Question: Quiver vs. one or two pairs????

[oragejuice]

Alright. I admit it, I'm a gear whore just like the rest of you. But I somehow don't see the point in having 6 pairs of skis.

I'm pretty positive I'm going to be buying a pair of Auras this year. But now comes the dilemma. I'm interested in Bros. The Kiku is an awesome ski. And I would very much like to see all three sitting next to eachother in my house... but what's the point?

How do you choose which ski to take up with you? Do you take them all and switch out as the conditions change? Or do you buy skis because Divas are such a good influence, and only ski one of your eight pairs?

Sigh.

 

[volklgirl]

But I somehow don't see the point in having 6 pairs of skis.

What????? Ya gotta have a carver, an all mountain, a twin (or 2), a rock ski, a fatty, and a loaner. Then if you race, ya gotta add a GS ski, a GS trainer, an SL ski, and SL trainer, and a "speed" ski. If you do back country, ya gotta have a touring ski and a great big fatty. So, how so you get by with only 6?????

How do you choose which ski to take up with you? Do you take them all and switch out as the conditions change?

1) I don't. 2) Yes, that's why I drive a Safari van that carries up to 14 pairs of skis and still has room for 7 people.

Or do you buy skis because Divas are such a good influence, and only ski one of your eight pairs?
Sigh.

If I can ONLY take 1 pair of skis somewhere, it'll always be the Karma (east/midwest) or the Aura (west or midwest spring). Unless I'm racing, then that's a whole 'nother discussion.

 

[oragejuice]

Lol. I figured you would be the first to post on this... Ok. So, short rock skis, Auras and racing skis.... Three pairs. Hm?

 

[altagirl]

So personally I can't live without:

Powder Skis (if this isn't a reverse camber ski, add that...)
Rock skis
Everyday/all mountain/groomer capable skis
backcountry setup
short carvers for icy days
tele skis

That's my absolute minimum. You decide based on weather and conditions. If it's questionable, bring two pairs and switch if necessary.

 

[SnowHot]

Since I'm not a racer, I could eliminate my SL's but they are soooooooo much fun!

Right now, my quiver is somewhat minimal, for me, with .......
Powder(for me a 99 mm ski that is not a reverse camber)
Midfat(for everday play and beating the trail)
Bump(because I'm going to do some bump training this winter)
Ice Skates(usually my SL's or another front side carver)

I guess it could be argued that I would be okay with just the Bro, but what fun would that be?

 

[Kimmyt]

I technically have 2 pairs of skis, though I only use one since my other pair is my little shorty learner set and I've far outgrown them, I just haven't sold them yet.

Personally I don't ski enough, or at a high enough level (or on variable enough conditions, etc.) to warrant having multiple pairs. I could see having a powder ski if I lived anywhere that there was actual powder, but since I'm lucky if I see a day of it a year, and on those days my Fischers behave well enough that I don't need to get another set. Yet.

However, I'm actively looking forward to the day we move and I have reason to get one (or three) more sets of skis.

I wouldn't want to rack up too many though, because I have a hard time making up my mind, and I'd hate to be taking runs and start second-guessing my choice (i.e. 'oh I could have had sooo much fun if I had skied the blahblahs today!')

 

[Severine]

I got caught up in the "must have a quiver" craze last season... and I shouldn't have. In all honesty, unless you need a specialized ski (like you're racing, or you already are doing backcountry or touring) you likely can overlap some categories with the same ski. For me, it just gets too confusing if there are too many to pick from - and I really dont' need it.

In my case, I have my Dynastar Marie Martinods (which are TT and are my all-mountain ski currently-I don't do park stuff). I added Roxy Joyriders at the end of last season because I *thought* I wanted something that would be better at shorter radius turns and on hardpack, plus it was purported to be pretty good all mountain (and so overlapping). In all honesty, I could have gotten by without them.

But you have to understand that 99% of my skiing is done at a small local hill with less than 1000ft vert. I almost never get to ski on powder days (my first powder day was at A-basin mother's day weekend this year!), and I'm only an intermediate. I have skis that I feel I can grow into without holding me back right now, but I really don't "need" more, even if it would be nice to have more.

What's most important to you?

That said, at least with only a couple pairs of skis, you can toss both in the car and switch if one pair doesn't work for you that day. I have done that.

 

[altagirl]

You also get a lot of days out West where it's supposed to snow all day. So you start out in hardpack conditions and by the end of the day you have a powder day. So being able to change skis with the conditions is nice.

And I think at least 60% of the days I skied last year were powder days so a powder ski is essential.

 

[oragejuice]

You also get a lot of days out West where it's supposed to snow all day. So you start out in hardpack conditions and by the end of the day you have a powder day. So being able to change skis with the conditions is nice.

And I think at least 60% of the days I skied last year were powder days so a powder ski is essential.

Powder skis are a must, for sure. But I almost feel like if I get the right ones, I won't have to worry about the conditions? I do ski quite a bit of powder days, but lots of other conditions too. But... from what I've heard, and my test day, Auras will be a fantastic all around ski. And... when its ice? I don't bother skiing.

My father and brother ski exclusively on Mantras. My dad had a pair of AC4s before them and has since gotten rid of them because he doesn't feel they are worth it...

I feel like I am diseased. I don't want tons of pairs of skis. Whoa.

 

[tradygirl]

Powder skis are a must, for sure. But I almost feel like if I get the right ones, I won't have to worry about the conditions? I do ski quite a bit of powder days, but lots of other conditions too. But... from what I've heard, and my test day, Auras will be a fantastic all around ski. And... when its ice? I don't bother skiing.

I feel like I am diseased. I don't want tons of pairs of skis. Whoa.

OK, as one of the many gear-monger, fat ski groupies around here, I'm going to put myself out there for a second. And yes, I assure you ladies, it is still me talking.

I don't think you need more than 1 or 2 pairs of skis.

Bear with me here. Let me explain.

First, it sounds like you ski in bounds at the same resort or two most of the season, correct? And it sounds like you would rather not ski if conditions are really poor (icy, bumpy, nasty). I'm also assuming that you mostly ski off-piste, even when it's tracked out.

So with these assumptions, you can eliminate some of the "mandatory" skis from your quiver.

Ice/Rock ski. You're not skiing in crappy conditions. Done.

Backcountry ski. You don't tour. Done.

Powder ski. Fatties are like fast exotic sports cars on the autobahn - they're the best tools for the job. But an all-mountain is like a Subaru WRX turbo - it may not be the best tool for the job, but it does pretty well and is dang fun too.

Carver/groomer ski: Now think about a dirt road. You wouldn't dream of taking a Ferrari, and ideally you'd really like that big jacked-up 4x4 truck. But the Subaru can get the job done on all but the gnarliest of terrain with flying colors.

My point is, if you want to keep it simple, you definitely can. You'll be making small compromises on the outer edge of your skiing spectrum, but the Aura will do a great job in most conditions that you like to ski.

Bring on the hate.

 

[itri]

I gotta say, I tend to agree with Sev and tradygirl. Quivers are fun and great to have if you can afford it, but I really don't think you *need* one. A big "yeah, that" to everything they said!

As far as changing conditions and having a pair to switch to, to be completely honest, it probably just ain't gonna happen when I ski. I can just imagine the ridicule I would get from my usual skiing companions if I tried to tell them I needed to go back to the car to switch out skis. Not to mention that the places I ski at typically involve either a pretty decent walk or a bus ride to get between car and mountain (can't afford to pay for the close-in parking except on special occasions!), AND we tend to get off the front of the mountain and back away from the crowds as quickly as possible. So, heck no, I'm not going to spend a major portion of my ski day trekking back and forth to the car to change skis.

I just got a pair of brand new Lady Hart twintips that I'm hoping will be an excellent all-mountain ski for me. Would I like to add another ski at some point if I can afford it or find a smoking deal? Sure, but I'm not going out of my way looking for it right now!

 

[oragejuice]

OK, as one of the many gear-monger, fat ski groupies around here, I'm going to put myself out there for a second. And yes, I assure you ladies, it is still me talking.

I don't think you need more than 1 or 2 pairs of skis.

Bear with me here. Let me explain.

First, it sounds like you ski in bounds at the same resort or two most of the season, correct? And it sounds like you would rather not ski if conditions are really poor (icy, bumpy, nasty). I'm also assuming that you mostly ski off-piste, even when it's tracked out.

So with these assumptions, you can eliminate some of the "mandatory" skis from your quiver.

Ice/Rock ski. You're not skiing in crappy conditions. Done.

Backcountry ski. You don't tour. Done.

Powder ski. Fatties are like fast exotic sports cars on the autobahn - they're the best tools for the job. But an all-mountain is like a Subaru WRX turbo - it may not be the best tool for the job, but it does pretty well and is dang fun too.

Carver/groomer ski: Now think about a dirt road. You wouldn't dream of taking a Ferrari, and ideally you'd really like that big jacked-up 4x4 truck. But the Subaru can get the job done on all but the gnarliest of terrain with flying colors.

My point is, if you want to keep it simple, you definitely can. You'll be making small compromises on the outer edge of your skiing spectrum, but the Aura will do a great job in most conditions that you like to ski.

Bring on the hate.

No hate for you! Exactly how I'm thinking. Your assessment of my skiing is pretty accurate too. I do skis off-piste quite a bit, and yes, even when its tracked out. I like groomers, but only when there is not anything good anywhere else. Bumps are perfectly fine. The way that the snow is out here, there are not too many icy days. And so when they happen, I just... don't go. As for resorts, yeah, 2 major resorts, and one or two vacations to places like Whistler, and probably Utah/Colorado this year.

Ice/Rock skis- Absolutely, none of that crap out here.

Backcountry skis- I don't tour, yet. I think I'm going to but AT bindings on whatever I buy this year, so I can start.

As for the rest, yes. Right on! Thanks for the post! It really helps!! I'm thinking a mini-quiver is the way to go. Over the next couple seasons, I will work way too much in order to aquire the following skis.

Auras- For the majority of my skiing. Possibly with AT bindings.

Kikus... Cosmos... something fatter than Auras - maybe... for backcountry.

Race skis- Self explanatory.

Woo!

 

[ski now work later]

Auras should suit you for all but hardpack, icy/crud days where you ski. I'm dying to try the Kikus, and hope to demo them in March in CO. I bet they are a blast on pow days, but I'm not sure they will give you much more float than the Aura or be as versatile if conditions change quickly. When I was in Montana I traversed some windblown hardpack in between skiing pow and crud and I was so grateful for those versatile Auras. I ski them a little short (163 and I'm 5'7") because of my (intermediate) skill level and to bungle through bumps and ski trees.

I don't race, ski back country, or need rock skis (I worry about my safety too much when skiing very early or late season conditions so I stay away, consequence of being a self-employed wife and mom of 5), so that keeps it a little simple for me. I'm an aspiring freestyle skier though so I like having a twin tip.

My current quiver is the Aura, a carver/bump ski that's 72 wide so it's versatile, and a park ski. My skills are improving and I will eventually replace the carver and park skis with longer, stiffer boards, but for me, owning more than 3 pair of skis is a pain to keep them tuned and waxed and figure out what to lug to the mountain each time.

Happy shopping!

 

[LilaBear]

I love these threads for the amount of information and education they provide. I have never before had more than one pair of skis, if you live nowhere near a ski resort, have to fly and then rely on local transport it's just not been feasible to carry multiple pairs. I have always loved the skis I've been currently on and jealously guarded the few days on the snow preferring not to waste any time in getting used to a new ski. The new shaped skis have really given the average skier enough tool for any conditions - granted that can be improved upon with the ideal tool designed for the specific conditions, but for most of us - well, I for one wouldn't have even been able to tell.

For me the situation is changing, I can have ready access by car and will spend nearly every weekend skiing. I can't see that I'll go to having six pairs immediately, but I already have 3, two that are waiting to have bindings mounted - the narrow carver and the Twin Tip All Mountain, and my well loved but skied out "rock" skis. And over time, there will be more, and next season, some more still. Of course the fact that there are so many reviews on this site extolling the virtues of a great number of skis also makes me want to add. I am trying to exercise restraint, ski on the two pairs I have and then see if I have any real gaps in the quiver.... based on what I have learned in discussions such as these.

 

[abc]

And I would very much like to see all three sitting next to eachother in my house... but what's the point?

The "point", is to have them and ski them because they're different!

Same for some people who go ski in different resort... It's just snow, right? So why not different skis?

Having said all that, I only have two pairs and have no plan to add more. Because I'm one of those who think any 2x4 will do. I'll just work on my techniques more...

So, if you don't think you NEED a quiver, you don't. But if you feel it'll be fun to have a quiver? Go right ahead. Skiing is a hobby, after all. Each of us enjoy it differently.

 

[altagirl]

Of course you don't NEED a quiver.

But sometimes it depends on the year. Last year my season was probably 60-70% powder days. A Gotama or Kiku would have been good, and I probably could have gotten by with my Praxis all season. But it would have been miserable on non-groomer days. Or I wouldn't have had quite as much fun on powder days. Pick one. And some years it's more icy days than powder days. You never know in advance.

And then there are the icy days where I could just stay home and not ski at all... but luckily I have a pair of cheapo skis I picked up at a swap that are like 67 underfoot and serve as great ice skates on those days where it hasn't snowed in weeks.

And there are days early in the season where I'd feel very guilty bringing out my new skis in rocky, bare conditions... but thankfully I have some old beat up skis that I don't mind abusing. Or else I'd be staying at home.

If you're buying everything retail? Yes - a large quiver is ridiculous. But if you're picking up a few extra pairs at swaps, or keeping an old set of rock skis to round out the quiver... I think it's a good idea. They also tend to be skis you keep year after year so it's not as expensive as you'd think.