help out a first timer...

[J.B.]

i have hiked Tuck's for the last two springs, but hopefully, this year will be my first time skiing the ravine. my biggest concern is i need to rent/demo GOOD skis like salomon x-scream 9 or rossi bandit XX. every place by me is no longer demoing skis this season. any other tips would also be greatly appreciated. please email jquinn23@hotmail.com
thank you

[skicdave]

I'd forget taking any 'GOOD' skis. Your old rocks skis should do fine for spring skiing at Tucks... save you a few bucks too.

[short skis still suck]

Hey buddy, what makes a "good" ski? Does it have to have a wide waist or extreme sidecut? No, son, it does not. People have been skiing tucks, and skiing tucks well, since skis were made of wood. If your ability requires you to ski on those fat skis, then you probably are not ready for tucks yet. also, the purpose of super sidecut skis is to crve a turn. trust me pal, if you are making pure carves down the headwall, tou will probably fall into the rocks and crack your head open. by the way, i hate shaped skis. for those of you that think i am a traditional ski snob, you are wrong also, as i spent the first half of my season on sidecuts, then went back to my old rossi viper z's cause they just felt better. so don't let hardcore skiiers (of which there are many who read this page) know that you think that fat skis are the best, cause they will first laugh at you, then feel sorry for you. see you in the bowl- bring your 200+ skis- the ziplines on the left gully and hillman's will thank you!!!

[Marcos]

I think somebody needs a hug........

but really, i think if you can hike up to tuckerman's, climb that vertical wall, put skis on and make it down in one piece, you deserve mad props no matter what you have on your feet. personally, i was there on skiboards (90cm extra wide one-per-foot, you can see a lot of them on regular ski resorts) and yes i carved my way down the headwall... as long as you have safe fun, that's all that counts!

ps i'm still working on the video and pics from my trip! coming soon i hope...

[Brian LeBlanc]

I would agreee with what others have already said in response to what you asked. I skied at tucks last weekend for the first time (read my post under tales of tuckerman's if you want some inspiration) and trust me, the last thing on your mind when you get up on the headwall and decide it's time to go down is what kind of skis you are using.

[Bill]

Hey J.B. you need to feel confident on whatever you have on your feet. I can ski tucks quite easily with a pair of totally crap 15 year old 208s. Two reasons, one I know what they need to turn, two I know what I am doing. I wouldn't recommend buying a new pair to ski to ski tucks, ski with what you are familiar with. Have fun, that's what it is all about.

[This message has been edited by Bill (edited April 22, 2000).]

[This message has been edited by Bill (edited April 22, 2000).]