Which of these should I hire?

Hi All,

I'm off to VDI in January so thoughts turn to hire skis (not worth me buying as I only get to ski once a year)

I've hired for the last few years via Ski Republic and they've been excellent so I'll use them again (and they are dirt cheap).

My question is which of these that they are offering this year are the best bet for me:

Fischer Super Race RC 4
Rossignol Z3 Oversize
Rossignol Zenith 76
Fischer Viron 4.4
Salomon X-Wing Tornado Ti


I'm an intermediate who's never been off piste and have no real plans to start. Generally I cruise round on reds and blues with a bit of black/moguls when I feel the need for a challenge / the missus wants to get home quick for tea and cakes / Jagermeister.

I know these are probably not cutting edge skis but frankly I dont think I'd know the difference!

I'm leaning towards the X-Wings for no other reason than that I skiied a pair of X-Wings (what spec I can't remember) in Vermont 3 years ago and loved them as I was happily blasting down their Double Black Diamonds.

Useful suggestions / experiences welcomed

Andy

andyoneil wrote:Salomon X-Wing Tornado Ti

This.

The Fischers I don't know, the Zenith I liked, but the Tornado Ti is IMHO one of the stand-out skis of recent years. Not to be confused with other variants of the X-Wing which, although decent skis, are not in the same league.

But that's just me; YMMV 8)

Are you looking at what may be available in the shop you are planning to go to?
Personally I would just go into the shop and spend a few minutes explaining your skiing experience and aspirations to the guy/gal - maybe waiting until you can get someone who you can chat with (speaks English?).
If there is some part of skiing you would like a ski to "help" with say so - for example if you find moguls a bit tricky ask for something that would help (probably a softer tip, maybe a bit shorter).
You'll probably get something suitable - I reckon most people in the shops quite like being asked for advice :wink:
And then don't forget one great advantage of hire skis - you can go back and change them. Maybe same ski a size longer/shorter, maybe something different.
I've skied the Tornado ti and thought it was an excellent piste ski, very stable and agile too, long turns, short turns - I enjoyed it.
But, I found it really difficult after a foot of heavy snow fell (no way I would call that snow powder - concrete more like it!).
Should have gone back and swapped out for something longer and wider.
Anyway that's my way :thumbup:

Always nice when someone reinforces your gut feeling - ta!

Andy

I usually book in advance via the web but the staff in Ski Republic are very good and will happily change stuff out as needed.

And as for speaking English - I'm going to VDI, who there doesn't ?! )

Just a note to say that I took the Xwings and they were all I hoped for

Ski Republic had them waxed and sharp and they never underperformed all week - unlike my technique!

Two falls in deep moguls were all they gave me and they certainly weren't the skis' fault!

thanks for the advice

andyoneil wrote:Just a note to say that I took the Xwings and they were all I hoped for

:thumbup:

I've been loving the BBRs in powder this season but would still take the Tornado Ti in preference if I had to choose a single "all mountain" ski.

Glad they worked for you. How good was your week? :lol:

Week was awesome thanks!!!

Will be writing a report once I get some pesky work out of the way