Skis for icey conditions

[sandflea195]

How do they perform in a straight line though? The head supershape, isl/rdsl, Fischer rx8/wc sc and salomon crossmax.

[François]

The Fischers are annoying when you are attempting to get them to go absolutely straight down the hill, the WC SCs more so than the RX8 imho. The tips want to wander back and forth. This a a common trait with modern shaped skis; the smaller the side-cut radius, the more annoying it is. With a 1 degree base bevel you can ignore it most of the time, but at higher speeds you have to change tactics. You can go straight while swapping the ski edges from left to right as they dance beneath you, or you can go almost straight with the skis slightly on edge with no problems.

If you want a ski that will turn on a dime and still let you go 60 mph at times, you won't get much better than the WC SC.

[sandflea195]

The Fischers are annoying when you are attempting to get them to go absolutely straight down the hill, the WC SCs more so than the RX8 imho. The tips want to wander back and forth. This a a common trait with modern shaped skis; the smaller the side-cut radius, the more annoying it is. With a 1 degree base bevel you can ignore it most of the time, but at higher speeds you have to change tactics. You can go straight while swapping the ski edges from left to right as they dance beneath you, or you can go almost straight with the skis slightly on edge with no problems.

If you want a ski that will turn on a dime and still let you go 60 mph at times, you won't get much better than the WC SC.

Well, it looks like I'm going to go for the SC, I currently have a b5 172. I weigh around 185 and I'm 6'1" what size would you recommend for me. I was thinking a 165 or 170.

Thanks,

Mike

[François]

I would say 165 or 170 would be right for you. I weigh about 165 and was a little afraid that 165 might be too short. Its the perfect length when I'm skiing above 30 mph, but if anything it's a little too long for my 160 lbs at slower speeds. With your 180 lbs 165 might be just right. Maybe someone with more weight can chime in. IMHO, the 165s are all you need for stability; they don't smooth out the chop like a pair of 208 SGs, but they don't misbehave either.

BTW Do you have Metron B5s or SX-B5s.

[Max_501]

BTW Do you have Metron B5s or SX-B5s.

I was wondering the same thing.

[sandflea195]

BTW Do you have Metron B5s or SX-B5s.

I was wondering the same thing.

Metron B5's

[Max_501]

Metron B5's

Before I suggest a size of ski for you can you give me a brief description of how the Metron B5 feels to you on the ice you ski on?

[sandflea195]

Metron B5's

Before I suggest a size of ski for you can you give me a brief description of how the Metron B5 feels to you on the ice you ski on?

The metron B5 does ok on ice (tends to skid a little more than I like, probably the sidecut), I think that I may have been spoiled with the volkl p20 sl's on ice. I would like something that has the edge hold of ice skates but also have some forgiveness in bumps with less weight. The B5 in 172 seems to be a perfect fit for me. I am a very aggressive skier.

[Max_501]

Based on what you said about the B5 I'd be looking at the 165 to 170 range.

I'm 165lbs and I have the Head iSL chip in a 160cm for carving hard snow and ice. My daily ski is a Metron B5 in a 162cm.