head supershape 165 or 170 or 175 cm

[dizpark]

I have located the "classic" head supershape slalom carver in stock. I mean the 12 m radius red and white Supershape that Harald recommended while it was available as in here viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3432

They have two sizes available 170 or 165 cm. I am 183 cm (about 6 feet) tall and my weight is 90 kg (about 198 lbs). I m a strong intermediate, currently on Elan Waveflex 12 (old cambered one - pre Amphibio) interested in learning PMTS. I have realized that I am more interested in improving my short turns than in running at speed in medium and long turns (I am too old and chicken for that). On top of that the local slopes are very short and often icy, and I only take one or two trips to bigger mountains like Alps per season. So a short turn slalom carver feels like it fits my needs. But should I go for 170 cm which I feel would be a tiny bit more versatile or stick with 165 (after all it is a slalom carver). PS I am interested in bumps as well.

Edit: I have found the same ski in 175cm length as well. So I have the whole range of sizes available. Please, advise.

[Max_501]

I'd guess the 170cm would be best for your size.

[dizpark]

Max, thanks a lot for your reply. I now realize that the supershape that i have found in stock is the 2012 model with KERS, not the real "classic" one, so it maybe too much of a ski for me. They also have new old stock tt-80 and tt-800 pro in 170 cm. I know that you prefer these over supershape, especially in bumps. Is there a difference between tt-80 and tt-800 pro or it the same ski with different name and graphic.

[CO_Steve]

I'm just about your size and have the Kers SS in 170. Works for me.

After you buy yours are you going to share the location of this treasure trove?

[dizpark]

After you buy yours are you going to share the location of this treasure trove?

I shall . But it is all in europe and the prices, i believe, are quite steep compared to what you used to pay in the States.

[CO_Steve]

I've bought skis from Europe before. Shipping isn't that much and we get to deduct the VAT so sometimes it's a good deal.

[Max_501]

I've bought skis from Europe before. Shipping isn't that much and we get to deduct the VAT so sometimes it's a good deal.

Not unless they are on sale!

[CO_Steve]

I've bought skis from Europe before. Shipping isn't that much and we get to deduct the VAT so sometimes it's a good deal.

Not unless they are on sale!

Skis are always bought on sale.

[Max_501]

Skis are always bought on sale.

Not if you want your favorite shops to stay in business. I've payed asking price more than once to support shops I like, including HSS.

[theorist]

I've bought skis from Europe before. Shipping isn't that much and we get to deduct the VAT so sometimes it's a good deal.

Can I ask how you ship them, and how much it costs? I found some Head skis in Austria, but the shop says shipping is >300 Euros via UPS. I tried to explain that there are less expensive alternatives, like the post office (which from here to there runs about $100, if you can get USPS to accept them, since their length limit is supposed to be 66"), but they didn't reply. If I could give them specific info. on how to ship that would help.

[Smackboy1]

I bought a pair of Movement Jams from the UK a couple of years ago. The shop charged me GBP 100.00 for FedEx (at current rates ~ EUR 122).

[theorist]

I bought a pair of Movement Jams from the UK a couple of years ago. The shop charged me GBP 100.00 for FedEx (at current rates ~ EUR 122).

Based on the 170 Laser SCs I have at home, the skis I have in mind could probably fit into a box of 68" x 5" x 5" if they removed one of the bindings (but still included them in the box). The skis would have to be shipped from Austria, and checking online using those dims and 15 lbs., my FedEx account gives a price of $350, close to the 300 Euros the dealer quoted me for UPS. From the UK it's a bit less, but still pricey: $270. Maybe your dealer did lots of international shipping and thus had some sort of great negotiated discount with FedEx -- mine clearly doesn't, as indicated by the fact that they needed to check the price and get back to me.

It's my understanding that the cheapest shipping, though, is through the local postal service, if you can get them to accept the package (skis can exceed their normal length requirements). For instance, priority mail (USPS) from here to Austria for 15 lbs., 60" x 5" x 5", is $90 (60" is the max length they are supposed to accept, but sometimes you can get them to take something larger -- it's at their discretion; I spoke to a US dealer that ships internationally, and that's what he's able to do). [It's not cheaper than FedEx b/c of the reduced size -- at 60" x 5" x 5", FedEx is still $350.] I checked on the Austrian postal service's site for shipment to the US, but unfortunately it says the maximum allowed length is 100 cm (39.4") --- not even close. But the prices are good -- 100 cm x 25 cm x 25 cm (the max size) is only 40 Euros for 7 kg (15.4 lbs.) from Austria to the US.

So I guess I should refine my question to ask if anyone knows how to ship skis inexpensively from Austria specifically.

[docmartin]

those shipping prices sound absurd. I bought brand new SS on German ebay two months ago. Shipping via DHL for 49 Euros. Snowinn ships from Spain via DHL and charges typically about 70 euros if I recall correctly.

[Max_501]

Larger dealers are able to offer much better shipping rates because of the large quantity of business they give to DHL, Fedex, etc.

[theorist]

This German seller has the original SuperShape in 160, 165, and 170. I emailed to ask if they ship to the US, and they said no. But if you're in Europe you might wish to take advantage of this. http://www.ebay.de/itm/HEAD-Ski-i-SUPER ... 1c3bf51715