J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by davidof

I don't own an ABS but have skied with Alpine Experience in Val d'Isère and all their guides use them. There are three possible disadvantages:

1. weight and volume for long ski tours where you want to carry other kit
2. cost
3. you may not be able to pull the rip-cord in time

oh ... and don't pull the rip cord in a ski lift! However Alpine Experience seem to like the system.

The avalung may also be interesting and is not too expensive but there seem to be less success stories and it is harder to use. You are still buried with the avalang, it just buys you maybe an extra half hour if you are buried.

I can see why professionals would use them, especially in resort. The weight isn't a problem and they are putting themselves at risk day after day, especially the piste patrol.

I have a Suunto vector. It has a small book telling you how it works, although fairly logical I have trouble remembering all the feature and would go for a more basic version next time.

The model has an electronic compass, a friend of mine, a French guide, has actually used this to navigate in whiteout conditions so it is not just a gimmic. Of course you need to know how to navigate.

The main drawback of the Vector is that you can press the buttons while skiing or boarding by moving your wrist. This is now fixed on the latest models.

The altimeter is very good and I've used it in conjunction with a compass to find a tiny arete at 3000 meters in zero viz.

It was the 2003-2004 X-Scream 10 that we demoed. I'm sure it will be an excellent ski, it just seems for the level you were looking for the other two skis I mentioned might have been better.

David

ps I was just joking about it being a ladies ski

We tested a lot of skis up as Les Deux Alpes a couple of weeks ago. If you are a big powerful skier who likes blasting huge turns off piste you probably will find the X-Screams are too flexible, the front (spatula) is particularly flappy when you drive the skis hard... still at list people can hear you coming with the thwap, thwap noise it makes on the snow !amazed. In the same class of ski you should consider the Stockly Stormrider XL or the Volk 7.24 Pro for your kind of sking.

In short, a ski for the ladies :p

I've not tried any on piste yet. The reviews in the French mags say they lack control, but they are quite light and easy to get in and out of... a bit like those rear-entry boots of yesteryear. With the walk/ski switch they may even find use for climbing or limited skinning to backcountry routes.

The control thing could be a problem for intermediates though and certainly for skiers ripping it through mogul fields or slalom courses. For cruising from blue to black pistes or even off piste powder use I can ski with my boots unfastened no problems and like a softish boot.

Is it all just a passing fad, certainly my local ski shop doesn't seem to have extended its range of soft boots for this season.