Ha! My Kastles are only a couple seasons old… as sexy as those Stockli’s look - not willing to drop $1600 today
merely stopped in on their last open weekend to see if they have Kastle’s new boot… likewise if there were any screaming bargains…
AKB: sons moving from boarding to skiing, need equipment help
- Thread starter laKavosiey-st lion
- Start date
merely stopped in on their last open weekend to see if they have Kastle’s new boot… likewise if there were any screaming bargains…
Lots of this going on, what’s the shortest you’d go?
I ski on 185's. No real need to go much longer anymore. Length in the past was used for more speed, edging(turning) and stability at high speeds. Technology has now allowed that all to be done in a shorter ski. Parabolic shape allows for much easier and quicker turns, titanium metal sheets allow for more stiffness (push back on turns) and stability at high speeds (less ski chatter/vibration). I ride mostly twin tips as I like to ride switch at times as well. Most everyone that I know and ski with that are advanced expert skiers ski on 185 length. Yes I have skied and still ski with Glen Plake, Chris Benchetler and Todd Ligere etc they all are on that length. Depending on the skiers skill level beginners/intermediates should not be on 185 they should be on a much shorter ski along with something fairly skinnier under foot something like 80-85 mm. This will help them turn easier and learn to initiate the turn while gaining confidence.
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Breaking News : Head 190-214cm are their FIS-spec downhill racing skis
their WCR e-GS Rebel (pro) tops out in the 180s . And that would be like putting your 20yr old in a Ferrari
Nailed it 100%
I recognize the names you drop there as they are genuine ski cowboys/legends …
heading off to my mountain right now to ski in shorts
Absolutely... you usually can order longer ones but IMHO 99.9% of skiers don't need them, most ski shops don't stock them. Just a tiny segment of the market wants and is truly good enough to ski that length. A great race ski when at the mountain if Atomic is there for demo click into a pair of Redsters and let it rip. Like skiing on 2 cast iron I beams.... The edge control and push back from the titanium just accelerates you through the turn and why you really pick up speed coming down the mountain. Awesome feeling but scary as all get out at high speeds, you have to be on the top of your game when on them. Most weekend warrior skiers get on them and have huge problems turning. They are so stiff and I have watched numerous get to the edge of the trail and try to turn away from the woods and just go straight and launch into the woods....Breaking News : Head 190-214cm are their FIS-spec downhill racing skis
their WCR e-GS Rebel (pro) tops out in the 180s . And that would be like putting your 20yr old in a Ferrari
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I’m the king of cool threads. Counterpoint?
Skiing is the second-most exhilarating thing one could ever experience…. Even at 57 iit gives me a boner … in fact, I’m sitting at the base of my home mountain sipping a Genny Kolsch right now
Quick pic of Glen Plake and Chris Benchetler at the shop before hitting the slopes.
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You’ll need these….
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There is one and only one way to correctly buy ski boots. Go to a reputable bootfitter, tell them about your skiing level and style and then let them do their thing. That's it. Boots are the single most important piece of ski equipment, and the fit is paramount. If you are going to spend the budget to get into the sport, boots are the item to spend it on. Some might say to rent but if your kids are committed to the sport buying is fine, rental boots suck and are often uncomfortable.
You have more leeway with skis but if they are new to the sport I'd rent and demo for a while until they get a feel for the types of skis they like for the terrain they like to ski and the types of conditions that are common where they ski.
You have more leeway with skis but if they are new to the sport I'd rent and demo for a while until they get a feel for the types of skis they like for the terrain they like to ski and the types of conditions that are common where they ski.
Mid 100s seems wide to me if you only own one pair, but I know many do prefer wide skis. Mine are 96 under foot but I only get about 5-10 days per season, some planned way in advance so the conditions I get are unpredictable and I need something that can handle firm conditions to powder. If living out west and you can be a conditions snob and only ski the good days perhaps you can get away with only a wider pair. Personally I think mid 80s to mid 90s is a good all mountain size and will suffice for most conditions, except maybe the deep powder days. Also I'm not sure a 100+ size is good for a beginner that's just learning. They'll be learning to carve turns first and the wider skis aren't great at that.
The best boot is the one that fits well and matches your abilities. There is no "best" brand when it comes to boots. Let a bootfitter decide. As your sons improve in skill they'll want to get a stiffer flex boot that is less forgiving when you make the inevitable beginner mistakes. But for now with no experience they'll be in a softer boot while they learn.So I’m embracing what you’re telling me about trying a bunch of rental skis. I’m seeing boots about $800. I’m going to pay for their fittings and A+ boots and let them try a bunch of skis and buy what they like.
Cheers boys.
soooo, what’s the best boot?
What model? I scored a great deal on Kastle FX96s in 180 cm a couple of seasons ago, the year they took the metal out of them. I demo'd them once and really liked them, and when searching online for some reviews found a pair in like new condition with demo bindings for $600 shipped. Jumped on that one. I'm only 5'7" so the 180 is a tad long for my height but with the little bit of rocker the ski a bit shorter and I can generally handle them ok.
The Stockli Stormrider 95s might be the sexiest ski I've seen, if there is such a thing. They look amazing.Ha! My Kastles are only a couple seasons old… as sexy as those Stockli’s look - not willing to drop $1600 today
merely stopped in on their last open weekend to see if they have Kastle’s new boot… likewise if there were any screaming bargains…
If they are just starting out they aren't going to be skiing that terrain for a while. I'd just advise renting beginner/intermediate skis for a bit and waiting to buy the advanced skis until their skills are ready for it. Since they are experienced boarders they likely will pick up some of the basics quickly, as they understand edge control. But as the saying goes, skiing is easier to learn (vs. boarding) but can take a lifetime to master. Boarding supposedly is harder to learn but once you have the basics it's easier to progress to an advanced level.Lots of this going on, what’s the shortest you’d go?
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Agree with everything you said. The original poster said, "All mountain, bowls, hiking, fresh tracks." Hiking I took to mean the backcountry. Also, I've skied the Enforcer 104FR and the Origin 106, and while they don't carve as well as my Kendo 88s, they do well enough, especially the Nordica.
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