Ski and Skiing Magazine Reviews Stink!

#1

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8/26/09 at 7:09am

Buckwild
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Location: Minnesota
Post Count: 690

I had been anxiously waiting the arrival of the 2010 Buyers Guides, to my excitement both Ski and Skiing showed up in my mailbox on Monday! What a disappointment that turned out to be, I guess they've all but forgotten the Midwestern and Eastern skiers. What happened to the carving ski's, I think the narrowest ski tested was 72mm in Ski and 77mm in Skiing and there were only one each of those with everything else being considerably wider! As pointed out earlier, ski's like the RX8 and Supershape (66mm waists) where both top picks in recent years, there are still a lot of great sub 70mm ski's on the market that have been overlooked. I've never really regarded Ski and Skiing magazines as being the best source of information but I think they've hit an all time low, cancel my subscriptions please! Ski Canada and Ski Press are much better sources of information in my opinion!

#2

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8/26/09 at 8:09am

MidwestPete
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Location: Omaha, NE (Just 600 miles East of Breckenridge)
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I am surprised how thin the magazines are this year -- the smallest as far back as I can remember.

"Asps - very dangerous - you go first"

Sallah

#3

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8/26/09 at 8:39am

comprex
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Joined: October 2003
Post Count: 11,240

Quote:

Originally Posted by MidwestPete

I am surprised how thin the magazines are this year -- the smallest as far back as I can remember.

I despise the concept of a paper index to online reviews. Give me the beef, and Kindle/Amazon/Sonyread -the whole thing-.

anticooler than you

#4

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8/26/09 at 10:16am

Snowsport
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Location: New Hampshire
Post Count: 148

Quote:

Originally Posted by MidwestPete

I am surprised how thin the magazines are this year -- the smallest as far back as I can remember.

10 years ago we'd all be complaining that the magazines were "all ads". That's why they used to be thick!

#5

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8/26/09 at 12:54pm

Topper
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Joined: February 2009
Location: Utah
Post Count: 139

Nice to see the annual bytching about ski reviews has already started.

#6

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8/26/09 at 1:14pm

MidwestPete
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Location: Omaha, NE (Just 600 miles East of Breckenridge)
Post Count: 1,007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snowsport

10 years ago we'd all be complaining that the magazines were "all ads". That's why they used to be thick!

I like ads (at least the ski related ones)!

Don't get me wrong, I still enjoy the magazines - the buyer's guides just seem more like the late spring issues.

Edited by MidwestPete - 8/26/09 at 5:25pm

"Asps - very dangerous - you go first"

Sallah

#7

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8/26/09 at 1:31pm

Topper
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Location: Utah
Post Count: 139

I do miss the Old Lang Boot ads. Nothing like a hot blond woman in a bikini wearing ski boots.

#8

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8/26/09 at 2:03pm

slider
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#9

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8/26/09 at 2:08pm

shirk_007
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Joined: August 2008
Post Count: 63

The conditions for the Skiing mag test at Snowbird this year would have been pretty good for narrow skis.

It had rained to over 9000ft about 8 days before the test then the temps dropped. It turned everything into frozen crap, by the third day things softened up as it got warm. Banging bumps in the sun was about the best it got. Testers did a good job of hunting out the best snow off Gadzoom. Final day of the test it finally snowed about 10 inches.

Outside magazine was the week before and had worse conditions it never did soften up and powder specific skis didn't make it out onto the snow.

SKI mag tested their fat skis at Snowbird also, over lapped on day three of the Skiing test.

Movement Skis North America

#10

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8/26/09 at 6:21pm

JW
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Location: West Chester, Pa USA
Post Count: 391

I think Skiing & Ski do a pretty fair job with their annual gear reviews. Ski usually covers the EC boards a little more thoroughly; and Skiing tends to focus more on the WC stuff. Works for me. 2 or 3 years back they started listing boot last and volume info, which made those reviews actually useful. My only suggestions for them would be:

post the ski weights; and
ID the real dogs!

Now, Powder's annual ski review--that one is worthless. I pulled the plug on my Powder subscription a couple of years ago (and also Ski). NOw only get Backcountry and Skiing.

Best gear reviews by far are in Backcountry Mag.

btw, anyone but me have trouble reading the increasingly small fonts used in the ski mags?

#11

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8/26/09 at 9:19pm

mdf
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Joined: August 2006
Location: suburbs North of Boston
Post Count: 1,699

The thin buyer's guide has got to be (yet another) bad sign for them. They were usually the thickest issue of the year, cause all the ski companies wanted to advertise in them.

I don't mind working or searching (or EpicSki-ing) on line, but for recreational reading I am really going to miss print when it finishes dieing.

#12

Rating: 0

8/26/09 at 9:45pm

snofun3
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Location: Boca Raton, FL
Post Count: 1,348

Quote:

Originally Posted by JW

I think Skiing & Ski do a pretty fair job with their annual gear reviews. Ski usually covers the EC boards a little more thoroughly; and Skiing tends to focus more on the WC stuff. Works for me. 2 or 3 years back they started listing boot last and volume info, which made those reviews actually useful. My only suggestions for them would be:

post the ski weights; and
ID the real dogs!

Now, Powder's annual ski review--that one is worthless. I pulled the plug on my Powder subscription a couple of years ago (and also Ski). NOw only get Backcountry and Skiing.

Best gear reviews by far are in Backcountry Mag.

btw, anyone but me have trouble reading the increasingly small fonts used in the ski mags?

You REALLY buy the mags for their reviews? That's sad. The pictures are the reason for the mags (which makes Ski and skiing even more redundantly useless).

Canceling Powder because of their reviews? You're kidding, right?

"I'm quite certain that I don't need some pre madonna telling me how everyone's foot is different." Greggor.

"Anywhere else is a waist of time." Skier232.

#13

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8/27/09 at 9:06am

JW
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Joined: March 2000
Location: West Chester, Pa USA
Post Count: 391

Quote:

Originally Posted by snofun3

You REALLY buy the mags for their reviews? That's sad. ...
Canceling Powder because of their reviews? You're kidding, right?

I wrote neither of those things. You're not real big on those word and sentence thingies, am I right?
You:

Quote:

The pictures are the reason for the mags

Ah, perhaps we should draw pictures for you.

#14

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8/27/09 at 9:36am

JDoyal
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Joined: January 2004
Location: Chicago
Post Count: 660

Those two mags got one thing. They people to visit a reputable shop in both mags. Please people, get out there are support your local shop, esp if they know what they are doing.

http://twitter.com/snowcrestski
http://www.facebook.com/home.php
www.snowcrestskicenter.com

#15

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8/27/09 at 9:43am

SquawBrat
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Location: San Francisco
Post Count: 54

My favorite part was a paragraph titled "Shelf Life" where some ski company is quoted as saying skis have a 75 day life, then loses camber (even a mediocre wood ski should be half again that much). These must be the skis I see at Sports Authority.

But at least you can get dimensions of the "winners" out of those reviews.

#16

Rating: 0

8/27/09 at 9:59am

snofun3
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Location: Boca Raton, FL
Post Count: 1,348

Quote:

Originally Posted by JW

I think Skiing & Ski do a pretty fair job with their annual gear reviews. Ski usually covers the EC boards a little more thoroughly; and Skiing tends to focus more on the WC stuff. Works for me. 2 or 3 years back they started listing boot last and volume info, which made those reviews actually useful. My only suggestions for them would be:

post the ski weights; and
ID the real dogs!

Now, Powder's annual ski review--that one is worthless. I pulled the plug on my Powder subscription a couple of years ago (and also Ski). NOw only get Backcountry and Skiing.

Best gear reviews by far are in Backcountry Mag.

btw, anyone but me have trouble reading the increasingly small fonts used in the ski mags?

Quote:

Originally Posted by JW

I wrote neither of those things. You're not real big on those word and sentence thingies, am I right?
You:
Ah, perhaps we should draw pictures for you.

OK, in a thread about reviews, and your comments regarding them, where you use the word review 4 times including:

"Now Powder's annual ski review-that one is worthless. I pulled the plug on my Powder subscription a couple of years ago....

OK, whatever. Looks like my word and sentence thingie works a lot better than your content / intention thingie.

So, if the pictures in the mags aren't what get you, and you don't buy them for the reviews, what's left, the editorials, ads or the area reviews? Here- I'll save you some subscription money - all the equipment is much better this year, go to Vail, it's the best and just check out the ads here.

You're welcome.

"I'm quite certain that I don't need some pre madonna telling me how everyone's foot is different." Greggor.

"Anywhere else is a waist of time." Skier232.

#17

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8/27/09 at 10:53am

PhilT
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Joined: October 2006
Location: Buenos Aires
Post Count: 1,253

Quote:

Originally Posted by snofun3

You REALLY buy the mags for their reviews? That's sad. The pictures are the reason for the mags (which makes Ski and skiing even more redundantly useless).

Canceling Powder because of their reviews? You're kidding, right?

Have you seen this past season's skiing mags? I'd put the pictures in skiing above powder.

#18

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8/27/09 at 1:00pm

Paul Jones
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Joined: September 2004
Location: Troy, NY
Post Count: 4,933

The Powder review was weak.

#19

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8/27/09 at 1:50pm

bluebirdday609
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Joined: August 2009
Location: WESTern nj
Post Count: 2

If you want some incredible photos, buy ALPINIST.

The ski reviews are awful. First, I don't have any idea what the testers want in a ski. Anyone who raced in a serious program spent their life on race stock and would not have anything good to say about the consumer lines. Second, skis are skis these to most people. An East Coast ski shop should have 6 skis on the wall (74-94mm under foot) in all short lengths. Go to demo day and pick out a few skis and buy the one that doesn't make you tired.

#20

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8/27/09 at 2:22pm

ramzee
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Location: Calgary, AB, Canada.
Post Count: 67

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Jones

The Powder review was weak.

It wasn't even a review.... It was a story on the evolution of skiing, with some photo's of some of this year's best new gear, with a general round-up from each of the brand's marketing departments..... It was good to look at, but no actual "review"

#21

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8/27/09 at 5:41pm

locknload
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Joined: March 2007
Post Count: 522

The reviews are just another set of data points. I don't think you should take them as anything more than that. Its mildly interesting to me as I'm a gear junkie and I like to read what people think about skis. I certainly won't run out and buy a ski based on how its ranked in the mags. I really believe you have to start with what kind of ski one is looking for and get an idea of what the options are. From there..its all about trying at least a few of them to see what you like. I think we tend to overanalyze this. Most of the skis are so good that the difference really comes down to preference.

#22

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8/27/09 at 6:07pm

Uncle Louie
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Joined: November 2004
Location: Kentucky for 43 weeks-skiing for 9 !
Post Count: 2,379

I too just got the September issue of Skiing with the gear reviews. I demoed 6 of the skis that are in the test last season. I found their results to be very close to the results I got skiing each pair in various conditions for about 3 hours each.

I think the tests are a great starting point. Once you narrow things down to the general idea of what you want, then it's time to demo. I was amazed at the different response, feel and even sound of each ski. In the end it's all about what feels good to you.

#23

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8/27/09 at 7:23pm

JW
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Location: West Chester, Pa USA
Post Count: 391

Warning Spoiler! Click to show

NOFUN3 said
Here- I'll save you some subscription money - all the equipment is much better this year, go to Vail, it's the best and just check out the ads here.

You're welcome.

And thanks for looking out for everyone, nofun3. Next year, just post a list of your favorite ski pictures and save us all the trouble of writing and reading words and sentences.

#24

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9/3/09 at 12:15pm

sibhusky
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Joined: July 2005
Location: Northern Rockies
Post Count: 2,681

And now I need to figure out why I have received NO ski mags yet..... Did I die? Is someone stealing them from my mailbox? Normally I get three copies of the same issue...what's happened to me?

There's no such thing as bad weather, only bad equipment.

#25

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9/3/09 at 12:40pm

CharlieP
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Location: Maryland
Post Count: 477

Quote:

Originally Posted by JW

Warning Spoiler! Click to show

NOFUN3 said
Here- I'll save you some subscription money - all the equipment is much better this year, go to Vail, it's the best and just check out the ads here.

You're welcome.

And thanks for looking out for everyone, nofun3. Next year, just post a list of your favorite ski pictures and save us all the trouble of writing and reading words and sentences.

Sept 3, 2009

Hi Guys:

I must be the odd guy out. I get SKI for the articles

. Actually, I haven't paid for my annual subscription for the last 4-5 years and I am still getting the magazine (SKI). What gives? Does anyone else have the same experience? Just wondering, ain't complaining

. Guess it must be their way of showing their appreciation for me being a loyal subscriber since the early 80s

.

Thinking snow,

CP

'second to the right, and straight on till morning' ~ Barrie

#26

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9/3/09 at 4:38pm

SquawBrat
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Location: San Francisco
Post Count: 54

Do/did you go to any Warren Miller shows? I'm pretty sure you get some or all of a subscription for going.

#27

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9/3/09 at 5:31pm

CharlieP
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Joined: September 2006
Location: Maryland
Post Count: 477

Quote:

Originally Posted by SquawBrat

Do/did you go to any Warren Miller shows? I'm pretty sure you get some or all of a subscription for going.

Sept 3, 2009

Hi SquawBrat:

No, haven't been to one of Miller's showing for at least 10 years. The only thing that I can think of is that I do enter an occasional Nastar event EVERY season, so that must put me on some kind of "favorite" list of theirs, since I think SKI is or use to be THE sponsor of Nastar races. I have a friend whom I've skied with for years and she also has been getting "free" subscriptions of SKI for as many years as I have, but she doesn't do Nastar every season as I do. So, I'm completely at a loss here.

Still thinking snow,

CP

'second to the right, and straight on till morning' ~ Barrie

#28

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9/4/09 at 7:19am

Buckwild
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Joined: March 2007
Location: Minnesota
Post Count: 690

Its funny, now that you mention it I haven't paid for a Ski subscription for 4-5 years myself and now started getting Skiing for free as well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CharlieP

Sept 3, 2009

Hi Guys:

I must be the odd guy out. I get SKI for the articles

. Actually, I haven't paid for my annual subscription for the last 4-5 years and I am still getting the magazine (SKI). What gives? Does anyone else have the same experience? Just wondering, ain't complaining

. Guess it must be their way of showing their appreciation for me being a loyal subscriber since the early 80s

.

Thinking snow,

CP

#29

Rating: 0

9/4/09 at 7:31am

bbinder
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Joined: March 2005
Location: Melrose, Massachusetts
Post Count: 924

Gee, I pay for Skiing mag, and I haven't received a copy yet...

#30

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9/4/09 at 11:10am

snofun3
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Joined: June 2007
Location: Boca Raton, FL
Post Count: 1,348

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbinder

Gee, I pay for Skiing mag, and I haven't received a copy yet...

You can have mine. I haven't paid for it for years, but it waon't stop coming, even to a new address 1,200 miles from the old one.

Gawd the ski reviews are pathetic. Can't wait for the resorts review issue.

"I'm quite certain that I don't need some pre madonna telling me how everyone's foot is different." Greggor.

"Anywhere else is a waist of time." Skier232.

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