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Gear Guides.

NESkibum

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Definitely disappointed with all the new issues. Glad I saw everything I needed to at the buying show last year. Has to be a sign of the times. The issues are half the size as last year. Now let it SNOW!!!
 

mattchuck2

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I could care less about the actual reviews, they're pretty useless to me. It's just ski porn to take into the bathroom to me.


That's the problem, though. I got my issue of Ski yesterday, and these mags aren't even able to function as that. Because they are so thin and fluffy (the magazines, that is), I barely got one bathroom trip out of them before I had read the whole thing.

Weak.
 

RootDKJ

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That's the problem, though. I got my issue of Ski yesterday, and these mags aren't even able to function as that. Because they are so thin and fluffy (the magazines, that is), I barely got one bathroom trip out of them before I had read the whole thing.

Weak.
LOL...eat more fiber in your diet.


ok, that was gross...but in a funny way:puke:
 

riverc0il

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That's the problem, though. I got my issue of Ski yesterday, and these mags aren't even able to function as that. Because they are so thin and fluffy (the magazines, that is), I barely got one bathroom trip out of them before I had read the whole thing.

Weak.
They are a perfect read while waiting for an oil change when you didn't buy the magazine.

I gave up on magazines. Even BC oriented Colouir and subsequently Backcountry seemed to shift from solid bits of literature to two page fluff pieces. Almost all of the articles are written in such a similar style, generally lacking much editorial much less literary merit.
 

Philpug

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Any "equipment/gear/auto/ect" magazines are pointless, with the internet, by the time the information reaches the magazine the information is already weeks old.
 

RootDKJ

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I get a good wifi signal in my bathroom.
So do it...I. It's the funny looks I get when bringing the laptop into the bathroom I try to avoid.

Here's how the conversation could go
"Why the heck are you bringing your laptop into the bathroom?"

"Ok I want to check out the latest ski reviews"

"Oh you mean the ski porn"

"Yeah"

"Are you sure you're only looking at the 'ski porn' ;)?"

"Um Yeah"
Moral of the story: Buy the mag, give the $10 to the industry, less funny looks at home. ;)
 

bvibert

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That's the problem, though. I got my issue of Ski yesterday, and these mags aren't even able to function as that. Because they are so thin and fluffy (the magazines, that is), I barely got one bathroom trip out of them before I had read the whole thing.

Weak.

I hear ya, but it's better than reading the backs of shampoo bottles...
 

trtaylor

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Ski Racing magazine is going to an all-digital format this year (except for two issues, I think). Wonder how long before the other ski mags need to do that? Maybe they'll be able to hold off much longer, due to ad revenues from the manuafacturers. Ski Racing mag has had a tough go of it, perhaps never making any money for its publishers.
 

Glenn

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I recieved Ski over the weekend. As others mentioned, it was rather thin. I got a bit of a flashback to my younger years in the late 80's/early 90's. The Ski buyer's guide was MASSIVE. I mean, they even put in bindings and had a big section on clothing. I wish I held on to them; neon was in it's heyday. Although, a lot of stuff wasn't reveiwed; it was pictured and specs were listed.
 

deadheadskier

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For what it is, I really don't have a problem with the Skiing magazine. Is it big on fluff, but short on content? Sure, but I'd say no different than the thicker magazines of years past. Same ratio, less of each really. In an article the magazine stated that 75K fewer skis and 34K fewer snowboards were sold nationally last year, that western resorts got hammered.......advertising budgets for manufacturers and ski areas were obviously slashed. That being the lifeblood of a magazine, it's no wonder it's 'thin'.
 

SkiDork

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Last years Skiing Gear Guide issue was 156 pages, plenty of articles and ads. This year 88 pages and minimal editiorial content and way fewer ads. Could be a sign of the times when the First Tracks article is "How Screwed Are We? What the Great Recession means to skiers."

+1

I was amazed how thin it was. Sorta reminded me of the last issue of the year, not the gear guide issue.
 

Philpug

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Why do we need Ski and Skiing, they are the same publisher. What does one bring that the other doesn't and why can't they just come out with one "better" publication vs. two mediocre ones.

I recall the good ole days too when they had a blurb on every ski where a consumer would have an idea the difference between say a K2 Raider and a Recon or a Nordica Top Fuel and Jet Fuel. Even more so with boots.
 

deadheadskier

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They did used to do just about every ski, boot and binding.

I'm guessing the reason they no longer do is A. that there a lot more brands today than years ago, especially with the 'second tier' companies like 4Frnt and High Society; and B. It could be that the manufacturers only submit those certain models for testing that they wish to promote.

Most interesting has been the complete disappearance of race skis. The best GS and SL skis were the primary focus back in the day and now they are completely gone.
 

Philpug

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They did used to do just about every ski, boot and binding.

I'm guessing the reason they no longer do is A. that there a lot more brands today than years ago, especially with the 'second tier' companies like 4Frnt and High Society; and B. It could be that the manufacturers only submit those certain models for testing that they wish to promote.

Most interesting has been the complete disappearance of race skis. The best GS and SL skis were the primary focus back in the day and now they are completely gone.


Are there more manufactures out there? "Back then" there were second teir companies like the Authiers, Tua, Pre, Sarner, Spaulding ext along with the traditional Rossi, Head, Volkl, that are still around. I don't think every ski needs to be on snow tested, but a little blurb about them is all that is needed. As far as the disappearance of race skis, I am not completely surprised with race skis being much more specialized now where they used to be the best skis on the mountain.
 
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