and wiggles around on both of my skis when im stepped in. Is this normal?
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u/greennalgene Jan 16 '22
Best European resorts? Looking for something with big wide groomers for my wife and good apres lol. Recommendations have been Zermatt, Cervinia and Courmayer so far.
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Jan 18 '22
Cervinia and Courmey are small and boring. Zermatt, Chamonix, Verbier (fave). I lived and skiied all over EU. Those are the glam spots with skiing to back it up. FYI Cervinia connects to Zermatt but you need another ticket
I think though, you cant beat Dolomiti Superski (Gardena, Ortisei, Cortina, etc). Sick views. Sick groomers. Epic wine and food and the mountain my fucking god
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u/naptimed Jan 16 '22
I’m trying to assess whether I’m good enough to ski the upper mountain at Big Sky. Going in February and trying to decide whether I should spring for a tram guide.
My home mountain is Palisades Tahoe, I can very comfortably ski pretty much everything in bounds, I just don’t jump off cliffs. Favorite run there is Chute 75.
Anyone been to both and can give me some sense of the relative difficulty of Big Sky upper mountain?
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u/concrete_isnt_cement Crystal Mountain Jan 16 '22
You’ll be fine on many of the runs up there if you’re comfortable on the steep stuff at Palisades.
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u/naptimed Jan 16 '22
Great news. I was assuming so, but three black diamonds is a lot of black diamonds
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u/concrete_isnt_cement Crystal Mountain Jan 16 '22
There’s also quite a bit of double black options up there and one single black too
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u/highsky00 Jan 16 '22
Hi guys, I'm going to ski for the first time this week. I want to ask if there is any way I can utilize my waterproof windbreaker for my gear? Maybe layering?
Also is there any tip for a beginner?
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u/eacousineau Jan 16 '22
I wouldn't see an issue w/ a windbreaker + waterproofing. If you haven't already, maybe go for a slow 10min walk in the conditions you want to ski in, see how warm / comfortable it'll keep you. Then maybe amp up the pace to see how your gear handles sweat w/ exertion.
Best tip for beginning is in-person lessons if you don't already have them. If you're renting, most places offer package deals. After that, main things is to have fun, and focus on technique - always maintain control, graduate from "pizza" to "french fries", point your shoulders where you want to go (downhill), maintain good center of pressure (outside ski, "make a banana", etc.).
But lessons w/ experienced instructor first and foremost.3
u/highsky00 Jan 16 '22
Thank you so much for your insights and tips! I will test out the jacket first before deciding to layer more.
But what does "make a banana" mean?
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u/eacousineau Jan 17 '22
Sweet! And haha, great question.
I got the term from a 70's book, "We Learned to Ski" (but I left it elsewhere, so can't take a pic). Intent there is to "visualize" the shape of your body when placing weight over your downhill ski as you're turning. From brief Google search, here's a related context: "Ski", Google Books Excerpt
In other contexts (not what I meant, but still seems useful), it seems like it may refer to shallower turns to help focus on dynamic movements; also from Google search: https://youcanski.com/en/a-method-for-developing-gs-turn-technique-using-s-turns-and-banana-turns
Disclaimer: I'm an intermediate skier, not an instructor, so take w/ a grain of salt 😬
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u/eacousineau Jan 16 '22
What's a cheap way to look more identifiable / distinctive / unique?
I already have some generic stuff (blue jacket, black pants, black helmet), wondering if there's a cheap yet durable way to "decorate" so people can identify me a bit more easily w/o buying all new gear.
(Will be getting some colorful helmet decals, but doubt that'll be enough)
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u/404__LostAngeles Crystal Mountain Jan 17 '22
Could buy some brightly colored poles or a backpack. Though I think getting a different jacket or pants will be the most effective solution.
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u/TheRealBlackSwan Jan 17 '22
I have pink duck tape around the midpoint of my poles. It looks cool and the tape can solve all sorts of problems in a pinch.
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u/DoctFaustus Powder Mountain Jan 17 '22
You don't see that many stickered up helmets. That's your easiest and cheapest route.
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u/anonymousperson767 Jan 17 '22
You can spray paint your helmet but don't let the spray touch the styrofoam core cause the solvents will dissolve it.
I also just wear bright orange pants which gets me ahead of 99% of the hill that is trying to be ghost skiers in solid black.
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u/LukaDjurko Jan 17 '22
I am writing this comment because yesterday my old (very old) skis broke. I need a recommendation for a pair of skis to buy, but there are various factors to be considered.
-I currently ski half east coast half out west, about 7 days of each per year. However, I am 17, and plan on skiing a lot more west coast/other parts of the world starting next year.
- I am a decent skier, probably somewhere between intermediate and advanced. I can ski anything at my local slopes, but out west double blacks start getting a little tricky (I can get down, just not looking very good).
- I like skiing all sorts of terrain (though very little terrain park), so I was thinking of going for all mountain skis.
- I am 5'9 150 lbs and was looking for skis in the 165-174 range; the ones I broke were 195's, but again, they were very old, skinny skis. I also didn't enjoy skiing them as much as I had skis before that.
-My budget isn't very high, I'd be looking for a package of skis and bindings for a maximum of 500$.
Thanks everyone in advance for any suggestions.
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u/WolverineDDS Jan 17 '22
How much of a break in period for new boots? I got my first pair and took them out for the first time today and my feet were a little sore. It got better as the day went but just wondering if I need to take them back to the boot fitter for adjustment or give it more time/try thinner socks.
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Jan 17 '22
Wear as thin a sock as possible, and if your feet are just a little sore give them a few solid ski days before going back to the bootfitter, the problem might work itself out.
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u/WolverineDDS Jan 17 '22
Thanks for the response! That's kind of what I was thinking but with it being my first pair I thought I'd ask.
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u/robertjordan7 Jan 17 '22
Wear boots around the house when on carpet or sitting on the couch. Tighten down those buckles to pack out the liner quicker.
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Jan 17 '22
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u/TheRealBlackSwan Jan 17 '22
The way I see it, if you're already spending $150 on gloves you might as well just drop $180. If you're going high end might as well not half ass it.
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u/BeachBarsBooze Jan 17 '22 edited Jan 18 '22
When going to kill my subscription before it auto renews I noticed on GoPro's site that they offer a cold weather battery now for Hero 9 and 10; gray tab instead of blue. Even though its mAh rating is the same, they must be using a different chemical composition to retain capacity in cold temps. Wondering if anyone has tried it yet and there's an appreciable difference or just bs? The mostly five star reviews don't even sound like they were written by snow sports people, mostly oh wow it lasts longer, in 60 degrees lol. I have a 9 and six batteries that I'm lucky to get ten minutes each out of when the temps are in the single digits. I'd probably buy some if it meant fewer batteries jammed into my pockets.
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u/sheddd Jan 18 '22
It works significantly better in the cold (+30% runtime maybe?); tried new battery ~10 days in Dec/Jan.
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u/forgot_my_passs Jan 17 '22
I've been thinking of getting my first pair of skis for a few years now. I've been skiing for 10-ish years and I wanted to wait until I'm experienced enough to get something good. I'm 180cm, 72kg. I can ski blacks with an ease. I prefer carving over going fast. So far, Head's Supershape e-Magnum has caught my eye. Does anyone have any experience with that model or the previous- supershape i. Magnum?
Edit: a typo. Fat fingers.
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u/UncleBogus Jan 17 '22
Anyone got an extra spot on their OpenSnow group subscription? Would pay my share to hop on.
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u/upsilon905 Jan 18 '22
I don't have one but I'd split one with you. Also just found your tier list post, would be interested to see your updated list!
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Jan 18 '22
Would skis that are 88 underfoot be fine for riding at Western US resorts regardless of conditions?
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u/404__LostAngeles Crystal Mountain Jan 18 '22
Depends if you're talking on-piste only, or also off-piste. If you're only skiing on-piste groomers, 88mm will be fine. However, if you plan to go off-piste or ski deeper snow, 88mm isn't exactly ideal. I'd suggest something in the 95-105 range if you want all-mountain for the western US.
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Jan 18 '22
regardless of conditions?
Personally, I would go wider than 88mm underfoot for a 1-ski quiver in the western US.
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u/concrete_isnt_cement Crystal Mountain Jan 18 '22
That works in the Rockies, but I’d recommend something in the 90s in the coastal states
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Jan 18 '22
So, wider than 88mm?
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u/concrete_isnt_cement Crystal Mountain Jan 18 '22
I’m saying 88 is sufficient in the Rockies
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Jan 18 '22
I'm saying it's not. Just like the PNW, I would go with something wider than 88mm.
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u/concrete_isnt_cement Crystal Mountain Jan 18 '22
And I’m disagreeing with you. We all clear now?
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Jan 18 '22
You have made it clear that you disagree, but haven't said one thing about why you think a PNW ski needs to be wider than a Rockies ski.
Care to elaborate so everyone can learn?
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u/concrete_isnt_cement Crystal Mountain Jan 18 '22
The dense maritime snow we tend to get requires a heftier ski than the lighter, colder snow that predominates in the Rockies.
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u/mshorts Breckenridge Jan 19 '22
Choice of ski width can also depend on your weight, strength, and ability.
I'm 6'3", about 230 lbs, and a pretty experienced skier. I live in Colorado. I split time between 98 and 106 waist skis depending on conditions, and 119 for powder.
For my weight and strength, an 88 waist is far too small. For a smaller skier, it might not be too bad.
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u/diversification Jan 18 '22
Hi there, I'm an infrequent skier (twice a year at most) with so-so circulation to my hands, so my hands usually end up cold. When I'm clearing driveways with a snow blower, I'm almost always fine, but I think that's b/c I've hot an old snow blower and I'm using my body to tug it around a lot, and also I'm not getting the same amount of wind attacking my hands. I'd like to find some gloves that are warmer for when I do go skiing, and so I've been browsing a lot of past threads on ski gloves, and here's what I've gathered from them:
- Best of the best = Hestra, Black Diamond, Outdoor Research and Arc'teryx. Some of them have lifetime warranties, and they run from $100 all the way up to $400. For those who will be skiing frequently, it makes sense to invest in one of these.
- For those that don't ski as much and are looking for budget gloves, the warmest option will be to get chopper style mittens like the ones from Kinco (or a comparable brand,) and SnoSeal them. Obviously dexterity goes out the window with these, you also sacrifice aesthetics, and miss out on some premium features like zippers to poke out a finger, synch cords, etc. Apparently Kincos are also thick enough to impede grip a bit.
- Beyond the two aforementioned options, I see Columbia Omni-Heat gloves mentioned here and there, along with random Burton gloves and one or two other brands. The downside to these seems to be that these are not as warm as the "best of the best" or the Kincos, and that they don't last as long either. The benefits are that you pay less than the "best of the best" while still getting some of the features Kincos lack, you get a more aesthetic glove than Kincos, and also get less grip impediment than Kincos.
Questions:
- Have I misunderstood or misstated anything, or is my summary pretty accurate?
- How badly does grip get impeded with Kinco (or similar) mittens? I'm not super worried for myself, but if I get some for my wife, I don't want her struggling with grip and getting annoyed.
- I'm thinking I want to find Kinco mittens that don't have individual finger spaces, and I want to get a thin liner that has a bit of warmth, grip, and smartphone / touch sensitivity so that when I need dexterity / phone access, I'll just pop off the Kinco, but keep the liner on. My original thought was a wool liner, but I'm guessing that grip goes out the window there. What liner would you suggest that (1) doesn't bunch horribly (2) provides extra warmth (3) has some grip (4) is touchscreen capable?
Thanks in advance - I really appreciate the help!
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u/PercentagePractical Jan 18 '22
Noob here! Looking to stay in a ski in/ski out hotel and I am wondering if they are loud? Like are there lifts in the lobby or what? Lol
I assume it means different things at different places. I’m looking to stay in Tahoe (so potentially Palisades or Heavenly with Holiday Inn)
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u/panderingPenguin Alpental Jan 18 '22
Lol, there are no lifts in the lobby. Ski in ski out, means you can walk out of the hotel directly onto a ski trail and ski down to the lift. Then at the end of the day, you'll be able to ski down to the hotel from the top of at least one lift.
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u/ConnivingCondor Jan 18 '22
Ski in ski out just means you have access to the mountain from wherever you're staying. That can be a condo at the base, or a mansion up on the mountain, and everything in between.
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u/Scuttling-Claws Jan 18 '22
The ski in hotel at Palisades Tahoe (Olympic Valley? I'm still not sure how the name change works) it's pretty nice. Although you still have to walk like, five whole minutes in your ski boots through the hallway.
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u/SuneKNI Jan 18 '22
Hi everyone,
First of all thank you - If i had not joined this sub a couple of months ago I would still be riding the green slopes of Chamonix today. I'm on day 3 of my first Ski experience ever, and after 1 lesson yesterday. I finally joined my partner up the Mountain to my first Blue&Red rides. I rode both quite comfortably (managed to do the red 3 times without falling out of 5) and the blues was like a charm at the end of the day.
1 big problem, my Skipants broke in the seamings in the bottom - and the company i bought them off will reimburse me fully.
Does anyone here have some good rec's for some very very good ski pants (stretch if that is even possible)? I prefer with straps.
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u/DUSTYMCCRANK Jan 18 '22
I just picked up some TREW Capow bib snowpants and have been blown away by them so far. Uninsulated but it has opened up a ton of layering options for me.
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u/zoo55 Jan 18 '22
Value of retro ski boots?
I got a pair of retro cross country ski boots in original box with tags on, never used. Had to ask the manufacturer, who says they are from 1993. Price tag on box from original purchase is $70. I am trying to figure out their worth but couldn't find anything similar being sold online. Any ideas? If they aren't worth much I will give them to a relative to use, but it feels like it might be a bit wasteful for them to get dirty after almost 30 years.
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u/panderingPenguin Alpental Jan 18 '22
Maybe try asking in r/xcountryskiing. This sub is mostly alpine so you might get more info there. That said, my guess (based more on hunch than anything else) is that those are worth essentially nothing.
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u/zoo55 Jan 18 '22
OK thanks, I asked there: https://old.reddit.com/r/xcountryskiing/comments/s7ae9n/value_of_retro_ski_boots/
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u/i-brute-force Jan 18 '22
Any recommendation for trailer friendly snow resorts? I don't even mind paying per night, but I plan on traveling monthly to different resorts, so wanted to see my options.
I have an unlimited EPIC pass for this season, but none of them seem trailer friendly so I might switch to another season pass if I can make trailer life work.
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u/concrete_isnt_cement Crystal Mountain Jan 18 '22
Stevens Pass is an Epic pass area that’s RV friendly. Crystal Mountain, an Ikon pass area, is too!
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u/PUDDING_SLAVE Jan 19 '22
Is there a chance I "outgrow" the skis I just purchased? I got some 2021 QST 92 161cms. I'm 5'8" but like a little shorter ski for the maneuverability. I am a strong intermediate, to early advanced skiier. I can easily take on any blue, and single blacks at Vail and Breck did not give me too much trouble. I got these skis to hopefully be enough for the next 5 years or so, but if they start to hold me back, then that is going to be a big issue. Thanks!
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u/dkdantastic Jan 20 '22
Those are great all mountain skis. One of the best skiers I know skis them. Will be wonderful if you outgrow them. It means you became a great skier and got your moneys worth.
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u/OlegRu Jan 19 '22 edited Jan 19 '22
\Need help understanding Winter Gloves and Matching my needs\**
I live in NJ, USA and looking for winter gloves for casual skiing (mostly East Coast where it can be quite cold or wet), as well as snows-shoveling, or x-country skiing, sledding, cleaning my car etc.
I'm a 5'9 148lb guy with pretty small hands and my hands run cold, generally (but never used handwarmers). I prefer glove to mitten (or at least some kind of division of the fingers) for dexterity.Most popular recommendations I see are Hestra, Cheap Kincos w/sno-seal, Freethepowder, and Flylow. They all seem so different, so no idea what to go with...
Please help me understand winter-gloves better and find what works for me:
- Should ski gloves be waterproof?
- Is it more logical to get the gloves with that "skirt" looking part in the back that flares out or the ones with the black, soft elastic that tapers in ?I always used and thought that "skirt" thing means glove is premium stuff lol - but it often just seems to bunch and make taking the glove off more complicated if I cinch over my shell sleeves.
- What are other important features gloves need (durability I guess etc.)?
- What gloves would you recommend for my purposes?
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u/Lollc Snoqualmie Jan 20 '22
What is the usual temperature where you ski? Because the right answer is always based on local conditions. I ski in the Pacific Northwest, where daytime temperatures are often above freezing. So my biggest concern is dumping sweat and breathability is the most important feature. You are skiing in much colder conditions, I think.
To flare or not to flare is a matter of personal taste. Flared cuffs for over your sleeves, unflared for under your sleeves. I have both styles because, well, just because.
As for a good chore and skiing all purpose glove, you would be better off dropping that idea. Chore gloves should be something you don't mind destroying, a cheap leather pair from the hardware store will work for that.
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Jan 19 '22
I’m heading out to winter park in a few weeks and I was wondering if I could get some advice. This will be my first time out west, im more used to skiing Vermont/ New York and I wasn’t sure if there was anything I should be aware of while skiing out west. Also plan on renting skis so any advice there would be appreciated
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u/tuhughes Jan 19 '22
If you go into the woods, especially with pine trees, be aware of the risk of tree wells. They can be really dangerous, especially if you are skiing by yourself, but they're just not a factor in ice coast skiing because of the huge different in snowpack depth.
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u/404__LostAngeles Crystal Mountain Jan 19 '22
Aside from snow conditions being different, probably the only thing to be aware of is that people tend to leave the lift safety bar up. If you want to put it down, be sure to ask to avoid slamming it on someone's head.
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u/Mdizzle29 Jan 20 '22
First time going to Aspen in February. Any tips on any on-mountain restaurants or in town breakfast or lunch spots? I'm set for dinner reservations.
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u/Every-Preparation356 Jan 20 '22
G'day!
I do my school's ski program and I enjoy skiing. I am still a intermediate skier. Unfortunately is am harmed by the unfortunate reality of wearing glasses. I mostly ski at night when it is substantially colder. Being colder I have to wear some sort of face covering causing my glasses to fog up.
Whenever I am skiing with my friends I have a hard time seeing where they are going (they are way better than me so they go faster). I also don't want to crash into another person so I have to take my glasses off making it harder to see where I am going.
I have come up with a solution to this but I want to see if anyone here can give more advice towards this.
- There are some products online that state that I enter in my info and get a pair of googles that are tailored to my eyes.
The reason that I am still ify about this is because
-they are expensive -there might be other possible and cheaper solutions -i only will use them 5-6 nights a year
If someone could give some general info to help me that would be awesome.
Note: The helmet that I am using already has goggles but I'm not sure if the lenses can be replaced.
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u/Maladjusted_vagabond Certified Tech and Boot Fitter Jan 20 '22 edited Jan 20 '22
You can get goggles that fit over your glasses but it can be difficult to prevent fogging in your situation. Make sure your mask isn't directing the warm air you exhale up into the glasses/goggles and it should make a big difference. I find a simple buff that leaves your nose exposed best for achieving this.
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u/Every-Preparation356 Jan 20 '22
I don't specifically need goggles i just had thought they would block out more of my... ahem... mouth moisture
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u/concrete_isnt_cement Crystal Mountain Jan 20 '22
Are contacts an option for you? That’s how I get around the glasses problem while skiing.
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u/justthetips0629 Jan 20 '22
Has anyone been to Chamonix yet this season? I go there in two weeks and am trying to determine which skis to bring. Thanks!
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u/hurstshifter7 Jan 20 '22
I'm getting back into skiing this year, and getting my kids on the planks too. I currently have two pairs of skis and for reference I'm 175lb and barely over 6'0 tall:
170 Atomic R9 (~2003)
171 Armada THall (~2014)
I've always let the techs at the store pick the skis for me based on my height/weight/experience, but after doing some reading on the subject, it looks like I might be on skis that are too short for me. Been skiing for 30ish years, but each year has been different in how much I got out. I'd consider myself a "beginning expert" skier overall. I'm an all-mountain type skier, but like to have fun in the park as well.
Anyone have recommendations on the length I should try out next based on my type of skiing & physical measurements?
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u/goblin_ski_patrol Jan 20 '22
I’m 6’ and 170, and my favorite skis are 177 cm Volkl Mantra M5s. With 30 years experience, you’d probably want a ski around 180, varying based on the amount of rocker and stiffness.
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u/PUDDING_SLAVE Jan 20 '22
How are the conditions at Heavenly and Kirkwood right now? I saw they got dumped on in December, but I just saw the temps and am worried its going to be really icy. I'm hoping they get another big storm before I head out mid February.
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u/MNDox Jan 20 '22
What are good kid base/edge angles? All I can seem to find is information about kids racing - but what about tuning little kids ski who are just beginning or are beginner recreational skiers? And what about sharpness (sharp, detuned, etc?). I have 3 scenarios to work with:
-80cm skis for 3+ year olds just learning.
-100cm skis for a 5yr old who still mostly rocks the pizza but is beginning to s turn.
-116cm skis for a 8yr old who goes too fast and reluctantly works on turns.
I ask mostly because we are still in the craigslist phase of skis that are beat to hell and need some love.
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u/panderingPenguin Alpental Jan 20 '22
I don't think most people fuss about tunes for young kids much. I'd just put a standard 1/1 on there.
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u/unix_nerd Jan 20 '22
My nose always gets cold when I ski. Can anyone recommend goggles with a nose covering or something I can add to my current set?
I don't want to wear a larger face covering, nose cover is fine.
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u/JuxMaster Jan 20 '22 edited Jan 21 '22
Should I buy a ski package from my local shop for $100?
I skied when I was really little, snowboarded in high school, and want to backcountry ski next season. Figured I'd rent a snowboard for now, but after seeing this deal from a local shop, should I get skis? Considering rentals are 25-45/day, this seems like a steal
Update - decided to just rent this season, then buy quality gear when I know what I want
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u/404__LostAngeles Crystal Mountain Jan 20 '22
You should get boots before anything. Own boots + rental skis >>> rental boots + own skis. Or get both at the same time.
Also, you should probably get to a pretty good ability level before even considering backcountry touring. And more importantly, take some AIARE courses to avoid becoming a statistic.
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u/JuxMaster Jan 20 '22
The package includes boots and bindings. Definitely waiting to hit the backcountry, like you said I need experience and safety courses first.
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u/boostmechallenjour Jan 20 '22
I'm taking my girlfriend on her first skiing trip in a few weeks. She is 179cm / 5'10 and could get my mom's old ski which are 150cm in length. Is that too short? Would be nice to save the rental fee.
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u/404__LostAngeles Crystal Mountain Jan 20 '22
I would say that's definitely too short (your gf probably needs skis closer to 170-175 cm), but if she's never skied before and is just going to be cruising around the bunny slope, it probably won't really matter imo.
What I'd be more concerned about is the age of your mom's skis, or more importantly, the age of the bindings. Over time, the internal components begin to degrade, and at a certain point, they become a safety hazard to yourself and others. Like they may release too early, or not at all, both of which are bad. After a certain amount of time, binding manufacturers no longer consider a model "indemnified", which basically means they no longer support its use and will not be held responsible in the event of an injury. Most (reputable) ski shops won't even work on bindings that aren't indemnified because they don't want to be responsible for anything bad that happens.
Do you know what skis/bindings your mom has? Or do you have any pics?
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u/Chinlan Jan 20 '22
Do skis become more flexible with use?
My new skis are way stiffer than my older skis. My older skis were 2017 Faction CT2.0's. I liked them so much that when I beat them bits, I bought the 2021 Faction CT2.0's. When I flex them by hand the new ones are at least 2 times stiffer.
It's nearly impossible for me to get these new skis to flex enough to butter, to the point that I am afraid of injuring myself, and at the same DIN setting (different binding manufacturer, so take that with a grain of salt) I eject when I even get a slight butter.
So, do you think they changed their formula, or had I broken in my older pair of skis?
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Jan 20 '22
Faction made a lot of changes to the construction of their skis between the two model years you have.
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Jan 21 '22
Flying to Austria tomorrow. Looking at the ski maps, I don't quite understand what a "skiroute" is.
Can someone give an American a quick rundown?
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u/AlarmingConcept2791 Jan 21 '22
I have a pair of Head Kore93 170cm from this year. What size of touring skin should I look into? Specially the Pomoca pro s glide, what width?
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u/stormdraggy Jan 19 '22 edited Jan 19 '22
Alright folks, crowdsourced survey time. I need you to stan for your waifu ~110mm ski in this six-pack challenge.
Your competitors are:
Moment Deathwish 184/190
Dynastar M-Free 108 182/192
On3P Woodsman 110 187
Black Crows Atris 184/189
Nordica Enforcer 110 free 185
[Your indie darling wildcard i missed]
Should get the general gist of the type of ski desired.
E: folks i said stan the ski, not just say your favorite.
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Jan 19 '22
Dynstar or Nordica, personally. I dont like any of the ON3P's I've been on. The Atris is pretty good for a wood ski, but I like damper metal skis. The M Free is basically a stiffer and slightly narrower Rustler 11, which is my personal favorite ski. Can't say about the Moments.
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u/ChainDriveGlider Jan 19 '22
I would not buy the deathwish without demoing it . That ski is fucking weird. I own it, I'm not yet sure if I like it or just haven't learned it's quirks yet.
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Jan 19 '22
Someone finally said it on this subreddit! I have been waiting so long for someone to post an honest review of the Deathwish. They're weird! The Meridian was even weirder. Moment tries things outside the norm and when it works the ski(s) are amazing, but when it doesn't, oh boy...
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u/floppish Jan 15 '22
Need some advice on purchasing skis.
I have been skiing a fair bit through my life and I think it's due time I purchase my own skis. I have always just rented skis so I'm not really sure what to look for in a ski. I know I want a twintip ski beacause I am having more and more fun in the park each time I ski, but that's about it.
What's best length wise for someone who enjoys carving but also parks. I've read that a shorter ski will give you more mobility but less stability. What would you recommend? Shorter, longer? And how much shorter/longer is recommended?
Any tips on brands or do you know a specific ski you would recommend?
Any help regarding purchasing skis is much appreciated!
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u/csh8428 Jan 20 '22
I was hoping I could get feedback on my though process on whether or not a need a new boot and what brand I should go with.
WALL OF TEXT WARNING:
I live in Atlanta, so really only take 1 ski trip per year. Learned to ski when I was 6 and I’m currently 42. I would consider myself advanced, but lack the fine tuning that comes with lots of days on the slopes every year. I prefer skiing challenging stuff: steeps, bumps, glades. As long as I’m not huckin a huge cliff I can ski it.
Here’s where the boot stuff comes in: I got a Lange Rs130 back in 2018. I was fitted by Matt Sheets in Jackson Hole. Now, I was very apprehensive to get that boot because the flex was so high and I don’t have a ton of “skier leg strength” because of my lack of days on the slopes. There was only 1 other boot in the entire village in my size. We went to every other store and checked. It was a Nordica 100 something. I wound up getting the Lange. I didn’t feel like spending that much $ on a boot either, but I just loved the way the Lange kept my heel planted compared to the Nordica. I was in really good shape when I got this boot. I was doing Crossfit 4-5 times per week, so I figured I could push the boot decent enough. Fast-forward to 2021 in Big Sky. The boots felt WAY harder to get my feet in than I had remembered. By mid-trip I noticed the outer-halves of my feet were going numb! I didn’t get the feeling back in my left foot until over 2 months later!! I’m not in as good a shape anymore and I’m pretty sure my feet have expanded a little bit. Since the RS130 has a last-width of 97mm, just a mm or 2 in foot width would be noticeable I would think. I keep the top buckles reasonably tight and have pretty much no tension on the toe buckle. So I doubt cranking the buckles was restricting circulation. I’m thinking either the width or top of the shell was constricting blood-flow or pinching a nerve.
Which brings to my issue: Should I attempt to have a boot fitter punch some stuff out or should I get a new boot?
I’m small guy(5’3 138lbs) and I’m not as in good of shape anymore compared to when I got the Lange. I have 6 year-old twins and just don’t have the time to devote to hardcore athletic training anymore.
Even though I’ve had a lot of material drilled out, I feel the boot is too tiring to push. I do prefer to ski challenging terrain and do need some stiffness. It’s usually just my wife and I, so I don’t get to ski as much of the harder terrain as I like because my wife isn’t quite up to my level.
Since I don’t get a ton of slope-days, but I do try to stay on the hill pretty much all day; the boot is getting more and more uncomfortable each year. I know ski-boots aren’t supposed to be Cadillac-plush, but I think these are just pushing that line too much into torture territory.
I don’t want to spend $$ punching/trying/repeating on my next trip to Whistler. I’m only skiing for a week and don’t want to waste the time. If it’s going to cost a lot of money for multiple punches I might as well get a new boot.
Because of those reasons I think a new boot would be the wiser decision. What I really want is a less punishing boot that still has the snugness of a Lange without feeling like my feet are in a vice. I’m looking for a “grand tourer” to use car-parlance if you will…. Something that’s snug yet comfortable, but can still perform when needed. I do NOT like Dalbellos. I was thinking Lange LX100(102mm last), RX100(100mm last) or the Lange XT Free100(100mm last). On the other side of the spectrum I was thinking of maybe trying some Full Tilts?..maybe the first chair(99mm last).
How different are the FTs from a Lange?
Any other recommendations?
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u/panderingPenguin Alpental Jan 20 '22
There's a lot here so I'm not going to address it piece by piece. You need to see a good bootfitter. Book an appointment for your first day in Whistler. Tell them everything you just said in this post, and tell them boot mods or new boots are both on the table. That's going to be the best way to get you sorted.
Just realize, whether you go the new boot or the modification route, you're probably going to have to stop back by the fitter a couple times to get it just right. But it'll be worth it in the long run. If you can find someone in the village, walking distance from the slopes, that can ease the pain of having to stop skiing and mess with boots a bit.
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u/Jabieski1 Jan 14 '22
Anyone have experience with these boots? I was looking to buy them but couldn't find any reviews.
https://www.head.com/en/nexo-lyt-100-12.html
(the reason for these boots is because I found them for $250 new)
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u/Maladjusted_vagabond Certified Tech and Boot Fitter Jan 15 '22
Go to a bootfitter, even if you could find reviews, they will be useless unless the reviewer has anatomically similar feet and lower leg mechanics to you.
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u/seeyaspacecowboy Jan 18 '22
Does anyone else's legs get tired just standing in line? Since I can't stand fully upright I feel like I'm doing a bit of a wall sit the whole time. I'll lean on my poles and stuff but sometimes in a long line it can get rough. Am I missing something?
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u/ConnivingCondor Jan 18 '22
Don't try to fight your boots to stand up straight. just lean into the front of your boots and use that to support you. That's what I do and have never gotten tired.
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u/panderingPenguin Alpental Jan 18 '22
Don't do a wall sit. Pull your hips up and forward so they're stacked over your upper legs, which should be pretty much vertical.
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u/uberness132 Jan 18 '22
Somehow, I hurt something behind my right knee yesterday while making a left turn down a chill blue (intermediate skiier). I was doing the separation drill where you make a window with the ski poles and try to keep a distant object between them. As I was turning I felt a twinge behind my right knee.
Does anyone know what caused this injury? Didn’t sound like anything I saw on google. It’s pretty mild and already healing quite nicely, but I want to know how I hurt myself to avoid it in the future. Any thoughts?
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Jan 19 '22
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u/Maladjusted_vagabond Certified Tech and Boot Fitter Jan 19 '22
This is exactly why the only good advice for buying boots is to go to a good bootfitter.
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Jan 19 '22
This subreddit needs to put a flashing light next to the sidebar rule that says:
Ski Boot questions? See a bootfitter. Seriously, see a bootfitter. Do not post here asking if a boot is good for you.
Nobody on the internet can help you with this, OP. Together, Maladjusted_vagabond and I have nearly 50-years of experience bootfitting on two different continents, and we can't help you without seeing your feet in person.
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Jan 19 '22
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Jan 20 '22
don't worry. This dude is lying about working in the ski industry, and his favorite pasttime is being a full on fucking douchebag to anyone asking questions in this thread. ignore him.
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u/Maladjusted_vagabond Certified Tech and Boot Fitter Jan 20 '22
Lol. u/theskiadvisors is one of the handful of people on this sub who actually know what they're talking about and don't offer advice like 'x model of ski is the only ski I've ever tried and they're the best'. Just because you don't appreciate their sarcasm doesn't mean they're wrong.
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u/panderingPenguin Alpental Jan 19 '22
When I tried the boots at the shop they seemed fine, though I barely put them on and checked whether they were too tight or not.
This is a bit of a red flag. You've never worn ski boots before and you barely put them on in the shop? You need to get a sense of what new boots (or in your case any boots) feel like, and determine if there are any potential problem spots. What sort of shop did you go to? What did they do to determine what boots to put you in?
Today, from the moment I tried to walk with them something felt off, just way too freaking difficult to walk in them.
Ski boots are just annoying to walk in by their very nature. They have a rigid plastic sole, and a stiff cuff. They're made to function well for skiing, not walking. But over time, you'll get used to walking in them and it won't be so bad. I'm only half joking when I say you can tell who the good skiers are by how they walk around the lodge in their boots.
After not more than 5 mins of walking/sliding with the skis on, the pain in my feet and calves was horrible. I adjusted the boots to the minimum tension, and it didn't help. That was the end of my first lesson.
This is potentially problematic, but also potentially just that you're inexperienced and not used to the tightness, or you buckled them up incorrectly.
My very uninformed guess, it's that the boots go way too far up my legs/calves, in addition to being too tight for my legs and feet.
The cuff height probably isn't the issue. Most boots have more or less the same height. There are some short cuff models, but idk if you really need those. That's a question for a bootfitter. That said, nearly everyone skis in standard cuff boots.
One more thing, the boot is described as a good fit for intermediate to advanced skiers, but I have no idea what that means. The flex in mine is 90.
That's probably slightly stiff for a never ever, but nothing crazy. And it's closer to what you'll want once you learn to ski a bit, so not necessarily a bad thing in terms of having room for your skills to grow.
I wonder whether I should or have the right to complain to the shop.
I don't know if "complain" is the right word just yet. But any shop worth doing business with should stand by their work, take a look at your issues, and possibly make some adjustments for you, all free of charge. This is definitely your best course of action right now. Go bring your boots to the shop and see what they say.
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Jan 19 '22
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u/goblin_ski_patrol Jan 20 '22
It’s unreasonable to expect a new skier to know this, but generally big retail stores are bad places to go for boots. You get the best results at a small store that focuses specifically on ski boots and has employees who only work on properly fitting boots. The guy at Dick’s Sporting Goods or wherever is also selling hiking boots, trail runners, and sandals, and won’t have specific boot fitting knowledge.
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u/StaleGoldfish Jan 20 '22
Looking for recommendations on an all mountain/one ski quiver kind of deal.
I mostly ski at Lake Louise and Sunshine. Might take a trip out to Revelstoke once per year.
I'm 6'4, 195 lbs, intermediate skier, want to take it to the next level and rip the Louise back bowls more often.
Looking at these right now:
DPS wailer F106 (185 cm) - will these be too short for me?
DPS wailer A110 C2 (189 cm)
Head Kore 105 (184 cm) - too short?
QST 106 (188 cm)
RMU YLE 110 (186 cm)
I'm leaning toward the Wailer 106s right now, I'm just not sure if they're too short and if they'd float well in powder or maybe I should go to a 110mm ski.
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Jan 20 '22
I've skied the Wailer 106's. They're a fairly traditional, carvy feeling ski. I found them to be hooky and demanding and not particularly floaty.
Some people find the KORE skis to feel too light for resort. Being that you're a big guy, that might be how they feel to you.
QST's are a solid choice. For other directional all mountain BC skis that aren't super demanding, also look at Enforcer Free 104, Rustler 11 (yes, they are a good all mountain ski despite being 114 underfoot, ask Blister), K2 Mindbender, 4Frnt MSP, Line Sick Day 104, Dynstar M Free 108. The Rustlers and M Free's are my personal favorites.
185's are short-ish for your height. They will feel easier at first than the longer skis will, and then if you reach advanced level, they may feel too short.
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u/Ginger_afro Jan 20 '22
Hi all. Am going to be staying in Söll in Austria tomorrow and was wondering does anyone know the bar /restaurant / apres ski situation there in particular? Are they open? Do they have restrictions if they are? Do they close early? Etc..
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u/thoeoe Alta Jan 20 '22
Hey guys, I’m gonna be getting my gf ski lessons and I’m kinda stuck on what to book because I haven’t taken a lesson in like 15 years.
The plan is to do two days at Alta any two days at Park City, staying in SLC so it doesn’t really matter the order but Alta lessons are only PM, PC had AM lessons too. First day I was gonna take her to a “level 1” (aka true beginner) lesson at Alta, but then at Park City I’m not sure what to book, they have a “first time” lesson, and they have a regular lesson which is broken up by beginner/intermediate/advanced on day of. Is the “first time” lesson gonna be a total joke after a L1 lesson at Alta? Or is she gonna be totally out of her depth on the “regular” beginner lesson.
My plan was L1 at Alta, then first time at PC, then beginner at PC, then L2 or 3 at Alta on the final day (depending), with some time coaching her myself too. But the issue is the “first time” lessons are already booked up on the second day, so not sure whether to do Alta L1 again or jump to PC beginner lessons for that day.
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u/McSeamonster Jan 20 '22
New boots causing me lots of pain.
I recently got fit for and purchased Atomic Hawk Magma 100 ski boots from a local ski shop near me. I've skied on them 3 days so far since I've gotten them and they have been causing me a lot of pain. Most of the pain is coming from pressure on the outside of my pinky toe joint. The second place I was experiencing some issue was on the inside of my arch where it appeared to be rubbing on the inside of the boot. At first, I was just chalking these issues up to the boots having not been broken in yet but now I am wondering if there are some other issues. Does anyone know what could be causing this or anything I can do to fix the issues?
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u/panderingPenguin Alpental Jan 20 '22
Go back to whoever fitted your boots and tell them this. They should help you. Most reputable shops will do small modifications to boots they sold at no extra charge. If you need more extensive work (e.g. a punch), there may be some charges.
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Jan 17 '22
We usually go to whistler for spring break, but because of Covid we don’t want to leave the country so we figured we’d try something in the US. I keep seeing mixed opinions about whether to go to Breck or Copper, with a lot of people saying Vail ruined it. I like park, but also like just riding, so in your opinion which one is better, and will park even be open April 11-15. Kinda leaning to Breck mostly because of the fact that I here there good in April, but I still want your opinion.
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u/nomoresillydaydreams Jan 19 '22
I ordered some ski clothes on eBay and my husband’s pants arrived today and I have no idea what to make of them. They don’t look waterproof at all, but are apparently from a snowboarding company called “Bonfire Snowboarding Company”. They are fleece lined, but the outer part is a polyester knit fabric. There is a zipper at the back of the waist. There are back pockets but no belt loops.
Is this a liner pant of some sort? Something that goes underneath a waterproof shell? All the other pants I bought and received were a waterproof/warm layer all in one.
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u/ConnivingCondor Jan 19 '22
Those look more like just casual fleece-lined pants, not snow pants. Bonfire is indeed a fairly well known ski/snowboard company, but they make more than just snow gear.
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u/404__LostAngeles Crystal Mountain Jan 19 '22
Is there a model name/number listed anywhere on the pants, maybe on the tag? Here's Bonfire's current pant offerings, do any of them look familiar? Assuming the pants are normal ski pants, they most likely with be a 2-layer construction, with the inner layer usually being a soft fabric, and the outer layer being nylon/polyester with a DWR coating applied.
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u/nomoresillydaydreams Jan 19 '22
Yep I checked their site first and didn’t see anything similar. On the tag there’s an RN number (98309) and a CA number (40312). No idea what those are?
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Jan 18 '22
Anyone have experience with FT boots being more comfortable on the bridge of your foot than 4 buckles? Anyone break a tongue like my friend says he did?
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u/in_conexo Jan 16 '22 edited Jan 18 '22
Over the past five years, how have skiing conditions been in Vermont during the first week of March? In particular, I'm curious about ice/temperatures. I grew up with freezing temps and copious amounts of snow, but lately it's been warm and snow-less. I'm concerned the Northeast may have experienced the same conditions. Even if they turn on the snow machines at night, warmer days usually mean icier conditions.
Caveat: I'm debating between going East of West this year (if I even go). I've been East once before (last week of 2015, I think), and it was a little too icy for my liking.
As a follow on, are there more preferable times to visit the Northeast?
Edit: Found an interesting site that provides some answers: https://www.snow-forecast.com/resorts/. I can choose a resort and then look at the history. The only reservation I have is how much history it's looking at; averages more than a decade old might not be the best indicators of what's going to happen today.
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u/PieterJanBruynd Jan 17 '22
Hello guys
I’m 20 years old and I have been skiing for almost my whole life. Since I live in Belgium, this is like only 7 days a year, however I must say that I’m on an advanced (or maybe even expert) level.
I can ski all the slopes in the resorts, but I barely have skied off piste. How do you start doing that? Is it possible to take lessons for that? What gear will I need, is renting ‘all mountain ski’s’ the way to go?
I have so many questions! I hope you guys can help me out, thanks!
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u/REM0delta Jan 17 '22
If you ski in Switzerland I know certain instructors specialise in off piste skiing. Not sure about other destinations. Anyways you don’t really need an instructor to learn the technique to ski off piste (in powder) if you already have a good level as you said. Basically you generally want a more short width stance and keep 50% pressure on each leg (equal pressure applied on both skis). Also don’t forget that the Flexion & Extension principal is applied and exaggerated in powder. For skis I would choose an all-mountain ski if you still want to have some decent on-piste runs.
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u/Bierdopje Jan 17 '22
In addition to ski technique, please take an avalanche safety class if you go off piste. It’s really important you know which slopes limit avalanche risk, and you need to learn how the safety gear works.
And, get a shovel, a probe and a beacon. And don’t go offpiste alone.
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u/NOOBOONAE Jan 18 '22
Salomon S Pro 100 vs Salomon X Pro 110 Sport
On Black Friday I went to go try the Salomon S Pro 100 and it fit me really well. But there was no sale so I didn't buy it in the end. Recently the Salomon X Pro 110 Sport is on sale, and I was wondering if I bought the same size that fit me well for the S Pro, would it be a good fit as well.
Unfortunately actually trying it on is not an option, as its a clearance sale and theres no stock in nearby stores for me to try it, so online is the only option I have. And since its clearance, returns will not be allowed so I gotta make sure it really fits me well. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
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Jan 19 '22
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u/panderingPenguin Alpental Jan 19 '22
Don't
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Jan 19 '22
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u/panderingPenguin Alpental Jan 19 '22
Not sure if you're trolling but I suppose I'll bite: incredibly expensive, not very practical, looks idiotic. Need I say more?
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u/Lollc Snoqualmie Jan 19 '22
It's really expensive in the US, I don't think I've ever seen it worn for skiing. Like, for the price of one jacket you could buy 2 pairs of high end skis. Looks very stylish, if someone gave me a jacket I would keep it.
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u/whitestache92 Jan 14 '22
I've been skiing for 20 years. I only ski once or twice a season, so have a hard time investing in good, high quality boots that are fitted by a professional. I usually rent If skiing far from home, but I do own a pair of boots that came with my skis.
My problem is that my feet/toes are ALWAYS freezing within an hour of skiing. It could be 45° outside and my feet with still freeze. I wear one pair of thin, wool, high-quality socks, and do my best to have my boots snug but not too tight.
What am I doing wrong? I have never, ever, had comfortable feet skiing and I'm so sick of it!