J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Ranchero_1979

Kastle BMX 108 @178cm, Male skier, 5ft 8, 74kg, >50 weeks skiing under belt, 1 x new knee. Snow conditions, perfect on piste, chopped up but very light offpiste good visibility.

Have to say if this morning was a date would be hoping she skied. Loved these things, truly amazing ski. Super versatile turn radius, lively, powerful tail. Rails onpiste, powerful offpiste. If you like to do "proper turns" but want something mid fat for offpiste with a soft tip these are definitely an option.

Chamonix and Pila

Well the good news is that is still snowing or at least in Chamonix. Certainly just what everyone needed and looks like a decent 2 weeks now for whole of Northern Alps :-).

Certainly an aggressive start, pretty steep piste for sure, must be close to 45deg and looked icy i.e. good job they weren't expected to turn on it (does anyone know name of run?). Have to say if you look at the way professional skiers are training in gym now is certainly impressive commitment to go along with mental toughness. World away from people 15-20 odd years ago. Still must be awkward to walk or buy clothes when your legs are pumped up like these guys/girls.

Rented pair of Kastle BMX 108 @178cm for tomorrow. You were right, might heavy and that is before you consider adding a touring binding to them. Will see how they ski but not sure are really a sensible option at that weight. Seriously considering just going to Salomon rocker 2 108 in 174 as 99% sure I will like them.

Well you can always bin down the lower slopes, that is sometimes life. Normally anyway they are rubbish as overcrowded with everything from beginners to skiers who forgot how to turn and are bombing it. If your ski holiday is ruined by a lift ride down then better do a indoor sport, where mother nature isn't involved. Same for people who are desperate to try and ski 8hrs a day in late season, 99% of these would never dream of doing 8hrs exercise a week let alone a day. Get up, enjoy the snow and get off the mountain once you've had the best of it.

Anywhere, the Alps has more than Jan and Feb of snow almost regardless of altitude. Fine you might not be in waist deep powder but the lower resorts also need much less snow than high ones as always meadow below vs rocks. I would avoid low in December as need to freeze the ground before you get base building, however once is there should be safe into April. I doubt PDS has ever closed before April even on the really bad years, this years closing date is 21st April to put that in context.

Afternoon all, quick review on DPS 112mm hybrid 178cm. Male skier, 5ft 8, 74kg, >50 weeks skiing under belt, 1 x new knee. Snow conditions, 10-15cm light powder with terrible visibility.

Conclusion will not be buying a pair of these. In fairness to the ski, I was not doing it justice in the conditions it was made for. First time in real powder since reconstruction, combined with the poor visibility was making me ski too cautiously and bit of thigh burn tells you the rest of that story. Probably something that needs skiing a few more times to give a conclusive if very personal opinion.

+ve
I was really impressed how for such a light ski this would bash through the chop. Really could just let it rip and do big turns through anything (unfortunately this was onpiste chop and on run to bottom where trees improved visibility and gave me confidence to ski). The big rockered tip really gave confidence and am sure this ski would be a lot of fun in what are pretty typical offpiste conditions.

Very easy to do big carving turns in the chop.

Easy to rub of speed with a big surf type turn, must feel good in deep powder.

Very nice floaty feel in the deep.

-ve
Maybe length was wrong but really felt when turning there was very little under you. Whilst this made it extremely easy to ski, could imagine how on something bit steep you would always have tail of ski break away. Literally the tail rocker starts few cm behind your bindings.

Would love to try again in powder on a blue bird day to see what can really do. However not convinced is the ski for Chamonix where perhaps something a bit more conventional might be a better work horse. Will try either Kastle 108 (probably a bit too much of a ski for me) or Dynastar 107 tomorrow.