Fess up...me first

[Gary]

Ok....I had the JJ's and then the Rossi S3's....and I waved my magic wand and blended the two...

Now I haven't tested the bi-product or like the movie Splinter, the new breed....but I am axiously awaiting the arrival of my new bright shinny yellow DPS 112rp Hybrids.

I've been looking for something wider than the S3's 98 underfoot, but a ski that could be put up on edge and be stable, not have flappy shovels and have some tail support. Have I found the right ski.... Ron demoed it and was blown away by it's stabilty, playfulness, turnability and float. Other reviews I've seen seem to support his comments.

In the past, the skis sell out of production before seasons end. I figure if they don't do what I want....they go bye bye.
So what was I looking for the S3's didn't provide? 

More float in crud and broken snow with less deflection.
Quicker underfoot.....the S3 has a 22m turning radius and the same length in the DPS112 is 16m. This is great for slurrying the skis through tight lines...one thing I loved about the JJ's.

So have I got my 2 perfect ski combo...the Kastle 78's and the DPS 112's...more on that to come.
I'm pretty sure I'm going to order the Marker Griffon 12 Schizo. This gives me the ability to move the binding 3cm fore or aft...we hate re-drilling.

AH yes...fun fun fun!
So..."what's NOT in your wallet"?

Best, G

[jbotti]

Gary, it's not that I don't think the Schizos are good bindings but 3mm either way really is nothing. I personally think it is a design flaw. If you want to give people felxibility give them at least 1 cm each way. I have the same issue with my Shamans. I drilled them for my Raptors (313mm BSL) and now I am in the dodges at 305mm. This means instead of on the line I am 1 cm in front of it and you can really feel the difference. I am replacing the Dukes that I have on them with either a Railflex Demmo binding (super easy to adjust and you can get 2cm or more in each direction) or the new Head Power Rails (I have the binding but haven't found a 110-115mm wide break yet). If you want to stick with Marker, put the Jester or Griffon demo bindings on (whihc are really nice adjustable bindinsg and about as light at the non adjustable ones). This will give the same amount of adjustability as the Head demo bindings. The ability to play with the mount position is so key on a Powder ski. Whose to say 1cm back is right, you may love 2cm even more. Again 3mm is hardly enough to even notice. Friends don't let friends use schizos for mount flexibility!!

[jim-ratliff]

John:

I'm pretty sure that Gary's number is correct, that the adjustment of the Schizo's IS 3 centimeter's each way, not millimeters.  See below from the Marker web page.

However, even having said that I love and prefer the Head Power Rails on my SkiLogik's; but the guy did have to order the wider brakes from the distributor.
In fact, I'm planning on removing the RailFlex plate from my older Watea 84's and putting on a Power Rail plate so I can take two pair of skis (but only one binding) on western trips this winter.

I would change the plate on my SuperShape's as well, but my understanding is that the drill pattern for the Power Rail is the same as the Rail Flex but different from the carving plates such as the Free Flex.




==========================
THE GRIFFON SCHIZO 12ROYAL FAMILYWhatever you desire, the Schizo is by your side. 60 mm of travel allow to adjust the perfect binding position for every condition within a minute. In need for a more backward position in powder or perfectly centered in the pipe? You got it; right here and now. The Schizo comes with Triple Pivot Elite Toe and Inter-Pivot Heel, providing a stunning performance in every condition. Recommended for skis over 76mm, available with 90 and 110 mm brakes.

[Gary]

Hey guys...so good to be talking skis and stuff again.

JB...it is 3cm which is 1.18 inch. Typically in the past, I seem to be that guy that needs skis mounted about 3/4 to 1 inch forward and as we know...that making a HUGE difference. I do however like the idea of the demo bindings...I will look into that..Ron just made the same suggestion to me this morning on the phone.

Jim....I too have loved the rail flex...my only concern is that like my Kastle 78's...I use the Griffon flat mounted without any riser or interface...and Love them. With my S3's....same thing. I've also believed on the wider skis that to touchy pressure to the edges can make the ski twitchy in pow...just somehting that fits the way I ski.

Bindings are of great importance to ski performance...they help put the power to the edges. As I've stated before I think more skiers SHOULD experiment with binding locations as the impact can be far greater than they think.....a slow responding clunky ski can all of a sudden be exact and precise.

Got my first trip planned guys...heading to Park City Dec 8-14th if anyone plans on being out there.

Best, G

[LivingProof]

So, G jumps in and changes his quiver for the '12 season and without a demo experience. It would have been a bigger surprise if he chose to hold the existing quiver, and, yes - the thrill associated with having a new ski to try out is addictive. Have a great experience on them my friend!

I saw the DPS skis several times at the Gathering last year and skied a run behind someone who was using them. Judgmental person that I am, the person I skied with had some flawed technique and just steered them. I would like to follow Gary and see them perform as his skills are advance. They are unique and it's a leap of faith for a traditional ski proponent to think they will perform. I'm very much looking to read the December actual skiing experience on them. FWIW, if I did all the western trips that Ron and Gary do, I'd have demo'ing them high on my priority list.

So, personally, I'm sitting on the fence about getting a soft snow ski for next year. I want one, I don't need one.

It's looking probable that in early Dec., the tennis diva and I will be in Key West, so I'll be with ya, G, in spirit only.

When was the last winter that you did not get a new ski?

[Svend]

When was the last winter that you did not get a new ski?

LP -- that would be the year before he clicked into his first-ever pair of skis.  In other words.....a very, very long time ago! In the days of cable bindings, surely. 

Gary - congrats on the new skis.  How the bright yellow top sheets will colour-coordinate with your blue-green ski outfit will be up to the runway judges to decide.  Sun glasses de rigeur, even on a cloudy day.   

Cheers, and enjoy the boards.  They do look awesome.  Hope I'm there when you take 'em on their inaugural run.

[Gary]

Am I an impulsive twit...Looking for that perfect 2 ski quivver, year after year after year..just maybe....but I having made the transition to wider skis through the years with Head, Fischer, the JJ's and now the Rossi...I had a pretty good sense of what I like in these skis...Knowing full well I've made some blunders along the way but WISDOM does not come cheap. Still, no regrets and lots of fun. OH yeah Svend, there were never cable bindings...thank goodness...
I skied with Svend at Sunshine this past season and I wanted to point out to him how a 22m turning radius on a rockered ski could be carved on groomed snow from short to long turns. . I'm expecting no less from the DPS...praying that is. I have however spoke with skiers I respect who have spent time on the DPS, know me and how I ski and they too said...it's right on....praying that is.

So Svend will be there with me for the maiden voyage in Park City...wish you could make it Mike..but Key West is kinda tuff to say no to...the Vitamin D is great there! 

As far as the bright yellow....for sure there are certain frozen things that WILL NOT show up on the tops skins.... whew!
My colors are starting to make me look like an Easter Basket...but hey...those squishy little candy yellow ducks with the blue easter eggs and green easter grass...brings a smile to my face.

Can't wait to share a review of the DPS 112 rp....gonna be a fun one...I pray!
Best, G

[bushwacka]

So, G jumps in and changes his quiver for the '12 season and without a demo experience. It would have been a bigger surprise if he chose to hold the existing quiver, and, yes - the thrill associated with having a new ski to try out is addictive. Have a great experience on them my friend!

I saw the DPS skis several times at the Gathering last year and skied a run behind someone who was using them. Judgmental person that I am, the person I skied with had some flawed technique and just steered them. I would like to follow Gary and see them perform as his skills are advance. They are unique and it's a leap of faith for a traditional ski proponent to think they will perform. I'm very much looking to read the December actual skiing experience on them. FWIW, if I did all the western trips that Ron and Gary do, I'd have demo'ing them high on my priority list.

So, personally, I'm sitting on the fence about getting a soft snow ski for next year. I want one, I don't need one.

It's looking probable that in early Dec., the tennis diva and I will be in Key West, so I'll be with ya, G, in spirit only.

When was the last winter that you did not get a new ski?

nothing wrong with steering, as I have said many times before. If you lack the skills to steer skis and there for can not ski truly tough terrain. Ill stop saying that when someone shows me carved off piste skiing that is in more control than me steering.

The RP112 is potentially one of hte best off trail skis ever made. Its does tons of stuff well and someone's grandma could ski them on 12 inches of powder and rip on them, but the mega expert will still very much get it. IMO due to its really tight radius its much more of eastern/ tight place ski than for ripping up open bowls where it does get unstable especially in crud.

[midwif]

nothing wrong with steering, as I have said many times before. If you lack the skills to steer skis and there for can not ski truly tough terrain. Ill stop saying that when someone shows me carved off piste skiing that is in more control than me steering.

QUICK!! Someone show this man some video of HH ripping on the offpiste with nary a steer to be seen!!

Okay, BW, it's true that not many can ski at the level of a former WC skier like HH.
 And I wonder what your definition of steering is. Sometimes different groups have differing definitions for the same word.
I am sure that I would envy your ski skills. And I know I resort to steering when feeling endangered. But I aspire to ski without ANY wedging.

L.

[bushwacka]

I do not mince words.

where I ski everyone needs to steer. Jimmy Cocharan who is a WC skier steers when he skis where I ski.

Harold harb.....

I just wanted to point out that you brought him up. It does me no good to bring up the name of someone who can do no wrong in the eyes of everyone on this board.  Trust me he did want his name brought into this and your also comparing a pretty old guy to an ultra fit, fairly skilled 27 year old. It really is not a fair comparison for either of us.

Harold Harb would never put himself in a position to be anything less than GOD like on ski, him skiing with me on my home tuff would be just that.

the first thing I would do is hike him up and ski him down this.



45 degrees, exposed one fall can kill you. literally. I would love to see anyone ski Hourglass with out steering or skidding. I have seen US ski teamers ski it, and they steer, pivot, skid all the ways down it, just more fluid and more in the fall line than most. First time I posted this picture everyone on this board said it was too extreme and beyond their skill. Is it beyond their skill because they listen to a man who thinks that noone should steer?

so if really want to bring him into I would say make some effort and get him out at stowe. He has nothing to prove, except that he is right to every PSIA person on the planet or does he have everything to prove?

[midwif]

Yo guy
Cool it down!
Many here have never taken any of HH's classes/lessons.
This is NOT the PMTS forum.
And it's fine to have your own opinions about ski technique.

Civility is the operative word here. I know you like to stir things up. You got them going good on Epic.
This forum is too small for it though. And probably too old. We'll all just roll our eyes. Been thru the young adult years already with our own. Most of us have learned, wait  and eventually they grow out of it.

And you are right, HH probably wouldn't want to do that run. He's recovering from having his achilles reattached to his body. And has one knee that is pretty shot.

Since I am 55 and have enough arthritis  and old injuries already, I am happy to say I don't even aspire to the run you have posted.
But I am looking forward to improving each year. Never stop learning.

Hope your summer is going well and really enjoy your mountain biking thoughts.
Lynn

[jim-ratliff]

Lynn:

??  As Josh said, you are the one that brought up Harald. Prior to that, Living Proof had stated his thoughts on someone he watched skiing, and Buswacka stated his. Pretty simple.

"Someone show this man some video of Harald?"  Come on now.     I'm sure Bushwacka already has all of Harald's CD's. 

It almost sounds like you were baiting the young man (successfully) hoping to stir things up?  His viewpoint on PMTS isn't a surprise. He should be allowed that viewpoint. Harald is successful enough that you don't need to defend him? As you said, this isn't Epic or PMTS.

[midwif]

Mea Culpa Josh!

No baiting intended. Tongue in cheek only!
And Josh is right.....no way I would do that run!

L.

[LivingProof]

nothing wrong with steering, as I have said many times before.

And I wonder what your definition of steering is. Sometimes different groups have differing definitions for the same word.
L.

Josh,
Would you be willing to offer up your thoughts on what is steering? Is it the same as the PSIA "rotary" skill? How would you coach a student to "steer"?

FWIW, I freely admit that when I get into more difficult terrain, I make a twisting motion that pushes the tails of my skiis uphill and the resulting turn is far more skidded than turned. One afternoon at the Gathering, I skied Independence Bowl at Breck with some fellow PMTS'ers and we all agreed that our technique changes on steeper terrain.
Same is true on the "Pali" area of A-basin. Call the turn a "survival" technique if you will, but, I just can't get my body forward and over the skis.

When my ski season begins, I have two specific areas that I would like to spend development time on improving. First is for-aft balance as I'm always too far in the back seat, and, second, is to re-explore Harb's concept of the "float" phase of a turn where the ski's are flat and try using that concept in difficult terrain, including bumps.

Josh's thoughts on the DPS as a tight turning, non-ripping ski are not what I would have predicted, but, seem to make sense after thinking about it. It will make G's review of interest, because G generally goes at higher speeds closer to GS style turns. Also of interest is Josh's thought that the DPS could be used by "low skill" skiers to ski powder easily. My sole observational run following a DPS user is that the individual had very low technique levels and just twisted them down on a blue level run.

In my world, how you ski counts, not just how fast or how steep. It's depressing riding a chair and observing how few people try to ski well. I actually get excited watching someone come down that I want to emulate using speed, technique and control, regardless of the school of technique they believe in. Same is true when I play golf, I can learn so much watching a really good swing. Harald's last video is a great example of learning by watching as it's technical component is minimal.

Regardless of individual thoughts about PMTS, or it's creator, skiing needs more instructional material. Everyone wants to be a critic, but, very few have the talent, dedication and resources put put a system together.

[Gary]

Thanks for the support on the DPS 112rps...I think it's going to be a blast to ski!
As far as turn technique all that know me here and have skied with or even discussed ski skills with me know I have an open mind regarding all technique including steering, PMTS, PSIA, Clendenin, wedging, smearing...whatever it takes to tackle the difficult narly nasty rutted terrain.
I'm not into hiking terrain like that shown but I do like Powder Cat skiing, Heli skiing, and Resort skiing....still I believe there's a time and place for everything and yes for me, certain pow and rockered skis can be carved using tip and turn, free foot back, tip and tuck and so on and so on technique to make those pretty carved turns. But controlled steering is A TOOL that will be used as terrain dictates even in bounds resort skiing given certain snow conditions. To me controlled steering is when you direct your skis with your feet, knees and hips through a quick twist, push, smear, float or muscular motion that is not defined as a  "technically carved" direction change. Skiing pretty is a goal of many of us but skiing a run where you ski it and it doesn't ski you is always been my goal.
My hats off to those guys like BW that have the inclination to ski lines like those depicted. They have a variety of tools they use and love the rush. It's just not my cup of tea and knowing yourself and how and what you like to ski, where you like to ski is a wonderful thing...but keeping an open mind to the athleticism it requires to ski in control in the nasty and narley...it's all about respect gang and that goes both ways.
Best, G