Recommendations on a twin tip set up?

Posts: 1 - Karma: 23

Feb 3 2021 7:33PM

What’s up NS, first post here after lurking for a little bit.

I’m sure this type of post has been made a ton of times over the years, but I’ll give it a shot myself since it’s a new year. Basically I’m looking to purchase my first set of sticks. I’ve rented for about 10 years now, as I don’t get to go an extreme amount, but I’d like to make more time for the sport.

A little background info as it may help - I’m 6’2” about 180lbs. Typically I reach for size 172 skis, but most rental shops try to give me 180s. The 172s just feel more comfortable under me.. mind you, these skis that I rent aren’t true twin tips, I’m not sure if that matters or not as far as sizing goes. I live in NJ, so east coast skiing. I mainly venture to the Pocono mountains (not very extreme), but would like to check out NY and Vermont next year as well. Again, I’ve been recreationally skiing for about ten years now, I consider myself to be an intermediate level skier.. comfortable on any blacks around here, and I enjoy the terrain parks as well.

What I’m looking into getting is a set of all-mountain/park skis, like a versatile twin tip that I can shred the blues with my girl in the day, and then do some park laps at night with the boys.

I’d be looking to buy skis, bindings and poles, boots as well but I would like to get fitted for those as comfort is crucial. My ballpark budget is roughly $1,200 give or take for the whole set up said and done (including boots).

Any feedback at all is extremely appreciated, thanks!

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cndr

Posts: 130 - Karma: 644

Feb 3 2021 10:19PM

What ski rentals did you like or not like? That can help narrow it down. As far as sizing, most twins ski shorter for their length than their directional counterparts. Early rise/rocker are common on most modern twins. Also a more centered mount and lack of a "true" tail all contribute to this. Your size and weight scream 180+ to me but everyone is different.

Does the place you rent from have any twin tip skis in their demo fleet? I'd start there. If you find one you like then bindings are already done.

Boots are the most important part. Find a bootfitter and see what fits your foot the best. Do not skimp on this part.

Poles can easily be found in any ski town thrift shop for cheap. Sometimes free if you just ask around. I'd send you some extras but I don't think they'd work with the size difference. For the record you have 40lbs and 7" on me and I ski twin 177s, sometimes 184.

**This post was edited on Feb 3rd 2021 at 10:21:50pm

**This post was edited on Feb 3rd 2021 at 10:23:44pm

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BradFiAusNzCoCa

Posts: 6643 - Karma: 57,261

Feb 4 2021 4:16AM

Line Chronics, Faction Prodigy 2.0, Völkl Revolt 95, Armada Arv96. Those and plenty of options more but don’t go below 180cm. You have a big budget. Spend the money on boots. Then get some skis and Bindings. Maybe look at ex-used demos to get an idea of what you want (unless you’re riding the park at a decent level - then scratch that). Generally a good pair of bindings will last a few pairs of skis. Bindings I recommend are: tyrolia attack, look pivot, Salomon STH

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Emmitt

Posts: 1 - Karma: 23

Feb 4 2021 10:16AM

cndrWhat ski rentals did you like or not like? That can help narrow it down. As far as sizing, most twins ski shorter for their length than their directional counterparts. Early rise/rocker are common on most modern twins. Also a more centered mount and lack of a "true" tail all contribute to this. Your size and weight scream 180+ to me but everyone is different.

Does the place you rent from have any twin tip skis in their demo fleet? I'd start there. If you find one you like then bindings are already done.

Boots are the most important part. Find a bootfitter and see what fits your foot the best. Do not skimp on this part.

Poles can easily be found in any ski town thrift shop for cheap. Sometimes free if you just ask around. I'd send you some extras but I don't think they'd work with the size difference. For the record you have 40lbs and 7" on me and I ski twin 177s, sometimes 184.

**This post was edited on Feb 3rd 2021 at 10:21:50pm

**This post was edited on Feb 3rd 2021 at 10:23:44pm

As far as rentals go, I’m honestly not sure what the “normal” shitty sticks are that they give out at the Pocono resorts. Last time I went though, I rented from a separate ski shop and paid for the “high quality rental”, which ended up being some Volkl RTM 80s in 172cm. Those were pretty cool, but still a bit clunky in feel, as I’m sure they’re not very quality skis. I did have fun on them though, and was able to get it done a bit in the park still on them as well. I think you’re right when it comes to my size, I should be on 180+, which I’m not opposed to when it comes to lighter gear with twin tips for a smaller feel.

As far as the local shops go for me, most are quite small and don’t have a whole lot of inventory, I’m sure the demo fleet would be pretty slim pickings, but I could be wrong! I’m willing to travel a bit though, PA, NY, DE, maybe even a bit north of NY if it would be worth it, as I’m sure shops get better further up north.

As far as boots go, I do plan on finding a Bootfitter to suit me up. I don’t want to skimp on comfort or performance, so I’m not trying to mess that part of the purchase up at all. I agree on the poles as well, those are the least of my concern really. I appreciate you giving me your size as a comparison as well, that is good food for thought.

I have been looking into a few models, maybe you would have some experience on any of them? Or if not any suggestions of other models to look at?

Armada ARV 96

Black Crows Captis

Line Chronic

Line Honeybadger

Faction Prodigy 1.0

I’m open to just about any suggestions in that ~$500 range if you have any input.

Thanks for the in depth reply homie!

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anders_a

Posts: 1680 - Karma: 5,602

Feb 4 2021 11:46AM

you should not be on 172 skis at 6'2, unless you suck extremly hard at skiiing

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SofaKingSick

Posts: 8934 - Karma: 57,528

Feb 4 2021 11:59AM

armada arv 96 and tyrolia attack 13s are THE go-to setup for this kind of situation. reasonably priced, super good all around, easy to use ski that can do it all, and those are good light bindings that are surprisingly cheap especially if you catch them on sale. don't get attack 11s, those are a kids' binding basically

if you can, find a demo day somewhere. that way you can actually try several different skis and see what you like and don't like about them

boots are where you want to use a lot of your money as boots are the most important part of the equation transferring energy from your body to your skis. ideally you go to a boot fitter and describe what you want and they see what fits you best. brands and models vary in their sizes and fits, it's not like a ski where you can say "oh that's a good ski, i will buy that one and it will work for me." it's much more checking on an individual basis for boots

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