Urgent: Ski recommendation (on sale have to make decision)

[otijeff]

Hi all. Thank you for your previous ski recommendations. I've been doing a lot of reading and looking.? I'm 5' 10" 190 lbs. (lost a little weight, I know I need to loss more), 47 y.o. male. I'm an intermediate who does some carving and some sliding of turns. Old style turn initiator.? I have a chance to buy a couple of skis that sounded good on paper, locally at a great price. I'd prefer to get skis locally if possible. What are your thoughts on Rossignal Zenith Z3 with bindings $399.00, Blizzard IQON 7200 IQ with bindings $545.00, Head IXC 800 with bindings $425.00 (not rated so great for short turn raduis), Head IXC 300 with bindings $350.00 (rated higher than 800 in skipressworld ski test).

Any of those sound like a really good fit for me?

[jbotti]

The XRC 800 is a wonderful ski for an improving intermediate skier who aspires to carve and improve in the basic skiing fundamentals. It is Harald Harbs ski of choice for intermediate skiers, along with the Head Super Shape which is certainly less forgiving. The turn radius on this ski at 170 cm length is 13.3 m which makes it a just a little wider than most slalom skis. This ski will hold well in most hard conditions and can be taken into some powder, crud and chop and hold up acceptably.

Of the ones you mentioned, this would be my pick but I must admit that I really don't know the Blizzard ski.

The $425 price is good for a local shop. You can get them at Level Nine Sports for $309 with an LD 12 binding or $199 flat. I have done business with Level Nine and they are solid. For the extra $116 you get a local shop that you can bring the skis to in case you have a problem. Odds are you won't (level Nine will set your bindings and they are railflex bindings which are ultra easy to adjust) and if you do, it most likely won't cost you $116 (probably more like $30).

Here is the link in case you care: http://levelninesports.com/head-2006-ixrc-railflex-skis-170cm-p-874.html

[jim-ratliff]

I still believe the XRC800 is an excellent choice (agree with JB).  XRC300 (other review notwithstanding) is a ski that you will outgrow quickly.  Based on reading Peter's review of the Zenith Z3, I would say the same thing about it (not quite enough ski).

I didn't find the Blizzard in his reviews, which usually means that they are a low level or rental model.  Go with the XRC800.

[otijeff]

THanks guys. This is the second round of discussions where the xrc 800 was well recommended. I guess my hesitation was that I couldn't find many reviews and I wondered if it had enough edge hold for our Midwest Hard pack (read Midwest Hillside skating rinks!). Especially with the recent warming trends - we melt all day and freeze to ice at night.

I'll go ahead and get the 170 that is still left at the local shop. It's a good price. Although, I was also debating 165 vs 170. I think my height (5'10" calls for 165), but my weight could use the 170.

[jim-ratliff]

170 will be fine.

[otijeff]

Turns out when I went back to the shop that the XRC 800's are the 05-06 models with a tyrolia binding for $408.00 with binding. Should I shop around for an 06-07 model or go for this?

[jim-ratliff]

Go for it.? There's very little (if any) difference in the XRC800's year to year (unless you want to take JBotti's recommendation and go through Level 9).? Since they are last years model, maybe your local shop will include installation (which even I could do in 5 minutes), setting and checking the bindings and an initial wax job.? If you factor that in and consider shipping from Level 9 (usually not included in web prices) then the difference gets smaller.

[otijeff]

I bought the '06 iXRC 800s (170s) over a pair of K2 Apache Crossfires (167s). I've never skied K2s before. I've skied a few other Head skis and liked them. I just hope this is forgiving enough for me. I haven't skied much lately and I'm not sure exactly what my level is.

[otijeff]

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.

[jim-ratliff]

Good job.  I think that's a pretty good review for the level of skier looking at the XRC800.  Sounds a lot like raves.  It's pretty much the same way I felt with my first pair of Heads, the iC160 (and the i.SL chips that I have now are even better).

Anyway, glad your happy with the selection.

Jim