2014 Skiing Thread

[19Yzerman19]

Honestly I don't sharpen my edges even though I have tools to do it. Rarely do I actually need edges.

[TheSutterDynasty]

Originally Posted by 19Yzerman19

On new skis there is a factory tune and wax, first of all, so if you get those done you're wasting your money.

As far as getting them done later, if you have the room I'd just do it yourself. It's super easy. Just need an iron, some wax and a scraper, basically.

The factory wax job is pretty sloppy and lacking, but I suppose you're right.

[19Yzerman19]

What the hell kind of skis did you manage to buy where there was something wrong with the factory wax?!

[mrbanffgirl]

Factory wax is not actually skiing wax. it is the same kind of wax, but does not have the additives in it for snow temperature. It is only used to keep the base from drying out. If you have skied on ice or manmade snow, look at your bases the next day when the water has evaporated, and they will look 'fuzzy'
factory edges are set to 90 degrees and are fairly sharp, but will only last a day or 2 on hard conditions. and a 90 degree edge is not optimal for skiing if you are intermediate or above.
A side edge profile of 1 deg. and a base bevel of .4 or .5 degree is good for the average joe. if you are skiing along and your skis 'catch' or overly grabby, it is because there is likely a 90 degree edge, not because they are too sharp. also, detune (dull) the first 3 inches of edge at the tip of the ski, from the bottom of the curve back. this will help with avoiding early hook up of the ski.
A tuned ski is WAY more fun to ski rather than sliding around on butter knives

[19Yzerman19]

Who's skiing groomers? Also who are these people skiing groomers who actually care what their bevel is? This isn't Austria and it isn't 2005. Personally I'm not saying I don't need sharp edges, I'm saying I basically don't need edges at all... probably not alone on that given that this is the rockies, but YMMV. As far as Sutter Dynasty goes he's probably not going to do his own edges.

Anyway, from where I sit your factory wax is generally fine for the first 4-5 days on hardpack, if that is indeed what you're skiing. Then do your own. If you really feel the need, just get someone to do a 30 second belt wax.

[polak]

In alberta, how often do you get anything thats not hard packed or groomed? Our fluffy days are vastly over stated unless your talking about off resort.

FYI sport check has a ridiculous sale going on for the skinny rossi experience skis in case anyone is looking for all mountain skis. Im picking up a pair of 83s with bindings mounted for 319 bucks. Perfect cause I ruind my season old skis and need a cheap replacement.

Edit: Got them. Can't believe I only paid 330 after tax for brand new Rossignol Experience skis with the Action 120 bindings.

[19Yzerman19]

My boy Josh, somehow managing to shred without his obviously inhumanly massive balls getting in his way.

DISCLAIMER: Do not watch the above edit if you have a heart condition or have recently slammed an energy drink.

[macker]

Originally Posted by kunkstyle

Anybody here do any backcountry? I'm looking for some relatively easy/safe runs to cut my teeth on.

Also, are there any hills nearby (say within 3-4 hours) that are more AT friendy? I know whitefish has a lot of people trekking up, and designated uphill routes aw well, but I don't recall seeing anything similar around here.

This is a huge area of growth in the sport that is being ignored around here. Brighton in Utah allows uphill traffic as does Magic Mountain in Vermont for free. I think Brighton charges $10 for a map of designated climbing and descending routes. Skin up and Ski down as you like. I think Jackson Hole still allows this?

Backcountry may account for the sport's biggest area of growth but uphill in-bounds traffic isn't far behind. Some of the Alberta hills may be though.

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by macker

This is a huge area of growth in the sport that is being ignored around here. Brighton in Utah allows uphill traffic as does Magic Mountain in Vermont for free.

Yeah the US is great for it. The only place I know that openly allows it is Castle, but only one day a week, with a buddy and avy gear.

[19Yzerman19]

There is currently legislation under discussion in the USA that would prevent inbounds skinning.

https://www.federalregister.gov/arti...s-at-ski-areas

A lot of ski areas already have policies that this isn't allowed down there, though the legality of same is questionable. Anyway, around here I don't know why you'd want to skin up inbounds. If you want to ski resort terrain buy a lift ticket, if you want to skin, BC it.

[macker]

Originally Posted by 19Yzerman19

There is currently legislation under discussion in the USA that would prevent inbounds skinning.

https://www.federalregister.gov/arti...s-at-ski-areas

A lot of ski areas already have policies that this isn't allowed down there, though the legality of same is questionable. Anyway, around here I don't know why you'd want to skin up inbounds. If you want to ski resort terrain buy a lift ticket, if you want to skin, BC it.

Main reason is access and use of facilities and as a jumping off point for quicker and in some cases easier climbing. U.S. Ski Mountaineering Association trains out of Brighton as an example. Whistler is dipping into things to some degree this year with Extremely Canadian offering a one-day guided BC program. The desire to ski all mountain and then keep going up would be the primary reason for the popularity. Resorts tend to be in great jumping off locations like Sunshine/Healy where you could potentially make a heck of a end of the day run after hitting the BC. Use their facilities and eat/drink at the lodge or buying gear at the pro-shop would be the only benefits to the resort though. Would be cool to not only tour around the resorts but be able to tour through them on occasion if this is the direction you are headed.

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by 19Yzerman19

Anyway, around here I don't know why you'd want to skin up inbounds. If you want to ski resort terrain buy a lift ticket, if you want to skin, BC it.

For myself, a few reasons.

1) Excercise and some downhill at the same time. XC bores the crap out of me.
2) Use of a lodge, hot lunch, etc. Less gear needed.
3) Can go out and earn my turns on my own for days when I can't find a buddy to go with.
3) Get in some practice before actually going into the BC, as to not be one of the people you ranted about a while ago with my Marker Dukes

[wooohooo]

I'm about an intermediate snowboarder and I'm looking to maybe go one day to a resort close to Calgary as I'm visiting my family for the week. I rather stay close to calgary, but wouldn't mind driving a few extra minutes.

I've been to sunshine and lake Louise a bunch of times. I've never visited norquay or Nakiska and wondering what your guys' thoughts are on those. I saw the nakiska ski card for $40 which would Definetly be a plus compared to the 80+ at the bigger resorts.


I'm also looking to practice as I haven't gone a while. But I also don't want ten second runs either

[19Yzerman19]

Originally Posted by kunkstyle

For myself, a few reasons.

1) Excercise and some downhill at the same time. XC bores the crap out of me.
2) Use of a lodge, hot lunch, etc. Less gear needed.
3) Can go out and earn my turns on my own for days when I can't find a buddy to go with.
3) Get in some practice before actually going into the BC, as to not be one of the people you ranted about a while ago with my Marker Dukes

I just figure if you're doing it for the exercise you might as well get away from the crowds and noise and enjoy nature. If you're doing it for the skiing, well, it's going to be ####ty and tracked out because of all those people who just rode the chair up to ski it before you. Earning your turns is work-reward and the reward kinda sucks when all these other people got there first without having to do the work. But to each his own. I can't see any sensible argument against letting people do it.

Anyway I have no issue with people who like frame bindings like Dukes obviously. A lot of people just can't trust tech bindings. I'm not 100% sure I trust them. Marker has just figured out that the north american touring market is largely comprised of people who want to spend 80%+ of their time skiing resort snow and occasionally get into some slackcountry, maybe the rare tour. For that use profile tech bindings are unjustifiable.

[macker]

Sometimes you need the head start. Prior to 2000 Jackson Hole didn't allow venturing into the Tetons and there was no backcountry access beyond their gates. Climbing the back of Cody Peak and ultimately "Once is enough" without lifts would be an all-day affair and unrealistic for most. People want increased backcountry access. Some resorts are allowing for it.

[Huntingwhale]

Originally Posted by wooohooo

I'm about an intermediate snowboarder and I'm looking to maybe go one day to a resort close to Calgary as I'm visiting my family for the week. I rather stay close to calgary, but wouldn't mind driving a few extra minutes.

I've been to sunshine and lake Louise a bunch of times. I've never visited norquay or Nakiska and wondering what your guys' thoughts are on those. I saw the nakiska ski card for $40 which would Definetly be a plus compared to the 80+ at the bigger resorts.


I'm also looking to practice as I haven't gone a while. But I also don't want ten second runs either

If you've skied Louise and Sunshine before, Norquay and Nakiska will just make you mad. Good hills for beginners, but if you are looking for an ''epic'' ski experience like those other 2 hills, you will be disappointed.

[wooohooo]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

If you've skied Louise and Sunshine before, Norquay and Nakiska will just make you mad. Good hills for beginners, but if you are looking for an ''epic'' ski experience like those other 2 hills, you will be disappointed.

I'm looking more for a 'touch-up' session as this is my first time out so I don't think I'm gonna do anything crazy. Just some nice green and blue possibly black runs. Are the runs nice, wide and long? Are is it like COP? Short and icey?

Thanks!

[DownhillGoat]

Nakiska actually isn't too bad for a touch-up session. I take my dad there from time to time, because he loves the high speed rollers. Some fun stuff through the trees. I wouldn't take it over the Sunshine/LL, but for what it sounds like you're looking for, I don't think it'd be a bad choice. Runs are long enough. No massive summit to base stuff, but it's not the 30 second straight shot down like COP. Depending on the day you go it can get stupid busy though.

Norquay I wouldn't bother with.

If you're up for a bit of a longer drive, Pano is actually really good for beginner/intermediate terrain and low crowds (and it looks like they're going to have a good start to the season), but you're talking a 3.5 hour drive. Doable for a day trip but starting to stretch it.

[Huntingwhale]

Originally Posted by wooohooo

I'm looking more for a 'touch-up' session as this is my first time out so I don't think I'm gonna do anything crazy. Just some nice green and blue possibly black runs. Are the runs nice, wide and long? Are is it like COP? Short and icey?

Thanks!

Then I would go to Nakiska. Nakiska is actually the first place I usually go at the start of each season just to warm up. It's pretty much how you described it so I think you'd have a good time there.

It's bigger then COP. COP is kind of a bad comparable to any place because it's so small. Nakiska does have some wider runs. Nothing really too steep and it gets decent snowfall each year because of its location. The greens are quite easy and its the perfect place if you're a beginner or just want to get the feel of skis.

It has its fair amount of short runs, and some decent sized ones too. Just don't compare it to Sunshine or Louise. But much better then COP for sure.

Dont go to Norquay though. Sucky place.

[Hevishot]

I am always shocked how expensive COP is now. Your better off driving to Nakiska.