Looking for good combos

[pfunk42]

We need to outfit a boat with a few water sport essentials. This coming year will mainly just be tools that can be used by a variety of people. On the list is a pair of combo skis. We ski with lots of people of varying levels (nobody above a good rec skier for now). There are some that slalom (myself included). Some that just learned and some that have been doing it for years but only at a rec level. I want to get into it a bit more this year and improve my ability/carving/turns/etc and perhaps start trying a course.

However, I'm not sure if we'll be able to get another separate slalom ski this year or not. Obviously slaloms are way better than combos but I'm hoping that there is a good pair of combos somewhere that will cover beginners on 2-skis to an intermediate slalom skier.

I'm currently looking at the HO Pinnacles which seem like they might be the best fit. Anyone use these and have some feedback (2 skis or performance as a slalom?). Any other good ones to consider?

Thanks

 

[sickwilly]

Re: Looking for good combos

The HO Pinnacles looks great. In fact, I see that the 2010 version even comes with a rear boot for the slalom ski. That would be the only set of skis you need until you are about ready to start trying the slalom course.

I want some!

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Looking for good combos

Well pretty much any pair of combo skis will work. Don't go buying the most expensive name brand because you think it will perform better as a slolam. I've been using a pair of 67" Contenders for over a decade now. They get guys as big as 250lbs up on two, and I do deep starts on the single and I'm 200lbs and never have to drag too much. As long as you get the skis at a quality store, you shouldn't have any problems and they will work for the majority of people you pull, but I recommend at least 67" skis, 68's if you can find them.

I will hopefully be upgrading to a 68-69" slolam ski next year like a Connelly F1X or similar just to get more feel and edge when carving, but I don't run any courses.

 

[skibrain]

Re: Looking for good combos

The Pinnacles look like an interesting concept with moveable bindings to get proper slalom ski foot position. They look like a great all-around combo set to do what you are describing. (If your guests are dropping a ski to slalom those are expensive skis to leave floating!)

I'm a fan of more options. Pulling two tubes is 2x the fun of one. Pulling two skiers is fun for most beginning/recreational skiers on combos. If you're budget for skis is $300+ (cost of the HOs) I would tend to buy two lower priced pair of combos. if your guests are serious enough about slalom skiing to have an opinion about their slalom ski...bingo, its time for them to buy their own slalom ski! (in tennis or golf...you generally own your own racket or clubs)

Here is a shot of a bunch of gear we own (well mostly I own) Combos ranging from 42 yr old wood combos, to 25 year old fiberglass skis, to 10 year old, then top of the line $280 HOs that i bought used for $45. ANY of the combos really work fine for skiing on two. Really they do.

Here is a website that has used ski stuff. Primarily high-end slaloms and many are sold blank (without bindings buy them separately). But if you look around there are some real bargains. I also see a sweet set of Cypress Garden combos for $45.

www.ski-it-again.com

Good luck and have fun out there!

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Looking for good combos

Here is a website that has used ski stuff. Primarily high-end slaloms and many are sold blank (without bindings buy them separately). But if you look around there are some real bargains. I also see a sweet set of Cypress Garden combos for $45.


Good luck and have fun out there!

I still sometimes use a wood Cypress Gardens slolam of my Dad's. That thing is every bit of 72" or more, but it's easy to get up on and still looks great.

 

[pfunk42]

Re: Looking for good combos

Yeah I wasn't planning on getting a new pair at ~300. I was looking at either slightly older model years or you can find them new on ebay or some other deals on occasion that don't put them much more than a normal pair of combos. Thanks for the input.