realskiers

I've skied the XRC 800s about 12 times and will be skiing again tonight with my family. I've loved them. In fact they're so much fun, you can hardly bring yourself to stop skiing. Two weekends from now, we'll be heading up to the Wisconsin/Michigan border for 4 days. I may even get to try them in ankle deep powder. I know it's pathetic, but it's all relative.

Maybe it's just that it's my first time on shaped skis, but I love these skis. Although, I used a few rental shaped skis before this purchase, and those were nothing to chear about.

Armed with these high quality shaped skis and a little reading from Harold Harbs books, I'm finally able to let the skis do the work. What a joy. Obviously, I can't tell you how I look, but it finally feels like I'm floating down the hill (linking turns! lots of them!). Unfortunately, we have hills here in the mid-west not mountains.

My first impressions of these skis and of Head as a brand are two thumbs up. They're both the smoothest ride I've ever felt (no chatter, no jumpiness) and at the same time the liveliest (these skis move). The reviews talk about a speed limit on this ski. I'm sure there is, but I haven't hit it. I'm no mad bomber, but I've gone fast enough a couple times that the ski patrol suggested I act my age. Two other slight weaknesses the reviews mentioned were short turns (I've had no trouble, although these skis seem to invite long, easy, carved turns) and edge grip was a 4 out of 5. I've found that rating accurate. Although, as the ski has helped me learn to turn better, the grip has improved to where I don't slip at all on icy spots.

I'm not a good enough or experienced enough skier to give a detailed technical review that would be valuable to others. But if any true intermediates or sligtly advanced intermediates are considering a Head ski or specifically the XRC 800, I'd whole heartedly recommend them.

Thanks to everyone who helped me pick this out. I've been so busy skiing them, I haven't logged back in to say thank you.