Ski gear buying strategies, whats yours???

[stuart]

Thanks for taking the time to reply Jim; sound like some good suggestions.  I forgot to mention, but even though i don't get to ski very often, i would objectively rate myself a good intermediate skier at home on single blacks (i read breakthrough on skiis a number of years ago, and it radically improved my skiing); still think the
contact 9 is a good ski for me?  Thanks again for your help, stuart

[jim-ratliff]

Stuart:

Even more so.? Being judgmental, I assumed that anyone from "down South" probably was just a one week a year "terminal intermediate" but the Contact 9 has such a broad range that I figured that it would still be OK, especially since you had skied and liked the ski.? But how you describe yourself is an even better fit for the ski.

Are you comfortable with knowing what length you are looking for?

Jim

[Ron]

Hey Stuart, welcome, I am concerned you were impressed with our innane banter.....

OK, 1st off you are invited to the Real Skier III skiing bonanza in Steamboat, December 15- to whenever you decide to leave. If you have surfed around you shoujld be pretty well advised about it.

Skis and buying stuff, I love the thought. Jim pretty much outlined the strategy but I would tell you to keep an eye out on Epicski.com in the http://forums.epicski.com/forumdisplay.php?f=10 thread. Alos, contact Scott (DAWGCATCHING) at 541-593-2453 and see what he has in stock. Tell him you got his name from Ron/Finndog. I go by Finndog on Epic. I love the Dynastar contact series, it's a hard ski to beat. Aslo, the Fischer 8's (this years or prior incarnations) We would really need to know more about you.
http://forums.epicski.com/showthread.php?t=68109? here's a link to a march inventory posting but you need to call to see what he has.

Also, check ou the new HART skis http://www.hartskis.com/products/carving.php ski's coming out, the Phoenix and the Pulse. I will most likely be on the Pulses this season for my frontside ski. ( I am working with Hart) We have some for Demo at Steamboat.

how many days
where do you ski
what do you ski ( groomers, off-piste, bumps, etc)
What do you want out of the ski
what level- be honest!? I consider myself as a level 8, advanced intermediate with some tendencies for recklessness!

[stuart]

I appreciate y'all trying to help me; i haven't been able to get on this forum the past week, but finally was able today.
Jim, I don't know anything about choosing the right length ski--do you need to know anything besides i'm 5'7" and 140 lbs?
Ron, This is the first i've heard of the Real Skier Steamboat bonanza--what exactly is it?  I got so much better as a result of reading/applying the info in Tejada-FLores' book Breakthrough on Skis that i have thought about attending his or another week long instructional camp--any suggestions?  I'll provide any info that will enable you to help me or give advise/suggestions. I usually ski Colorado once or occassionally twice/season; Crested Butte, Steamboat, Monarch, and most recently Park City to name a few.  I ski mostly groomed, but like trying new things; felt a lot more comfortable on bumps this past trip (still a real challenge for me though). As i stated earlier in this thread i would rate myself a high intermediate able to (in Breakthrough on Skis lingo) to link short anticipated turns, and enjoy myself on fairly steep terrain (single blacks and blues is where i spend the most time).  What do i want out of the ski?  I don't really know how to answer that one...an all around fun ski that will be good to get better on?  I'll visit the sites you listed above and contact Scott on what he has in stock.
Thanks again for all your help guys; it's appreciated, stuart

[midwif]

Hi Stuart
Welcome!
As far as camps, I can really recommend Harald Harbs Camps. I have done 3 and am planning on doing my fourth this winter. I got so much out of the one this past winter at Solvista, that I wanted to keep the momentum up. I suggest you follow the links on the REalSkier site under "technique" to his web site. The camps fill up fast and close out in July'Aug. Initially, I did the All- Mountain camps, ( now closer to Super Blue as renamed), but really got much more benefit on focusing on the basics, which could then be applied everywhere on the mountain.

Gary learned much from Harb and also found Clendenons bump lessons really invaluable.  When I grow up, I wanna ski like Gary.
I know Jim R. also did a Harb camp after his son told him he "will never get any better". And he got better.

The camps are technique driven, very personalized, with  video taping of you skiing EVERY DAY. Looking at the videos at lunch, with a more educated eye is just tremendous.

Oh, and they do an incredible job with alignment.
Lynn

[jim-ratliff]

Stuart:

Just thought I would jump in and tie some old to some new.? As far as I know, Lito Tejada-Flores is retired (gives him time to focus on his poetry).? While I never read his Breakthrough on Skis, I did buy the video series "Breakthrough on Skis" (I, II, and III).? The third in the series is focused on how to ski with the "new skis" and is where he introduces the concepts of "tipping the skis" to turn and "carving turns" (if I remember correctly).? Harald Harb was also a ski instructor at Aspen with Lito at this time, and Lito acknowledges that Harald was "instrumental" in developing this whole concept.? Lito also acknowledges that Harald "makes the best carved turns of anyone he had seen."

Harald went on to copyright and organize his skiing concepts into PMTS (Primary Movements Teaching System) and also has three books and videos out on his skiing approach.? So a Harb camp would be consistent with what you are already focusing on, and they do an excellent job of giving you feedback to make sure that your body is doing what you think you want it to (Mine usually isn't)!!? Plus, the afternoons are still free to ski whatever you want or to work on what you learned in the morning, since the classes are only in the mornings.

Harald's series is called "Anyone Can Be an Expert Skier" (I and II).? Commonly abbreviated as ACBAES by the PMTS acronym crowd.? ?? ?I'm not sure what the title of the third book is off the top of my head.

[Ron]

Those are great ideas and if you are really serious about gaining skill and comfort level,? would highly recommend a camp or two. Regarding the Real Skier III outing in Steamboat, its just our little gang here that gets together on our own and ski for a few days. It's just for fun but there is a lot of help and such from the likes of gary, lynn, Ed and Jim. I am not an "official" PMTS'r so my methods are not "sanctioned" Gary is an amazing skier and has a real talent for teaching and analyzing. My skiing is much stronger because of it. From what you desribed, it sounds like a level 5-6 but it's not that important. You are welcome ot join in on the week if you would like ot come. Keep in mind that none of us knew each other and we all first met here and then we skied at Beaver Creek. No pressure, everyone skis at thier own level, terrain and speed. It all works out well. (except if there's powder) It's a good time, lots of laughs and good food.

[stuart]

Thanks i appreciate your replies.   Jim you asked earlier if i was comfortable re. choosing ski length...i'm not.  i'm 5'7" and 140 lbs what do you think i should be looking for?  thanks, stuart

[jim-ratliff]

Hmmmm.? They come in 158, 165, 172, 178.? I demoned them at 172 and that felt right for me, but I am 5'11 and 185 (plus or minus, depending on how guilty I feel about admitting how much I like Snickers).? I'm not sure whether to recommend the 165 or the 158.

Ron/Gary -- what would y'all recommend for Stuart at 5' 7" and 140 lbs.

My guess is 165?

[Ron]

Which ski?? In general, I think 165 is too long. Depending on the ski, 158-162 might be better. If you are skiing this primarilly on the groomed, then go short. I am 175, 6' I think folks here may say I am a little agrressive and I ski on 170-172's for my front siders. Gary is about his size and skis on 165's.

Edited by JimR to answer Ron's question about which ski.? The ski he is considering and demoed is the Contact 9; really liked the ski but doesn't remember or didn't note the length.

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[Ron]

Thanks Jim!  Yes, that's a great ski. I think you should really check this ski out!  Fischer Red Heat. Great learning intermediate ski, with moveable binding which is so important. Much overlooked but excellent ski

http://www.sierrasnowboard.com/Fischer-Red-Heat-System-17698.asp

http://www.ski-depot.com/miva/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=721467REDHEAT08&Category_Code=2008ski&Product_Count=25

ALSO: The contact 9's are tough tofind. i e-mailed a Dynastar rep i know to see if he had anything.

[stuart]

Thanks again everyone. If any of you run across a pair of 158 cm. Contact 9's i'd sure appreciate your letting me know.  If i'm able to get them in the summer or at a fall sale any idea of what i could expect to pay for them. Thanks in advance, stuart

[stuart]

Also, i'm not totally stuck on the Contact 9; i'd consider another ski like the Fischer Ron mentioned earlier or a one or two year old model at a good price that you guys think might be a good fit for me. Thanks again, stuart

[Ron]

Will do Stuart. I am waiting on the Dynastar repr to see what he can come up with.Can you wait till mid december? if so, I can proably get you this coming seasons demos at a very good deal.

[stuart]

Thanks Ron, that sounds great.  At this point i am considering the blue/dk blue Feb 9-13 camp, and not planning on skiing before then, so i could wait till December to buy--thanks again i really appreciate your help.