Boards for the Glades

[billski]

I'd like to hear some opinions on what equipment & size is good for glades skiing. For starters, I'm in my 50s, skiing for 30 years, so while I'm skilled, I don't have the steam I used to. Next, I've been moderately serious about glades skiing (at a moderate pitch) for the past couple years and have many hours under my belt. Problem is, I'm coming from a cruiser background (read: Volkl Superspeed - fast, GS, hardpack). All my boards are a bit too stiff it seems, especially when I get into a pinch and need a quick change (say, around a tree, in a deep rut.)

So I'm interested in hearing about flex, ski length and anything else that makes a diff when skiing glades. I get the feeling radius won't matter. I'm rather existential with my skiing. That is, I don't overly analyze equipment, I just snap in and go; if it feels good, I'm happy. So I don't have much experience with technical analysis. Remember, I don't have the horsepower to brute force things the way I used to, so a responsive ski is essential. I've heard lots of people comment that "anything you don't mind banging up will do", but I figure the right equipment will lessen the load.

If you want to recommend a model, that's fine, but my gut tells me its the characteristics that matter more. I might just pickup something used, if I can find the right characteristics.

What do you think? Or am I asking the wrong crowd? :wink:

Thanks,
Bill

 

[riverc0il]

there is no one ski that is right for all skiers as a glades ski. everyone likes their glade skis a little different, though you are right on not to believe you just need something "you don't mind banging up." that is a prerequisite, but that covers every ski out there if you really are serious about trees.

i consider myself a serious tree skier, for what ever it is worth, meaning if i have a choice between a groomed slope, bumps, or trees, i am jumping in the trees almost every time and pick the areas i ski based on woods selection. the characterstics that matter to me are responsiveness, liveliness, and quick input. small corrections can make a big difference and i need to be able to trust a ski to move me the right way with just a little shift in body position and leg angle. you also need something that will float on powder days... but my personal style is not to compromise turnability on non-powder days (a majority of the season) by going way too fat and reducing responsiveness on packed down or scraped snow.

any ways, i swear by my legend 8000s. if you want something a bit softer and easy going, there is also the 4800. both would be good demo ideas for what you are looking for. elan m666 or the one below it are also nice but stiffer. i am going to rule out that volkl unlimited series since you want something softer and less stiff. have fun in the trees!

 

[AHM]

Some ideas..........

A lot of this is based on softer, easier flexing skis. Any of these would be nice:

1. Rossi B3: 120-83-110, go with 168
2. Salomon X wing Sandstorm: 124-85-114
3. Dynastar Legend 8000: 116-79-102.

Salomon will be the most turny, but also most float. All will hold fine on hard pack.

 

[JD]

Fisher Big Stick 106 in the short (168cm?) size.

 

[SkiDoc]

How about the Volkl AC4 from last year. I haven't tried the new version, but as I understand, last years ski was considerably softer and has gotten pretty good reviews as a tree ski and eastern powder ski.

 

[Birdman829]

The AC4 is a better groomer cruiser than pow/woods basher (although it is adequate in that respect). My personal choice would be the Dynastar Legend 8000 (already recommended by a few) or 8800 if you plan on hiking for a lot of pow.

 

[smootharc]

Blizzard TITAN EIGHT

http://www.blizzard-ski.com/goto/en/produkte/06_07/alpinski/freeride/titan-eight

Perhaps ? Skied them all last season (175cm) - my daily on-off piste "go to" board at Mad River Glen and Sugarbush. Loved them.

Nice quick turn radius for a mid-fat that can chop the crud, float the pow, bite the ice and carve the groomers.

My eastern "big mountain" board. Anyways, perhaps some demo-ing this winter will find you that perfect board.....for you.