I Skiied For The First Time In 20 Years

[billybek]

On the boards for the first time this year.
No lines and top to bottom for over 3 hours. Done.
Live to fight another day.

My skis are probably 16 years old now. Rossignol Zenith 5s I think. Great all mountain skis and my first shape skis coming off the Volkle Targa Rs that were about 203 cms.
Looking at the Rossignol experience 86s as a replacement.
Interesting that the recommended length has grown to a whopping 178 cm from the 170s that I am on now.

The age of the skis doesn't worry me too much. The age of the bindings does worry me a bit.

[jyl]

Looked all over and concluded I must have sent my old boots off to Goodwill years ago. I guess my next step is to get some new boots.

Went to local ski shop and looked at current boots. Seems like ski boots are lighter than they used to be. The "walk" latch in the backcountry models is interesting. Was told that canting, beyond the 1 degree or so available at the boot cuff, is now done at the boot sole rather than wedges under the binding.

Edit: bought some boots, Technica Mach something (edit: Mach1 MV 130). Tried Lange RX 120 but the boot flexed too much, the lower shell was bulging and the 2nd and 3rd buckles were touching (I'm a fatty). Tried some Nordica 120 which were a little stiffer. Then tried these Technicas and they felt best, with everything tightened up they have a nice firm flex (but not over-stiff, they are still flexing full-travel). I can live with the garish orange color. Wore them around the office for a few hours, very comfortable. I think these are a bit less stiff than my old boots, but better controlled if that makes sense. Local shop charges $100/boot for canting - yikes, this is gonna be a spendy pair of boots.

[billybek]

Technica makes great boots. Good choice.

I am skiing on some Atomics I bought last year. My old liners were packed out and the plastic on the old boots had a memory and would need to be punched every year or two just to accommodate my funny looking feet. The old boots were Atomics too. Think the new ones are a 120 flex. I don't drive them as hard as I once did.

[LWJ]

Hey Island911

You mentioned that newer skis don’t have that “pop” that old straight skis have. I can disagree. I always greatly enjoyed a good deep flex that popped me up as I transitioned to the next turn. My new Volkl’s absolutely pop. They are easily the best/most favorite skis I have ever owned. I bought a little longer than the 19 year old salesman recommended. They have a wide shovel for soft snow but with torsional stiffness so that hard snow isn’t an issue. Summary. You may in fact love some new boards. I am a total Luddite. And hey. Look at me.

[jyl]

Thought I’d update.

Haven’t gone skiing as much as hoped (work etc) but have managed about a weeks’ worth since my first post.

Got the Technica Mach 1’s fitted, custom footbed, soles canted. I’m happy with them.

Have done a bunch of demoing, decided to order some 2024 Stockli Montero AX with Look pivots for next season.

Edit: I tried Volkl Kendo 88 and Deacon 86, Blizzard Brahma 88, Atomic Redster S9 72, Stockli Montero AX 80 and Stormrider 88. After the Montero, I liked the Kendo and Brahma best. This was on piste.

Also thinking of picking up some 2023 demo skis for cheapish right now. Looking at Blizzard Rustler 9/10 or Black Crows Camox, to have something quite different from the Stocklis.

Clearly I need some time with an instructor, though might defer that until the first days of next season.

Edit: I’m still pressuring the front of the boot, thus over-turning the ski, especially in the later part of the turns. Among other issues.

[Flat Six]

Cool! Sounds like you got your gear sorted!

[mjohnson]

Originally Posted by jyl

...custom footbed...

Best investment you can make.

I'm still limping my >25yo ones along - even used fiberglass and resin to repair them. On a trip in UT I broke my tele binding and had to rent alpine skis/boots and wondered why the boots sucked so much. Oh yeah, no footbeds specially molded to my precious feet!

Oh, and if you ski out west, Vokl Mantra is always the answer IMHO - though they're heavy but at (I think) 105-107mm underfoot they'll handle most any snow. I have some Icelantic Goliaths (wood core and >120mm underfoot) that I'm not man enough for. They're seriously burly - I'd need 40lbs more body mass (I rock a nerdly 5'8"/145# structure) and significantly more stupendous hardware down in the ski bibs to rage on them. Heck, I can barely even "bend" them in a turn...

[jyl]

Decided to update here.

So this season started crummy snow-wise, but things got good by the end of January and I’ve made it up at least once a week since then.

Technica Mach 1 130 MV boots, custom footbed, Cantology cant wedges, lightly punched out at fifth metatarsal left foot. The boots are comfortable. I wish they had a little more ramp angle, my ankles are not flexible and I’m kind of limited in how much I can flex. Next season I may try a bit of heel lift. I’m also thinking of trying the Carv system.

Stockli Montero AR 84 mm 180 cm, Look Pivot 14. I decided on the AR instead of the AX 80 mm because I thought a slightly wider ski would be more versatile. Very happy with these skis, turn well, stable, smooth and damp, great on groomers and harder snow but I’ve even had them in 12-18” fresh snow and they did fine.

Naturally, n+1 has taken over and I couldn’t resist a deal on practically new Blossom Numero Uno RC (71 mm, 173 cm) with rail bindings. Haven’t skiied them yet, from demoing some similar skis I expect they will demand my undivided attention lest they hook me right off the run.

Now, on the skiing part . . . I took a private lesson, asked the instructor to help me forget my old habits and teach me new ones. That was very very useful. I’ve been talking my daughter up most days, so am spending a good deal on time on gentle slopes, and am using the opportunity to do drills and feel edges and balance, and generally try to re-learn how to turn without hopping around like a spastic pogo stick. I think I’m getting better at it. I’m pretty determined to be a much better skiier in my 60s than I was in my teens and twenties.

Skiing has been great for my mood during the long Portland winter and not terrible for my fitness either. It’s been less expensive than I expected - bought a pass and when all is said and done, I’ll have skiied a good deal this season for around $60-65/day.

So glad I got back into it, wish I hadn’t waited so long.

Oh, I also found out that “vintage” ski clothing is cheap on eBay. Sure, no one is wearing Roffe or Descente stretch pants in this age of baggy shredders, but they work great and my pair - unworn, as far I can tell - were only $17!

[jyl]

So the Blossom skis are kicking my butt. They are near-race skis, slalom sidecut (12 m radius) with fat shovels and tails, and the edges are "ridiculously sharp" per the head ski tech at my shop. I think, as does he, they are also on a pretty acute base bevel (0.5 or 0.7 degree), although it has yet to be measured. In softer snow they are a dream, on harder snow they are hooky and demand to be skiied a particular way - assertive, focused, hard turns with precise movements - and do not want to be smeared, pivoted, or to run straight on a flat base. These things have body-slammed me twice and my left shoulder is still feeling it. We debated whether to detune the tips and tails, but decided this is how the ski is designed to behave so better to adapt the skiier than the ski. According to the ski tech "they'll either teach you or break you".

[Flat Six]

Originally Posted by jyl

So the Blossom skis are kicking my butt. They are near-race skis, slalom sidecut (12 m radius) with fat shovels and tails, and the edges are "ridiculously sharp" per the head ski tech at my shop. I think, as does he, they are also on a pretty acute base bevel (0.5 or 0.7 degree), although it has yet to be measured. In softer snow they are a dream, on harder snow they are hooky and demand to be skiied a particular way - assertive, focused, hard turns with precise movements - and do not want to be smeared, pivoted, or to run straight on a flat base. These things have body-slammed me twice and my left shoulder is still feeling it. We debated whether to detune the tips and tails, but decided this is how the ski is designed to behave so better to adapt the skiier than the ski. According to the ski tech "they'll either teach you or break you".

Delighted that you got - and enjoy - the Monteros, IMHO a great PNW ski.

Sounds like you might want to play a bit with the tune, maybe 1* base with 2* or 3* side bevel. The way I always thought about base vs. side bevel is that a little base bevel softens the transition onto edge while side bevel (relative to base) establishes how much effective grip the ski can produce. My all-mountain skis typically run 1* base, 3* side underfoot transitioning to 2* side to tip & tail. But that's a preference I've developed over a bunch of seasons.

But I did learn something new and interesting about Blossom's factory tune:

"Blossom’s factory tune is hard to replicate as they use a Montana system that lets them program in a different side and base bevel on tip and tail than under the foot (Montana calls it Radial Edging)." The link is here: https://www.skitalk.com/threads/2024-blossom-numero-uno-n-1-rc.31358/

[jyl]

Hey, for anyone whose ski boot fit is less than perfect, I will recommend you check out Zipfit liners. $500 but will last 500-1000 ski days, move from boot to boot.

I found a nearly new set on eBay for $300, and will use them for the rest of my skiing life.

Reasons:
- Lower leg is as if welded to the boot cuff, there is no freeplay (okay, okay, not literally "no" - I can flex my lower leg a couple degrees before the boot cuff starts to move - with the stock liners this was >10 degrees)
- Heel is as if glued to the footbed, there is no lifting at all (no caveat there)
- Forefoot still able to flex and relax, toes to wiggle, your footbed lives inside the Zipfit liner
- No pressure points, and if there are any, you adjust the cork fill ("Omfit") to address
- Cork won't "pack out" like foam, if it shifts at all then you add more Omfit
- You lace liners on foot then step into boot shell, reverse to get out - I find this easier than twisting and wedging my stocking'd foot into the boot with OEM liner, because you don't have to force your heel into the pocket - that pocket is shaped to not let your heel out - or in . . .
- Stiffens your boot flex a little (10 points?)

[jyl]

Originally Posted by Flat Six

Delighted that you got - and enjoy - the Monteros, IMHO a great PNW ski.

Sounds like you might want to play a bit with the tune, maybe 1* base with 2* or 3* side bevel. The way I always thought about base vs. side bevel is that a little base bevel softens the transition onto edge while side bevel (relative to base) establishes how much effective grip the ski can produce. My all-mountain skis typically run 1* base, 3* side underfoot transitioning to 2* side to tip & tail. But that's a preference I've developed over a bunch of seasons.

But I did learn something new and interesting about Blossom's factory tune:

"Blossom’s factory tune is hard to replicate as they use a Montana system that lets them program in a different side and base bevel on tip and tail than under the foot (Montana calls it Radial Edging)." The link is here: https://www.skitalk.com/threads/2024-blossom-numero-uno-n-1-rc.31358/

I think this summer I'll get the tools for ski maintenance and have a little go at it.

I found out the Monteros factory base bevel is uniform 1.5 deg. Interesting.

[Flat Six]

Originally Posted by jyl

Hey, for anyone whose ski boot fit is less than perfect, I will recommend you check out Zipfit liners. $500 but will last 500-1000 ski days, move from boot to boot.

I found a nearly new set on eBay for $300, and will use them for the rest of my skiing life.

Reasons:
- Lower leg is as if welded to the boot cuff, there is no freeplay (okay, okay, not literally "no" - I can flex my lower leg a couple degrees before the boot cuff starts to move - with the stock liners this was >10 degrees)
- Heel is as if glued to the footbed, there is no lifting at all (no caveat there)
- Forefoot still able to flex and relax, toes to wiggle, your footbed lives inside the Zipfit liner
- No pressure points, and if there are any, you adjust the cork fill ("Omfit") to address
- Cork won't "pack out" like foam, if it shifts at all then you add more Omfit
- You lace liners on foot then step into boot shell, reverse to get out - I find this easier than twisting and wedging my stocking'd foot into the boot with OEM liner, because you don't have to force your heel into the pocket - that pocket is shaped to not let your heel out - or in . . .
- Stiffens your boot flex a little (10 points?)

Custom liners X100. I can also highly recommend Intuition liners, available at bootfitting shops and directly from Sun Valley Ski Tools.

Originally Posted by jyl

I think this summer I'll get the tools for ski maintenance and have a little go at it.

I found out the Monteros factory base bevel is uniform 1.5 deg. Interesting.

For tools, I've liked Sun Valley Ski Tools (https://www.svst.com/Shop/) and Tognar (https://www.tognar.com/) over the years. If you have something in particular in mind, shoot me a PM. I've got a box full of tools, some of which I haven't touched in a while. If it's something you need and I have extra, you're welcome to them.

[jyl]

Thank you, I’ll be in touch when I start on the project this summer!

[jyl]

Well that is a wrap on the ski season.



Since April I’ve been finding excuses to not ski - like gardening - so clearly Life has moved on in its seasonal rotation and while Meadows has one more weekend and Timberline goes until the end of May when summer skiing starts and runs through Labor Day, it is time to hang up the boots for the season.

Ah, the boots. I have developed genuine affection for my boots, more performant and less discomfortable than any ski boots I’ve ever had. I suppose this is what happens when you actually bother to have ski boots fitted. These babies are canted, punched, with custom insole, Zipfit liner, PTFE tape in shell, Booster straps and I intend to ski them until the shells give out.

I’ve learned a lot during this first season back. At occasional moments I’ve found myself skiing fairly well, and I have a pretty good idea of what I need to work on to get more of those moments. One thing I didn’t come across until late in the season, sadly, promises to be a game-changer. That is, when on a steep-ish slope of deep or cruddy or sticky or otherwise difficult snow, to “unweight” by simply pulling my feet up and back. One of my missions next season will be to get that motion grooved in.

Getting tired of driving the daughter’s Honda Element to the slopes. It is great on snow/ice but not that inspiring to drive. Looking over my current motley crew of other cars, all 2WD, the only one that could arguably make a ski car is the E28. RWD, but snow tires, ski rack, big trunk . . . I mean, we used to go skiing with only RWD cars.

[Ayles]

My buddy that does boot fitting always says “marry the boot, date the ski”.

I need need new boots and will be going dont the path you mention above. Tired of sore feet while I ski.

[jyl]

Originally Posted by Ayles

My buddy that does boot fitting always says “marry the boot, date the ski”.

I need need new boots and will be going dont the path you mention above. Tired of sore feet while I ski.

I’m such a fan of Zipfits. Handmade in Italy, supposed to last several hundred ski days (some say 1,000). The liners from my Technicas are practically new, but I had no regrets about replacing them.

Fischer has high-end boots with Zipfits as stock. RC 4 Pro ZF. LV and MV, buckles and BOA. Since Zipfits cost $500, getting them as part of the boot seems interesting. I found some reviews here https://www.bootfitters.com/reviews/results?keys=&field_brand_nid%5B%5D=95&year%5B%5D=2024&gender=All&sort_by=field_boot_msrp_value&sort_order=ASC

[unclebilly]

Yesterday was my last day for this season. 25 days this year... not bad considering I broke my leg and my ankle exploded in early January. I see the surgeon on Thursday about getting the screws out becasue they are broken and not happy in my ski boot.

[jyl]

Originally Posted by unclebilly

Yesterday was my last day for this season. 25 days this year... not bad considering I broke my leg and my ankle exploded in early January. I see the surgeon on Thursday about getting the screws out becasue they are broken and not happy in my ski boot.

You are a tough one!

[CurtEgerer]

I've been out of the game for nearly 10 years, but was a PSIA instructor and occasional racer for many years. Thinking of a trip to Colorado next season. Had not heard of Blossom so I looked it up and was surprised to see the link to Persenico Skis in Italy. This was the company eventually bought out by Spalding who produced the bright orange Sideral racing skis in the 70s (I still have a pair!). They even co-opted some of the Spalding names - Squadra Corse (I skied several of these fantastic skis in the late 80s/early 90s), the Numero Uno (the tag line for Gustavo Thoeni and the Siderals) and the Formula (sort of like the Spalding Formidable).