Message #17324

[LivingProof]

I skied the last two days at my local hill (Berkshire East)...I saw no one on truly fat skis.

In the shop I work in, I'd say a good 85% of all our Adult ski sales are 75-85 carving oriented mid fat skis.  The Avenger 82ti, and it's narrower sibling the Avenger 76ti typify the sort of skis we move the most.  Most of our customers buy one ski and that is the only ski they own.

I think in spite of ski forum buzz, most people buy one ski, and that ski is frontside worthy and runs 75-85mm in the waist...and for most of these buyers, these are the right ski.

Now, here's the question, is buying an even narrower of a ski (less than 72mm) for hard snow skiing periods any less of a marketing hype decision than buying a wide ski for soft snow?  Most skiers will be happier, even on groomers with a ski btw 75-80mm.   Getting a skinnier ski for hard snow days might be a good decision, but no different than buying a fat ski for deeper days.

I skied my Dynastar Contact 4x4's both days this week, they were sot on the right ski for me, I didn't want anything skinnier...or fatter.

I believe Liam's observations are reflective of what is going on in eastern skiing. Bottom line is we all need a ski that serves as a daily driver. In the east, that has to be a ski with hard snow competency.

My generalization behind the love for skis between 75 and 85 is the perception is that there is some percieved "all-mountain" value (I can hear Helluvaskier puking), plus, some non-love for very narrow waist as they are out of vogue. Perhaps some thinking that a wider ski is more stable at speed, coupled with the wider radius turns as observed from viewing on the lifts. As Liam observed, one ski quivers rule. What I've not heard, generally, is that a SL-type narrow ski provides value on the hardest surfaces.
Certainly, and leaving the generalization, knowledgeable skiers know the performance window they want. Observe Gary ripping GS turns on his 78's at Bristol.

Just an opinion, but, narrow sub 70 skis appeal to those who value short radius turns, akin to form following function. Observe LP raising his hand.

None of the above is new, sure is not rocket science in the east. Pardon the rehash. I just get frustrated seeing ga-ga reviews of how fat skis rock and carve, then, all is quiet when the snow does not fall . The sounds of silence...