On a frosty morning in B.C., an assortment of skis, some wide, some skinnier, some rockered, some not so much, await the day’s powder.
Seeking: info on backcountry ski preferences from an educated and particular readership (WildSnow readers).
First, thanks to any and all for filling out the Google Form on Ski Touring Boots: Range of Motion. We’ll have some information culled from those responses soon.
Next up, we’re trying to get an idea of what types of skis readers use. We’ve got a short Google Form asking for basic info about ski preferences. The questions are divided into three segments: daily driver, powder, and spring ski. Further, each segment asks for the brand, model, and ski length preference. (This helps us organize the information better; we learned some lessons from the Range of Motion form. And as always, we’ll not be collecting email addresses.)
Sure, some out there might get more granular and have a ski quiver broken into more subcategories. In that case, you could fill out multiple forms. And if a question does not apply, maybe you are a two-ski-quiver person, then please respond NA when appropriate.
Thanks again for reading and taking the time.
Link to Ski Selection Google Form.
While most of the WildSnow backcountry skiing blog posts are best attributed to a single author, some work well as done by the group.
21 comments
This is a tricky form. With my 2-ski quiver, I don’t so much choose between them based on conditions, but rather the objective at hand. It’s either fast and light, or more fun to ski if I’m not in a rush. Just my two cents!
IMHO, actual length of ski (in cm) is irrelevant. It’s relative length in the model range that matters. For example, do you ski the middle size or longest size. I’m a big guy, so all my skis are the longest they make for the model, but across my quiver that ranges from 181 to 195.
Quick rant: anyone who thinks they can tell the difference in*length* between say a 170 and 180 is full of it. That’s a ~5% change; what you feel is the different flex, sidecut, etc. You also can’t compare two 180s because of effective edge, flex, etc. If I was King of the World, I’d change ski sizing to S, M, L:)
I have to respectfully disagree. I have a pair of 189 and 182 same ski model and I can definitely tell the difference in length. This difference in feel is blatantly obvious in any kind of penetrate snow, and the deeper the snow the more I can feel the difference.
Man I’ve ridden a lot of different boards somehow connected to my feet and you can definitely notice a difference in everything from skiing to surfing. Also your argument about it only changing 5.8823529412% is flawed (and sorry you can’t). If you add up just those other things you mentioned that do change 😉 you’re going to have a ski that is definitely more than 5.8823529412% different than the other.
Caveat for my entry: the brands and models are not necessarily my preferred, but what I have (though I am happy with them). And I am a two ski quiver, with my spring ski doubling as my daily. If I had three skis, the daily would be more mid range.
I was going to say the same as Aaron, I don’t like the field being called ‘preferred brand’.
I have a hard time believing (most) people have a preferred ‘brand’ for a certain quiver spot. And reality being what it is, I was also unsure of whether to read that question as ‘what would be your ideal ski’ vs ‘what ski do you actually own’ in that category.
So for that, I would say it would be nice to split it into two questions:
1: what do you own
2: what would you like to have instead (if different)
I know, when I am buying a new ski, I look for a model that suits my preferences. I don’t go into it thinking I want a specific brand.
After all, brands change their skis over time, and might also have several models that fit a certain use. And several brands might offer a ski that could work for you. Brand doesn’t factor into the decision of picking a ski.
So in short, I would prefer if the fields were named: ‘preferred style’ of ski for a certain category, rather than ‘preferred brand’
Couldn’t agree more, Slim.
Then there are those of us who have what we have because of availability – meaning what I find on Craigslist or Marketplace for the right price!
Currently have a one ski quiver – and for Wildsnow readers – it would make your heads explode.
Will, at the risk of an explosion, please reveal the one-ski quiver. I was happily on a one-ski-quiver for about four years (not so long ago), and was mostly satisfied most of the time with that ski (K2 Wayback 88).
LOL.
Okay, Jason – you asked for it!
Currently using only a Black Diamond Carbon Megawatt in 188. Mounted with Plum Guides, no breaks.
…I live in AK so maybe that justifies my insanity?
Love it. That seems like a great ski for AK. (Please no eye-rolling Alex Lee, big skis in a big state makes sense. I am not so secretly trying to get Alex on some very big and maybe heavy planks.)
Yeah, I always chuckle at Alex’s reviews of skinny skis in AK.
Now I’m curious as to what constitutes “very big & heavy” on Wildsnow. lol. If he is too scared to try them, I’m always available! 😉
I’d love to have some skinnier skis, but the wallet says that might be a while…priorities, right?
Very few people will have a “preferred” brand, which implies one has tried them all and likes something best. Most of us are more likely to have whatever has turned up at a bearable price and has worked for us; one can only buy or demo so many skis…
Well, really, preferred could be taken out. I wanted brand of ski in there as it makes it much easier to sort the data.
I’ve aged out of the back-country (age 77).
Ten years ago, my fave backcountry skis were Salomon Guns. Risers on both ends of the ski enabled me to ski in tight trees. They were so quick turning and predictable under foot. Those skis could also cruise long diameter turns on open steep terrain (with Selkirk Mtn snow).
No love for splitboarders? Would be interested to see the ratio of hardboot/softboot splitboarders amongst Wild Snow readers.
That would be interesting and worth another Google Form. Apologies with regards to the splitboard exclusion.
I have 6 pair of Atomic Backland skis from 65mm/161cm to 117mm/184cm. And 4 pair of Atomic Backland boots. I love all of them for different conditions and days.
Ditto, have a few pairs of Backland UL (65,78,85) and think they’re magnificent skis for a range of conditions + objectives
Do I like my current ski? Only in good snow, otherwise they are a burden. I think there could have been a question about Camber Profiles and flex. Maybe that can be teased from the “I have DPS skis vs Faction Dictators” data?
Info like that, camber, flex, etc. does warrant a broader discussion and a much broader survey.
This survey fits the ski to the snow. In general – I fit the ski to the tour more often. Obviously – this means longer tours are usually lighter, skinnier and shorter, even if there is powder. Also – its about the terrain skied. Super-steep, dead-if-you fall stuff is nearly always going to get a skinnier ski that will allow for solid edge hold with less effort. (not that I do that kind of crap on purpose – but with some partners – you just know that’s what is going to happen.) And lastly – I’m not all that sure that I even agree with the idea of a “powder ski”….I know that sounds dumb – but if you can ski well, skiing powder is possible and enjoyable on any ski, barring exotic shapes. Its more about how they are skied, since not every shape will respond well to every speed, turn shape, or style of skiing. One of my favorite skis to take on long powder days is less than 90mm underfoot. Skis great – just differently than a 125 monster.