Reverse Camber Skis

[jbotti]

Oh and BTW, Gary you should patent the ski caddie idea. Clearly we all need one!! "Caddie, I'm thinking 9 (as in Titan 9) and when we hit the groomed I'm thinking 8 (as in RX ." JB.

[Gary]

Just love your enthusiasm JB! We can say we heard it hear first...I guess in one way it would be cool if your predication was spot on...but on the other hand, having a 3rd pair of skis..

How much do you think a ski caddy should get paid?

Now I'm really hoping Michael brings his Spats to the Beaver.....

Oh yeah..I think we should start the NSDAS CLUB...nice sound huh....

yeah, The No Sleep Dreaming About Skiing Club......

I'm in!

[jim-ratliff]

As for RadRab, I have relayed to him that his presence here is missed (and no he is not Jim Ratliff!!). Whether he wishes to resume the addiction (and let's be honest posting does have that quality at times) will be his decision. He was quite appreciative of everyone's comments.

I will have to confess that he's not me. 
1. His religion is Jewish, mine is born again Christian. 
2. He can clearly ski, has been for a while, maybe even comes from a racing background like Michael;  I can clearly barely ski and didn't learn to ski until I was comfortably past 40 and have never even been on a race course (unless you count the brushies at Harb camp).
3. He gets a little heated getting his point explained.  I make a comment, but have no desire to argue or try to change anyone's mind.

I have always wondered, however, why resorts didn't change grooming machines to use the front blade to level the snow, and then use the rear roto-tiller things to leave a 6" layer of powder on the slope.  Wouldn't it be interesting if a wave of soft snow enthusiasm allows the resorts to, in some way, reduce their grooming costs while catering to a new sect.  Instead of blue/green/black we would also have to add ?white (soft snow).

I also want to remind everyone that we all ski on reverse cambered skis all of the time; it's just that we have to supply the force to press the ski hard enough to reverse the camber from the resting ski shape.

[Barrettscv]

I also want to remind everyone that we all ski on reverse cambered skis all of the time; it's just that we have to supply the force to press the ski hard enough to reverse the camber from the resting ski shape.

I'm not sure a Metron flexes 

Michael

[jim-ratliff]

I also want to remind everyone that we all ski on reverse cambered skis all of the time; it's just that we have to supply the force to press the ski hard enough to reverse the camber from the resting ski shape.

I'm not sure a Metron flexes?

Michael

I hear you Michael.  But if it doesn't flex, will it turn??

[Barrettscv]

I reviewed HH article on powder and I'm willing to throw out a few counter points;

I lived in SLC for one winter back in the straight ski days and skiing powder on a 200cm Race stock K2 SL ski was almost impossible. I was a 180 Lbs at the time and these skis would not float and always tended to dive. This is partially due to the insufficient surface area of a narrow ski; but greater than this, the skis stiffness combined with large camber promoted terminal tip dive.

I also owned a well worn pair of 210cm metal laminate Dynamic's that were bent from mogul skiing, and these skied powder like a dream. The minimal camber, combined with the slight bend behind the tip provided good resistance to tip dive. The 210 length helped too.

Today, skinny skis are shorter and most are designed for ice & groomed runs. My Fischer WC RC (112-66-97) dives like a u-boat in knee-deep snow. The RX8 (115-66-98) is much better due to its not-just-for-racing flex pattern. But put me on a Dynastar Intuitive 74 (113-74-99) or Salomon Supermountains (110-78-100) or one of my newer wide skis ( I assume) and powder becomes a joy.

I agree that good powder skiing does not require a super-wide ski with ample surface area. Floating on powder is only one way to ski in deep snow. At 220 plus Lbs, I sink down in the snow on almost any ski, yet powder is always a joy as long as the tips stay horizontal.

I am surprised that a skinny ski is being recommended for powder. Not to show my disbelief, but HH weighs much less than many skiers and is one of the worlds most skilled. I'm not sure his experience with skinny skis in powder is universal.

Sincerely,

Michael

[Ron]

I am going to have to repsectfully agree with you on this one. From what I read, it was description of what he liked in powder skiing. I don't see anything wrong with skiing on wider skis if you enjoy skimming vs. diving and rising. Its a matter of preference to me. Skill has a lot to do with it as well as size. One of the instructors up at The Beav I have skied with for 3 seasons is about 5' 5" about 140, he skis in all terrain on his Dynastar course skis. It doesn't matter if there's 18" of powder, he skis it like it was cordoroy. That's a combination of skill (he's a level 3 instructor) and his size. I doubt that a 6' 225 pounder is going to have the same result on the same ski with a foot of freshies. HH devotee's don't get pissed, please?

[jbotti]

One of things that I have always appreciated about Harald is his tremedous skiing ability. He weighs 150 lbs when soaking wet and he skis in the stiffest boots made and in the midst of a high speed carved arc, they flex like an intermediate boot. I think that skiing in any condition is different for him than for the average skier. Still I aspire to ski like him and I aspire to learn everything that i can from him. I am just conscious of my limitations as a skier, and he has few if any.

He makes a very good point, in that you can ski in powder on the Head Super Shapes. I have done it and it is fun. It just ends up for me being a somehat different experience than being on a wider, floatier ski.

Having said all this the physics of weight in powder are real, and I am only 6 3" 190. At 220 lbs and above floating in pow requires something more.

I hope to have my Lotus 138's over the next 10 days. Michael I'm sure you will beat me to the slopes with your Spats. Can't wait for your review. JB.

[Gary]

Hey guys, having skied with Harold and crew...I can tell you that for sure he can ski most any ski in any condition...

But when the deep stuff is out, he'll scramble for his 88's.

The SS will do the job, but going wider makes the process so much sweeter in the deep stuff.

My RX8's are awesome up to boot high....at 155 lbs, can I get by in knee high..yeah but you have to be so much more aware of every move you make, you have to be very soft on the edges and just way more focus.

Jump on my 77's last year and I could just relax and enjoy the ride, less mental focus.

I think that might sum it up....do what you can to "enjoy the ride"!

Gary