realskiers

Great Topic and Great Commentary form Gary and Jim.

My buying habits and pattern have changed over the last few years. I think it changed when I bought my first pair of slalom skis (Head I.SL chips) and I realized how much fun they were, how they lead you to better technique, and how versatile they are as an everyday ski. When I had this ski and a powder ski, I noticed that I really only needed two skis, a slalom carver and a big pow ski. As my technique improved over the past two years I have gravitated more and more to sandwich construction skis. They just tend to perform better (more upper end performance) with superior edge hold. This was why I bought the Head SS's. They are pretty redundant with the I.SL chips, but they are definitely more ski.

After demoing lots of skis over the past several years, there really are three ski manufacturers that standout for me. I guess it has to do with feel. Head, Fischer and Elan consistently make skis that I like alot. I pretty much feel like I can buy any ski that gets a good review form Peter that is made by Head, Elan and Fischer. On the other hand, every Volkl ski that I have been on has always seemed like to much work and way too stiff. I also have never liked the feel of Atomic skis. I owned a pair of Salomon Pocket Rockets. Compared to other powder skis with sandwich construction, the Pocket Rockets just feel unsubstantial (so now I have a bias against Salomon skis which is clearly irrational because I know they make some good skis).

As for price, if I can wait I will always wait for the end of the season and pick up a deal on the skis. If I am buying Head skis, i usually will buy them frm Harald Harb. He gives reasonable deals, but I like to support what he is doing. Having said this, he is carrying less and less skis each year as they are so busy with boots and bootfitting.

Lastly, I now try to temper my enthusiasm for gear. I spoke with Scoitt (Dawgcatching) and he was raving and telling me that the new Elan Speedwaves are incredible skis. When I hear this and I have an urge to go buy them, I ask myself: where in my quiver will these fit? When and in wjat conditions will I use them. With regard to the Speedwaves i realized very quickly that I would always rather be on my SS's than the SW's. This is the same reason I have yet to pull the trigger on a pair of XRC 1200's or 1400's. In the conditions in which I would use them, I know I would rather be on my SS's. If I find something that is better than my SS's or better than my IM 88's, I most likely will buy them.

Having said all this, I am still armed and quite dangreous. I could buy two new sets tomorrow!! There really is nothing quite like some new gear!!

Which leads me to my last point. The only time that I ever feel like I would like a one ski quiver is when I go away on a trip and I would prefer not to carry two sets of skis. For the past few seasons when I go away, I bring a powder ski and a carving ski and my back keeps asking why? I probably should demo the Metron B5, or some of the other one ski quivers. I will definitely try the IM 82 and I'm inclined because of how much Micheal likes it to try the new AC4 (even though I have generally hated Volkl skis). Still, I'm not sure that I still wouldn't prefer to just lug two sets and have a ski for each condition.?

I would love to hear thoughts on this and what you guys do when you go on ski trips. JB.