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February, 2025

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Race/slalom skis playfulness?

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HomerPimpin
Posts: 104 - Karma: 970
i have a pair of line blades and mindbender 99ti’s and i just enjoy ripping down the mountain, riding switch, throwing 3s on side hits and butters and little things along the way. i’m wondering if anyone has experience with slalom skis and how they feel. i know they’re made to carve but i’m curious if i can get a pair and be able to carve like a motherfucker while still being able to mess around and ski the way i like, if that makes sense.

i’d rent a pair and just try them out myself but being in high school, money’s tight and i thought i’d ask for some thoughts before spending $100 to rent a pair for a day
3 years ago
5 0
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sarc
Posts: 246 - Karma: 1,880
I bought a pair of competition slalom skis about 10 years ago and skied them for fun. The longest ones they made were 165 cm so I got those (used), they had a 15m radius. They were very heavy and very stiff.

Carving on them was fun, I learned a lot. If i was really cooking and tried to lay into them it felt like they were going to break my legs there is so much G force.

They really don't go backwards, and they don't float. They spin OK, not great not terrible. I'd be out goofing around on them and someone would randomly want to go ski somewhere and the lack of float would kinda suck. Mashed potatoes, no, no go.
3 years ago
4 0
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anders_a
Posts: 1680 - Karma: 5,603
are we talking ACTUAL race skis? if so GS SG DH are kinda horrible for normal skiiing, 193/30m radius on a mens GS just sucks for freeskiiing unless your really really good, and kinda alone on hill



what you want is a GS CHEATER skis! thoose are fun! or SL cheaters. a GS master ski is somewhere inbetween, but much more demanding than a cheater. Find something with



GS cheater will have a 16.5-23 radius,




SL cheater will have 12,5-16.5 radius and some tip rocker at times



race SL skis can also be darn fun for freeskiiing, but bring your A game. can be had supercheap. for $100 you can buy a pair! with enough edge to last a few years of occational use no need to rent for $100!



If you like the line blade, the race SL is basicly the same, but on pure ice/hard surfaces



mindbenders are meh, most any skinny ski will beat it.

Carving trenches is fun.
3 years ago
6 1
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CatdickBojangles
Posts: 6435 - Karma: 65,707
anders_aare we talking ACTUAL race skis? if so GS SG DH are kinda horrible for normal skiiing, 193/30m radius on a mens GS just sucks for freeskiiing unless your really really good, and kinda alone on hill



what you want is a GS CHEATER skis! thoose are fun! or SL cheaters. a GS master ski is somewhere inbetween, but much more demanding than a cheater. Find something with



GS cheater will have a 16.5-23 radius,




SL cheater will have 12,5-16.5 radius and some tip rocker at times



race SL skis can also be darn fun for freeskiiing, but bring your A game. can be had supercheap. for $100 you can buy a pair! with enough edge to last a few years of occational use no need to rent for $100!



If you like the line blade, the race SL is basicly the same, but on pure ice/hard surfaces



mindbenders are meh, most any skinny ski will beat it.

Carving trenches is fun.


Sounds like I need a pair of SL race skis. I want a pair just to rip turns on icey days. Any recommendations?
3 years ago
2 0
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CaIeb
Posts: 325 - Karma: 2,590
my slalom skis are surprisingly soft, i have fischer rc4 wc and can literally nose butter them + they totally rip

**This post was edited on Feb 11th 2022 at 3:27:51pm
3 years ago
1 0
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anders_a
Posts: 1680 - Karma: 5,603
CaIebmy slalom skis are surprisingly soft, i have fischer rc4 wc and can literally nose butter them + they totally rip

**This post was edited on Feb 11th 2022 at 3:27:51pm


are they FIS spec? or just "slalom" skis?

@CatdickBojangles any FIS spec mens ski in 165 should be good, I've only skied atomics, volkls and stocklis, but since they are fairly equal

racetiger SL
stockli laser SL
atomic SL etc.

way to ID the "proper" ones are that they will have a 16-19 DIN binding on a plate.
3 years ago
2 0
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sarc
Posts: 246 - Karma: 1,880
sarcthey had a 15m radius.


anders_aSL cheater will have 12,5-16.5 radius and some tip rocker at times


Ah you're right, mine had a 12.2 m radius, holy crap. Atomic sl12 Race SL. 114-64-101 8.4 lbs each at 165. Pretty cheap used.
3 years ago
0 0
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.MASSHOLE.
Posts: 7551 - Karma: 12,318
CatdickBojanglesSounds like I need a pair of SL race skis. I want a pair just to rip turns on icey days. Any recommendations?


Whatever's cheapest really. You can get used pretty cheaply if youre willing to buy ones that are a few seasons old. Dimension-wise, SL skis haven't changed in ages. The tunes and stiffness have, but that's irrelevant if you're not racing.

Just be ready to get your ass kicked if you get your weight back or are lazy.
3 years ago
1 0
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lil.Boye
Posts: 2761 - Karma: 12,501
tried some salomon racing skis last season (Race PRO and Race GT) super fun getting to try something with edgehold. started my dream of having a race ski in my quiver
3 years ago
3 0
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closeyetfar11
Posts: 387 - Karma: 1,079
Think of all mtn freestyle skis as a super fun off road vehicle that can handle a ton of diverse terrain.
WC race skis are like a European sports car: insanely fun to corner with on a smooth road, but not much use off of pavement.
3 years ago
2 0
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HomerPimpin
Posts: 104 - Karma: 970
closeyetfar11Think of all mtn freestyle skis as a super fun off road vehicle that can handle a ton of diverse terrain.
WC race skis are like a European sports car: insanely fun to corner with on a smooth road, but not much use off of pavement.


that’s an insightful analogy, thank you
3 years ago
2 0
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anders_a
Posts: 1680 - Karma: 5,603
porsche, ferraris, bmw m's can be fun

used raceski $100 for meh shape $2-300 for good with 16-19 DIN binding thats worth $$ when ski is worn out
3 years ago
0 0
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a_pla5tic_bag
Posts: 9242 - Karma: 5,638
I bought atomic S9s two years ago, best idea ever. Don't go for the in between models. If you want a to add a race ski to your quiver, go for the real thing.
3 years ago
2 0
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DrZoidberg
Posts: 5676 - Karma: 4,299
I have volkl racetiger SLs. Super fun. I demoed a few. The Redsters with the carbon rod thing seemed a little more damp and glued to the snow. The Volkls seem livelier. The Rossis I tried seemed softer than either of those, but still very fun.

They don't really mess around. The tails are very rigid and grabby, and they have a very weird pop when airing off things compared to anything vaguely freestyle oriented. You're also not mounted near the middle, and they're generally not as long as freestyle or all mountain stuff. If you're a good skier who wants to ski aggressively then they're super fun. If you want to slide your turns or ski slowly with your noob friends you might want something else, which you already have. They're basically only good for being a tryhard the entire time on a nicely groomed slope, but they're super good at it. The first run I took on the demos I was like I neeeeeeeed it. Insane edge grip.
3 years ago
1 0
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RudyGarmisch
Posts: 25443 - Karma: 13,845
My biggest take away after my first night on Solly downhill skis with race plates was how little swing weight there is in the tips and how quickly/easily they get deflected on the smallest features in the snow. Wish I got on these earlier in my ski career.
3 years ago
0 0
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deadhead420
Posts: 2002 - Karma: 17,582
I'm generally more of a fan of GS skis for icy/refrozen groomers but it's probably best to start on SL race skis first. SLs are usually easier to find cheep, more versatile and it's just hella fun to be able to turn so tight and make 3 turns in the space you would usually make one turn. OP just start prowling Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace and you will see a good pair for $100-150 eventually and pull the trigger. Post to this thread if there are ever some race skis you are considering
3 years ago
1 0
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HomerPimpin
Posts: 104 - Karma: 970
mrk127I'm generally more of a fan of GS skis for icy/refrozen groomers but it's probably best to start on SL race skis first. SLs are usually easier to find cheep, more versatile and it's just hella fun to be able to turn so tight and make 3 turns in the space you would usually make one turn. OP just start prowling Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace and you will see a good pair for $100-150 eventually and pull the trigger. Post to this thread if there are ever some race skis you are considering


will do. i appreciate the feedback
3 years ago
0 0
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anders_a
Posts: 1680 - Karma: 5,603
race SL on Ice GRIPS but its not a 60mph ski, its for actually makeing turns constantly.

when you say GS skis @deadhead420 do you mean 193/30? 188/30? etc? because for freeskiiing, even on pretty icy stuff they are not that fun unless your plan is going faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaast and your quite a good skier. GS cheaters though.. funfunfun on ice! bring that radius down to 20 +-2
3 years ago
0 0
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Phatboy64
Posts: 118 - Karma: 456
anders_arace SL on Ice GRIPS but its not a 60mph ski, its for actually makeing turns constantly.

when you say GS skis @deadhead420 do you mean 193/30? 188/30? etc? because for freeskiiing, even on pretty icy stuff they are not that fun unless your plan is going faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaast and your quite a good skier. GS cheaters though.. funfunfun on ice! bring that radius down to 20 +-2

^This. I have the Atomic Redster G9 and it is perfect for carving up frozen hard pack…
3 years ago
0 0
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deadhead420
Posts: 2002 - Karma: 17,582
anders_arace SL on Ice GRIPS but its not a 60mph ski, its for actually makeing turns constantly.

when you say GS skis @deadhead420 do you mean 193/30? 188/30? etc? because for freeskiiing, even on pretty icy stuff they are not that fun unless your plan is going faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaast and your quite a good skier. GS cheaters though.. funfunfun on ice! bring that radius down to 20 +-2

I wish I had a pair of 193 FIS norm GS skis but my skis are 185cm/27m. I got a couple pairs of SG skis for really icy days tho. I’ve never skied a good GS cheater ski before but they look pretty fun
3 years ago
0 0
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highpeak
Posts: 426 - Karma: 2,209
I've got a pair of old Head slalom skis from 2016ish that I use whenever it's icy/really low tide. They're only 155 bc I was in highschool when I got em, but I still rip them a ton. Obviously super fun to carve, easy to throw 3's, grabs, etc. off side hits and actually stable on park jumps cuz of the weight. That being said, they suck off groomers, don't butter, and don't float at all. I have a blast on them for icy or just groomer days. Will probably get something like a blade when I have more money. I'd be willing to give up a little carve performance for better off-piste performance. If you can afford to rent for a day tho, you'll prolly have a lot of fun carving.

**This post was edited on Feb 15th 2022 at 10:27:27am
3 years ago
1 0
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anders_a
Posts: 1680 - Karma: 5,603
race SL 155 = juniors & women, but lots of men prefer then, they are softer flexing, so lighter males will like theese

race SL 157/158 = womens, dont be fooled this things are STIFF & rip

race SL 165 = mens length, not that much more of a ski than the 157/158 really, fun skis






GF hates 157s, loves 155 as example. since we do masters she doesnt have to run the 157s anymore
3 years ago
0 0
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