Latest posts for the topic "Head skis"

Head skis

Tue, 6 Sep 2011 09:39:25 GMT

Hi All

Can anyone identify some skis for me please?

I hired a pair of top of the range Head skis in Italy in 2010. I don't know what type of ski they were, all I know is that I got on particularly well with them.

I keep trying to find these skis on the internet: head sites and images but have had no luck.

They were quite a heavy bouncy ski, and the only feature I remember was that at the tip of the ski it was Gold (just as the Head Magnum tip is silver). The gold bit was just a orangey rubbery bit which looked gold with the light shinning through it.

Any ideas?

Cheers

Re:Head skis

Tue, 6 Sep 2011 11:50:02 GMT

Is it this one http://www.head.com/ski/products/skis/all-mountain-freeride/ipeak-90/2743/?region=uk

Re:Head skis

Tue, 6 Sep 2011 12:20:47 GMT

Hi

Thanks for trying, but no, not the one.

If you look at this link for the Head Magnum skis, at the tip, where with the Magnum it's silver, the skis I'm looking for it is gold/orange. As I said, I used them in 2010.

http://www.snowtraxstore.co.uk/head-isupershape-magnum-skis-head-free-flex-14-bindings-2011

~Cheers

Olla

Re:Head skis

Tue, 6 Sep 2011 13:06:00 GMT

Either supershape slalom or I Speed

Re:Head skis

Tue, 6 Sep 2011 16:30:57 GMT

Might have been the Head CHIP XRC SW RFB from 07/08

Re:Head skis

Tue, 6 Sep 2011 17:26:26 GMT

Thanks SwingBeep

But again no, it's the silver bit that should be gold. Thankyou so much for looking.

I'm a bit slow though! I have tried finding the place on line in Clavier, where I hired them from, with no luck. But a private message prompeted me to realise that as I'm off to Sestrier in the New Year, I'll be able to pop in and ask. They also suggested I offer 50 euros for them!

Olla

Re:Head skis

Wed, 7 Sep 2011 01:07:01 GMT

Olla,

Ski companies make "special" rental ( for hire) skis for many ski resorts!

They also make special cosmetics for large chain retail stores that have many ski stores. These are called "deck skis" !

It is possible that the Heads you had were one of these !

I tested all the Heads several months ago and never saw such a ski. I have Head Supershapes and Head WC SL as my personal skis and they do not have an "orange" tip !

May I suggest to all who "hire" or demo skis to note the small figures ( numbers) at the tail end of the ski ! This gives you; the "parabolic", curve of the ski that is the width in mm. of the tip , waist and tails ! You will also get a R= , or just R 13 ! That is the radius the ski will take if it is put on edge and allowed to turn on this edge ( with no influence from the skier) ! That is the theoretical radius of the ski due to its side cut !
Amazing all the jargon you can learn just to select a ski!

I have seen a model from a given ski company ( that is with same side cut ) yet with different names and logos in different countries ! All about marketing ! Image !!!

I have also seen from the same ski company, the exact ski in all aspects ( core, edges, side cut etc,,) but with different graphics and different names !

The reason for this ?

The "free style" skiers are younger, more adventuresome and tend to like; skulls, blood, slurs, vulgar words, etc,,,, Same ski for older crowd,,,,,,no wild graphics, no nudes, no blood, skulls, etc,,,

Oh,,,,the first ski is 200$ US more expensive ! Wonder why ?

Hope you find your ski, if not try the WORLD CUP SL ski ! It will make you heart soar!
Just my opinion !

Re:Head skis

Wed, 7 Sep 2011 01:46:01 GMT

Not that I would recommend it for everyone, but the Head WC SL was the most fun ski I tried last year. I did not want to take it back to the demo tent.

Re:Head skis

Wed, 7 Sep 2011 17:00:52 GMT

Thankyou, Pavelski. I'll give up my futile search!

A good point about about taking note of the skis you hire. I actually took some photos of the Magnum ones I hired in January, which I also rather liked. It would also be useful to do this with skis you don't like to remember what not to go for.

I'm tempted to just order some Head WC SL after your's and Trencher's comments. I keep seeing them on ebay and they seem very reasonably priced, especially if they are that good. They look rather smart too ~ I'm in the crowd that would look silly with blood and skulls and nudes.... but these skis I think would go nicely with my pink jakcet!

Incidently, in France this year, the ski shop said they didn't use the Head skis. I couldn't quite understand his explanation as to why, something to do with the durch sprung technology.

Thankyou again for all the information, Pavelski.

Olla

Re:Head skis

Wed, 7 Sep 2011 22:07:56 GMT

OLLA,

Why some shops or some ski resorts do not have a specific ski often has to do with "marketing politics" !

In one ski resort I visit regularly, Salomon is given to all ski school directors and supervisors ! In return instructors MUST have only Salomon to teach and only this brand is sold !

Guess what happened last year ?

I was testing about 10 pair of Fischers and one of the supervisor asked me to try the SC pro model. At end of day he offered me a beer and at bar ( in a low voice) asked to buy that model! I did get him a pro deal! On his free days , he takes off his instructor jacket, puts on those Fischers and skis while his fellow instructors "jeer" him !!!!

Hope you find the Heads you want !

Pavel

Re:Head skis

Wed, 7 Sep 2011 23:12:54 GMT

I also like the Fischer pro SC. Quite a versatile ski, though I wish they hadn't increased the radius as much from the previous model.

Olla, Although I had the most fun on the Head SL skis, they are not a versatile ski. Hard tight turns, and although they have a lot of energy, they require a lot of energy too.

Front side skis can vary a lot. Not just the radius (those numbers Pav mentioned), but how that radius is designed. Two skis with the same radius sidcut can have very different characteristics.

A great explanation of how this works is given in these videos by Sean Martin of Donek Snowboards. The same principles apply to skis. Unfortunately, unlike the custom snowboard makers, ski companies don't give these kind of details.

Re:Head skis

Thu, 8 Sep 2011 10:18:36 GMT

I think I get it a bit more now! The thing is, understanding how it works is great, but I don't know what I need!

I hired some very pretty lightweight skis this year, which I felt very unstable on, especially at speed (at intermediate level speed, shall we say). I changed them for Head Magnums, and once I got used to them I was much more confident and had much more fun.

Trencher, you say the Head WC SL is not versatile and does hard tight turns, that sounds quite versatile to me. It must be capable of doing anything between a hard tight turn and going straight?

Re:Head skis

Thu, 8 Sep 2011 12:06:34 GMT

Olla wrote:I think I get it a bit more now! The thing is, understanding how it works is great, but I don't know what I need!

Trencher, you say the Head WC SL is not versatile and does hard tight turns, that sounds quite versatile to me. It must be capable of doing anything between a hard tight turn and going straight?

This ski is built to turn hard, tight turns, nothing else really. If you want a ski that will go in a straight line, pick something else.

Re:Head skis

Thu, 8 Sep 2011 12:49:55 GMT

Re Head WC SL skis.

I have these skis for the past three years. The only limitations I noted is in +10 cm. of soft powder snow!

I can use them for tight SL turns with a great spring feeling at end of turn!

I use them also for wide fast GS turns ( 81-23 meters) on steep runs.

In Spring skiing conditions with great deal of moguls they zip over tops!

The video I sent Dave Mac with me cruising with fast GS easy turns is on those SL skis!

Yes of course you can go straight down with them,,but what is the point!

I do have a pair of GS 181 cm. Head Supershapes for real fast GS type skiing and the difference between the two ,,,is that the GS is so much more stable at high high speeds ( most skiers will never go so fast) ! If you do go at speeds which allows those Supershapes to "hum",,the your ticket will be taken away!

Sorry Bandit,,but my Heads do more than tight turns. They cruise with turns in the =21 meters with ease.
Then that is just my experience with them.

Re:Head skis

Thu, 8 Sep 2011 13:02:01 GMT

If the OP is asking the questions, then these are not the right skis.
Any ski can do anything, it's a user who has the skills.

Re:Head skis

Fri, 9 Sep 2011 00:35:42 GMT

Bandit,
You are so right !

If you do not know what is a WC SL cut ski,,,,then it is not for you !

We have a saying here. It ain't the gun,,but the gunner" that makes the difference !

I once skied with a middle age man who kept complaining about how his skis could not do this or that ! After two days of listening to this "complaining" without a comment, I asked him to exchange skis!

We went down the same run,,in the same speed with the same turns! One run did it !

We exchanged, in silence skis again at bottom of the run ! Nothing was said!

The rest of the week went very well !

Now as far as "any ski can do anything ",,,,I have a pair of 185 cm. ,,,,130 mm. waist powder skis that can do nothing on hard groomed slopes, but in powder,,,,they come alive !

Try taking a 220 cm. downhill ski in narrow chutes ! There a limit on what you can ask a ski to do!

In conclusion Bandit, as always you are right in target. If a skier has to ask what these skis do,,,"then these are not the right skis" for him ! Can he at least dream of skiing on the very best ????

Have a great season Bandit !

Re:Head skis

Fri, 9 Sep 2011 07:28:32 GMT

I think that both Pavel... and Bandit have the right answer but it does leave the question on how to offer advice and support to skiers while they build up the experience to "know" they have picked a good ski - for them.
This is a similar thread to Snapzzz and advice in the hire shop.
Unfortunately I don't have the answer!
All I can suggest is to learn a little about the basics of skis and what different skis might do on the snow and then suggest trying out a few models.
I do suggest not buying skis too early in a skiing career. New skiers who have caught the bug do tend to progress really quickly in the first few seasons no matter what age and they can end up with a pair of skis that they outgrow before getting value from them.
Skied for a week with a mate who came to skiing late in life and who bought some skis to save costs of hiring (or so he said) but ...
When we skied the snow was amazing, fresh snow every day, just glorious but he found it so difficult. I persuaded him to hire a pair of skis for the day - epiphany! But a conundrum, he owned a pair of skis with only 2 or 3 weeks use and now wanted something better!
This Easter I persuaded my niece to get some better skis than she would usually hire (no problems, Mum was paying!). Her comment - "These are so easy". Within a couple of days she was carving competently and handling the bumps very nicely.
She found a pair of skis that whilst technically "harder" to ski on suited her abilities, fitness and the snow conditions.
Wish I had a better answer than "It depends" when asked what are the best skis .......
Or what skis should I buy/hire ...
Or what skis will improve my skiing ....
Oh well :D

Re:Head skis

Fri, 9 Sep 2011 12:30:11 GMT

More skiers should read and follow "OldAndy's advice.

Last night I considered Bandit's relevant comments and the whole issue of ski selection ! To me it is as mysterious as selecting that person you want to share your life with.

There are some essential steps.

1. Read and learn about skis and skiing
2. Ask some of the "older" skiers their opinions
3.Try out various models before buying
4.I would suggest "used" models for first time ( with friend's help )
5.Try demos on the hill
6 Be honest with self evaluation (how many times will ski, physical attributes,personality etc,)
7. Learn to ski effectively ie take lessons
8. take holidays with a better skier
9. Read some more and ask questions so you know about; camber,ski cut, radius, flex pattern, core construction, plate performance, look up REALSKIER site which has the very best independent evaluation in world. Clear, precise evaluation with sections to learn about skis. Well worth the few dollars.

Thank you Oldandy

I have accepted that there is no one way to select skis or mate,,,but the process is so much fun !

If you do not mind OldAndy, I will share with you my selecting process for that mate.

I was 19 and finishing university and had met a young lady who met all my criteria so far,,but I wanted to know how the "insides" were !

So I planned a one week hiking/mountaineering trip in Fall. She had never hiked, did not have boots. Had never slept in a small small tent with wind blowing pegs off, It was a 4 hour hike up to summit trials. At first the sun was out ,,then dark clouds came , following with rain. NO real heavy rain. A down pour !
"This was the moment" ,, I though. She will break down,, cry or just get mad at me !

It did not happen. All I saw was resolve and determination in her face! 4 hours later we found our shelter. Changed into clean dry cloths and had the very best coffee in the world and more !

Had 4 days of great hiking at top of some great mountains. Sun clouds, eagles, wind !

On the way down I knew she could take any "stress, problems,conflicts" life would throw at us ( and it did) She was gold inside,,hidden well by that soft tender look outside !

At very bottom,,at end of trip I asked her to marry me !

PS,, It was Fall and I had not "tested" her on skis. Stupid me ! She was a rank beginner and this was out first "stress" as a married couple. She had one factor which helped,,"desire,,burning desire" to be as good as me, no better than me !
I am married,,,,,, not as long as Dave Mac,,but I am sure I have had as much fun as him,,,,,on skis and on,,,,,,,,,,,!

In short take the time to select both your skis and your future wife/husband both are very important in your personal happiness! Please do not ask me which is more important ?

Re:Head skis

Fri, 9 Sep 2011 14:09:20 GMT

pavelski wrote:More skiers should read and follow "OldAndy's advice.

If you do not mind OldAndy, I will share with you my selecting process for that mate.

Lovely story, thank you for sharing

Re:Head skis

Fri, 9 Sep 2011 15:13:21 GMT

Hi

Very nice story. I met my OH up an Alp!

Now I have skied for a few years now but as next year it looks like 3 weeks skiing I thought I'd try and pick up a decent second hand pair on ebay, which was why I was trying to identify those 'orange tipped' skis.

Like OldAndy's niece and his friend, I find skiing on top of the range skis much easier.

On your list, Pavel, number nine lets me down. I have not tried to understand the technical stuff with regards to the ski, so I shall try to rectify that.

But you've not put me off those Head WC SL skis! Nope. So I may buy new now!

Re:Head skis

Fri, 9 Sep 2011 23:22:58 GMT

Olla,

Via PM send me your address.

Better still,,come and try them for several weeks, since I am getting the 2012 editions soon so my 2011 models will be free.

My wife also has a pair of World Cup SLs. Loves them,,so if you hear anyone tell you that you need "thighs of thunder" and a racing pedigree do not believe them!

They are however very sensitive to edge sets, silky smooth and demand from the skier to never sit back on the turns!

Happy ski season.

As far as that technical material,,,it is not that complicated . I can send you some literature given to company reps when they are trained to do their "marketing" in stores!

Respectfully,
Pavel

Re:Head skis

Sun, 11 Sep 2011 03:07:49 GMT

Trencher wrote:Not that I would recommend it for everyone, but the Head WC SL was the most fun ski I tried last year. I did not want to take it back to the demo tent.

This is not true; I was having a senior moment. It was actually the Rossi WC SL that I was so enamoured of :oops:

Re:Head skis

Sun, 11 Sep 2011 11:45:53 GMT

Trencher,
Love that phrase,,"senior moment" ! If you do not mind I will use it often !

If you consider all the SL World Cup skis,,they are great!

All have fantastic plates now. All are truly snow leopards ready to pounce,,yet all have their own "personalities" ! That is the fun is trying out new skis!

I am happy to hear that you still try out the boards once in a while !

Pavel