Looking for new skiboards

[T.ob17]

Hello to everyone that reads this,

I am currently in the hunt for new skiboards for my father. (Christmas and Birthday Gift). I learned on skis many years ago and then fell in love with the skiboards (which where I am from we call the blades). I have recently been speaking with my dad about or planned skiing trips and he is worried he will be too sore after a day. We both currently have 99cm ski boards. So I understand why he is always so tired and sore at the end of the day. I am trying to find him something that is good all around for all types of weather and terrain. He does not do the moguls or many things too difficult anymore as his body is starting to hate him haha. He has talked about something a bigger and wider to help with riding on powder and making it easier on his legs. I am hoping I can get a few ideas or suggestions on which approach to take.


Thanks
OB

[Toro]

Welcome to the forum, OB! Just because replies from people more knowledgeable than me will ask for it, what is your dad's height and weight?


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[T.ob17]

Thanks,


I knew I forgot something he is roughly 5'11" and I would say he is probably 240lbs. He usually gets out 2 times a year and i quote "Developed some really bad habits with using these short skis". He loves them though and so do I. He is not an expert skier by any means just really really enjoys going out and sometimes we get stuck with really shitty conditions on the mt with having now snow and lots of ice.


OB

[Bad Wolf]

As much fun as skiboards are, they can be hard work because of the challenge to you fore aft balance. The more challenging the terrain and conditions, the harder work they become.

Exactly what is he riding now. You said 99cm, but how wide are they underfoot? And does your Dad ever get off the groomers?

[T.ob17]

I cannot remember exactly what they size they tip/waist/tail. I just remember that they are 99cm Head skis. I know that they are normal bindings as I took them off his long skis and installed them onto them. He gets off of them every once in awhile but with how short they are it was getting to become a challenge more and more. Plus he has gout in his toes that moves into his ankles and knees somedays and sometimes. I am just trying to find something that is enjoyable for him.

I was thinking around a 125 to 130 and to get a wider board to help disperse and more surface are.

OB

[Wookie]

Based on the info above I would suggest you consider the RVL8 Rockered Sticky Icky Icky 104cm paired with Spruce Pro Sport Risers with Release Bindings and Brakes:

http://www.skiboardsonline.com/p/rvl...ckyicky18.html

Here is my reasoning for the recommendation:

• These are slightly longer and, likely, reasonably wider than your Dad's old Head "Blades"
• They are not so much wider or longer that they will feel totally foreign to him
• They have a little rocker and an option to "set back" a release binding that helps keep the tips up in deeper snow
• The rocker makes them feel shorter than they are but they perform big
• The rocker/camber/rocker profile is ideal for cruising groomers
• Since they are longer than his 99cm boards and not fully rockered you get more fore/aft support which makes them less work
• These are a relatively softer board and don't need to be ridden aggressively to work well. Great for cruising
• I am a 6'4" 220 lb bigger rider like your Dad and loved these in all conditions except deep powder

One qualification: You note that your Dad is looking for a board that is easier to ride in powder. If he wants a powder specific board I might recommend something different. The RVL8 SIIs are perfect for riding light powder while cruising groomers. If you want a knee deep powder board that's something different.

[Kocho]

Ospreys, with Throlia PR bindings Easygoing, good for a larger person even in soft snow.

[Bad Wolf]

Looking for new skiboards

I am trying to find him something that is good all around for all types of weather and terrain.

Unfortunately the skiboard you desire doesn’t exist. The characteristics that make a good groomer board are opposed to those that make a good powder board. Even the best “all around boards” are a compromise. That’s why we all own multiple skiboards[emoji108]

What you really need to do is choose a board that is less tiring for your Dad to ride, for the conditions he rides most of time, then worry about the powder days later. Length, or effective length, is what really wears people out, and you can address this many ways. Stiffer, cambered boards are effectively longer than softer flexing rockered boards, so models like the Revolts, KTPs and DLPs may do the trick. These classic park style boards all provide a strong platform for cruising groomers and cutting through variable conditions. I would stay away from the zero camber boards like the Blunts, XLs and RCs. Even though they are wider, and good in powder, they require a lot of input and can tire you quickly. As Wookie says, the new Ickys are very easy to ride, and would also make a great choice. Even the Slapdashes at 98cm would be a significant upgrade from his old blades.

Of course you can go up in length to the longboards as well. I think the original Spruce 120s may be the easiest and least tiring boards to ride ever. Fads come and go, the 120s are immortal. Some of the longboards, like the Opreys Kocho mentioned will also perform well in powder, but, you have given up a little shortie fun for float. The 130 Sherpas may be too big and wide for him.

Then there are the short and junior skis, but I’ll let others more knowledgeable comment on those.

[slow]

OB, welcome to the forum.

I am just north of you. Where do you ride locally? Too bad Frost Fire will not be running again this season. Otherwise we could have met up there.

[T.ob17]

Unfortunately the skiboard you desire doesn’t exist. The characteristics that make a good groomer board are opposed to those that make a good powder board. Even the best “all around boards” are a compromise. That’s why we all own multiple skiboards[emoji108]

What you really need to do is choose a board that is less tiring for your Dad to ride, for the conditions he rides most of time, then worry about the powder days later.

Yeah That exactly what I am looking for something that is less tiring and takes a little less energy to pilot down the hill but still has the fun mobility of the true shorty skis. He does ski with gout in his toes that moves up into his ankles and knees sometimes. So I am wondering if that is brought on because he is working so hard to use the skis.

I have no idea what length to go to or anything. My biggest concern is I do not want him to have to relearn to ski again after being on the 99s for such a long time.

OB

[Wookie]

Yeah That exactly what I am looking for something that is less tiring and takes a little less energy to pilot down the hill but still has the fun mobility of the true shorty skis. He does ski with gout in his toes that moves up into his ankles and knees sometimes. So I am wondering if that is brought on because he is working so hard to use the skis.

I have no idea what length to go to or anything. My biggest concern is I do not want him to have to relearn to ski again after being on the 99s for such a long time.

If he stays away from the uber wide boards, like the RVL8 Condors, and stays in the 100-110 CM range he should not have to "relearn" anything but would rather just have an adjustment period to get used to the added size and shape. You'll have this adjustment with most modern skiboards as many are slightly wider and longer than his old 99cm Head Skiboards.

On the subject of gout that's an arthritic condition brought on by uric acid. Skiboarding would be painful during a flare up but not the cause unless there is some dehydration involved that would compound the condition. (I'm not a doctor but have a family member that had gout). Your dad needs to likely see a rheumatologist or orthopedist not change his skiboards to get relief from gout, it's common and treatable with meds, diet, and other therapy. Also make sure he stays hydrated on the hill.

[T.ob17]

Based on the info above I would suggest you consider the RVL8 Rockered Sticky Icky Icky 104cm paired with Spruce Pro Sport Risers with Release Bindings and Brakes:

http://www.skiboardsonline.com/p/rvl...ckyicky18.html

Wookie, I enjoyed reading your reasons and thought you put into it. Thank you very much. The whole powder thing really isn't like back country powder or knee deep powder. It is like the light stuff that accumulates ontop of groomed runs while its been snowing all night and they have been grooming. He prefers the blues and maybe single blacks depending what they look at. Condition wise we have get a little of everything with great snow to ice and compacted.

I have no idea what length would be good. I know he mentioned like 120s but I am hesitant. I feel like with the 99s he has developed some lazy/bad habits and so I don't want him to have the curve of having to relearn. If you get what I am saying. As a family we may only get out 2x a year to a big mountain with it being such a far drive.

Thanks
OB

[Bad Wolf]

Based on the extra information you’ve added......

......just go with the Ickys.

[sempai]

Based on the extra information you’ve added......

......just go with the Ickys.

I don't know. Because of his weight, I'd lean more towards something bigger like the Crossbows or Sherpas. There really isn't much of a learning curve going from 99 cm to 115 or 130.

[T.ob17]

I don't know. Because of his weight, I'd lean more towards something bigger like the Crossbows or Sherpas. There really isn't much of a learning curve going from 99 cm to 115 or 130.

This where I am stuck is the length. He has skied for more than 30 years and been on those 99s for a good 13 yrs. He is by no means a hardcore or expert skier. Just a hobby and enjoyment/vacation thing. I was looking around 110cm maybe?

OB