J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Max Cottle

Hi Guys

So I am looking to buy some Free Ride skis for off piste skiing.

I have looked around and figure that for my size I would be best served by one of the following pairs of skis

Stöckli Stormrider XL

Stöckli Stormrider Scot Schmidt

Stockli Stormrider DP Pro Skis

I am 6ft 4" and Well built so I need a strong Powerful Ski but I have never really done Off Piste Skiing. I have some Volki SKis at the moment which are fantastic for racing about on piste and at the moment that is where I spend my time mainly on black runs so I am a confiden skier but the next step is for me to become a confident off Piste skier which I can't do with my Volki skis as the waist is too slim and the skis too long and with my weight they sink beneath the grassline lol.

So I am looking at the two Stockli skis metioned above.

The XL is great, I think that I could do quite well with them but the Scot Scmidt looks to me like more of an off piste Beast. My direct question is as follows, but generaly feedback iwould also be appreciated and welcomed.

If I were to go for the Stöckli Stormrider Scot Schmidt Skis is this too much of a jump from my on piste volki skis, These skis are said to perform best at speed, now on piste that is not a problem for me but off piste, as someone who will be just be taking up guided / off piste sking next ski trip are these going to be too difficult to learn on or am I right in thinking that the fatter waiste and Stronger base are going to be to my advantage bearing in mind my size and strength?

I have also seen reference to the Stockli Stormrider DP Pro Skis I don't know much about them other than they are a great offering for Free ride skiing so any feed back or advice on them would be appreciated to.

Cheers
MAx

Thanks For that Prometeus

Where are you going to stay in Zermatt we are looking to get away for 2 weeks Dec 07 Jan 08 (we always go over the New Year) but we are struggling to find a decent place to accomodate our group at a reasonable price.

I have never been to Zermatt before but would like to could you give us some hints on accomodation?

how have you found it when you are there cost wise?

cheers

Max

Hi Jasmin

just to add to my previous message
I bought my first pair of boots from snow and rock and apair form my other half at the same time, we spent hours in the shop trying boots on and getting a good fit, but like you when we got home we had pain so we both went back and had our boots stretched (bear in mind that one you have had them streched or worn them on snow Snow and Rock will not exchange them o giuive you your money bacK). we went back and had the boots stretched, moled to our feet, paid for the inserts etc and when we finaly made it out to the resort we were both in agony within a couple of hours of skiing.

This cost me a couple of days skiing because my foot swoll up so badly that I could hardly walk on it. When I got back Snow and Rock would not exchange the boots but said they would blow them out for me some more so I let them do this but next year when I skied on them they were just as bad.

My other half bought new boots at the resort and had them fitted Perfectly and so I did the same. since then I will always go to a resort to buy boots.

Cheers

MAx

Hi Jasmin

I have problems buying boots I always need to get them adjusted etc. One thing I can almost Guarantee you is that if you take them back to the shop in the UK the person who adjust them for you will know enough to be convincing but not enough to solve your problems, they may over stretch the boots or try and fit you with another pair that ar too large but feel comfortable etc.

My advice take them back to the shop say that you want your money abck and buy them at the resort that you go to on holiday.

This way you will get good advice, you will have a wide range of boots to chose from, they will be cheaper too. Best thing os all though is that if you have to get the boots adjusted then you can have them adjusted over the course of the time that you are there and have them fir perfectly rather than taking the boots that you have bought and finding that they tell you the boots are completely wrong for you and that you should buy another pair.

I always buy boots from a resort because they are too important to be left to the chimpanzees (who will tell you they are experts) in the UK shops.

Hope this helps

Cheers

Max

Hi There.

I would say that pretty much anywhere you go in Austria is going to have good instruction.

Going on your own yes you will have fun and I am sure you will meet people but I would say go with someone or in a group if you can. A group of learners having lessons for the first time can be an incredibly funny and enjoyable experience.

If your Boyfriend doen't think he'll enjoy the skiing get him to go anyway because there are plenty of other things he can do whilst you are skiing and the chances are if you get him out there he'll have a go, but if not there is mountain sledging (which is Awesome by the way) Great Bars resteraunts and so on.

If he does't want to go still then take a girlfriend.

I would reccomend St Anton, Mayrhoffen or somewhere like that. GO for it and have yourself a great time.

Ps deffinately have lessons.

When you have been let me know how you got on.

cheers

Max

I would say go to a shop like snow and rock or Ellis Brighame and get her feet measuered.

Different Brands and different models have different fits as well so I would try on many different brands and get an idea of her size and the boot that she wants.

For me I have found that buying boots is a long and laboured process of elimination. I have said this before and I am sure I will say it many times again. If you want to buy the boots I'd advocate buying them at a resoprt where they will let you try the boots, advise you on the correct fit and modify the boots as and when needed.

I say this because an ill fitting pair of boots can ruin your holiday and onece you have bought them in England if you wear them on the slopes they wont exchange them when you come back to the UK, where as at a resort you can try many different boots and the staff will work with you to get the perfect fit.

If you didn't wnat to buy the boots from a shop and you wanted to go the cheaper route of buying them off Ebay I would still say get you feet measured at snow and rock or ellis B, also try on the models you are interested that way you will have an idea of what fits when bidding on Ebay

Hope this helps

Cheers

Max

I would agree, Go to Austria and Sort it, you will have an abundance of Helmets and Goggles, you will get great advice and you will also get a better price.

I always buy my stuff at the resorts because as you know in england they will take the Euro price and offer it to you in Pounds it is so much more expensive here and the choice is limited at best.

I would also go as far to say, (and I know this is a bit of a generalisation but), typically the "experts" at the shops don't typically know what they are talking about where as at the resorts they typically do.

I would wait until you get out there.

Cheers

Max

You can buy goggles which are made specifically for helmets they have a extra plastic around the frame that will sit neatly on the outer edges of your helmet rim.

I would ask in a ski shop, other goggles will fit but not always as elegantly as the purpose built ones.

cheers

Max