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Advice Needed: What skis should I bring to South america.

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ESAND
Posts: 1607 - Karma: 744
So the story is I am going to LL for what looks to be July - End of Season. So I have 4 skis in my quiver. Ideally I'd like to bring them all, but I'm not sure that is possible or practical. If it is, I'd love to hear some anecdotal support for that idea.

My Quiver consists of:
189 Squad w/ PX18 - Probably my all time favorite skis, slays variable conditions with ease, destroys wind buff,,also my favorite ski for DEEP BLOWER. Huge downside, I do not like its performance in deeper heavier wet snow (PNW type conditions) I feel like the tip is prone to diving once the ski is planing at speed and I need to weight my heels in the transitions to prevent that. One possible consideration is I have over 100 days on these, I may not be opposed to selling these at the end of the season.

183 4frnt STLs w/ plasticy jib bindings - Park skis, I want these incase there is nothing else to do.

194 XXLs w/ Dukes - my touring setup. I really like their performance in most conditions. My favorite groomer ski:tdo13: but I feel they sometimes suffer from the same problem as the squads. Kind of my one ski backcountry quiver

192 Rockers w/ Dukes. - Amazing ski in all the conditions that I feel the squads lack in. Can turn on a dime in any condition, stable in any untracked. If I had to go heli skiing in alaska these are with out a doubt the skis I would have on my feet. Sluffed snow, heavier snow, mank, anything it becomes a magic carpet. In in Ãœber-steep terrain w/ drops or mandatory turns/airs, basically any terrain where I want to concentrate on the terrain rather than the snow these kick ass. Although they are heavy as fuck I'm alright with shorter tours on them. Main downside is any non gnar skiing is now boring on these skis.
May 13 2008 6:21PM
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garettnorthey
Posts: 3049 - Karma: 173
Def bring the STL's and the Rockers.
May 13 2008 6:29PM
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tjsnover
Posts: 1361 - Karma: 42
my thoughts exactly
May 13 2008 7:08PM
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ghosfacekilla
Posts: 533 - Karma: 72
Word ur gunna have a sick trip dog!
May 13 2008 7:31PM
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ESAND
Posts: 1607 - Karma: 744
I can easily see why the STLs are a def in. But why rockers over xxls or squads? What if you had to pick three?
May 13 2008 7:40PM
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Scott~
Posts: 2551 - Karma: 49
Ship all of your skis down there, then Ill hideaway in your ski bag for the trip, dont worry, feeding me is not necessary~
May 13 2008 8:31PM
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coolhandluke
Posts: 4465 - Karma: 153
i will fight you for a spot in the ski bag
May 13 2008 9:00PM
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Matty_C
Posts: 2598 - Karma: 236
haha i saw you post this over on tgr- my only advice would be to listen to the mags' tips and make your choice based on that. 189 squads, XXLs and rockers are hardly the bread-and-butter of the kids on here, plus the mags are much better travelled.

my $0.2 is this though and my experience of the skis you have is a little different to yours so bear that in mind:
1] take the STLs, for obvious reasons.
2] Take the XXLs. They float better than the squads and are arguably also better on groomers, plus they are lighter than rockers for touring. LL is also mainly high alpine so the need/advantage of a rockered ski is significantly less.
May 13 2008 9:18PM
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wintersway
Posts: 5115 - Karma: 128
Las Lenas right?
May 13 2008 10:21PM
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woolyracoon
Posts: 71 - Karma: 60
Id hope your not going there for park. Bring the 189 squads, you can sell them and make lots of $ at the end of the season. Skis are expensive down there, and the 194 XXLs or the 92 rockers. If you really want to ride the park, bring the STLs, but if you need to cut it down, i would say forget em, Hopefully your not going to Las Lenas for their park.
May 14 2008 12:05AM
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ESAND
Posts: 1607 - Karma: 744
Someone posted this on TGR under the pretense of informing me on what skis to take.

Holy shit i'm stoked. I guess there could be some value in helping u guys help me choose skis but mainly i'm just reposting so I can get stoked every time i see this thread

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii205/dougemil/IMG_1340.jpg


Click for larger image

Holy fuck
May 14 2008 2:00AM
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ESAND
Posts: 1607 - Karma: 744
yes that is a chairlift running up the left
May 14 2008 2:01AM
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CFD
Posts: 1009 - Karma: 197
holy shit...

after seeing that picture i would think that you wont need to do too much touring. there doesnt seem to be any 'non-gnar' skiing, so that shouldnt be a problem.

what kind of snow quality does south america get? dry wet fluffy compact? you need to consider that i guess.
May 14 2008 4:08AM
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carbon.pulse
Posts: 3348 - Karma: 22
Those were my exact words when i saw that the line on the left was a chairlift.
May 14 2008 4:24AM
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Matty_C
Posts: 2598 - Karma: 236

yup that is a chair. it's called the 'martre' chair and has access to that epic terrain lookers right. having been reminded i'm almost inclined to agree with the guy that said forget the stls. Idk how much park you ski, but the LL park isn't up to much and the terrain is friggin epic:

more park- stls + xxls

less park- squads and rockers...

May 14 2008 7:52AM
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coolhandluke
Posts: 4465 - Karma: 153
so phil, about the spot in your ski bag.......
May 14 2008 9:25AM
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Literature
Posts: 13673 - Karma: 3,085
Hablo español. Puedo servirte como interprete si quieres traerme contigo.

I speak Spanish. Need an interpreter? I think I might be more useful than Will if you put me in the ski bag.
May 14 2008 1:45PM
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Scott~
Posts: 2551 - Karma: 49
I call bs, your gardener probably typed that for you~
Anyways you should bring me because ill be easier to smuggle in that these other two fatties~
May 14 2008 1:53PM
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Dan-Man
Posts: 7488 - Karma: 3,622
damn dude I'm jealous, your going to have an awsome trip! I think i'd bring the squads and if theres room the stl's.

have fun!!!!!!!
May 14 2008 1:59PM
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ESAND
Posts: 1607 - Karma: 744
Yes but can you break trail 10 miles in the backcountry while I (not quite) leisurely follow your skin track up? I know will can....

May 14 2008 2:24PM
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ValPow
Posts: 1049 - Karma: 10
^ are you the same guy on tgr forums saying your looking for flatmates in LL

just wondered
May 14 2008 2:27PM
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ESAND
Posts: 1607 - Karma: 744
No. That is the guy i'm rooming with.
May 14 2008 2:32PM
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ValPow
Posts: 1049 - Karma: 10
its pretty tempting, but not feasible for me.

From what i read and hear LL sounds epic, terrain seems a cross between ak and europe, you'll have a balla time
May 14 2008 2:35PM
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Literature
Posts: 13673 - Karma: 3,085
Maybe.

My skinning skills are far inferior to Will's though.

But if you get stuck at a bus station, or need to tell that sexy latina that she is beautiful and needs to come have a drink with you, I think skinning skills might be a little less useful.


May 14 2008 4:07PM
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