https://peakskis.com
So, Bode Miller's partner Andy Wirth had an idea. He wasn't sure I'd like it, but he wanted to ask me anyway. I could become a special ambassador for Peak skis, one of only three, with a special card with a QR code and if anybody used it to buy skis, I'd get a kickback.
I said no. Instantly. My credibility is everything. I am not for sale. I have no investment in Peak skis whatsoever, and if you buy skis using the code, I will receive absolutely no compensation. Period.
So Andy said to see this as an extended demo period. Thirty days.
Now if you don't demo before you buy, you're not going to get what you want. Every ski feels different. What might appeal to me might not appeal to you. So, if you buy Peak skis you have thirty days to return them. No questions asked. Andy said you could even put bullet holes in 'em, not that I'd recommend that, if for no other reason that I fear a ricochet off the titanal sandwich and then, like in that old Golden Earring song, the bullet might hit the bone, yours.
Now if you demo skis, top line skis, at a shop you're going to pay $60 to $85 a day. Don't e-mail me if you can get it cheaper. That's what it costs in Vail. And I'm talking the best boards, not the program skis the shops rent to casual skiers, newbies and cheapskates. So, with Peak, you can have thirty days for free, assuming you don't like them and return them. Which I think is a good deal.
So after I nixed Andy's offer, I came up with one of my own. Like I did with XM radio after it launched, long before I was employed by the ultimately merged company SiriusXM. It was a friends and family offer, so not unique, other people could use it, but you couldn't get a better deal.
I told Andy if he could deliver a price cheaper than any available, cheaper than on the website, I'd offer it to my subscribers. And he immediately came back with a c-note off, a hundred bucks.
So right now, the Peak 98 is listed for $699 on the website. But you can get them for $599 with this code. No one else has this deal. However, Peak doesn't guarantee it won't match this deal in the future, but this is the absolute best deal you can get on Peak skis today.
But it only lasts ten days. And yes, your friend, your relative can use the code. But only for the aforementioned ten days.
And it's on each and every Peak ski, a hundred dollars off.
Now what can I tell you about Peak skis? The 98 is a blast. I haven't had this much fun on a pair of boards since my Dynastar Legend 8000s back in the aughts. We all think back to boards of the past. I can't tell you how many pairs of Rossignol Stratos I owned, but there was one pair, of 102s, that was the absolute best. I can see them holding getting off the midstation on the main chair at Bromley, a notoriously icy spot.
And there was that initial pair of Dynastar Omeglasses. The first year they made them. '74. They turned so well, but they wore out quickly, and the pair they sent me in exchange were way too stiff.
But really, prior to the Peak 98s, the most fun skis I ever owned were those Legend 8000s. 85mm underfoot. Great on hardpack, but even better in the bumps. But after one season... They just wouldn't hold.
So I'm giving a ringing endorsement to the 98s.
The past two days I've been on the Peak 88s, which are a whole 'nother animal. The 98s are easy, for an intermediate or above. The 88s are stiffer, and if you sit back turns will not be easy, your uphill to downhill ski will go straight when you want it to arc. But if you're centered on the ski... Like the 98s, the 88s turn like a dream. And hold as well as any ski I've ever been on. I'd see them as groomer skis. I did have them in a couple of inches of snow yesterday, but in truth I have wider boards for that. The right tool makes all the difference. I advise a quiver. I've got skis all the way from 72mm underfoot to 118mm underfoot. If you've been skiing on eightysomethings on anything but groomers... You're gonna get a jolt of adrenaline when you whip out wider boards in the crud, never mind the powder. People tell me all the time their one pair of narrow boards are enough. No. Think of how much a ski trip costs, you're going to cheap out and not buy wider boards for crud and powder? Why undercut your enjoyment?
Now at Vail the standard width is 95-100. If you're a western skier, I'd recommend the Peak 98. Peak sells a 104, I haven't been on it, they say it's an everyday ski, but I wouldn't want something that wide on groomers. And I have this pair of K2 Mindbender 108s for off-piste. They turn on groomers, but you wouldn't want to ski on them on packed slopes all day. You risk a knee injury, if nothing else. But 95-100 is not the best crud ski, I'd recommend something wider. Which the Peak 104 will deliver for.
I also have Peak 110s, yes, 110mm underfoot, which are really for powder and deep crud, but we haven't had that since I've been here. But it's snowing, and OpenSnow predicts 4-6", so maybe tomorrow is the day.
Yes, forget the Apple weather app, complete junk. They bought DarkSky and ruined it. Carrot is much better, but when it comes to skiing, OpenSnow is the definitive statement. You need to have a subscription if you're a regular skier, it's not expensive.
https://opensnow.com/
And Peak makes a 78, but I don't have those, never mind been on them.
So, if you think about it, you can get a pair of skis for free for thirty days. You can hit rocks. Whatever. And then you can return them. No questions asked.
Now you'll need bindings and have to mount them on the skis, but if you're like me, you've got a slew of old bindings around. And mounting? Anywhere from $35 to $75, depending on the shop.
And if you need bindings...
There are no bad bindings anymore. They're all good. But having said that, I recommend, every serious skier I know recommends, Look Pivots. I think I have eight pairs. They're more expensive than the competition, but they last a whole hell of a lot longer, and they have better shock absorption and release and... They come in 12, 14, 15 and 18. These are DIN numbers, i.e. retention. If you need the 18, you don't need advice from me. As for the 15...it has a completely metal toe, unlike the 14 and 12. So, I recommend the 15 or 14. Do you want to cheap out on bindings? Look makes cheaper stuff, but is this where you really want to save money? You won't be worried about the cost of your bindings if you get hurt. You're buying insurance.
Salomons are good, as are Tyrolias. But the biggest seller, what you'll see the most people on, is Markers. If you're a woman, the standard is the Marker Squire, don't consider anything else, not even the Pivots (unless you are an aggressive skier). Furthermore, it's cheap. If you're a man... You're probably going to want the Marker Griffon 13. I have a pair on my 87s. They hold you in. But I've got more confidence in the Look Pivots. As do all the Olympic halfpipe and mogul skiers. They're all on Look Pivots. (Racers are not on Pivots, but if you're a racer, you don't need my advice.)
Also, the Pivots have the shortest mounting range, so the ski's flex is not inhibited. It makes a difference, however subtle.
As for poles... The Leki Carbon 14 3D is the definitive statement. Period. They're $169.95, and they rarely go on sale, but they're worth every penny. You think poles are irrelevant until you use a good pair. The swing weight...you can feel it. There are other carbon poles, but they don't have Leki's Trigger 3D grip. Most people don't even know how to grip their poles. You stick your hand through the loop from the bottom and grip the pole and the strap simultaneously. When I see you stick your hand down from the top and just hold the pole I laugh, you're a complete amateur. And it's not only the look, there's a huge performance difference. Let me just say that Mikaela Shiffrin uses Lekis with the Trigger 3D grip. Enough for you? And yes, you can get poles cheaper, much cheaper, but a good pair of poles can last ten years, whereas a mediocre pair of poles can inhibit your experience. Yes, poles make a difference (and be sure to plant them to turn!)
https://shorturl.at/jmwFJ
Also, I recommend Leki gloves with the loop. The experience is fantastic!
Now why do the Peaks work, why do they turn so easily yet hold so well. They say it's the keyhole. And I got into a deep technological discussion with Andy and I won't bore you with the details except to say that the Peaks don't have the extreme sidecuts of the competition. And if you're on narrow skis with a big sidecut... Then you know the experience. You're cooking at high speed on a runout and the skis start to wander, it's really freaky, you can catch an edge, you can have a fall at high speed. Because of the keyhole Peaks can be straighter, so you don't have this experience, at least not as bad.
Now in the old days, there were good and bad skis. Today almost all skis are good. And, once again, ski on many pairs to find out what works for you. And today the big sellers, the Blizzards and the Nordicas, are heavy and stiff, the opposite of nimble. They're stable, you feel planted, but the Peaks are the reverse, lively and quick-turning. a revelation. Ski on them for a couple of days and you'll be smiling.
Or you won't. And you'll return them and get your money back.
Or you'll keep them and be very happy.
I don't care if you buy skis from Peak at all. Doesn't matter to me. All I know is I've had peak experiences on the Peaks and I think it's something you might enjoy. More than that, you might be THRILLED!
P.S. As for length, when in doubt go long, Peaks ski short.
From: Heidi Jones
Re: Peak 98-Day One
I too just got the Peak 98 skis. And my other skis are the Nordica Enforcers and a pair of Blizzard Shivas (just in case it ever snows in the NE). They are great. Totally agree on the playful aspect. They move from a big GS turn to quick slalom turns effortlessly-like no other ski I've skied. I don't agree on the old school east coast narrower underfoot concept. These 98's are my favorite width underfoot for skiing at Whiteface. I can't wait to get out on them again! Thank you Bode!
From: Bob Lefsetz
Re: Peak 98-Day One
What do you think of them compared to the Enforcers?
From: Heidi Jones
Re: Peak 98-Day One
Well, the Enforcers are a great ski I think for the East Coast (I have had 2 pairs). But they aren't quick. But they bust through east coast frozen crud and are super comfortable underfoot when you want to go fast (Whiteface is a racer mountain, and even the older folks still go fast :) ). I will admit that I was ready for a lighter ski though. Enforcers are heavy.
But the Peak 98s hold. I was trying to explain to my husband that they are the first ski that I can make big fast GS turns and then transition to some quick turns without putting on the brakes…if that makes sense. It's only day 4 on these skis though. And the conditions here aren't helping me really get a feel since we have about 5 different snow types on the mountain right now. But maybe this is the best time for seeing how they work.
If I skied out West, I wouldn't take the Enforcers. But for East Coast, they work!
Heidi
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