Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@Weathercam, only for those megametre ascent days
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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I guess it depends on what you are used to. It has only been in the last 5-6 years that the ‘freeride’ Tech binding has really come to the market, and that has driven the makers of traditional Tech bindings to innovate. This means that you can now buy a minimalist binding that works better and more reliably.
I guess being brakeless makes you more careful, but it does slow down transitions a little.
A mountain guide I ski with has used the ATK Freeraider 14 for a couple of years without any issues. But it does have a manual lift brake, so maybe not that minimalist
I’ve got Beast 16, Radical ST 2 and brakeless Plum Guides on my skis.
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Ironically in the past hour just received a message from a young dude I knew from here in Serre who only passed his French Ski School exams two years ago (bit of a breath taking achievement) but could not get a decent full time job so became a trolley dolly for BA and now does long haul.
He just messaged me asking what bindings / skis I use as he's working part time in a ski shop and is on a Dynafiddle training course, and looking at the new Hogie boot for next year, in his words "it's awesome".
I'll have to find out what shop!
And @PowderAdict, when I get my skis back it's quiver photo time
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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The bindings on the blue skis on the left (are they Ubacs) are particularly minimalist
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No big skis either (length or width).
It's a bit like mountain bikers; XC v Enduro.
I'm putting Beasts on a pair of Superguides just to annoy people
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@Mosha Marc,
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Weathercam wrote: |
not a feckin brake in sight.
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Leashes are extra?? Good to see telemark skis there!
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@colinstone, I spotted that too! Aiming to do far more tele this season, may even be tempted to tour as well......
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I wasn't at all surprised by the minimalist bindings in the pic, but I am slightly surprised at the width if the skis. Seems that the trend is towards wider skis than those I'm used to seeing on the feet of ski tourers in France.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Weathercam wrote: |
looking at the new Hogie boot for next year, in his words "it's awesome". |
They've made the last on that boot something like 103.5mm, Hoji claims that the heel hold from the instep buckle is so good the boot doesn't need a narrow last. I'm skeptical, but we shall have to wait and see.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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@Oceanic, the shop is pretty special and client base is not your usual CAF ski tourer, more professionals guides etc hence the gear.
And there is only ONE shop like it in our region!
But you're right there is now a definite trend towards 100mm and high tech Plum style binding.
I'm pretty sure I will not see any gear like this when I go out with the CAF this season
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@Oceanic, hmm I've heard that that was due to Dynafit EU bigwigs stepping in and making changes to appeal to (or they think will appeal more to) their big alpine touring market (never mind that that's not what this boot is designed for!)... Not sure on the truth mind, but there's rumours of a narrower and stiffer Hoji Pro that may or may not be made too...
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You know it makes sense.
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PowderAdict wrote: |
I guess it depends on what you are used to. It has only been in the last 5-6 years that the ‘freeride’ Tech binding has really come to the market, and that has driven the makers of traditional Tech bindings to innovate. This means that you can now buy a minimalist binding that works better and more reliably.
I guess being brakeless makes you more careful, but it does slow down transitions a little.
A mountain guide I ski with has used the ATK Freeraider 14 for a couple of years without any issues. But it does have a manual lift brake, so maybe not that minimalist
I’ve got Beast 16, Radical ST 2 and brakeless Plum Guides on my skis. |
^ This is my take on it. My current ski tour / ski mo / fun set up is Superguide 105 with Salomon MTN bindings. Ski exceptionally well, very light combination, binding is stiff, simple and secure. Optional brake too so can punt around resort for lift based excursions without leash faff. 5 years ago the choice would be between more noodly / heavier / less secure.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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I posted on this last season but when I was at the (full) Conscrits hut on the way up Les Domes des Miages my R108CLs 186 were the biggest skis there. Most people were on something around 88mm. Radical 2s would have been at the burly end too.
Because I only expect to do 3 or 4 days of "proper" non-lift assisted touring a season for the foreseeable I'll hire something 176cm /88mm/minimalist binding for future trips.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@mishmash, I haven’t felt the need, and haven’t been on anything below 100mm since 2009. If I was going to go narrower, I’d look at the Cassier range.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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PowderAdict wrote: |
@mishmash, I haven’t felt the need, and haven’t been on anything below 100mm since 2009. If I was going to go narrower, I’d look at the Cassier range. |
Love the quiver though!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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You win on numbers, and probably weight (apart from the Scotts with the 3kg bindings), I’ll take the win on width and the biggest rocker
Interestingly Coombacks were the first ‘fat’ ski I used. I was on ‘wide’ Head Monster 88’s, and tried then ’massive’ Coomback 103’s, and that was it. My next skis were Line SFB’s at 115 under foot, with Baron’s. After that my affair with DPS started after a trip to Whistler, and my first pair of Wailer’s.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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There is a QuiverKiller salesman somewhere who is kicking himself over lost opportunities there!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@rungsp, Mine are all QK’d. The yellow Wailers can take Marker SP, Radical ST 1 or Plum Guides. The Spoon 150 can take the Beasts or Marker SP, and the other skis are QK’d for the bindings fitted. I only ended up with the multiple Beast 16’s due to Dynafit dumping them on the market at a fraction of retail.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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@PowderAdict, those Spoons make the Wailers look anorexic
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You know it makes sense.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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kitenski wrote: |
PowderAdict wrote: |
@Weathercam, I'll get in first with my quiver, and yes I do have a DPS problem........
Wailer 112RP3, Lotus 124 Powderworks, Lotus 120 Powderworks, Wailer 112RP3 SE, Spoon 150 SE.
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Nice How do you chose what to ski on a particular day? I'd guess the Wailer 112 would pretty much cope with anything wouldn't it??? |
I typically take 3 pairs in Europe and 2 pairs long haul. Last season in Europe the Lotus 124 had the most use, with the Wailers coming out for proper touring. In Japan I have skied the Spoon for 2 weeks every day, but last season with poorer snow, again the Lotus 124 saw some action. Somewhat bizarrely, the Spoons are more versatile than the Lotus 120, which I find to be soft snow only ski.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Knew I was doing something wrong.............
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Weathercam wrote: |
@Oceanic, the shop is pretty special and client base is not your usual CAF ski tourer, more professionals guides etc hence the gear.
And there is only ONE shop like it in our region!
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I'd fill your boots quick there. Before they go under.
Given professionals are tight and on pro deals it's not a great business plan.
If I were them, I'd be branching out into punters with deep pockets who need all the gear.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Weathercam wrote: |
@ise, that shop(s) has been going for a good few years, for sure they have expanded online, but it's not just ski based business, probably 30-40% of their trade I'd guess as they and their other branches are focused on far more than sliding down a mountain, they are probably more busy in the summer months!
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In that case they're selling to the public then There really wouldn't be a business in just selling to mountaineering professionals, no idea how that works for golf or ballroom dancing though.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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That shop reminds me of Excess Backcounty in Whistler (and a lesser extent Escape Route). Both provide an oasis of tech and touring (and even Telemark) amoung the mass market multiple production line piste based shops.
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[quote="Weathercam"]@Oceanic, the shop is pretty special and client base is not your usual CAF ski tourer, more professionals guides etc hence the gear.
And there is only ONE shop like it in our region!
Loutou Sports in Guillestre does a good range; and convenient for the Queyras
http://www.loutousport.com/#
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