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Twin Tip Skis that can carve?

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Lil-Guy
Posts: 11 - Karma: 70
So my girlfriend has just learnt to ski - we're going skiing this Christmas so it's likely I'll have to ski groomers for most of the trip

I figured I'd buy myself a set of twin tips so I could practice some jumps/a bit of park when she's off having lessons - but I'd need something that can still shoot down groomers fast

I'm 168cm tall, weighing 70kg (11 stone or 155ish pounds)

I'd say I was a good skier, but I'm from the UK so by no means a natural who has a mountain on my back yard. I'm competent on the slopes, happy to go down any black/diamonds and content off piste - not much experience in the park yet though

After using the search on the forums, armada triumphs have a pretty good reputation, but they're rare here in the UK so I'm after something else! I like the look of some Volkl's, but I get pretty lost when trying to work out what's best for me

Any advice?
11 years ago
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PizzaKid
Posts: 297 - Karma: 309
Sounds like a stiffer more competition oriented ski could work for you, since those are better for bombing groomers than some of the soft noodly pure park skis out there, I personally heard some good stories about the nordica ace of spades for both park and all mountain use so you could check those out
11 years ago
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SteezyEvok
Posts: 290 - Karma: 109
AR7 could work just fine for you
11 years ago
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LeChat
Posts: 43 - Karma: 426
This.
You also can look at some volkl wall. Pipe skis are usually stiffer too.
And maybe mount your fix behind true center could give you a better feeling when cruising, depending on your riding style.
11 years ago
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Twig
Posts: 6455 - Karma: 61,810
Just get a stiffer park ski, in a 171-175, of what you can get in the UK.
Armada AR7
Nordica Ace
Rossignol Scratch
Salomon Suspect (terrible durability in the past on rails but honestly, it doesn't sound like you will notice)
Volkl Wall
11 years ago
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Lil-Guy
Posts: 11 - Karma: 70
Thanks for the replies so far!

I went to the local shop and asked for some advice, I was advised that Atomic Theory's were good (http://www.evo.com/skis/atomic-theory.aspx) - has anyone had any experience of these? They come with FFG12 bindings, but I'm not sure if they're good/bad


I'll look into those now - the Volkl Wall caught my eye with the topsheet, but I haven't had a look at the others yet



11 years ago
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Lil-Guy
Posts: 11 - Karma: 70
Also, apologies for the double reply (can't find the edit feature?)

Are the Volkl Ledge an alright ski? They're on sale at my ski shop, and the assistant said it's a very similar ski to the Wall - and about 1/4 of the price


11 years ago
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At0micski
Posts: 256 - Karma: 169
they are quite a bit softer than the walls and have rocker instead of camber, so they are quite different
11 years ago
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7290 - Karma: 18,697
Yeah theories will be a good choice for you. Suspects would be a great choice too. Where in the uk are you? Can you get to a fine to demo some skis?
11 years ago
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Lil-Guy
Posts: 11 - Karma: 70
I'm in Bristol - so I guess probably not?


So the Ledge isn't really suited for what I want? What's the disadvantage of the softer ski - a bit more wobbly when going fast?


Are most of the ski's similar depending on year, or would I want to get a new set of suspects/walls etc?
11 years ago
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Twig
Posts: 6455 - Karma: 61,810
In general skis don't change every year but there are upgrades now and again. I don't think there have been any major changes to the Wall for a while, you can definitely find them sround in older models for cheap. Suspects are also unchanged as far as I know.

The ledge is a much softer ski than the wall, they dont carve nearly as well. The atomic theory is a very directional ski. They aren't really designed for jibbing or park. Just my opinion but they are more of a 'twin for holiday punters' kind of ski.
11 years ago
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Lil-Guy
Posts: 11 - Karma: 70
I think I probably fall in the holiday punter category - I only ski about 1-2 weeks a year


Going to the ski shop today to see which of those skis they have etc, thanks for the help!
11 years ago
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Lil-Guy
Posts: 11 - Karma: 70
So the shop only sells the Atomic Theory's, the rest are piste/racing ski's


So I'll keep an eye on eBay/online for the above, probably the AR7's or Suspects as they seem to get a great review?

I'm 168cm, 150lbs - will i want a ski roughly my height? The shop said a few cm higher (maybe 171?) would be ideal as the twin tips ski shorter
11 years ago
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7290 - Karma: 18,697
Which shop did you go too? if you can go to ellis brighams in bristol. They will have most of the skis your looking at.
11 years ago
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pastysmasher
Posts: 780 - Karma: 664
Sounds like you need a solid all rounder. If i were you, id get something with a bit of rocker/ early rise but with camber underfoot so when you wanna go and rip pow, you can and if you're staying on groomers then you've got the camber to help you hold an edge. Off the top of my head, i'd say Line Blends or the narrower salomon rocker 2.
11 years ago
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pastysmasher
Posts: 780 - Karma: 664
Sounds like you need a solid all rounder. If i were you, id get something with a bit of rocker/ early rise but with camber underfoot so when you wanna go and rip pow, you can and if you're staying on groomers then you've got the camber to help you hold an edge. Off the top of my head, i'd say Line Blends or the narrower salomon rocker 2.
11 years ago
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Lil-Guy
Posts: 11 - Karma: 70
Thanks, I'll have a look into those :)


I haven't gone to ellis brighams yet - had a quick check online and it does look good

So these are the four I'm looking at ATM; any real advantage to any of them? or just whichever comes up at the best price?

Volkl Wall
Soloman Suspect
Line Blend
Armada R7


11 years ago
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zyzzbrah
Posts: 113 - Karma: 336
Those FFG12 bindings on the Atomics aren't the best man. Friend of mine has them and they look like toys. All plastic and feel flimsy. hope that helps you with your decision
11 years ago
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7290 - Karma: 18,697
Of those four I would discount the blend, they are a bit wide, too soft and heavy. The others all look good options though.

And the ffg binding is just a salomon z 12 binding. not the best but not too bad. go sth 12 instead if you can
11 years ago
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MartianMan
Posts: 1101 - Karma: 2,094
I would be hesitant use the AoS for all mountain shredding considering that its fully symmetrical.
11 years ago
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Twig
Posts: 6455 - Karma: 61,810
AR7 > Wall > Suspect > Blend (forget these, way too soft)
11 years ago
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Lil-Guy
Posts: 11 - Karma: 70
Brilliant - thanks again for the advice, you guys are awesome.



Would 177cm be too tall for me? I'm 168cm flat, 150lbs


They're Volkls - I'm not sure if they measure short or?
11 years ago
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ECSkiier
Posts: 238 - Karma: 195
k2 sight
11 years ago
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Lil-Guy
Posts: 11 - Karma: 70
So I've found a pair of Volkl Wall's, but they're 177cm long


Would these be too much? I'm 168, 150lbs
11 years ago
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Twig
Posts: 6455 - Karma: 61,810
I haven't skied volkls recently but the 169 walls i won once were far too short, i'm 5'8 and 135, i'd ride the 177. i think you'll be fine. I think freezeproshop still have some Ar7s from last year but not sure which sizes
11 years ago
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7290 - Karma: 18,697
I would think that they may be a bit long unless you like a longer ski. I'm 180cm tall and I ride 176 park skis generally.
11 years ago
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Lil-Guy
Posts: 11 - Karma: 70
I've only ever ski'd shorter.. What are the effects of having significantly longer skis?

Harder work? Harder to control?
11 years ago
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7290 - Karma: 18,697
Longer skis have good and bad points. They are more stable at speed but the pay off to this is they can be harder to ski slower. The ect length will make the swing weight slower and they will fell a bit less playfull.

So if you ski fast a lot and you are hitting big jumps and large fast jibs then larger skis will defiantly help. But if you ski more rails and med jumps up to about 40ft or so shorter skis will probably be just as good if not better an more fun.
11 years ago
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Nicko1981
Posts: 527 - Karma: 180
Liberty LTE carve really well, really responsive and light too.
11 years ago
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J.D.
Posts: 21362 - Karma: 5,145

Ah, if only they still made the original Head Mad Trix. I guess there's just no market for a twin tip GS ski.

11 years ago
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heFF
Posts: 5786 - Karma: 4,457
fischer nightstix..super fun in the park but awesome outside as well
11 years ago
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C-Wal
Posts: 185 - Karma: 1,370
freezeproshop are selling lasy years AR7 for about £300, they have some 171cms and maybe 166cms either of which would probably be a good size for you.
11 years ago
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Lil-Guy
Posts: 11 - Karma: 70
Ah I've spotted these! Thanks. I'll probably take a set if nothing better pops up on eBay
11 years ago
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Lil-Guy
Posts: 11 - Karma: 70
So I think I'm going to go ahead and order a set of Volkl Wall 169's


They're not the prettiest - but they were extremely cheap and I've really not got a lot of time left


If anyone is interested (in the EU), the following site has free shipping atm:


and the Volkl ski's + FFG12 bindings are 220EU shipped, which is about £185, or $300


FFG12's don't get the best rating, but I rarely do rails so hopefully they don't get too damaged - and they were only an extra $27 so figured I'd go for it and buy some different bindings at a later date if they're really bad
11 years ago
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