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November, 2024

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Has Your Gear Made You Better?

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PNSkier
Posts: 775 - Karma: 169
There is a lot of talk about a lot of product out there these days. Skiing has evolved soooooo much in the past 5 yrs, give or take a few, its unreal to see all the crazy stuff companies are coming out with. I've also noticed there are a handful of people these days who genuinely believe in the product they are skiing on. There is so much hype on so much stuff, it seems nearly impossible to sort through it all.

I have been amazingly blessed to have been working at a small, locally owned for 37 years ski shop that has allowed me to ride an immense amount of product throughout the years at little to no cost to me. I feel each year that I get to try something different or new, it has helped the progression of my personal skiing. Sometimes in small ways, and sometimes in a much more substantial way. Maybe its just me, maybe its just I'm getting better as the years go on. But I personally feel that the products I'm riding are helping me take my skiing to the next level.

So what do you think? Has the gear you ride helped you become a better skier? If so, how? I would love to hear your stories of progression in your own ski-life. I love talking about how someone made something that bettered us as riders. Call me a gear-junkie, but I love it. So let's hear your stories!

Please no hate here, I'll try and keep my passionate dislike for full tilt to a minimum ;-)
Dec 6 2012 5:41PM
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fudgenuggets
Posts: 383 - Karma: -3,400
Why is full tilt bad?
Dec 6 2012 5:49PM
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PNSkier
Posts: 775 - Karma: 169
I'd tell you but then I'd be going against what I said I wouldnt do!
Dec 6 2012 5:58PM
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AndyGreen
Posts: 827 - Karma: 61
i definitly think my gear has let me improve i can charge harder than i used to and i much more faith in my self and my skis
Dec 6 2012 6:07PM
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snakerton
Posts: 2434 - Karma: 1,977
I dont think gear makes you a better skier it just allows you to be as good as you can be. Shitty gear can make you worse but you dont get better from good skis.
Dec 6 2012 7:33PM
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7springsprod
Posts: 2661 - Karma: 3,181
This.
Dec 6 2012 9:41PM
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Jewschoolers
Posts: 1785 - Karma: 1,142
thanks captain obvious. everyone knows that buying brand new everything isnt going to turn you into timmy wallnutz but yes you are BETTER when skiing on good equipment compared to bad equipment
Dec 6 2012 10:11PM
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BigDog
Posts: 712 - Karma: 815
I mean, a boot that doesn't fit you doesn't make it a bad boot.. Maybe a little played out if thats what youre thinking but i've had mine for years and they're great for me
Dec 6 2012 10:22PM
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snakerton
Posts: 2434 - Karma: 1,977
to sum it up, its old technology and cheaply made
Dec 6 2012 11:42PM
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snakerton
Posts: 2434 - Karma: 1,977
good job turning around what I said to make it seem like you made a quality post. get youre own ideas and stop being such a jew
Dec 6 2012 11:44PM
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Mr_Hyde
Posts: 337 - Karma: 121
To me I just look back yeas ago to skogen, mike nick ect.. And what they where doing on those skis n gear. I'm sure stiffer or softer skis help but IMO it's all about balance n compensation. Those guys were doing stuff on what some people call shitie skis or boots, but they dont say anything about balance or compensation. Just IMO
Dec 7 2012 2:00AM
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Rosbif
Posts: 2543 - Karma: 930
For sure gear has made a huge difference in how I ski, I think maybe the biggest influence was winning some of the original Rossi B4s early on when I started skiing a lot. Basically allowed me to go send it off cliffs way harder than I would have done without them, and I prob wouldn't have bought them.

When I started skiing Atomic RTCS 130s that made a big change too, more upright and stiffer than my previous boots, I've got a lot better in them and am on my third pair now. Also just got them properly aligned, and feel really different, we'll see how it goes as I get more used to them (only my 2nd day of the season today).


Dec 7 2012 4:09AM
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ankhou
Posts: 505 - Karma: 238
Well-designed powder skis (taper & rocker) and boots that fit properly changed my life.
Dec 7 2012 11:47AM
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Dirty.Harry.
Posts: 1779 - Karma: 351
Last year was the first year I owned a rockered ski with a waist over 110 (ON3P Caylor). It's heavy as shit because I have MFDs on them, but the days when the snow was deep (few and far between in VT last year), I felt so comfortable on them that I skied better than I felt I have probably ever.

Now I am curious to see what happens when I start consistently using a light setup.
Dec 7 2012 12:45PM
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Lord.Quasimoto
Posts: 958 - Karma: 33
nah, I've been skiing like a boss since I was 3yrs old. gear makes no difference because I've always been so fucking good.
Dec 7 2012 1:11PM
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LC.
Posts: 5952 - Karma: 2,423
My favourite skis are 16 years old. So, no. Exposure to more media fuels progression way more than any technology.

Click for larger image
Dec 7 2012 1:51PM
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steve0
Posts: 1132 - Karma: 1,315
Properly fitting boots made a difference for me.
Dec 7 2012 2:37PM
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BrewskiJr
Posts: 5738 - Karma: 1,478
Saga allowed me to triple. So yeah.
Dec 7 2012 3:34PM
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Forcillo
Posts: 3801 - Karma: 3,580
No. However, certain gear I bought boosted my confidence and led me to trying harder stuff.
Dec 7 2012 3:47PM
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PNSkier
Posts: 775 - Karma: 169
Hahahaha love it!
Dec 7 2012 4:58PM
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remster
Posts: 898 - Karma: 261
In two weeks I changed from an embarrasment to park skiing to a pretty bad park skier. Learned flat 3's, flat 5's, rodeo 5's and 7's with blunt.

T-Halls changed my skiing completely
Dec 7 2012 10:54PM
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Pudge
Posts: 3718 - Karma: 3,117
Like Mr. Christmas said, gear just let's you be the best you can be. Heavy gear or inadequate gear doesn't let you go at 100 percent. But I think like someone said, boots that fit have changed my life hahah. I used to roll around with whatever looked cool and my foot turned to bruised mush that smelt like old cheese
Dec 7 2012 11:06PM
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BrewskiJr
Posts: 5738 - Karma: 1,478
Thats not "a pretty bad park skier." Thats pretty decent.
Dec 7 2012 11:19PM
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mode2n
Posts: 2856 - Karma: 256
Lolwut
Dec 7 2012 11:34PM
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skiRay
Posts: 7558 - Karma: 926
Im not sure about better but certainly gear has help progression. Not like helped me with tricks all over the place, but you catch my drift.
I rode 188 Moment Tahoes mounted true center for a year and a half and rode them in the park a lot. They helped my put my first few 900's down for sure. so stable and light.
Full Tilt hot doggers just make everything more smooth and nice for me
Dec 7 2012 11:52PM
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