Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/3/84; site bolton.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!ihnp4!zehntel!dual!amdcad!decwrl!decvax!genrad!bolton!hamel
From: hamel@bolton.UUCP (Bob Hamel)
Newsgroups: net.rec.ski
Subject: Re: re: wood core vs foam?
Message-ID: <338@bolton.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 28-Nov-84 10:07:18 EST
Article-I.D.: bolton.338
Posted: Wed Nov 28 10:07:18 1984
Date-Received: Sat, 1-Dec-84 05:48:02 EST
References: <1481@drutx.UUCP>
Organization: GenRad, Inc., Bolton, Mass.
Lines: 44

I thought I might add my comments concerning ski preferences. The previous
articles written by some folks in Colorado (I forget their names) contained
some good advice. But I think that several of their points are questionable.

"Always get slalom skis ...". Why? I was skiing on slalom skis for about 10
years (Rossignol Strato 102 and ST COMP). They were nice quick skis but tended
to chatter (vibrate) a bit at high speeds and they tended to sink alot in
unpacked snow. I bought Rossignal SM's (now the 3G) last year. They're great!
I have found them to be quick enough for bumps, VERY stable at high speeds, and
better in powder than my previous pairs of skis. I will admit that my
experience is limited to Rossignol and some demo-ing on K2's and ELAN, but I
think that the GS ski is a more versatile ski. And my SM's are fun!

"I never liked GLM ..." (or something like that). GLM (Graduated Length Method)
as a teaching technique did have its' flaws. However, it did teach us that it
is alot easier for a 'never-ever' skier to learn to ski with shorter skis. I
think that anyone who starts to ski on anything longer than 150 cm (or 170 if
they're very big) is just making things more difficult for themselves. If,
after the first time skiing, a person finds that he/she is handling the short
skis very easily, he/she can 'graduate' to a longer ski. The trend in ski
lengths is towards longer lengths and I think that's good (I ski on 203's), but
there's no reason not to start on something that's more managable.

I'd like to add two more points to the 'advice' on buying skis.

	1. If you're just starting to ski, rent equipment until you have a good
		idea what length you feel comfortable at. This also gives you a
		chance to grow into a length without suffering with long skis
		at the beginning and without getting stuck with skis that are
		too short at 'the end'.

	2. If you are buying new skis, try to demo several models that you
		might think you like. Many areas have 'demo days' where ski
		manufacturers bring up pairs of skis of various types and
		lengths that you can try. I know that Attitash and Wildcat
		(Dec. 1,2) and Waterville Valley (Dec. 15,16?) are having them
		real soon. You're the best judge of what you like (of course,
		your financial situation may have something to say, too)!

And, finally, THINK SNOW!!

						Bob Hamel

	"I'm going where the weather suits my clothes ..."