New Skis

It's very difficult to select a pair of skis that provide good all-round performance. Let's face it, whenever we read articles in the press about equipment, or walk into shops, we are bombarded with so much choice that it's tough to even define what type of skier we are. On Tuesday I walked into a local shop called Freeride.fr to pick up a new pair of skis for the winter. How will they perform? How will they feel? Will they match my uniform?!?

Much to my wife's despair, I love new skiing equipment. New clothes, new sunglasses, new hats, new telemark, touring and slalom skis etc. But what is it that makes new equipment feel so fantastic. Is it because technology evolves every year? Maybe. Is it because anything new feels like the next best thing? Maybe. I can't decide on this. I try to relate it to other things in life, for instance new running shoes, a new bread knife, a new laptop, or even a new car. They all feel fantastic.

Anyway, back to my new skis. Since last Tuesday I've had a mixture of teaching and free skiing in different conditions. Which has helped me form an opinion of them.... They absolutely rock, they're awesome, the edge grip is fantastic but at the same time they give me versatility when I need it. How does this happen? I don't know, I can't pretend to understand all the technical wizardry, they just feel great.

But hang on a minute, isn't that what this sport is all about, feeling great on skis in the mountains? Feeling great by using the effective tool of snow plough turns on the green slopes. Feeling great by achieving parallel turns on an icy blue slope. Feeling great by making it over to another valley away from the usual area. Or feeling great by carving down slopes that you didn't think were possible to carve.

For the techno types out there, the skis that have helped me feel great the last few days are Head Super Shape Speeds 170. I'm sorry Harriet for getting carried away again with new kit, I know it was your turn this winter for new skis, but I've just seen another pair that I wouldn't mind trying. Tools of the trade.

Martin

PS, thanks to Freeride.fr

PPS, thanks to Rick for taking the photos of me late on Thursday afternoon in the fading light.