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April, 2024

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Which skis for a noob?

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DowseBigamy
Posts: 113 - Karma: 147

Hey, I've just started geting into park, but have been skiing for a fair while, confident on blacks, riding switch etc.

I've done a little bit of park stuff already, few lessons here and there and can just about land 360s, but want to improve. I live in the UK so only really get away once a year if I'm lucky, but there are a couple of indoor places with park night setups not too far away.

Some stuff about me: Height 5ft 9 ish, weight 63.5 kilos. Age 22. 

Currently riding Dalbello Kryptons (brand new), and K2 silencers in 169 which are geting pretty beat up now, so could do with a new set of skis. I've got no idea what to go for. So far looked at K2 Domains and press, 4frnt click, Salomon Threat/Suspect, but I'm open to any other suggestions. Budget around $400, but could stretch that a little.

I want something playful, light, buttery, with pretty good all mountain performance.

Help?

Chris

Mar 24 2013 4:03AM
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DowseBigamy
Posts: 113 - Karma: 147
Also should have said, price needs to include bindings. My bad.
Mar 24 2013 4:09AM
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JWeinstock
Posts: 3439 - Karma: 1,352
if you really need to be around $400 with bindings you are definitely going to have down grade your choices. i would just say buy a pair used on here because you wont be able to get anything very good for $400
Mar 24 2013 9:10AM
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VD.
Posts: 4054 - Karma: 4,564
OP are we talking $400 or £400, there's quite a difference.
Mar 24 2013 9:33AM
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Swankie
Posts: 203 - Karma: 902
Check out surface skis most of them are in your price range and despite the amount of hate they get they r a ok company!
Mar 24 2013 11:52AM
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DowseBigamy
Posts: 113 - Karma: 147

Pricewise, I should have said £400. My calculations were way out, so say $600...

I've found 4frnt Clicks for £254 ($385 ish) and can get some marker bindings for around £80.  Any suggestions of length would be good too!

Mar 24 2013 12:38PM
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VD.
Posts: 4054 - Karma: 4,564
You should be able to get geared up with that, especially since most of the shops in the UK are having end of season sales right now. I'd take a look at Freeze Pro Shop, Ellis Brigham and Snow Trax Store


Also what bindings have you got on your silencers? Unless they aren't usable I would reccomend recycling them, and using them on your new set up, that way you'll £400, -minus £25 for a mount, left to spend on skis. If you're unsure about the integrity of your bindings, you could always get them mech tested.
Mar 24 2013 12:57PM
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DowseBigamy
Posts: 113 - Karma: 147

Silencers are mounted with Head Mojo 11s.   Getting them remounted wouldn't be a problem, and I could do it at work, so no charge. they're getting on to 5 years old now though, so could possibly do with something new?

I'll keep having a dig around, see what I can find. I've found that some US outlets will ship internationally at a much lower cost than others.

While I might not have much to sepnd, I want something that's going to hold up well. I'll probably be bailing a load...

Chris

Mar 24 2013 2:10PM
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DowseBigamy
Posts: 113 - Karma: 147

K, so, I've been having a look around. List of what I've found so far below - working from what I've read here and elsewhere...

Could still do with some help on sizing. I want to end up doing sort of 50/50 rails/jumps, so I want something playful, poppy, but stable underfoot.

So far, we've got...

- 2013 Atomic Punx - 173 -  with FFG 16 binding, at £330

- 2013 4frnt Click - 172, no bindings, £245

- 2013  K2 Domains + Salomon sth binding - £310

- Armada AR7 - 171/176 - no binding £310

- Armada THalls - 171/176 - no binding - £310

Ruled out threat and press, reading some fairly negative stuff about durability

Reading good stuff about the Punx, also Armada THalls, but not struck on the look of the THalls.

Where do I go next then?

Mar 24 2013 3:11PM
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Swankie
Posts: 203 - Karma: 902
Check out ninthward skis or surface
Mar 24 2013 3:15PM
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Mag
Posts: 8155 - Karma: 14,809
Isn't jon the only one in the uk with a huber torque tester?
Mar 24 2013 3:20PM
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VD.
Posts: 4054 - Karma: 4,564
Jon does a have a huber torque tester, however as far as I am aware there are 3 others in the UK. I would suspect Ski Bartlett has one and possibly one of the eb's may have one, but don't quote me on eb having one.
Mar 24 2013 6:18PM
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Keylan
Posts: 158 - Karma: 81
Buy used mint skis from a fellow nser. Get better quality skis for a cheaper price? Profittt?

https://www.newschoolers.com/ns/forums/readthread/thread_id/740752/
Mar 24 2013 6:45PM
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DowseBigamy
Posts: 113 - Karma: 147
Love 9thward true twins. Graphics are ace. How do they hold up though? Any good against the big players? Also, shortest size is 178, much bigger than I'm used to.
Mar 24 2013 6:58PM
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Gerome.
Posts: 1040 - Karma: 965
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/2012-Volkl-Wall-169cm-Skis-w-Marker-Squire-11-binding-/200902917790?pt=Skiing&hash=item2ec6bf3e9e#ht_1738wt_1397


both are pretty good deals
Mar 24 2013 7:05PM
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GeorgiaJibber
Posts: 1605 - Karma: 1,344
Id say go with either the punx or the domains, both are great skis and will allow u to progress
Mar 24 2013 10:24PM
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DowseBigamy
Posts: 113 - Karma: 147

Headed to Ellis Brigham tomorrow, gonna test a few skis out, get a good comparison!

They've got Punx, AR7s, Scott Jib TWs, K2 press and sight.

Will take what I've learnt from this forum with me and hopefully come away with either a new pair of skis, or a better idea of some skis at least...

Chris

Mar 25 2013 4:24PM
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Park.
Posts: 2480 - Karma: 4,582
the Scott skis have lesser durablilty andd have a higher cost. you should pass on those and as far as the K@ goes, they are durable and buttery, but they feel dead when you ride them and dont have pop. punx and AR7s are good choices, but the armadas are stiffer and the punx are a lot softer
Mar 25 2013 6:53PM
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DowseBigamy
Posts: 113 - Karma: 147

Just back from the fridge. Gave the AR7s, wallishcs and punx a good try. K2 press and sight seemed ridiculously heavy in comparison to all three of those.

Started with the Scott TW, can't remember the size. 171ish? Felt pretty good, quite light, fairly lively. Better than my silencers.

Next up, tried out the AR7s in 176. Don't know why, but I didn't get on with them. Felt much heavier. But I did get used to them.

Finally, tried the Punx in 173. Then ordered the Punx. So light, so playful. love them. Caught the edge a little more on them, but they were much sharper than the others, I'll make sure I detune mine a litle when I get them. Which should be next week.

Ordered them in 173 with FFG 16 bindings. Definitely the best thing I've skied on. Really, really love them.

Now then, where should I get them mounted. I'm thinking true centre...

Mar 26 2013 3:02PM
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Sharko
Posts: 2274 - Karma: 4,101
You are 5'9" and bought 173s? You are practically snowblading. Anyway, they are symmetrical so don't mount them anywhere but center.
Mar 26 2013 7:40PM
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DowseBigamy
Posts: 113 - Karma: 147

Prefer the slightly shorter ski. They're longer than the K2s I'm used to!

Mar 27 2013 4:25AM
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VD.
Posts: 4054 - Karma: 4,564
Da fuq? 5'9" is 175cm, for a fully cambered park ski, that he'll be using mainly for hitting rails and small jibs in a fridge, I think a 173 Punx should be fine.
Mar 27 2013 7:50AM
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DowseBigamy
Posts: 113 - Karma: 147

Just been out and collected my skis. As they weren't prepaid, I compared again, just against the AR7 this time. Same result, Punx came out on top for me. Bought, Salomon STH drivers fitted, edges detuned - ready to go!

Now just got to get on a late season trip...

Apr 3 2013 3:43PM
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