The completed quiver for TheSnowWay.com’s 2010-2011 season is all about the right tool for the job. An ultra-fat rocker is the only missing component to the package. From left to right are the Fischer Atua, Dynastar Legend 8000, and Volkl Supersport Six Stars for lift serviced and the Dynastar Legend 8000 and Fischer Watea 94 for earned turns.
On the disabled list is the Dynastar Inspired Big due to a partially broken Fritschi Freeride binding. Partially retired is half a pair of Dynastar Legend 8000s due to a blown edge, nearly blown sidewall, core shots, and a significant amount of missing base material. Fully retired is the Volkl P50 Motion (178cm and up for sale, name your price or trade) which did not serve long and had groomer duty only, replaced by the Six Stars.
The weigh in was conducted on a bathroom scale using the highly scientific “weigh yourself with and without the item” method. After a series of measurements were taken, I decided to use either the mean or the mode depending upon which seemed more valid. I give this method a margin of error of about 1.5 pounds. The results were striking:
Atua 16lbs
Legend (Alpine) 14lbs
Volkl Six Stars 16lbs
Legend (AT) 12lbs
Watea 11lbs.
How about them Dynafits!? My second fattest skis are the lightest pair in my quiver. And the heaviest is tied between a carving ski (175cm) and a burly twin tip powder board (186cm). Pounds per square inch, the Volkl Six Star stands alone due to its integrated binding system and metal core construction. Add in Salomon X-Waves at 15lbs and Garmont Radiums at 10lbs (both 345 BSL) and things get even more interesting. My heaviest rig tips the scales at approximately 31 pounds and my lightest rig about a third less at 21 pounds. Incidentally, 21 pounds is about how much weight I lost this summer due to road biking.
Any one want to go touring this weekend? 🙂
7 thoughts on “Quiver Update & Gear Weigh In”
Nice…I recently took pictures on a pile of DVD/VHS and a few magazines. I didn’t go my skis in the last 20 years.
This weekend…I wise I wasn’t so busy.
Guess you are likin’ those legends. I know ZIP about alpine skis, but that pic is making me drool. You look set to me. One thing we have in common … I use one bomber set of adjustable poles. They work for everything.
Lucky you – the Six-Stars are rocketships. I test-drove a pair a few seasons ago at our local hill. Never really got the concept of carving trenches until I had those skis on. And there seemed to be no speed limit either. They would be a bit too high-energy to have as one’s only pair of skis but are a great addition to a fine quiver. I would recommend getting a set of dedicated alpine poles though, save your two-pieces for touring. The lighter swing weight is noticeable and poles are cheap (or sometimes free!).
2pr of Legends eh? Is this because you found a deal or do you just really resist skiing the Fritschi’s inbounds? Is it performance preference, or concern about their ability to hold up, or something else?
I’ve been skiing Dynastar Big Troubles with Naxos on and off-piste and had no concerns. I just picked up a pair of K2 PE’s also with Naxos and will use them as a rock ski substitute for the Dynastars.
Admittedly though, on-piste I snowboard a majority of the time.
@SBR – I demoed the Six Stars the year they came out (http://thesnowway.com/2004/12/10/demo-day-2004-2005) and LOVED them. I never could justify the cost for the limited amount of groomer skiing I do. I picked these up a few weeks ago on eBay. My plan is to get more ski days in this season even if it means skiing the groomers, so I might as well have the right tool for the job!
Regarding the poles, I actually really like the heavier swing weight of the BD Traverse adjustable poles. I have two pairs of them and about a half dozen replacement shafts for when I wrap the lower part of the pole around a tree. I love skiing with them that much, I’ll never go back to standard ski poles for lift serviced.
@Harv – There is not much to know about alpine skis that you don’t already know about Tele skis. IMO, the differences between the two are disappearing since AT became big. Alpine guys ski tele boards and vice versa. The Six Star and skis like it are an exception. That is a dedicated groomer ripper, basically a slightly toned down version of a GS race ski with a little more energy. The Fischer Atua is the same ski as the Fischer Big Stix 96 which was marked towards the tele crowd. Same with the Karhu Jak (now Storm, I think?) and the Line Prophet, same ski different marketing.
@Alex – I have owned five different pairs of Legend 8000s. Two purchased for alpine binding, one purchased for the Fritschi Freeride, one warranty replacement, and this most recent pair I got off eBay for a little more than a Benjamin. I don’t think I ever paid more than $300 for a new pair even during their first year in production, the warranty replacement was free, and the used pair I got cheaply. I have had both an in bounds and BC Legend setup since 2006, I think. Though, given my first experience with the Dynafit on the Watea 94, the Fritschi Legend will likely see very limited use… late season on Mount Washington when clicking into bindings halfway up a gully can be tricky.
I average breaking one ski per season. Twice I have mis-matched broken individual skis into pairs. Its an awesome ski for everyday quick turning bump and tree ski. Sucks on the groomers and something wider is better in powder. Just wish build quality was a little better. Looks like they ruined the newer version called the Sultan by adding metal into the construction.
I don’t ski the Fritschi’s in bounds. The Fritschi is inferior to alpine bindings and also I would rather ski my alpine boot than my Radiums which are less comfortable and not as powerful. I have always gone with two different setups for touring and lift serviced. I don’t think a quiver of one is a good idea, just too many compromises. With all the cheap quality used gear out there, price is no reason not to have a multi-ski quiver.
Great points. I couldn’t/wouldn’t argue with any of that. I tend to buy (rarely sell, frequently give away) cheap, high quality equipment all the time and really like having lots of options.
But I ski my BC gear inbounds a fair amount for one reason – to be dialed in when it counts. I don’t want to wonder what kind of turn I can make when I’m in the trees and 2 hours from evac. It’s particularly and issue for me since I prefer to board inbounds and ski in the BC. (maybe that’s another story)
With your very comparable setups it may not be an issue.
On a related note: On any given day in the mtns how much time do you spend wishing you had made a different gear choice for that day? I find that used to happen to me quite a bit but I’ve learned to let it go.
“On any given day in the mtns how much time do you spend wishing you had made a different gear choice for that day?”
Almost never. Perhaps because I generally bring two pairs of skis with me when I think there may be even the slightest bit of doubt.
The rare time I wish I had a different setup in the car is when I forget that wind might be a factor for lift serviced and I don’t pack my touring setup. That is the only downside to having two completely different sets of gear, you need to bring two sets of skis AND boots as well as your pack and regular alpine digs when there is a doubt considering lift serviced.