The official non tech dork thread

[awf170]

I don't really notice the difference between most skis
I never tune my edges, I don't really know how to carve so it doesn't make a difference
I have skin glue on my bases, I don't really notice it
I can't ski fast. Skiing fast on groomers scares me
I use one pair of skis until they fall apart then buy a new pair
I haven't looked at what new skis have came out in the last 3 or so years
When my current skis fall apart I will just buy a used pair of 100ish mm waisted skis for like $200 in a gear swap somewhere

Anyone else with me?

 

[o3jeff]

That's why I stay in the Miscellaneous forum.... Btw, what did you have for lunch? http://forums.alpinezone.com/showthread.php?t=17459&page=125

 

[2knees]

I don't really notice the difference between most skis
I never tune my edges, I don't really know how to carve so it doesn't make a difference
I have skin glue on my bases, I don't really notice it
I can't ski fast. Skiing fast on groomers scares me
I use one pair of skis until they fall apart then buy a new pair
I haven't looked at what new skis have came out in the last 3 or so years
When my current skis fall apart I will just buy a used pair of 100ish mm waisted skis for like $200 in a gear swap somewhere

Anyone else with me?

I love this post.

where you been? this place needs more like you.

 

[awf170]

I've been around, just don't really post much anymore. There are only so many times you can discuss favorite run, ski area, skis, or how your morning poop was. Not knocking those threads, but after a few years of posting you just get sick of them. Kind of the deal with all forums I guess.

But anywho... I got a season pass to Highland bike park for this up coming season which means you're going to have to get your ass up there this summer!

 

[kingslug]

I'm the exact opposite..which is prolly why I'm broke after ski season...

 

[C-Rex]

While I do tend to buy higher end gear, I don't buy the latest and greatest every year. I try to get at least 3 years out of a board.

It's funny to me to see people that are constantly buying new, expensive stuff because they think it'll make them a better skier/boarder/whatever. Mountain bikers are notorious for that. They spend $3,000 on a frame that's half a pound lighter when they could shave 10 lbs off their gut for free. That money would be better spent just skiing/riding more. Nothing improves performance like time on the snow.

 

[bvibert]

I tune my skis once every few years...

 

[andyaxa]

Right there with ya.
-Outfitted family of five (boots,skis,bindings,poles) for $1250 from Level9.
-Can't do the steeps, moguls or tight trees.
-Never waxed or tuned.I thought about sharpening edges for the ice but figured I'm such a heel-pusher anyway it wouldn't really matter.

 

[SkiDork]

<---

I'm just here to post in my thread!

 

[from_the_NEK]

I don't really notice the difference between most skis
While I do notice some differences, I don't really pay attention and try to make the ski do what I want it to do.
I never tune my edges, I don't really know how to carve so it doesn't make a difference
I usually only tune once a year. Don't need sharp edges for ppowder, which is the only time I really try (to convince my wife that I need) to get out on the slope these days.
I have skin glue on my bases, I don't really notice it
Yep
I can't ski fast. Skiing fast on groomers scares me.
Can't agree with you there. I like to go fast. :razz:
I use one pair of skis until they fall apart then buy a new pair
Yes, although I have three pairs of skis, one is an 8 year old pair that is full of core shots and the base is so thin I can't get them fully tuned anymore (aka rock skis). Pair #2 is a 5 year old pair of skis that are my everyday mid-fats that I use at the mountain. Pair #3 is a 5 year old used pair of mid-fats that I bought this year from a friend and mounted my touring bindings on. I used them for the first time at Burke this weekend to test out the setup before bringing them out in the woods.
I haven't looked at what new skis have came out in the last 3 or so years
I've looked, but haven't been interested to buy.
When my current skis fall apart I will just buy a used pair of 100ish mm waisted skis for like $200 in a gear swap somewhere
I've never paid full price for a pair of skis. So far in my ski career I've purchased 4 "new" sets of skis at deep discounts (2 store closing sales, 1 flood sale, 1 end of season sale). I purchase 2 pairs used.

Anyone else with me?

Also want to add that I haven't purchased new boots in 5 years either or a new coat in 12 years

 

[zinger3000]

Thanks for posting, awf170. I’m glad I’m not the only one in here who is “non-tech.” I own one pair of skis, used, paid $150 for the pair. My boots are also used, paid $30. I stick to green and blue groomed trails. I don’t understand half of the technical jargon used here. I don’t own any “skiwear” (I just wear a tshirt, sweatshirt and snow pants.) Despite all this, I would consider myself an avid skier, and I average about 25 ski days per year.

 

[Mapnut]

I'm definitely with you, although I might get my edges sharpened next year.

I do love talking about ski areas though, every trivial item you can think of about their trail layouts and history. (Not lifts though, they're too technical.) Fortunately for Alpinezone, I only do this at Snowjournal.

 

[awf170]

I'm definitely with you, although I might get my edges sharpened next year.

I do love talking about ski areas though, every trivial item you can think of about their trail layouts and history. (Not lifts though, they're too technical.) Fortunately for Alpinezone, I only do this at Snowjournal.

I'm with you on this.

Can't remember if I posted any of my stuff on snowjournal, but I have always done your ski area design challenges. I have spent disgusting amounts of time searching New England for perfect ski area locations then drawing them up overlaying a topo map.

Ideal location? Definitely the north side of Mt. Moriah. Have way too many designs of that area.

 

[Riverskier]

Though I differ on some points (I like groomers, speed, and I tune my skis), I love the sentiment of this thread! I don't follow gear trends, don't spend a ton of money on gear, and don't have a big quiver. I just think it is a waste of money and quite frankly don't think it matters that much. Don't focus much on technique either. Happy with the way I ski and don't feel the need to analyze my skiing.

Funny Story- My Mom grew up skiing, and introduced my brother and I to the sport, but stopped in the mid 90's when my brother and I were teenagers and didn't want to ski with her anymore. However, she skied on the same pair of Head 360's that she was given new in the 60's right up through her retirement from the sport in the mid 90's! They were certainly a conversation starter on the lift.

 

[Smellytele]

I am with ya on some things but not others.
I ski on my skis and wear my boots until they fall apart. My tails separated last year - tried to glue them a few times but had to suck it up and bought a pair online for $150.
My tele boots started to crack and the look down on the back broke so I bought a used pair on line for $130.
I only get new poles when I break one and then usually get them at a swap or lost and find at the end of a season.
I wax and sharpen my own family's skis 3 times a year. I used to everytime I skied but do not have the time now.
I like going fast (although I am not as fast as I was 20 years ago), trees, powder, steeps and moguls.
As far as ski clothes goes I have a split personality. I have 5 different jackets for every type of weather. I keep jackets for a very long time. My everyday ski pants are 10 years old with the lining looking ratty. I do have another warm dry day pair that are only 3 years old. I have long underwear that is 15 years old but have some that are only 2 years old. While I do have a helmet it is 6 years old and the lining is peeling out.

 

[Mapnut]

Can't remember if I posted any of my stuff on snowjournal, but I have always done your ski area design challenges. I have spent disgusting amounts of time searching New England for perfect ski area locations then drawing them up overlaying a topo map.

Ideal location? Definitely the north side of Mt. Moriah. Have way too many designs of that area.

Did you miss this one, Awf? http://www.snowjournal.com/page.php?cid=topic9926

 

[Cannonball]

I don't really notice the difference between most skis
I never tune my edges, I don't really know how to carve so it doesn't make a difference
I have skin glue on my bases, I don't really notice it
I can't ski fast. Skiing fast on groomers scares me
I use one pair of skis until they fall apart then buy a new pair
I haven't looked at what new skis have came out in the last 3 or so years
When my current skis fall apart I will just buy a used pair of 100ish mm waisted skis for like $200 in a gear swap somewhere

Anyone else with me?

I'm with you big time. Although I'm pretty sure the only time I was criticized for using cheap second-hand gear that performed fine by my standards....it was by you.

 

[kcyanks1]

I don't really notice the difference between most skis

I used to think that, but when I demoed a handful of pairs before getting my current pair a few years ago, I definitely felt differences. I couldn't also describe, but I knew what I liked.

I never tune my edges, I don't really know how to carve so it doesn't make a difference

I tune or get mine tuned a couple times a year, and I ski less than you ... 20x/year the past couple seasons and looking to be way behind that this year, unfortunately.

I have skin glue on my bases, I don't really notice it

Not me. Still have never had skins on my skis.

I can't ski fast. Skiing fast on groomers scares me

I probably ski slower than many here, and I definitely get more scared than I did 10-15 years ago (I'm 30 now) when skiing fast, but I do ski at a decent pace on groomers and faster than most of the surrounding skiers on the slopes, especially when they aren't icy.

I use one pair of skis until they fall apart then buy a new pair
I haven't looked at what new skis have came out in the last 3 or so years

Same.

When my current skis fall apart I will just buy a used pair of 100ish mm waisted skis for like $200 in a gear swap somewhere

I'll probably end up getting a new pair and using them for a number of years.

 

[kingslug]

Although I tends to keep gear until its shot..I just buy good stuff that will last a long time..like my car.a 99 jeep cherokee that I will keep until it dies..I bought 2 new pairs of skis..but I got sick of renting powder skis, adds up and my Volkls where just not right...clothing is another story..I buy the best..period..

 

[awf170]

I'm with you big time. Although I'm pretty sure the only time I was criticized for using cheap second-hand gear that performed fine by my standards....it was by you.

When was this? Maybe back like 5 years ago when I was a bored high schooler who had nothing better to do than read ski forums and geek out about gear. I probably thought insulting people about uncool ski gear was the hip thing to do so I followed along.