What you look for in a Ski

gogocmcg

gogocmcg

Member
It seems like there have been tons of small ski companies popping up, each trying to carve out a piece of the market. I was wondering how you choose what ski to but for next season, is it all about a brand you like, the design of the graphics or the build quality? How does cost factor into this? how much is too much for a set of skis? I think some companies build skis our of exotic material just so they can charge an arm and a leg. I guess the same could apply for all ski equipment so let the comment fly!
 
alot of it depends on reputation, for instance the past two years salomon suspects and threats seem to completely fall apart for most people. Also people seem to have trouble with the edges falling off of boone skis. So i usually buy things that have a good reputation especially when companies have been making a ski for a couple of years and people seem to like it.just read reviews, but i would say durability is the main thing that i would look for in a ski.
 
is that really all we look for in a set of skis? Cheap ones that pros like? no one looks at the construction of the ski? What about design how does that effect your decision?

For me buying a new set of skis in an adventure, I do the research, I look at the construction to make sure the ski won't snap when I'm bombing down the hill.
 
you obviously are new to ns. welcome to the style capitol of the internet, where no one cares how things perform and only how it looks or who rides it. or everyone is just gonna give you ridiculous answers, like they are now.

personally, i look for the best value that satisfies my needs, plus i ski as many skis as possible, so i have a better feel for what im diving into.
 
So, if I am reading this correctly, the most important thing in deciding on a new set of skis is the look. Because of the nature of skiers, who all want to be cooler then the guy next to them in the lift line. The ski needs to preform well, and be liked be pros. What I wonder is how important brand is? Or does that just guide skiers to where the best designs are?

Also, what is the average price you would pay for a pair of skis? for around 500 bucks I should be able to get a good pair of skis right?
 
1. good reviews for the types of snow i ride

2. flex- i like a stiffer ski that i can ride all mountain with and not have to worry about crud and bad snow conditions

3. sidewall construction

4. graphics
 
i enjoy a ski that is around at least 85 under foot, around 169 cm, with very little rocker in case i feel like hitting powder on a good day, light weight good reviews, the graphic not so much good solid construction with tappered edges. and i refuse to ride a ski with carbon fiber in the core because of an issue i had. pretty much what i look for is mystical one ski quiver one of the best skis i found for it are line blends and seth pistols, line 100 profit, and some skis that were designed buy some guy at steam boat i think he called them the helions or something like that.
 
yea i agree we all need at least 85 under the foot but that seems like a pretty short ski. What kinds of problems have you had with carbon fiber in the base? I think that the flex pattern is the most important part when buying a new set, but not many people take the time to look at diffrent ones because it is the boring technical part behind of the exciting graphic skins
 
i want a super soft, buttery ski, because in the midwest, that slays everything, no powder here. also, it has to be narrow and light, and obviously get good reviews.
 
so other than technical specs. As long as the ski is reviewed well and fits your skiing style your good? What about buying a ski online has anyone ever done this. I don't know why but I have only gotten skis from stores where I can see it and take it home. I know that I'm probably paying way more but it's worth it to me to see what I am buying before I buy it.Also, who do you think are the most respected venues that review skis. Are they all pros or do you read review in magazines and on the web as well?

 
soft as shit, fat, tons of sidecut. i.e. elizabeth

yes they are $600, but durable as shit

warranty is the shit

line skis is the shit

stiff skis w/ no sidecut are bland and boring
 
never ridden the elizabeths, but i have never liked my invaders, so slow, too soft, and really not too much pop id say
 
park skis

length-179-185 i am tall i like alot of ski

flex...i like a very soft flex preferably a ski with a hinge point for a consitant flex everytime, very buttery

waist-i like around 85-90 underfoot for my park ski

camber-i like a ski with little to no camber, i have not tried a rockered park ski yet but they sound fun

weight-ski that is light weight is preferable

vertical sidewall-vertical sidewall usually flex better and feel more comfortable going fast for me and keeps the ski a little stiffer on edge

price-mid 300s for my park ski if i pay over 400 bucks i just ripped my self off

look-grafic is important, i have to like the graphic on the ski but it isnt that important becasue you can always get a skin to put on top.

side cut-symetrical side cut with centermount location, skis like the da nollie, wall exct ski much better center mounted than something like the cronic.

all mountain ski

length 185-190 region

flex-medium even flex stiffer in tail

waist- around 95-100 underfoot

camber-i like my all mountain skis to be able to hold an edge so camber is important, not to much camber but i would never buy a reverse camber or no camber all mountain ski

weight-light..but haviing a little weight to a all mountain carver ski i like because it gives me assurance when i am boming and i would like to imagine that more weight=more solid ski

vertical side wall

price around 400-500 dollars for a good all mountain ski is esily obtainable on evo.gear or backcountry.com...people dont like to support these online shops but would rather go with a local company..but i have experienced much better pricing and customer service from these sites than from my local shop

look-again if you dont like the graphic you can always put a skin on it

powder ski

length 185-190

flex-soft flex all the way through

same goes around the other categories

price-around 500-600 dollars for a good powder ski new

i hope this helps and bump
 
construction(core type, cap/sidewall, ect)

lengths(pow need to be 189+, park 181+)

dimensions

rocker

flex

price

not in that order
 
Wide ski with a soft flex and a tight turn radius. Park ski around 175 cm and powder ski around 185 cm with a lot of rocker.
It saddens me how rare these kinds of skis are. I've got Elizabeths and EP Pros, but the Elizabeth is pretty much the only ski in it's category.
 
I want a ski like this so bad but can't seem to find it
100-110 underfootLots of rockerPark orientated Around 176-180 lengthSoft to medium flex
If you know of a ski like this. Tell me
 
Why lots of rocker for park?
If you forget the rocker, Line Elizabeth is what you're looking for. If you really want a rockered fat park ski, 10/11 Sir Francis Bacon.
 
I want a park ski that will perform well in pow. Pretty much like a skinnier EP pro or hellbent. I don't hit big jumps so i don't really need a stiffer ski.
 
I'm 5'10"-11", 150lbs.

Park:

- 180-185cm.

- Stiff enough to support big landings.

- Light enough to swing around.

- Sidewall preferred

- Very poppy with lots of energy.

All-mountain:

- 185cm or so.

- 95mm or so minimum.

- Stiff as hell, I don't like being thrown around.

- Twin.

- Rockered or not, as long as it can handle all types of snow.

- Long radius, I like around 30m.

- Ease of throwing tricks off of moguls and whatnot. (Close to center mount, lighter)

Powder:

- 190-195cm.

- Lots of rocker, or not, depending on the ski. Generally rocker, though.

- Stiff.

- Stiffer in the tail still.

- Easy to swing around in tight trees (I ski a lot)

- 110mm+.

- Ability to carve back to the chair.
 
in park...thin waist to slide rails...people say the wider waist is so much better for bigger jumps but i dont really feel a difference since my invaders are 83 and i have ridden up to 90....but on rails i can tell a slimmer waist slides wayyyyyyy better
 
I don't really have a waist or stiffness preference. I've ridden both Anthems and Chronics over the last season, and have had massive fun on both. So instead, I've taken the time to learn about the materials used, and based my choice in that. It is something I recommend everyone does, so you can get the ski that is perfect for what you do.

So, as a 95% park rider, my ideal ski has:

UHMW Sidewalls

>2.2mm full wrap edges

Extruded or Graphite-spun base

Aspen or Maple core

Fully symmetrical

Symmetrical Flex
 
The thing I most enjoyed most about the Suspects was that the process of uninstalling the edges was quick and easy
 
I like a super stiff ski for parkLike 172-178Average turn radiusGraphics really don't matter The most important thing for me is durability though.
 
all mountain:

width - 98-110mm

length 174-178cm

good enough side cut to carve well on piste

a stiffer ski, to let me back seat some cliff landings into pow

the pop doesnt matter too much to me

park

soft flex

playful

lots of pop
 
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