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Goin out west for the first time

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triss
Posts: 1293 - Karma: 2,916
going to utah in febuarary i have never go out west before. I dont have pow skis so what if the best thing to do to get them. And any other stuff i shoudl know
Dec 25 2012 2:35PM
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homestar
Posts: 2124 - Karma: 4,197
demo dont rent. Prepare to get your ass handed to you and your legs are going to die if youre doing it right
Dec 25 2012 2:39PM
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El_Barto.
Posts: 11661 - Karma: 24,351
you son of a bitch
Dec 25 2012 2:50PM
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DeRizzo
Posts: 3827 - Karma: 3,485
hahaha^
Dec 25 2012 2:53PM
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Caspaaa
Posts: 4830 - Karma: 1,466
i'm confused....


but yeah your legs will be burning. don't lean too far back but at the same time don't lean too far forward in the pow. it's different than carving groomers but you'll get the hang of it after a few runs. don't be afraid to send it, enjoy yourself, and although you might have to hike for some of your lines, it'll be well worth it.
Dec 25 2012 2:55PM
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triss
Posts: 1293 - Karma: 2,916
will i be able to get a deal on demos like have them for the week im skiing or is it usually a new pair every day....or what if i get a cheap ass air of pow skis and bring them out

which is better
Dec 25 2012 3:40PM
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El_Barto.
Posts: 11661 - Karma: 24,351
demo unless you find a killer deal. Pow or charging skis might be a waste of money because you may not use them much at home.

so many dudes try to buy pow setups for cheap but those are few and far between. The life on a pow ski is long and they can take a beating and still function 100% so not many people sell them, let alone for cheap.

How many days is your trip? I would demo a different pair every two days. Give you a day to figure them out and a day to see how hard you can take the ski.

at the end if there is a pair you really liked buy them. Some shops will deduct the demo charges from the sale price.
Dec 25 2012 3:50PM
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Z-PAULY.
Posts: 559 - Karma: 284
What just happened? That was you comment and my comment is gone now. Wtf so lost
Dec 25 2012 3:56PM
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Bock
Posts: 748 - Karma: 1,652
Ive been going out west for quite some time now and have always ridden my normal park skis. Last year my family and I went to Utah to ski PC, DV, Canyons, and Alta. For the first time I rented some k2's with a 105 underfoot and full rocker and I cannot tell you how big of a difference it is to ride pow skis and how much better everything is. I fully recommend renting/demoing some pow skis. They're not much harder to ski normally and make powder 100x more fun.
Dec 25 2012 3:58PM
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triss
Posts: 1293 - Karma: 2,916
skiing around 5 days out there. Ive never skiied pow and the only reason i would buy pow skis would be to use the out there most likely not use them at home.

There is still gonna be pow and fresh snow in februray right?

Should i demo at the mountain or get the demos from a ski shop?
Dec 25 2012 3:58PM
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Caspaaa
Posts: 4830 - Karma: 1,466
yup this is solid advice.


besides, nobody wants to be skiing on 4 years ago model pow skis... demoing makes it that much sicker. i wouldn't suggest buying pow skis unless you absolutely LOVE a pair you try out out west. even if you really really love them i wouldn't buy unless you plan on moving out west later in your life. owning pow skis out here on the east coast is pretty much pointless, but like another guy said in the thread, having them to use out west makes everything infinitely better.
Dec 25 2012 4:08PM
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Toaster-Tony
Posts: 3531 - Karma: 5,850
A little off topic but I'm heading out west for my first time tomorrow. My family and I are flying into Denver and skiing Breck for 5 days and I'm wondering how the parks are set up right now. I heard they have been getting some snow and I'm pretty stoked to ski a REAL mountain versus the smaller hills here in the midwest.

Any fellow NS's care to take a few runs within the next week?
Dec 25 2012 4:20PM
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Plankton
Posts: 3226 - Karma: 6,840
ill be out there early january
Dec 25 2012 4:34PM
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Toaster-Tony
Posts: 3531 - Karma: 5,850
Damn. I'm leaving new year's day.

Is there already a thread or cult on finding people to ski with?
Dec 25 2012 5:15PM
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El_Barto.
Posts: 11661 - Karma: 24,351
this same thread happened twice and that jerkoff copied my first post from the other thread.

To op. i dont ski in utah but i assume winter goes down pretty hard in february
Dec 25 2012 5:52PM
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Z-PAULY.
Posts: 559 - Karma: 284
Usually we get pretty good snow here in February.
Dec 25 2012 6:01PM
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Sharko
Posts: 2274 - Karma: 4,101
I'm doing something similar this winter (Big Sky) and was thinking of renting/demoing powder skis as well. When people say demo rather than rent, I'm guessing they mean getting this year's stuff rather than the resort's usual rental fleet.
1) what is the difference in cost?
2) do I have to go to a local shop? or will the resort have demo skis?
3) if I have to go to a local shop, will they be able to set me up the same day?

Thanks all!
Dec 25 2012 6:44PM
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JahFeels
Posts: 779 - Karma: 587
Definately demo some some powder skis and be prepared for your legs to be on fire.
Dec 25 2012 6:48PM
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El_Barto.
Posts: 11661 - Karma: 24,351
The mountain should have good demos but call ahead and check. I have no idea on the cost. And yea, a local shop should hook it up in the same day assuming they have everything in stock. I think demos can go pretty fast if the snow is good so a phone call to reserve stuff in advance would be wise
Dec 25 2012 6:56PM
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stezybake[D]oven
Posts: 370 - Karma: 36
ill be going out west for the first time this winter also, very helpful info thanks!
Dec 25 2012 9:09PM
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MASkier
Posts: 657 - Karma: 704
I am going out for the first time in a few days too.
Dec 26 2012 4:34PM
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Drail
Posts: 14012 - Karma: 10,011
Impossible question is impossible to answer.

Humans can't predict the weather two months in advance. It can snow into May in the Wasatch, but just like everywhere on the planet, weather is unpredictable. It could snow feet upon feet, or it could be in the middle of a month long drought and everything will be icy moguls (or anywhere in between).

Keep your eye on the weather is all that can really be said.
Dec 27 2012 8:37PM
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jkantra9
Posts: 20 - Karma: 16
My family and I go out west every year during spring break ( last week of march). I have been to Utah a few times and am going again this year. We have always had good snow out there when we went. Once we even got lucky with over a foot of fresh at Powder Mountain.
Dec 27 2012 11:37PM
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liftedresearcher
Posts: 1140 - Karma: 1,775
make sure you stick to the groomed runs and stay out of the trees. the west is notorious for bear attacks because people from the east ski into the trees and ski right into a sleeping bear. bears go fucking apeshit when you wake them up when they are hibernating and will literally end your life with one swipe of their claws. scary shit.

dont say i didnt warn you. watch the fuck out.
Dec 27 2012 11:40PM
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Justo8484
Posts: 3905 - Karma: 205
i live in PA, primarily ski in PA, but get a trip or two up to new england and a trip or two out west every year, and i would say owning pow skis is totally worth it. I ride ON3P jeffreys and use them almost daily in PA. If you're looking into buying a 'pow' ski, just look for something that's gonna ski well on groomers too. Like other people said, they hold their value a lot better than park skis, so you could keep something for two years then flip it on here or ebay or craigslist or whatever.
Dec 28 2012 1:39PM
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eheath
Posts: 61604 - Karma: 123,113
This seems obvious, but don't worry about pow skis unless it actually snows. Yes, it snows alot in utah but sometimes (even in a good season) it'll go a week or two without snowing. Keep up on the weather, http://wasatchsnowforecast.com is very accurate and has some very interesting posts.

That being said, your park skis should be fine for shredding around, id definitely take a day or two at PC if its dry and sunny. Demooing some all mountain skis and heading to snowbird for a day could be real fun too, but you also might be ok on your park skis depending on their condition.

Either way, you're going to have a blast.
Dec 28 2012 1:44PM
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_Garagely_
Posts: 1948 - Karma: 3,247
This. Those bears will get you if you don't watch out.
Dec 28 2012 3:46PM
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.Rybak.
Posts: 9017 - Karma: 9,864
when are you going i will be there mid February.
Dec 28 2012 4:37PM
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Rachy
Posts: 4355 - Karma: 2,761
I sort of feel sad for you. I mean, a trip out west is a trip out west... but CO is having a worse season than even last year. at 64% Breck is hurting pretty damn bad. So your "REAL" mountain experience isn't going to be complete with "REAL" terrain. But I've heard good things about the park set up and every pro in existence is there training right now (unless they went home for the holidays). Regardless, I'm sure you're having fun and it will only peak your interest for a better experience down the road.

As far as the OP goes. I'd like to also recommend the demo. Bring your park skis and if it snows, take out demos. Sometimes you don't get lucky and it's just groomers for a trip, so it would be worth it to still bring your park skis.

Also, I'd call around and check out demo prices. Sometimes the shops are a lot cheaper, but if you want to take out a pair or two in one day, that can be a pain in the ass. Also, different shops cary different brands. So think about the skis you'd want to try and call around and see what shops have what skis. Also check the mountain calendar. Sometimes different companies do on mountain demos and for all you know, there could be a company demoing for free and you just leave your own skis. I got away with this with my sister once. I gave her a pair of skis that didn't fit her and she handed em over and got to take out some icelantics for the day for free.
Dec 28 2012 5:27PM
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Toaster-Tony
Posts: 3531 - Karma: 5,850
^ just wrapped up my last day of skiing at vail today and yeah the conditions weren't the best but I skied pretty hard regardless. Breck was pretty icy and the rail setup was nothing special. Either way I had a pretty awesome time despite tearing the shit outa my park skis on some rocks/trees. The guys at Blue River Sports near where I was staying were awesome and fixed them on short notice and hooked me up with a deal on demos in the mean time. Still a great experience.
Dec 30 2012 10:48PM
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will_powder
Posts: 3194 - Karma: 5,445
What's with this preconceived belief that the "west" = pow? We have a lot of bad days too.
Dec 30 2012 11:58PM
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_Garagely_
Posts: 1948 - Karma: 3,247
Lol this. There's a lot of mountains in the west that are pretty shitty.
Dec 31 2012 12:28AM
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2_fadez
Posts: 7780 - Karma: 4,183
WEST= BIGGER MOUNTAINS = HIGHER ELEVATIONS = LIGHTER SNOW = MORE SNOW = POW

^my interpretation
that and all the people from the west who hype it up so hard to the people from the midwest/east on how their snow is better
Dec 31 2012 12:42AM
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fujarome
Posts: 8630 - Karma: 1,561
every time someone from the east says conditions were great, we get destroyed by west coasters claiming that their worst day is better than our best. therefore when we go west, we assume that it will be the most wondrous, magical conditions of all time due to the hype.
Dec 31 2012 1:48AM
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magic_raven
Posts: 111 - Karma: 27
I hear theres so much pow in the west you don't even need metal edges because you get to surf deep pow 24/7.
Dec 31 2012 2:00AM
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