Why Use a Twin Tip Ski out of the Park?

I am interested in learning about the benefits and liabilities of twin tip skis. I see that some twin tips are considered "big mountian" twin tips and that there also "powder" twin tips. I wonder if a twin tip would be a part of a quiver for a rider who does not want to launch into the air?

Here are some of my questions:

1) Are all twin tips designed for the main purpose of skiing backwards?

2) Are there twin tips benefits for a skier who will not be trying to ride or land going backwards?

3) Does the shorter effective length of the twin tip really mean that a 186 cm twin tip ski could actually feel like a much shorter ski? I can see how this would happen on groomers. Would they still feel like a 186 cm ski in deep snow on steep slopes?

Thanks for your help!

you can backup if you get into a spot that is to boney to go forward or do a jump turn to turn around.

1. Yes and No.

2. From my experience, a twin tip feels different in the powder than regular ski equivalent. Maybe this is attributed to the *very* slight rocker effect you get, or maybe it's just in my head. I can't decide.

3. Theoretically sure. Reality, no. Each ski feels so much different than another, and the variability between manufacturers and their sizing is such that I wouldn't pick a skis size based on the amount of edge in contact with the snow. Besides, the length differences between sizes is so much that you'd have to custom build a ski if you were trying to account for that.

You're thinking entirely too hard about this :) From my experience, the shape of the tail is the least of my worries. I'm never in the park and never land switch out of bounds, but I still have a twin tip.

There is literally a ski for every kind of condition. Figure out how much pow/groomers you will be on and that should help decide the width under your foot. That and the length of the ski are probably the two biggest factors for me when I'm shopping for skis for what it's worth.

Rooster...fucking......tails.

Jong.

Someone asked about cutting the twin tip tails off of Gotamas and there was a lot of discussion on this subject. I even looked it up for you

http://tetongravity.com/forums/showthread.php?t=122745

Brace yourself for an onslaught of Tech Talk JONG.

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Originally Posted by PNWbrit

Rooster...fucking......tails.

Jong.

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Yep. What PNWbrit said.

when your really billygoating around you can back up easier with much less tendency to stick a tail like you would with a traditional tail. Plus the rooster tails look awesome, and are fun to tag jackasses with when you pass them.

1) not really, unless you've got one of the fully symmetrical skis that has the same width tail and tip.

2) if nothing else, there are a lot of decent twin tips to be had for cheap. If you're not concerned about going backwards, it seems like the important thing is to find a ski with the characteristics you want, regardless of whether its a twin or not.

3) it depends on how the manufacturer is measuring the ski. K2, for instance, doesn't count the raised tail in their length.

4) Tech talk.

Its so much easier to go backwards, not even skiing switch.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by superlight

I am interested in learning about the benefits and liabilities of twin tip skis. I see that some twin tips are considered "big mountian" twin tips and that there also "powder" twin tips. I wonder if a twin tip would be a part of a quiver for a rider who does not want to launch into the air?

Here are some of my questions:

1) Are all twin tips designed for the main purpose of skiing backwards?

2) Are there twin tips benefits for a skier who will not be trying to ride or land going backwards?

3) Does the shorter effective length of the twin tip really mean that a 186 cm twin tip ski could actually feel like a much shorter ski? I can see how this would happen on groomers. Would they still feel like a 186 cm ski in deep snow on steep slopes?

Thanks for your help!

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Troll Jong...

when you are herringboning up something, a steep back tip somewhat gives you something to push off of.

when you need to stick your tails in the snow, they are teh suck.

The only purpose is riding switch to the road.

I usually ski a twintip b/c they are very versatile and yes this "billygoating" thing. I use them as an all-mtn ski. They are always my go-to skis.

Sprite

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Originally Posted by PNWbrit

Rooster...fucking......tails.

Jong.

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Nah, that shit never happens. Then again, I'm never skiing behind me.
;)
Sprite

...and they make you look younger when combined with baggy draws and a studded belt.

Oh snap...and I've been wasting all that $$ on botox and plastic surgery!

Sprite

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Originally Posted by Doremite

...and they make you look younger when combined with baggy draws and a studded belt.

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...and the extra tall tee shirt.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by PNWbrit

Rooster...fucking......tails.

Jong.

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yes. And also, kill yourself, superlight.

Sigh...

I didn't want to say it but since nobody else did the real answer is:

Because your tshirt is not xtra long without on the sly pulling and tugging.

Sprite

This is like, so five years ago.

I think a twin-tip is 'looser' in the tail at the end of turns. not sure if that is the right word, but it means I find a twin easier to do quick turns (eg around the trees, or in the moguls)

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Originally Posted by _Aaron_

The only purpose is riding switch to the road.

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Dammit, I got here too late. Was just scrolling down the thread checking for the absence of a switch-to-the-road comment so I could post it.

ok, real answer: Many of them make perfectly good all-mtn skis. And you can go backwards and shit. But mostly the first part. TECH TALK, JONG!

2 parts to my answer:

1. why wouldnt you want a "twin tip?"

2. Theyre generally just called skis now..

Many companies it seems have started to throw twin tips on their skis just for the added marketing effect. If you let it limit your choices then your choices will be cut more than in half for a freeriding ski. I like to ski backwards but even if I didnt having the twin tip gives you that extra maneuverability if you get stuck in a tight spot ^^billygoating. IMHO twintip shouldnt really affect you.

I understand why there is difference with the effective edge and the total length of a twin tip.

1) Because of the smaller effective edge, if I normally ski a non twin tip at in the low to mid 170cm size, should I go for a twin tip that is 180cm+?

When patrolling and pulling a loaded sled, they are great - Easy to do a falling-leaf sideslip, move back and forth through moguls, etc. However, when using them to secure a sled on-scene, they totally suck because you can't jam the tails in the snow. They also totally plaster a patient with their rooster tail.

If you are used to a 170 without a twin tip, get a much fatter ski at the same length, with a little tail raise, some are drastic, others are mild- you won't really notice the difference until you're goating around and then they are handy.

Only thing you can't do is the "tail stab" walk to get to a tight goat move. I get the feeling that won't be a problem.

"Thanks" to the folks who have responded to my question. I see that the twin tip ski is worth trying. I am a light person at 150 lbs and from a little research I see that I am a Level 9 skier. Whee!

gunride, I like your input.

I have skied in the 1970s and know what a 190+ cm ski is like as my everyday frontside GS friend. Since returning to skiing 10 years ago I have taken lessons and embraced the shorter shaped skis. Of course, I think I should go longer but I have never missed the length on the new shaped skis. I am afraid that my light weight will not get the best out of the longer lengths and I do like to make a lot of turns that a short length allows.

Thanks again.

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Originally Posted by superlight

"Thanks" to the folks who have responded to my question. I see that the twin tip ski is worth trying. I am a light person at 150 lbs and from a little research I see that I am a Level 9 skier. Whee!

gunride, I like your input.

I have skied in the 1970s and know what a 190+ cm ski is like as my everyday frontside GS friend. Since returning to skiing 10 years ago I have taken lessons and embraced the shorter shaped skis. Of course, I think I should go longer but I have never missed the length on the new shaped skis. I am afraid that my light weight will not get the best out of the longer lengths and I do like to make a lot of turns that a short length allows.

Thanks again.

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a twin tip runs straighter so you buy it longer.

for instance my hard snow carvers are 170cm

my Mid fat twinned K2s are 179
my fatter mid fat K2 seths are 189
and my powder skis are 192 atomic thugs.

This can't be real, can it?

If it is, I would recommend that you realize just because a ski has a turned up tail, it doesn't meant it is a twin tip.

I have an idea...try some of these new, crazy, fandangled, kids inventions and see if you like them. Is that too hard to do?

Oh, and long is the new short which is the new long which was the new short 10 years ago and is now 5 years in the future.

I ventured over the epicski for the first time in the "TGR day off" yesterday.

This thread looks familiar:
http://forums.epicski.com/showthread.php?t=75563


TGR seems to be slacking on pointing out the "pissing while skiing" benefits of a twin.

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Originally Posted by toast2266

I ventured over the epicski for the first time in the "TGR day off" yesterday.

This thread looks familiar:
http://forums.epicski.com/showthread.php?t=75563


TGR seems to be slacking on pointing out the "pissing while skiing" benefits of a twin.

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Ahh epicski.. I remember I used to hangout over there a few years ago.. After posting a TR, bushwacker told me to come on over to tgr. To which I replied, nah.. they're a bunch of toolboxes over there. Then I came over and realized, we ARE a bunch of toolboxes... and I love it...