Latest posts for the topic "Help with ski hire"

Help with ski hire

Sat, 20 Feb 2010 22:07:20 GMT

This year I am going to hire skis mostly due to BAs carriage charges,so I have to decide what skis would be good for my ability.
I have skied 14 six day trips & can ski all colours but have kept away from moguls & true off piste.

My own skis are Fischer plasma DRS carvers,I have used them for my annual trips for the last 10yrs so maybe its time for a change.
I mostly ski on piste & on occasions off piste alongside & from one run to another,I usually go in March & snow conditions are always heavy going,chopped up,mash potato & similar unsavoury conditions,so what I am looking for is a ski that will deal with these conditions better than the carvers I've been using.
One ski that's sounds quite good in the reviews is the Salomon x wing 8,so has anyone any knowledge of these skis to help me decide before booking them,or can you recommend any other skis you think would be suitable in your own opinions.
I trust the advice given by members of this forum over any reviews posted by the hire companies as you are helpful & they are just shifting stock.

Thanks in advance

Re:Help with ski hire

Sun, 21 Feb 2010 08:43:30 GMT

Brooksy, the ski you're considering seems to be a carver. It has a 74mm waist, it's a big marketplace and I'm not sure why that ski has grabbed your attention, unless you like a really heavy ski?

My suggestion to you is that you choose a rental package that allows you to swap skis as many times as you want, so you can test out a few brands. Mostly, if you turn up with a specific ski in mind, the shop never has them on the rack, and they will try and fob you off with some noodles :roll: To counter this, make a list, which will give the techie a lead in judging the sort of ski you want. I've done this when testing, and been pleasantly surprised.

For skiing the conditions you are describing, you could go a little fatter underfoot, without losing carving capability. Start looking out for skis with a wood core, which will be give you more feedback underfoot, be lighter and more responsive IMV.
Your destination skiing country, will play a significant role in the brand, range (and to some extent type) of ski available to you.

Re:Help with ski hire

Sun, 21 Feb 2010 10:53:54 GMT

Hi Bandit
Thanks for your reply,this is exactly why I posted the question,I have no idea when it comes to skis.
I am going to Engelberg on the 6th of March & I believe you are well acquainted with skiing in that area.
I looked at the snowbrainer site after someone mentioned that they had used them to their satisfaction on another thread,they in turn recommend 4 seasons ski hire.
When looking at the ski range on there they give you a list of supposedly available skis with a short description of what type of skiing they are best suited for,also a couple of reviews.

The description for the x wings stated 70% on piste 30% off piste good all round ski suitable for skiing all types of snow conditions.The reviews backed this up & more,they are in the gold range & cost GBP88 for the 6 days.
What you said makes perfect sense in making up a list but are you talking about ski types or personal traits? I wouldn't know a wood core ski from any other.
To get the discount you have to book & pay online so ski selection or group has to be decided on before you go, from the limited range they show,so no way round that.
From what I have told you do you have any suggestions on skis I should be trying by name, to give me an idea of what to look for.

Thanks again for your time spent on helping me.

Re:Help with ski hire

Sun, 21 Feb 2010 12:47:07 GMT

Brooksy, Snowbrainer is an intermediary, they will do bulk price deals with rental shops in resorts. They will recommend the store that they dealing with, it's not impartial.
If you want to pre-book your skis, you will get what they have left for you when you arrive, and as you have already paid, there is not the option of trying another store. I have never received the skis I thought I'd booked when pre-booking. If price is your No 1 priority, then pre-book.
For reviews, I would want to use an independent source, not the rental co. or their intermediary, just personal preference having been sucked in by the hype that the ski mfrs write about their kit, which sometimes is cut and pasted onto rental sites verbatim.

If you want to use the time to test out some modern kit, then for Stockli I'd suggest the Rotor 76. Here is the link to their stores with the rental prices in CHF.
http://en.stoeckli.ch/main/rental/

For other brands, not having seen you ski, it's hard to know what to suggest. Off the cuff I'd say:

Movement Yaka
Scott Neo
Fischer Watea 78
Head Peak 78
Dynastar Legend Sultan 80

All of which are happy on piste and can be considered All Mountain skis. I used the Stockli store at the Titlis Gondola station. Stockli only rent out their own skis, and jolly fine they are too :D

Re:Help with ski hire

Sun, 21 Feb 2010 13:14:03 GMT

Thanks Bandit for all the info,have made notes on the skis you listed & yeah your right tying yourself down to one shop without knowing what's actually available is a nobrainer.
I have looked at the stockli site & I assume these would be classed as vip skis 140 chf,bit more expensive but why risk your skiing enjoyment for an extra GBP20.
Don`t suppose its worth asking Tony if the NEOS are any good,proberbly never heard of them :lol:

Thanks again for the effort you have put in to help me out much appreciated.

Re:Help with ski hire

Sun, 21 Feb 2010 13:19:26 GMT

Scott Neo's.
Good night :wink:

Re:Help with ski hire

Sun, 21 Feb 2010 13:22:37 GMT

Did someone call your name Tony :lol:

Re:Help with ski hire

Sun, 21 Feb 2010 13:22:47 GMT

Would it be asking to much to borrow yours if I promise to bring them back :roll:

Re:Help with ski hire

Sun, 21 Feb 2010 13:24:22 GMT

brooksy wrote:
Would it be asking to much to borrow yours if I promise to bring them back :roll:

Sadly I will be on them for a week on 6th March, otherwise I would still have told you to get ****ed and get your own :!:

On a serious note, I have only had 4.5 days on them to date, but they have been great to ski on. Thoroughly recommend them.

Re:Help with ski hire

Sun, 21 Feb 2010 13:24:56 GMT

Brooksy, not sure if the Rotor 76 would be in the VIP range. It's an everyday ski, and they do offer some exceptional skis, if you're big enough 8)
I'm not :oops:

You could drop them an email and ask for advice.

Re:Help with ski hire

Sun, 21 Feb 2010 15:11:19 GMT

Tony_H wrote:

brooksy wrote:
Would it be asking to much to borrow yours if I promise to bring them back :roll:

Sadly I will be on them for a week on 6th March, otherwise I would still have told you to get ****ed and get your own :!:

On a serious note, I have only had 4.5 days on them to date, but they have been great to ski on. Thoroughly recommend them.

Sorry hear that you are using them at the same time.
I was only asking to borrow then to help you out,I would have been able to put them to the test at a much advanced level than they are use to & given you my report. :lol:

In the unlikely event of progression in your skiing ability you would have been fully informed of all the shortfalls in your Neos :mrgreen: :-) :-)

Re:Help with ski hire

Sun, 21 Feb 2010 15:21:42 GMT

bandit wrote:Brooksy, not sure if the Rotor 76 would be in the VIP range. It's an everyday ski, and they do offer some exceptional skis, if you're big enough 8)
I'm not :oops:

You could drop them an email and ask for advice.

Thanks Bandit

Confused about the phrase Big Enough, does that mean in stature or ability :?:

Someone on here mentioned Scott Neos cant remeber who, apparently your supposed to take them to bed with you :shock: don't know why & I would be to embarrassed to ask anyone about their sexual preferences,but it takes all types as we well know )

Re:Help with ski hire

Sun, 21 Feb 2010 16:45:03 GMT

No. You dont take them to bed, but you put them in bed, thats a massive difference.
I cuddled them yesterday when they came back from a tune up.

Re:Help with ski hire

Sun, 21 Feb 2010 16:58:51 GMT

brooksy wrote:

bandit wrote:Brooksy, not sure if the Rotor 76 would be in the VIP range. It's an everyday ski, and they do offer some exceptional skis, if you're big enough 8)
I'm not :oops:

You could drop them an email and ask for advice.

Thanks Bandit

Confused about the phrase Big Enough, does that mean in stature or ability :?:

In my case, for these....

http://en.stoeckli.ch/main/skis/collection/stormrider/stormrider_dp_pro_plus/

all of the above applies! :mrgreen:

Re:Help with ski hire

Sun, 21 Feb 2010 17:19:29 GMT

Tony_H wrote:No. You dont take them to bed, but you put them in bed, thats a massive difference.
I cuddled them yesterday when they came back from a tune up.

So its not just a one night stand then )

Re:Help with ski hire

Sun, 21 Feb 2010 17:20:53 GMT

bandit wrote:

brooksy wrote:

bandit wrote:Brooksy, not sure if the Rotor 76 would be in the VIP range. It's an everyday ski, and they do offer some exceptional skis, if you're big enough 8)
I'm not :oops:

You could drop them an email and ask for advice.

Thanks Bandit

Confused about the phrase Big Enough, does that mean in stature or ability :?:

In my case, for these....

http://en.stoeckli.ch/main/skis/collection/stormrider/stormrider_dp_pro_plus/

all of the above applies! :mrgreen:

Defo not for me :mrgreen:

Re:Help with ski hire

Sun, 21 Feb 2010 18:18:52 GMT

bandit wrote:

brooksy wrote:

bandit wrote:Brooksy, not sure if the Rotor 76 would be in the VIP range. It's an everyday ski, and they do offer some exceptional skis, if you're big enough 8)
I'm not :oops:

You could drop them an email and ask for advice.

Thanks Bandit

Confused about the phrase Big Enough, does that mean in stature or ability :?:

In my case, for these....

http://en.stoeckli.ch/main/skis/collection/stormrider/stormrider_dp_pro_plus/

all of the above applies! :mrgreen:

Like them let me know when you want to sell them, by the way the 8000's were fab really noticed the difference off piste, lost out a bit on the short turns, but took two pairs of skis with me but only
wore the 8000's 8) 8)

Re:Help with ski hire

Sun, 21 Feb 2010 19:55:18 GMT

Ian Wickham wrote:

bandit wrote:

brooksy wrote:

bandit wrote:Brooksy, not sure if the Rotor 76 would be in the VIP range. It's an everyday ski, and they do offer some exceptional skis, if you're big enough 8)
I'm not :oops:

You could drop them an email and ask for advice.

Thanks Bandit

Confused about the phrase Big Enough, does that mean in stature or ability :?:

In my case, for these....

http://en.stoeckli.ch/main/skis/collection/stormrider/stormrider_dp_pro_plus/

all of the above applies! :mrgreen:

Like them let me know when you want to sell them, by the way the 8000's were fab really noticed the difference off piste, lost out a bit on the short turns, but took two pairs of skis with me but only
wore the 8000's 8) 8)

Wickers, they would be a bit of a handful for OH, bit like riding a racehorse I think :lol:

So glad you liked the 8000's :D Just passed on your feedback to OH, and he says 8)