Board Choice Help Please

[Abrax]

Usually I'm proposing a bit too long than a bit too short board. This is why I've proposed longer board. But after taking your weight, style and overall approach I've said that maybe you should not take the longer board. Finally I've been trying to help that strong, that I feel that everything has mixed and nobody knows what to say...

SO:
I think that you will be comfortable with 161S, which will be easier to control and which will better correspond with your weight. I think that you don't really need more edge than 161S will give you. Gaining 2 more kilos in your muscles should better your overall carving ability at first, and will not really poor a shorter board's performance at all. If it does so, you won't be able to spot it. So finally: As you won't really change your physics -> I'd say go for shorter board.

The most often we do ride with LOTS of other people on crowded slopes. This means that the shorter the sidecut, the better to steer clear of others.

Last word to say:
168S will be better for overall performance, with longer edge, better grip but will demand better technique. Again this is very subtle not really big thing.
161S will be better for usually met conditions and will give you most of fun more often.

This is my opinion. Anybody thinks different, please write it ! I'm not trying to show that I know everything

[tali]

Abrax, I was hoping increasing my weight to 56Kg would mean I could get a 168S, to fit better with my height. Would my weight be okay then for 168S?

Well, if you increase your weight above 60kg, then yes.
For your height-weight-foot size, riding dreams - 161S would be better in my opinion.

[kieran]

i've a renntiger 168gs that'll put you off longer boards. i'll bring it along.

[keepTheSport]

Okay, yes it does seem 161 is better for me, especially as I know my feet should fit as a mondo 25 and not 26 as I originally thought,. I've decided to go for the carver not the dual but hey women change their mind like the weather

So boots first to make sure and ebay.de is the online place to go, as I keep being advised for second hand. If not Cracow here I come for new boots and no beer

Kieran, may I bring a hacksaw

Cheers everyone, you really have been very helpful

[tali]

Okay, yes it does seem 161 is better for me, especially as I know my feet should fit as a mondo 25 and not 26 as I originally thought

Just to make you happier, quite often people get boots which are 0.5 or even 1 size smaller then their feet and then mold the thermo liner. As a result, your boots feel like cosy slippers . So mondo 25 boots should be ok for you.

[keepTheSport]

Tali, I like the idea of slippers, in that case I should feel at home with my new set-up - I hope

[tali]

You mean you have not been introduced to the Wonderful World of Boot-fitting yet?
Like heating your thermoflex liner in the electric oven and then standing still for 40 minutes on one foot (technical details omitted)? And then the same for the other foot?

[Abrax]

Tali, why didn't you just bake 2 boots at once? And after 20 minutes it is enough "cooling"

After I've baked mine, I was standing comfortably attached to my board! Piece of cake.

[tali]

Well, I am more than ok with 20 minutes instead of 40.
But I prefer to "bake" them one at a time.

[tali]

Here is a nice cooking instruction in English: http://www.yyzcanuck.com/E_tech_cooking.htm
Add banding your toes (to ensure that they do not bend) with some tape, putting cotton pads (some people even use pads cut from dried construction stuff) around your foot, and slightly increase the cooling time .

[keepTheSport]

You mean you have not been introduced to the Wonderful World of Boot-fitting yet?
Like heating your thermoflex liner in the electric oven and then standing still for 40 minutes on one foot (technical details omitted)? And then the same for the other foot?

Tali, this means I've got something else to do before I can use the boots This carving stuff is hard work and I haven't even got any equipment yet, let alone be on the snow all kitted out raring to fall

Well, I shall put the liners in the oven at 220 degrees C for 10 minutes, so that I can bake some Scones at the same time

I had read the thread of the 40 minutes with one foot in the boot and I thought it was some kind of initiation test for noobies here but it seems this is for real

[kieran]

you can also bribe your local bootfitting ski shop to do it for you. be prepared for odd questions about 'those weird ski boots' ..

[tali]

and I haven't even got any equipment yet

In a nutshell, when you find the boots but before you buy them, it would be a good idea to post the model, size, and the picture of the liner here for the approval of Abrax. You will also need an ACSS system from him.

[Abrax]

Thanks Tali! We are PMing further informations

[Aracan]

I always bake one liner at a time, but I never stand on one foot. Instead, I wear both boots during the process, which makes it easier to put the toes on a 3-4 cm elevation for better heelcup molding.