newbie looking to get into skiboarding

[newbie2011]

Hi guys and gals,

I'm thinking of getting into skiboarding and I need a bit of help deciding if it's a good choice for me and what length of skiboards do I eventually need.

I'm 5'10 for about 145, have been ice skating for many years when I was younger and had much more available time, been inline roller skating often until a couple of years ago ( again, lack of time lately ), so I consider I have a pretty good all round level of skating.

Also have been skiing for about 4-5 winters, like a week or two a season, so I'm not a complete beginner, I'm doing blue slopes easily and sometime parts of red slopes that look accessible. But again, due to not getting a lot of winter skiing time, improving is a slow process.

But reading several posts and watching some vids regarding skiboarding, it seems like a good match give my skating background, and improvement seems more easy and fun than the same process on skis.

So, first question, do you think I should go for it or should I stick to skiing ?

I'll be skiing in the French Alps, so first problem would be to get some good boards over here, but should be doable. Regarding the conditions, in my experience the slopes here will often be a mixture of different qualities of snow and different parts ( moguls or wide parts ) on the same run. So I think some all mountain boards would be the best, I'm looking into the Revel8 models, but I'm not sure if 105cm or 110cm would be better. I won't be doing any fancy stuff, but would need to carve well, be able to deal with moguls and ice well, be able to stop reasonably quick.

So, second question would be : 105, 110 or even longer ? revel8 or something else ?

I've read quite a bit regarding the bindings, it seems that releasable would be better ( regarding potential safety/injury problems ), but I'm not sure to which degree it's a "must have" or "nice to have" issue ?


Anyway, looking forward to any advice/suggestion/etc ...

Thank you

[Bill]

newbie2011,

Like you, I came from a skating (ice hockey) background with minimal experience on skis. I found skiboarding night-and-day more intuative and enjoyable than long skis. There's much more overlap in the skill set needed. If immidiate gratification appeals to you, skiboarding is definitely something to consider.

Modern skiboards...anything made by Revel8 or Spruce...will work for you given the parameters you describe. Personally, I've settled on the Spruce 120 with risers and release bindings as my preferred ride, but different individuals have different favorites. The shorter you go, the more skatelike the ride, however, I would advise staying away fron the extremes in dimension-either way- for your initial go at it.

[ysb33r]

newbie2011,

Not sure where you are based, but this link can provide some info on purchasing boards if you are in the UK:

http://www.skiboardsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11061

[pinkkid]

Welcome!

With out question... GO FOR IT!!!! And get yourself on the 110's!!! :cool:

You'll be set for MANY years with those boards. I suggest release bindings but that's up to you.

I too am from long skiing background and all I can say is I am very very very very glad I switched!

Keep us posted and Enjoy The Ride!

[newbie2011]

Thanks a lot guys for your support !

@Bill: Good to hear that ! But no, I sure won't go into something too short, minimum length I would consider is 105, max probably 120.

@ysb33r: France here, so it looks equally hard/expensive to get some as in the UK. But thanks for pointing that thead out, I've already noticed a couple of those selling sites, but not all of them.

@pinkkid: indeed, release binding sound safer, but on the other hand it seem to depend on the length, seem like at 105-110 is still not a must.

But my main doubt is still the best length: what should I choose between 105-110-120 ?!

I've read this
http://www.skiboardsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7115

and that
http://www.skiboardsonline.com/html/board_specs.htm

and that
http://www.skiboardreview.com/revel8.html

and still can't figure out what would work best for me ...

It looks like the Revel8 105cm have the most maneuvrability all-around, but then I read similar things with models in 110 or 120 cm length, and it also seems that a bit longer are more stable at higher speed ( although I don't imagine I'll get to such a speed that will really matter )

:confused: ... 105 - 110 - 120 - 105 - 105 - 110 ... :confused:

[CANtoo]

Welcome, newbie 2011!

I am your exact height and weight, and I am going to second Pinkkid's recommendation for the 110s! After trying 94, 103, 105, 110, and 120cm lengths over the years, last season I settled on the 110s for going anywhere in just about any type of snow. Bill is also right: the 120s are a wonderful, easy-riding board; I like to set them back in very deep snow. For some reason, though, I always go back to those 110s--SO much fun!! Easy to maneuver, and as fast as you want them to be. Whatever board--105,110,or 120--you'll be hooked in no time!

[Baromba]

Hi I am also from Europe...I ordered my boards from www.skiboards.cz
Very nice contact and they send me also a skiboard poster and a lot of stickers

[newbie2011]

OK, so it looks like 110 should be the proper length. I was very tempted by a 105, that apparently has a slightly better maneuverability, but I guess for a first board 110 is probably the sweet spot, not too short, not too long.

But what do you guys think about the new Rockered Condor, it's 110 and gets some very good reviews, would it work for a beginner, or I should better go ALP/DLP ?!

[rgzip]

OK, so it looks like 110 should be the proper length. I was very tempted by a 105, that apparently has a slightly better maneuverability, but I guess for a first board 110 is probably the sweet spot, not too short, not too long.

But what do you guys think about the new Rockered Condor, it's 110 and gets some very good reviews, would it work for a beginner, or I should better go ALP/DLP ?!

Without question you will be happier with the ALP/DLP. The Condors will take some getting use to

I have a similar background and I've ridden many different skiboards and the ALPs is still my favorite.

[newbie2011]

Thanks rgzip !

Now I only have to find someone who's tired of his old ALP/DLP and do him/her a favor and buy it, this way he can get for himself the latest and greatest 2012 graphics :))

[newbie2011]

What about a 105 board, would it be that bad for a beginner compared to a 110 ? I see those coming up for sale every now and then, but practically no ALP/DLP.

[Bill]

What about a 105 board, would it be that bad for a beginner compared to a 110 ? I see those coming up for sale every now and then, but practically no ALP/DLP.

The 105 Revolt would be a great skiboard for you. They are the first choice of a lot of folks and maybe the most popular model overall. The difference in ride between a 105 Revolt and 110 DLP/ALP is not nearly as drastic as the difference between the 110 DLP/ALP and the 110 Condor.

Having said that, if you can't find a the model you want locally or at least in Europe, I would fire off an email to SBOL and see what Greco can work out for you. SBOL is known for doing whatever it takes to accomodate customers, I can vouch for that personally. It would cost nothing to send an email and find out.

[newbie2011]

The 105 Revolt would be a great skiboard for you. They are the first choice of a lot of folks and maybe the most popular model overall. The difference in ride between a 105 Revolt and 110 DLP/ALP is not nearly as drastic as the difference between the 110 DLP/ALP and the 110 Condor.

Having said that, if you can't find a the model you want locally or at least in Europe, I would fire off an email to SBOL and see what Greco can work out for you. SBOL is known for doing whatever it takes to accomodate customers, I can vouch for that personally. It would cost nothing to send an email and find out.

Thank you Bill, that's reassuring !

In fact, that was the board I was initially looking into after reading a lot of posts here, it seemed quite a nice all-mountain model.

I would take up on the many advices to buy a 110, but I can't find one second hand at the moment. And I won't invest in a brand new until I'm sure skiboarding works out for me ... So I'll probably try to get whichever used one I find first :)

[rgzip]

Thank you Bill, that's reassuring ! In fact, that was the board I was initially looking into after reading a lot of posts here, it seemed quite a nice all-mountain model. I would take up on the many advices to buy a 110, but I can't find one second hand at the moment. And I won't invest in a brand new until I'm sure skiboarding works out for me ... So I'll probably try to get whichever used one I find first :)

biggest difference I notice in between 105's and 110s is a little extra float, but I'm 30lbs (okay maybe 35lbs) heavier then you are so I think you would be happy on the 105's

[newbie2011]

biggest difference I notice in between 105's and 110s is a little extra float, but I'm 30lbs (okay maybe 35lbs) heavier then you are so I think you would be happy on the 105's

Thank you rgzip, finally found some slightly used Revolts here in Europe, will be getting them next week, looking forward to getting them and trying to figure out when / where can i test them asap :)