Which skis are best for my BASI technical course?

This is an important topic and not one to take lightly. Most instructors have probably saved up all summer to get some new gear in the pre-season autumn discounts.

Which skis are best for my BASI technical course?

• Head iSpeeds?
• Magnums?
• Salomon X Drive?

There is plenty of choices. The question is will a certain ski help you in a certain strand? Is there one ‘miracle’ ski that will be amazing on everything?  The answer is no. Different size skis, have different uses. If you’re preparing for technical BASI courses,  you must make sure you are on a technical ski.

Types of Skis

• Racers go from 13 m radius in slalom to 35 m in GS.
• Mogul skiers have a straighter softer ski, freestyle guys are on twin tips etc.
• Free riders go for a wider ski underfoot, and generally a little longer to float on top of the snow.
• As instructors, we are required to perform a variety of strands that encompass skiing in general. The idea of ‘ski caddying’ to certain disciplines is not one we can really entertain for technical exams.

Tom’s Advice

Personally, I love the Rossignol 18m GS masters. I’m a big guy so a nice stiff ski works well when I put the hammer down. However, I also know people half my size that can work this ski better than me so it’s not just a question of physics. Find out more about BASI trainer and ski instructor, Tom Waddington.

Working the Skis

In fact, this summer I have seen many junior race teams on world cup 35-meter radius skis. So how come they can bend it like Beckham only weighing 9 stone wet through? Answer… Because of hours upon hours of practice and a high skill level.

Often as coaches, we are asked “I’m weak in a particular strand, do you think that this particular ski would help” I think that if you are asking these kinds of questions then you should worry less about the ski and more about the amount of time spent training.  A high-level skier would be able to ski to the criteria on many different types of skis.

What about boots and flex?

• Essentially boots are the ‘steering wheels’ of the ski.

It’s very important to get a good fit and appropriate flex to your weight, ski stiffness and skiing ability.  For example, if you have a boot that is soft in relation to a stiff ski combined with a dynamic skier it is super hard to achieve a high degree of ski performance. In fact, after speaking to ex British team member and euro test opener Aaron Tipping. He thinks that it is actually more important to have a well-fitted boot to enhance feeling and control.  In his opinion, this far outweighs the intricate details in ski choice.

So which ski should I choose for BASI exams?

In conclusion, I would say that if you get a 16-18m radius piste ski, fairly stiff with a good fitting and equally matched flex boot. Then that is a good choice. If you can’t do a certain strand very well or are having problems with the technique. Then don’t look to blame the ski, look to train and practice more until you can make that ski do everything it can do. In skiing, the pilot is more important than the plane.

 

Written by Tom Waddington, BASI ISTD, Swiss Brevat Federal and New Generation Verbier resort manager.

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