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THALL vs. Alpha 1

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henry42894
Posts: 97 - Karma: 22
I know there are already threads about this, but I wanted an opinion more custom tailored to me if you will. Im 6'2" 220 ride 50/50 park and all mtn (mostly trees and steeps) and wondered which you guys thought would be better. I already have a deep pow day ski so dont worry about that too much. Im from the east coast so trees are tightly spaced so a need a nimble ski. Durability is great and obviously i dont wanna be putting the ski into the shop after every few times out. +++++K for helpful answers thanks guys
Oct 5 2011 8:34PM
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SteezoSaurus
Posts: 2630 - Karma: 2,670
In my experience, the Alphas were pretty damn nimble. They turn very quickly when you need to scrub speed. They slay park even better.

It is quite a versatile stick. Definitely worth a try.
Oct 5 2011 8:35PM
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henry42894
Posts: 97 - Karma: 22
if theyre durable im sold. Also do you like the rocker?
Oct 5 2011 8:36PM
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SteezoSaurus
Posts: 2630 - Karma: 2,670
Yeah the early rise is pretty sweet. The fact that the Alpha isn't a fully rockered ski gives it a versatility that is unique to that design.

Concerning durability, I was quite impressed with the sidewalls. After 2 seasons, there was hardly any chipping at all.
Oct 5 2011 8:57PM
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henry42894
Posts: 97 - Karma: 22
thanks so much im definitely gonna pick up a pair of these this year
Oct 5 2011 9:14PM
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pghjibber
Posts: 1298 - Karma: 329
id say the THALL is a better choice for you...

i'd rather have a full cambered park ski for the east coast (i ride the alpha 1 out here at Mammoth, mind you)

you said you want durability but don't seem super keen on tuning/maintenance so that makes me think the T-Hall's S7 base vs. the Alpha 1 race base would be a no-brainer

If you tune the Alpha 1 every few times you ski or so it will be durable no problem, but you gotta keep em saturated with wax
Oct 5 2011 10:25PM
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henry42894
Posts: 97 - Karma: 22
let me define tuning a little more. I mean like putting the ski in the shop for a week to get every thing checked out tightened up. I have no problem dropping off the ski to get waxed. Can you elaborate on why the camber vs rocker on the east coast?
Oct 5 2011 10:43PM
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SteezoSaurus
Posts: 2630 - Karma: 2,670
Well, if you are running a fully cambered ski, that is alot of edge to move around. It can be quite grabby when your least expecting it, which leads to poor ride quality and higher risk of injury (particularly in the knee). An early rise ski (ie camber underfoot, rocker tip/tail) will be slightly more forgiving when those twisting motions happen. They are also much more cohesive to press and butter even in sketchy conditions.

Riding an early rise ski feels like the ski is working for you, were as camber makes you work against it.


Oct 5 2011 10:47PM
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henry42894
Posts: 97 - Karma: 22
no i understand that but i meant why being on the east coast would make the opinion change on that? Im assuming its an edge control thing at which point id say that im a good enough skier where i think ill be fine with a slight loss in that department
Oct 5 2011 10:53PM
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SteezoSaurus
Posts: 2630 - Karma: 2,670
Well, even though you ski the East, I am sure that being able to scrub speed is important? This will be much easier on the Alpha. Additionally, the nice quick turning radius will make turns lively and predictable.
I would almost argue that the edging on the Alpha is better than that of a fully cambered ski.
Oct 5 2011 10:55PM
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pghjibber
Posts: 1298 - Karma: 329
that's fine - you don't need to get them professionally tuned very often at all, maybe once at the beginning of the season

and you can very easily learn to wax your own skis for a fraction of the cost of dropping them at a ski stop

i just meant i would rather ski a full camber park ski on the east coast because having grown up skiing at 7 springs, I would rather have the full contact and effective edge of positive camber on hardpack

alpha 1s are great in a spot like mammoth where it's either nuking snow (in which case you're on powder skis for the day) or slushy/spring-like, and that's where park rocker is super helpful... i don't hook an edge carving off lips going switch etc.

to each their own, they're both great skis and you really can't go wrong with your choice
Oct 5 2011 10:57PM
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7147 - Karma: 17,490
Looking at your stats i would think the AR7 might be teh best option for you. The alpha will not be the best all mtn option. With the early rise you lose allot of effective edge. this means espeically on east coat ice you will not get great edge hold. The thall will be better as it is full camber so more effective edge. It will also as mentioned be easier to look after the thalls. However i had teh thalls last season, Im 5'11 and 170lbs and i found them too soft to push hard even on our west coast soft snow. Thats why I would recomend the AR7 to you. The stiffer flex with full camber will be great all mnt but also give you the most stability on larger park features. hope that helps
Oct 5 2011 11:02PM
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henry42894
Posts: 97 - Karma: 22
All great points guys I might just start throwing darts haha. I'm thinking for what I'm doing I really like the idea of the rocker but if edge control would be an issue I'd say they're out. So truly if I get the alpha 1s are they useless on the ice or are they manageable? As far as the ar7 I own a pair of the arvs so I feel like they'd be similar to buying a second pair of those but I could be wrong
Oct 5 2011 11:18PM
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SteezoSaurus
Posts: 2630 - Karma: 2,670
The Alpha 1s ride very comparably to any other park ski that is full camber. They still have a pretty long running surface even on ice.
Oct 5 2011 11:22PM
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7147 - Karma: 17,490
Regarding the alphas as said above they will be un at slower speeds as there is less edge to catch so they are super playfull, but at speed they begin to feel like snowblades as there is so little effective edge. You will not be able to carve hard on them.

The AR7 and ARV are very differnt. the ARV is super soft and wider so it does not carve as well as the AR7. The AR7 also has much more pop then the ARV. I skied on the AR6 for 2 seasons and there one of my fav skis. they did start to rocker after a season, so you can get the best of both skis once they start to break down.
Oct 5 2011 11:23PM
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SteezoSaurus
Posts: 2630 - Karma: 2,670
Regarding this, I would have to politely disagree. The effective edge on groomers is more than enough to provide stability at high speeds.
Oct 5 2011 11:32PM
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7147 - Karma: 17,490
^ Ill not disagree as thats your opion, but for me i just find them too unstable. I like to be able to use the whole edge and i find skis that use early rise like the alpha and the 2012 pretty unstable at speed. but im used to tradional skis and have skied them for so long i just might be having trouble adapting my technique. For me i much prefer full camber skis both in and out of the park, unless its a powder ski that is.

overall proberbly the op's best bet is to demo the skis, then he will know what suits him the best, rather then going off opions on here.
Oct 5 2011 11:40PM
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SteezoSaurus
Posts: 2630 - Karma: 2,670
this^
Oct 5 2011 11:45PM
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henry42894
Posts: 97 - Karma: 22
Yea I'm gonna demo em, thanks guys! Do you guys think 181 for length?
Oct 6 2011 8:11AM
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Newschool_Pope
Posts: 2473 - Karma: 267
most definitely. especially since you lose alot of running length due to the early rise.
Oct 6 2011 10:05AM
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TheClap.
Posts: 21664 - Karma: 4,140
and the fact hes 6'2''
Oct 6 2011 10:51AM
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