Just got Ski and Skiing in the mail!

[Rushski]

Gear guides for their September issues. Prefer how they did the tests and laid out the info in the Skiing version.

Also, amazed how many "Best in Test" Volkl pulled for the men's side of the ski tests... May have to pick up a pair of AC3s at the end of the season.

 

[Ski Diva]

Got mine, too, but unfortunately, couldn't read 'em. My drool caused all the type to run, so it all merged into a disgusting blurry mass. I think I'm better off. I've vowed to keep my 3-year old skis for three more seasons (Head i.M 70's). Like the robins in spring, though, it's a good sign that these issues are out.

 

[skibum9995]

I got mine on Saturday. I've been getting them for 4 or 5 years now but never have paid a cent or even subscribed. Oh well, I like free stuff.

 

[awf170]

Also, amazed how many "Best in Test" Volkl pulled for the men's side of the ski tests... May have to pick up a pair of AC3s at the end of the season.

That is because volkl gave the mag more money. I'm not saying Volkl's aren't great skis, but these tests are all about money.

 

[riverc0il]

even if the testers are unbiased, you do have to consider that different people like different skis for different reasons. just because a ski gets picked number one in any catagory by any tester doesn't mean it is a good ski for everyone. it means it was a great ski for that tester and other skiers that are of similar stats and technical prowess. every time someone dumps on a legend 8000, i am beside myself dumbfounded. but then i always remember different strokes for different folks.

bottom line: don't believe the hype until you have straped on a pair (of skis) and given them a full test drive. not because the hype isn't accurate for the testers, but because they hype may not apply to you. the summer gear rag exists for one reason only: to sell gear. they obviously are going to down play the short falls and hype up the great things. give a demo a shot before getting excited to see what potential down falls may exist, especially for your build, technique, and skiing type.

 

[salida]

The righteous part is there are some articles on, what do you know, Skiing in Skiing mag this september. Some good stuff on Nepal, Eastern Back Country, and most importantly the Quebec City night life when you get rained out of Le Massif!!

 

[JimG.]

I just laugh because, as usual, the gear I'm interested in isn't even tested or listed. No info at all.

I think that suits me and it's probably why I choose the allegedly offbeat gear that I use. Can't be that offbeat because alot of folks from AZ and FTO seem to use the same stuff.

These equipment tests are useless to me...only a fool would buy gear without demoing it personally.

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

...only a fool would buy gear without demoing it personally.

Then 90% of the skiing public are fools. Boots are gear too, know alot of folks who have demoed thier ski boots ahead of time? Shop sales people and ski rags (reviews and adverising) have a hugh effect on what people buy, far more then demo days.

I'm sure not saying don't demo. I demo 30+ pair of skis a year. I'm just saying most people never demoed the make and model of skis they own before they purchased them. I think it harsh to say they're fools.

 

[JimG.]

Then 90% of the skiing public are fools. Boots are gear too, know alot of folks who have demoed thier ski boots ahead of time? Shop sales people and ski rags (reviews and adverising) have a hugh effect on what people buy, far more then demo days.

I'm sure not saying don't demo. I demo 30+ pair of skis a year. I'm just saying most people never demoed the make and model of skis they own before they purchased them. I think it harsh to say they're fools.

I know folks who buy racing boots that are way too stiff for them to begin with and then bolt the cuffs to make them even stiffer, then complain the boots are too stiff.

I know folks who have wide feet who insist on buying low volume boots, even though they are told by a qualified shop pro that the boots will hurt their feet. Then they complain their feet are cold, or that their feet hurt.

I know folks who buy boots 2 sizes too big because they want bedroom slipper comfort, who then complain their boots feel sloppy.

These folks typically WILL NOT try on other boots that may fit their needs better. In many cases, because they read one of these equipment tests and decided about boots before ever putting them on.

Trying on a variety of boots at the shop is demoing to me. I know how my feet are supposed to fit into the boot to be effective for me. But I need to try boots to see which ones fit my foot. Even my Garmonts, which were a special order for my shop, were sent to me with the understanding I could send them back for another size if they didn't fit just right. And that's exactly what I had to do.

So you can demo boots, just not on skis.

One of the ski tests I read said "the skis may not be suited for heavier skiers". Huh? If you're going to have a test, might be a good idea to actually HAVE a heavier skier test them.

HPD, I understand the need for manufacturers to market their skis through magazines. I don't blame them. I question the validity of the tests and the impact these tests have on purchasers. As you said, 90% of the skiing public buys equipment without testing it even though demos are readily available.

Considering the buyer is the one who stands to lose out if they buy something poorly suited to them, that's foolish.

 

[Rushski]

Good point JimG. Demoing boots is not really worthwhile as you'll never get the fit right on the mountain. Need a good bootfitter to try as many pairs that fit your ability and style. Then decide on what you like by fit, comfort, stiffness and any other factor you deem important. I have a pair of Garmont hiking boots which got great reviews from multiple magazines that I really like, so sometimes reviews can be relevant. But have to have them on your feet for a little while to see what is comfortable. Don't care for the stock footbeds though...

As others have stated, that buying skis without actually skiing on them is kind of dumb. Alas, I know a lot of guys who are so brand-loyal that they get stuck on skis that may or may not be right for them. Granted a decent skier can ski almost any skis fairly well, but as anything else goes, the right equipment makes a world of difference.

And even though I ski Salomons now, I did try Volkl AC3s last year and loved them. So, the new version will probably be fine if I can get a deal in Feb-April timeframe.

 

[JimG.]

Then 90% of the skiing public are fools. Boots are gear too, know alot of folks who have demoed thier ski boots ahead of time? Shop sales people and ski rags (reviews and adverising) have a hugh effect on what people buy, far more then demo days.

I'm sure not saying don't demo. I demo 30+ pair of skis a year. I'm just saying most people never demoed the make and model of skis they own before they purchased them. I think it harsh to say they're fools.

Upon re-reading this thread, "fool" and "foolish" were a poor choice of words. I believe that phrases like "uninformed consumer" or "targeted demographic" would have been better.

 

[hammer]

Upon re-reading this thread, "fool" and "foolish" were a poor choice of words. I believe that phrases like "uninformed consumer" or "targeted demographic" would have been better.

Are you going PC on us? ;-)

 

[Grassi21]

I think I received Ski. Whichever publication it was, I really like how they described the different groups of skis. To someone who has been in the sport a short time, it was helpful to learn about the differences between pow, carving, and my favorite, aspiring expert skis.

 

[JimG.]

Are you going PC on us? ;-)

Nah!

But HPD was right, "fool" was too strong.

 

[JimG.]

I think I received Ski. Whichever publication it was, I really like how they described the different groups of skis. To someone who has been in the sport a short time, it was helpful to learn about the differences between pow, carving, and my favorite, aspiring expert skis.

Good for use as a reference in this regard, to help a newcomer sort skis according to what they do best. And when you find a category that suits your ability, it provides a shopping list of sorts to help you start looking for a ski to buy.

After that, YOU need to educate YOU. That's all I'm saying. Don't listen to ski shop employee...what works for them might not for you. Don't listen to me, because the same applies to me. Ask skiers who fit into your current ability range and see what they ski on.
Post here and ask the group. AZ is an excellent resource in this regard.

And if you can, demo the skis. Demo days are available close by to most skiers. Try before you buy...it's usually cheap or even free!

 

[hammer]

And if you can, demo the skis. Demo days are available close by to most skiers. Try before you buy...it's usually cheap or even free!

How do demo days normally work? Do you have a chance to say "I'm this kind of skier, what do you have that I could try out"?

I'd like to try some other skis out on a demo day this season but I'm not sure what to expect...

 

[bvibert]

Speaking of demo days, keep your eye out for the official AZ Demo Days list like we had last year for a demo day in your area.

On that note if anyone hears of any planned for this up-coming season let me know and I'll start the list.

 

[JimG.]

How do demo days normally work? Do you have a chance to say "I'm this kind of skier, what do you have that I could try out"?

I'd like to try some other skis out on a demo day this season but I'm not sure what to expect...

You sign up first...there may be a small fee for about $10, and they'll probably ask to hold a credit card or your driver's licence until you're done. Then you get an ID, usually a card or paper that shows you signed up.

Then it's outside to the manufacturer tents. Choose a manufacturer and ask to demo the ski you want to try, or talk to the rep there to figure out what ski that might be. Get the skis, have them fitted to your boots, and off you go. They'll probably ask you to take only 2 or 3 runs, but I usually go for an hour and squeeze 5 runs in.

Return skis to appropriate tent, get your ID back, go to another tent, repeat and rinse.

 

[Grassi21]

Good for use as a reference in this regard, to help a newcomer sort skis according to what they do best. And when you find a category that suits your ability, it provides a shopping list of sorts to help you start looking for a ski to buy.

After that, YOU need to educate YOU. That's all I'm saying. Don't listen to ski shop employee...what works for them might not for you. Don't listen to me, because the same applies to me. Ask skiers who fit into your current ability range and see what they ski on.
Post here and ask the group. AZ is an excellent resource in this regard.

And if you can, demo the skis. Demo days are available close by to most skiers. Try before you buy...it's usually cheap or even free!

I picked up a pair of Head c220i's. I didn't demo them but that was before I had the message pounded into my skull on this board. I got to use them once at the end of last season. I actually loved the way they felt compared to the used ones I leased for the season. But I feel that I might outgrow them in a season or two. The goal is to get 20+ days this season and hand those intermediate skis down to my brother for the following season. The good news is that Catamount has 3 or 4 different manufacturers coming in for demo days and that is where I have my pass.