On Thu, 17 Sep 2009 14:42:13 GMT, "Jérémy" wrote:

(x-posted to ukrm in case no-one uses the ski groups any longer)

Not much, it's true. Year on year it's been dropping. Only two
threads, four posts, since July. But I'm still here.

I am 179cm and weigh 76kg. Ski style toute neige tout terrain - I enjoy
bumps, I like silly tricks on the piste (but I only jump in a straight
line, I'm too old for any more ski injuries), but mostly I ski off piste
in any conditions.

OK, let's stop you there. If this is the priority, then you need to be
looking at mid-fat or fat skis. But what you don't say is how hard you
ski. This is of utmost importance - if you glide gently and stylishly
over all types of terrain you'll want something very different than if
you blast at max speed wherever you are.

I used to tend towards the latter, but since the broken back have been
little more circumspect, so I've not fully embraced the big, long, fat
skis, sticking with my 3-y-o 177cm Foils. Seems that the current (well
last season's) Salomon equivalent is the Lord, which is somewhat
wider, but not excessively so. There are a number of skis by all
menufacturers in this category, and you could do worse than start by
looking at the tests on the skiclub site at
http://www.skiclub.co.uk/skiclub/mem...s/default.aspx

Oh, it's members only - you are a member, aren't you?

Well, I'll C&P their descriptions of the two types you'll most likely
be looking at, to get you started.

Big Mountain

"Last season the introduction of rockered skis from the big
manufacturers was the big new story. This year sees an evolution of
that, with more variations of full, semi and front-rockered fats
emerging. Many models have a rockered tip and tail, but a traditional
camber through the middle. To add to the confusion, classic
backcountry skis with a more traditional sidecut and flex are still
out there, and are still favoured by high-speed freeride specialists.
Because we were blessed with fresh, light, deep powder for most of the
week, this was a true test of the latest fat skis. So much choice can
be daunting for buyers. It’s hard to generalise with these fat skis,
but here are a few simple guidelines: Generally, rockered skis are
easier to pivot, and feel playful - while allowing you to be more
balanced over the middle of the ski. Classic fats with traditional
camber are more stable at speed, less twitchy and normally smoother
and grippier on the piste. In any type of ski, more width in the waist
makes for extra flotation and easier riding, but will make them slower
onto the edge and less responsive for shorter turns. There is still a
massive variation in performance between each model - more than in any
other category we test - so, if you can get the chance, try before you
buy."

Freeride:

"If you are really into your off piste, but also happy to rip around
on the groomed runs when the powder’s not happening, these are the
type of skis you need to check out. There is a massive choice and
variation in design, but essentially it’s about deciding what type of
skiing you’ll usually do. If you are obsessive about searching out
even the smallest powder stash, go for the more off-piste orientated
models. If you tend to be more of a 50/50 skier, and hack around on
the piste quite regularly, then it’s the models that offer a
good-quality piste performance. Generally the skis in this range have
got wider this year, but don’t let that deceive you: it’s now possible
to get good carving performance with anything up to 90mm of waist
width. A while back, this would have seemed crazy, but as always, the
manufacturers seem to be able to move the goalposts as new materials
and designs emerge."