Are you happy with your "specialty" ski purchase?

severine · Mar 19, 2008, 4:37 PM

I like my specialty skis even though I don't use them for their intended purpose. My Dynastar Marie Martinod Pro TTs rock, even if they're a park and pipe ski (for which I have never used them). Great confidence building, awesome getting through crud and fresh manmade (never got to try them in powder, though). I took a chance in trying them as an "all-mountain" and the gamble paid off. The only thing I've found they don't do as well on is hardpack/ice (which is why I just added the Roxy Joyrider to my now 2-ski quiver). Yeah, I've skied them on hardpack anyway and lived to tell the tale. But it's not as fun as it could be with a better gripping ski.

Nobody "needs" even one pair of skis, if you want to get technical.

Variety is the spice of life though, n'est-ce pas?

riverc0il · Mar 19, 2008, 4:54 PM

Let me clarify my statement as "most skiers really only need a one ski do it all quiver" was painting the brush too broadly and too factual when taken literally (I would much rather offer my opinion than try to speak factually on this matter!!). I think the point drjeff was trying to make (correct me if I am wrong) and that I was echoing is that most skiers really are not going to notice or take advantage of the performance difference and would be better off one a one ski quiver with 10 more lessons during a season than spending the money on a new set of skis. Even some skiers that could tell the difference in performance may not get their monies worth. That said, there most definitely is a point at which specialized skis for certain conditions improve performance and enjoyment in those conditions and at that point, it becomes a financial issue of whether the specialization for a limited number of days is worth while. Someone only skiing powder once or twice a year may not see the financial value in a big powder board over a 80ish mid-fat. The financial point of worth whileness will be different for every skier depending on their desires, performance needs, and finances.

GrilledSteezeSandwich · Mar 19, 2008, 4:59 PM

Powder skis are awesome in crud and deep sugar granuler chop as well..they're not just effective in deep powder.*

Hawkshot99 · Mar 19, 2008, 7:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skifastr

At the risk of being contrarian I still just dont get the need for a "quiver" of skis.
................
[edit: I guess a sub-point would be, does one really need a quiver skis, or do we just like our toys. yeah, I thought so

]

Do I NEED them? No, I could be happy on a rental ski, just getting out there. But I love haveing my quiver. There is more to it than just having lots of skis. They each do something for me that I really enjoy. Whether it be floating down a powder trail on the wide skis, or tearing up a high speed groomer on the race skis, or throwing mad steezy airs on my twin tips.

It is like why do some guys collect cars? They can only drive one, and there is usully always overlap in their "car quiver".

deadheadskier · Mar 19, 2008, 9:28 PM

I can definitely see how joe average skier might not think it makes financial sense in buying new skis. I guess with me, the quiver is something I've built over time. I got new skis (all mountain) this winter for the first time since 2003. In doing so, my old all mountain are now defacto bump skis, they've softened too much for skiing crud and carving at higher speeds, but still are fantastic in bumps. My powder boards were purchased in 2000 and despite having 150 days on them, still ski great - easily the most durable skis I've ever owned.

Next season, I'll get a set of groomer/race skis as nothing I have right now really nails those conditions like I'd like. That said, the skis I purchase will probably be a new 05-06 or 06-07 model that I find for cheap.

The average joe probably doesn't think its worth the money to have multiple styles of skis. That said, the same person often spends $800+ on their skis. I'd rather search for deals and get two sets for that amount if not for cheaper. An example would be this weekend at Saddleback I saw the exact same ski/binding set up I've got on 'sale' for $740. I paid $325.

As with everything though, different strokes for different folks. To each their own.

Hawkshot99 · Mar 19, 2008, 9:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deadheadskier

An example would be this weekend at Saddleback I saw the exact same ski/binding set up I've got on 'sale' for $740. I paid $325.

Don't you have B2's? I don't care what binding you have, there should be no way that they are that expensive "on sale"

deadheadskier · Mar 19, 2008, 9:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hawkshot99

Don't you have B2's? I don't care what binding you have, there should be no way that they are that expensive "on sale"

Indeed I do. Granted this was in the shop in the lodge, but yeah they had the same Axial bindings as mine. List price for the skis $720, bindings $220. Package sale for it was either $720 or $740. Last years model just like mine.

Oddly, I still come across some B2's for $300+ flat on ebay, which even at that I think is kind of a rip off

http://cgi.ebay.com/Rossignol-Bandit...QQcmdZViewItem

tekweezle · Mar 20, 2008, 9:18 AM

as you get more "into" skiing, you want to have the "right tool for the job" atleast for that particular day. you could use a hammer to try and fix everything but would you?

i do agree with the statement that improving skills could help you tackle any condition on the mountain. But sometimes, you don;t want to work so hard. having a better tool for the job increases the fun factor on the mountain.

in spring conditions, everyone ought to have a pair of rock skis.

so for me, i got a pair of shortish, narrowish eastern ice skis and a pair of wider at the waist crud busting skis for out west. i could ski my east coast skis out west and west coast skis out east and actually, i have but results would be mixed.

**Greg** · Mar 20, 2008, 9:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tekweezle

as you get more "into" skiing, you want to have the "right tool for the job" atleast for that particular day. you could use a hammer to try and fix everything but would you?

i do agree with the statement that improving skills could help you tackle any condition on the mountain. But sometimes, you don;t want to work so hard. having a better tool for the job increases the fun factor on the mountain.

in spring conditions, everyone ought to have a pair of rock skis.

I agree with all of this except your last sentence. All skis are rock skis.

severine · Mar 20, 2008, 9:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greg

I agree with all of this except your last sentence. All skis are rock skis.

Or at least, rock skis in training until they officially become rock skis.

Mar 19, 2008, 4:37 PM	#31 (permalink)
severine Arapahoe Basin Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: CT Posts: 2,895	I like my specialty skis even though I don't use them for their intended purpose. My Dynastar Marie Martinod Pro TTs rock, even if they're a park and pipe ski (for which I have never used them). Great confidence building, awesome getting through crud and fresh manmade (never got to try them in powder, though). I took a chance in trying them as an "all-mountain" and the gamble paid off. The only thing I've found they don't do as well on is hardpack/ice (which is why I just added the Roxy Joyrider to my now 2-ski quiver). Yeah, I've skied them on hardpack anyway and lived to tell the tale. But it's not as fun as it could be with a better gripping ski. Nobody "needs" even one pair of skis, if you want to get technical. Variety is the spice of life though, n'est-ce pas? __________________ Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened. ~ Dr. Seuss 2007-2008 ~ 20 2005-2006 ~ 2 2004 ~ 18 It is not easy to find happiness in ourselves, and it is not possible to find it elsewhere. ~Agnes Repplier

Mar 19, 2008, 4:54 PM	#32 (permalink)
riverc0il Ari Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Ashland, NH Posts: 6,506	Let me clarify my statement as "most skiers really only need a one ski do it all quiver" was painting the brush too broadly and too factual when taken literally (I would much rather offer my opinion than try to speak factually on this matter!!). I think the point drjeff was trying to make (correct me if I am wrong) and that I was echoing is that most skiers really are not going to notice or take advantage of the performance difference and would be better off one a one ski quiver with 10 more lessons during a season than spending the money on a new set of skis. Even some skiers that could tell the difference in performance may not get their monies worth. That said, there most definitely is a point at which specialized skis for certain conditions improve performance and enjoyment in those conditions and at that point, it becomes a financial issue of whether the specialization for a limited number of days is worth while. Someone only skiing powder once or twice a year may not see the financial value in a big powder board over a 80ish mid-fat. The financial point of worth whileness will be different for every skier depending on their desires, performance needs, and finances. __________________ -Steve TheSnowWay.com featuring Big Jay Coverage "Skiing is not a sport, it is a way of life." - Otto Schniebs 52

Mar 19, 2008, 9:28 PM	#35 (permalink)
deadheadskier Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Southeast NH Posts: 2,730	I can definitely see how joe average skier might not think it makes financial sense in buying new skis. I guess with me, the quiver is something I've built over time. I got new skis (all mountain) this winter for the first time since 2003. In doing so, my old all mountain are now defacto bump skis, they've softened too much for skiing crud and carving at higher speeds, but still are fantastic in bumps. My powder boards were purchased in 2000 and despite having 150 days on them, still ski great - easily the most durable skis I've ever owned. Next season, I'll get a set of groomer/race skis as nothing I have right now really nails those conditions like I'd like. That said, the skis I purchase will probably be a new 05-06 or 06-07 model that I find for cheap. The average joe probably doesn't think its worth the money to have multiple styles of skis. That said, the same person often spends $800+ on their skis. I'd rather search for deals and get two sets for that amount if not for cheaper. An example would be this weekend at Saddleback I saw the exact same ski/binding set up I've got on 'sale' for $740. I paid $325. As with everything though, different strokes for different folks. To each their own. __________________ Sunday River: 11/18, 11/24, 4/27 Shawnee Peak: 12/16, 2/24, 2/27, 3/2, 3/22, 3/30 Mt. Abram: 1/5, 2/9 Wildcat: 1/6, 1/27, 2/10, 2/17, 4/13 Black Mountain, NH: 2/23, 3/1 Saddleback, ME: 3.15 Sunapee: 4/19 http://www.aceskiandboardclub.org/

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Mar 19, 2008, 4:59 PM	#33 (permalink)
GrilledSteezeSandwich Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 5,469	Powder skis are awesome in crud and deep sugar granuler chop as well..they're not just effective in deep powder.*

Mar 20, 2008, 9:18 AM	#38 (permalink)
tekweezle Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 377	as you get more "into" skiing, you want to have the "right tool for the job" atleast for that particular day. you could use a hammer to try and fix everything but would you? i do agree with the statement that improving skills could help you tackle any condition on the mountain. But sometimes, you don;t want to work so hard. having a better tool for the job increases the fun factor on the mountain. in spring conditions, everyone ought to have a pair of rock skis. so for me, i got a pair of shortish, narrowish eastern ice skis and a pair of wider at the waist crud busting skis for out west. i could ski my east coast skis out west and west coast skis out east and actually, i have but results would be mixed.