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Show Page 12-Wasatch Canyon Reporter, 11 January - 24 January 1995 oT wirmarenisas tire Fat™ by David Doherty fat skis are a joke. Real men do not eat quiche, and real 1991 with the introduction of the Atomic Powder Plus. Instead of sinking as regular alpine skis do, fat skis float on top of powder without requiring much unweighting motion. They came into existence to make powder skiing easy for aspiring intermediates and aging veterans. Fat skis are responsible for attracting many inexperienced skiers to powder snow. What this translates to is more yahoos in my way and less freshies to be had. Even though we have had a good early season snowfall, there seems to be a dearth of men do not ski on fat skis. Fat skis first arrived in powder days lately andI am not willing to share any Just in case you live in a cave or still ski on Hanson boots and Olin Mark IV’s, fat skis are extra wide skis specially designed for powder or crud snow. cap construction, Next to fat skis represent the most revolutionary design change in skis that we have seen in decades. For most recreational skiers who do not get to ski powder that often, fat skis are the greatest thing since the rear entry boot. But for the hard-core accomplished athletic skier, skis kept my speed down so that I did not leave my client strong interest in trying the Not only do fat skis lack stability, but they negate one of the most enjoyable aspects of powder skiing: the face shot. Since fat skis float on top of the snow, they do not allow you to sink down and taste the fluff. There is no rhythmical bouncing as you would experience with alpine or tele- gear. You can forget that euphoric feeling when you reach the optimal speed and your turns are in perfect in a cloud day with 14 inches new of the light and dry stuff. I admit I was a bit curious to try them so we agreed that we would rent them for the day. The skis that I received were 180cm Rossignols that were as fat as the Editor’s gut. Not quite the 205’s that I am used to skiing but this was the longest length in~ which they came. I quickly - found that I was over-steer- ing the skis even though they were as heavy as my GS skis. Instead of making a nice round turn at a higher speed, the skis wanted to be skied slowly in a tight radius turn. The shorter length just could not provide the stability for arcing big turns at speed. I would not exactly want these skis Gyclery~ Fitness ~ seca cadence. as to do in Fat-skis return powder skiing to a two dimensional experience. The third dimension of going up and down is eliminated. You might as well go back to skiing a groomed cruiser and leave the goods to the likes of me. As you might have guessed, fat skis are worthless when you hit the hardpack. I quickly found this under my feet while launch- ing cliffs either. At least the pes of cold smoke I have been known the past. new skis on a picture perfect ‘Bingham Schwinn @ 3% more than I must. I had my first fat ski experience last year working as a ski guide in Vail. My client had expressed a Recycle rot gear each. siplebapelad ld we heard from so the deal, many people who wanted to place that we decided we have advertising to create a classified advertising I know, we are section in the paper. true innovators hear at the WCR. If you are tempted to place a IHere’s notice Personal Trainer 301D Stepper Enjoy a full upper lower body work on the Schwinn Personal Trainer 301D Stepper. Climb through 12 super smooth hydraulic resistance in at Bringhams today and discover how we can help you get in shape! — Midvale *583-1940 561-2453 at REI, the If you Grill, RaNnChT tion. Get of covered banjo, romantic partner,or bedroom appliance. For only b American. a premium words get ing’ for ith E186 S Spring and rid and that (US$S5.00) classified everything. They are circula- dust -dollars. ad you including Please don’t too wordy as we will end up edit?t<in- ways vow: won't. Like. Shoot fifteen words or so. So, please those ads to: Classified Division Wasatch Canyon Reporter PO Box 8118 Alta UT 84092-8118 make those checks payable to: Wasatch We Canyon Reporter tay to make your ad look better than this one ! ski Shallow Shaft Brighton Albion don’t powder, don’t start! Kayak, unusual Opening in the also in Ogden, and Layton Winter Hours 10am-6pm Mon.-Sat. *We’ll be moving Feb 1 to 1370 S. 2100 E.!!! or have a surfer’s attitude. > send SLC board ; powder skier, I must admit I Classifieds. have a huge get | the store, you The technically proficient, powder skier will not appreciate what fat skis are trying to offer. Stick to your old boards. As for the neophyte instead try our dirt cheap and five levels while the on board computer tracks your uphill progress. Stop Foothill Village| | 707 E. Ft. Union on general Unless feet \. your crud. are skiing backcountry, you will never have a day where you do not encounter at least some packed snow. I gave the fat skis a fair chance after skiing them for a half day and vowed never to waste another powder day on them. I am not saying there is not a market for them or that nobody will benefit from them. But you will never experience the essence of powder skiing unless you try it on real gear. There are now a few models out on the market that come close to the width, sidecut, and length of regular skis. These skis merit respect and include the Heli-Guide, and_ the Evolution Powder. If you must use a powder ski, try one of these. I just might let you share a chairlift ride with one of these on your Advertising to or heavy Volkl Snow Ranger, Atomic Classified How © out as I traveled the cattrack back to the chairlift and skidded into the liftline. I felt as if I had two cafeteria trays strapped to my feet. Carving ability on fats is next to nil. There is more sidecut built into a two-byfour. The skis are just too specialized to perform in _anything other than powder ‘ a \ > > Supero Mountain Views {do} > Southwestern Cuisine » Relaxed, Informal Atmosphere p > p > » > 6-10pm P Dinner Cuery Evening > Locatedin Uta > > | Reservations: 749-2177 |