Head "Great Thang"--Am I losing my mind??

[Sky]

Hi,
Just came back from an evening of demo-ing and I really liked the Head
Great Thang-- but cannot find any reference to it anywhere-- not even on the Head website. I could have sworn it was called "Great Thang" and it was classifed as a cruiser. Any Head heads out there who have heard of this phantom?

 

[Little Lightning]

Ski Press magazine lists it as an "All Mountain Ride High Performance" they put it in the same category as the Burnin Luv and the Volkl AC3.

The website is www.skipressworld.com/skitest

Kathi

 

[Sky]

Hi Kathi,
Wow, that was quick! The link didn't lead to an active page, though. I tried going to the website but couldn't pull up the skis. I'd love to check it out.
Thanks

 

[Jilly]

There is a tool bar near the top of the page at Ski Press. Click on magazine. In the pull down menu select the test issue. Also there is a site for US and one for Canada english. I have the original issue, but its at the condo. I think I'll bring home all the mags this weekend. They could get more use here then there.

 

[Jilly]

From the description in SkiPress - looks like a good all mountain ski, but doesn't like ice. It received an honourable mention, but a not a medal of excellance. The others skis rated above it.

 

[Sky]

Hi Jilly,
Yes, I was able to activate the reviews and saw that. What a great site! Thanks for turning me on to it! I definitely need an ice ski!

 

[Jilly]

Then go Volkl or Fischer.

 

[Sky]

Yeah, that's what I am thinking. The northeast seems to be a popular spot for both skis. I am losing track of who I said what to... I forget where you ski??? Didn't you also recommend Nordicas to me? OK-- I am down to these three brands. I guess I am making progress! Oops-- and the Elan!

 

[Jilly]

Tremblant Quebec. Not as icy as Iceface/Whiteface!!

 

[Sky]

. Not as icy as Iceface/Whiteface!!

I actually never skied Iceface (due to the nickname!). I ski a couple of little ski areas out here in Western NY (Bristol and Holiday Valley) and make it over to Gore once in a while. We went to Killington last year and I am sure I will be doing more of that as the kids get older. I figure ice will be a factor at all of those places. I have heard wonderful things about Tremblant- I would love to check it out. I am afraid it will be cold though!
DIdn't you also favor the Nordicas?

 

[Little Lightning]

Sky,

I've skied Holiday Valley lots of times. We used to rent a cabins in Allegany state park near Salamanca.

I remember some freaky drives on Friday night due to lake effect snows around Cleveland.

Its a fun place to ski

Kathi

 

[Jilly]

I tried the Nordica's at last years 2007 demo days. Western NY - so Blue Mountain would be closer. Come to Tremblant, but not tomorrow - minus 41 with the wind chill- but anytime after that should still be good this winter. They are staying open till April 16th!

 

[Sky]

Sky,

I've skied Holiday Valley lots of times. We used to rent a cabins in Allegany state park near Salamanca.

I remember some freaky drives on Friday night due to lake effect snows around Cleveland.

Its a fun place to ski

Kathi

Yes, that lake effect snow can really get you! I grew up outside of Boston but have lived in Rochester for 15 years now and the lake effect is like nothing I ever experienced in New England. Great if you love snow-- nordic skiing is always just outside my door, even in the city.
Glad to hear you have good memories of Holiday Valley, even now that you are out west. It is a sweet, very well planned resort. I never thought of renting a cabin in the Alleghenies in winter. I will have to check that out.

 

[Jilly]

Rochester - you're right across the lake!! Belleville, Ontario!!

 

[Sky]

I tried the Nordica's at last years 2007 demo days.
Western NY - so Blue Mountain would be closer. Come to Tremblant, but not tomorrow - minus 41 with the wind chill- but anytime after that should still be good this winter. They are staying open till April 16th!

How do the Nordicas stack up with the Fischer and Volkls you recommended for these conditions, in your opinion?

Not sure where Blue Mountain is... is that a Canadian slope? There is a Blue Mountain in the Adirondacks but it is not set up for skiing.

Yes, I think I will pas on the -41 !! We are also getting an arctic blast.

 

[Sky]

Well, howdy-do! I always wondered where Ontarionians ( is that the word??) ski. You must be familiar with the lake effect stuff as well.

 

[Jilly]

Ok our Blue Mountain is in Collingwood, Ontario. Haven't demo'd the Volkl, but there are enough Diva's on them to review. The only Fischer I've demo'd is next year Vision Breeze. I really liked it and am trying to get it again for this weekend. I'll be able to give it a better review and spec's after a full day on it. The Nordica's I tried were this years skis, last Feb. The Speed is a speed demon. Great carver for an aggressive female. The Victory I felt was a little more all terrain. The waist was wider. No changes for 2008 except cosmetics. Not too sure about icy conditions, I can't remember hardpack or ice last year during the demo days. I didn't have the report card from this site to use either so the review is not complete like the one I did this year.

I worry when the guy on the radio says - "lake effect snow flurries" One time flurries were 12" of snow!! We had some good squalls today, but no accumulation here. Cobourg - they got hit! Closest I've skied to you is Snow Ridge south of Watertown. Haven't been in 20 years though. Skiing in Ontario is more like western New York than Eastern. 300-400 vertical feet. At Tremblant we can tell the Ontario skiers - 300 feet and stop, 300 feet and stop, till they get to the bottom. That's all the turns they can do at once. Us were top to bottomers!!

 

[Quiver Queen]

If you liked the feel of the Head Great Thang, you might also like the Fast Thang and the Wild Thang, both rated very highly.

 

[Sky]

Hi Again Jilly- "Every Thang!"

Then go Volkl or Fischer.

Hmm, my local ski shop just got in next year's Head Every Thang and the guy there says the metal in it will provide good ice hold. Are you familiar with this? Maybe I should go with that since I like the Great Thang so much-- I can get them for a great price. Do you know about metal and Head skis?

 

[Jilly]

Head made the first metal skis back in the 70's. I'm not up on Head skis, our local shop doesn't carry them. Since the warehouse for Atomic and Salomon are here, guess what the local shop carries, plus Rossi. So I'm only up on those brands. I'm working on the guy to bring in Fischer!