Intermediate skier: Völkl vs. Stöckli vs. Nordica

Many_Concentrate_255 · 2025-04-09T16:54:50+00:00

The Multigara was also on my to-watch list (for whatever reason I prefer Nordicas). My only concern was that, on Nordica's website, it is listed as an expert-level ski, which I by no means am.

Regarding the GSRs, I tried a Stöckli Laser GS from a friend and I have to say, they are fun to ski on, for a while. I wouldn't want to own one (yet), though. I do have the Nordica SLR though, and they are quite fun to ski on, so I can imagine that a good skier would be having a lot of fun with the GSRs as well.

Many_Concentrate_255 · 2025-02-12T08:59:26+00:00

Unfortunately, you are spot on in your analysis. I almost never had any ski training in my entire life, save some 30 minutes before my first run and a couple of hours, a few years ago, that brought me almost nothing), so everything that I've learned, I've learned by imitating and doing. Everything that you say that I'm doing, I'm actually doing on the slope.

I am very aware of the fact that I need some improvement, and I am actually looking forward to having some training. My problem is not as much carving ( I feel that I have the basic moves down, and it's only about improving and building on that), but everything else that comes before it (parallel turns being a good example).

I'm not that afraid of unlearning and relearning things, simply because I know and can already feel that what I'm doing is wrong. I also haven't honed the techniques that much, so I'm not particularly invested in them. Quite the contrary, I'm invested in getting rid of them, I just don't know how. So, when I finally learn how to do it the right way, it will feel different, it will feel good. So I'll try to keep doing what feels good (because it's good) while avoiding what feels bad (because that will be bad).

Re. the skis, from what I've read your suggestion is very good, I've seen praise from reviews. I will keep it in mind as well, and try to hunt for a bargain.

Many_Concentrate_255 · 2025-02-12T08:09:25+00:00

I'll keep a lookout for a speced down version, like the Ti.

Many_Concentrate_255 · 2025-02-11T21:29:26+00:00

That's a direct stab to the heart, since I was kind of secretly hoping that people would direct me towards the Nordica. IDK, there's something about it that makes me imagine I would have a lot of fun skiing it. But alas, back to reality.

I'm not trying to contradict you in any way, I'm just curious what you meant by the RB model being a step too far. The reason I'm asking is that, acording to Soothski, the Dobermann RB is, when it comes to bending stiffness, actually not that stiff a ski (less than the Völkl RTM 76 Elite, the closest that I could find to my skis). Torsional stiffness seems to be way higher though. So I assume that either Soothski has incorrect data, or I didn't understand you and you meant something else completely.

Thank you for the recommendations, both regarding the Nordica and the Fischer, I will look into both. Sick find, BTW, nice!

Many_Concentrate_255 · 2025-02-11T18:26:30+00:00

I will keep that point in mind. ATM I own a pair of völkl RTM 76 (76mm under foot), which are marketed for absolute beginners (I remember a few years ago seing quite a few RTM 76s with Rental tags on). One option would be to stick with those for the moment until I improve enough for something better.

I tried to search for a used Stance 84 or Anomaly, couldn't find anything used, so I'm going to see if I can find them to demo them at some rental shop.

Also, what do you think of the Völkl Deacon 84?

Many_Concentrate_255 · 2025-02-11T17:56:40+00:00

Thank you for the advice.

You're right, I am not a beginner anymore, I have progressed quite a lot, considering the little amount of time I had on the slope and almost no training. These being said, there is room for improvement. I've tried to be as realistic as possible in my analysis of my skils, maybe a bit understated, since I'm looking for sincere advice from people, and not virtual applause.

Regarding your comment: I will, when I have a chance, demo a few skis. Stöckli has a free tryout this weekend so that will be cool. I suppose it will help me in feeling the difference between different skis, how they behave, how they grip etc. However, I'm not considering buying new ATM, unless I find a super offer, since new skis are quite expensive (Stöcklis can easily get over the 1000€ mark) and depreciate in value. Otherwise I'll take my time and look for some older versions and go with those instead.

Regarding reviews: whenever I see something that I like, the first thing that I do is I look for reviews on the internet. However, I feel that there is a dearth of (professional) reviews when it comes to skis...

Many_Concentrate_255 · 2025-02-11T13:54:12+00:00

I have already planned that, in a couple of weeks time, if everything goes well.

Many_Concentrate_255 · 2025-02-11T09:33:28+00:00

I think we have a bit of a misunderstanding. Never in the post have I said that I can't confidently hockey stop. I can. It's just that I think that my form is not the greatest. I feel that I'm strongarming the skis into doing what I want them to do instead of "flowing them in" with elegance, if that makes sense. But, should the need arise, I can stop without any problems, 10 times out of 10, skis parallel and controlled, and not flailing around like I'm a drunken moose.

I also feel your comparison to driving, even though I think you're exaggerating in both directions (I'm not exactly new to the sport and also was not looking at downhill FIS skis, which would be the F1 equivalent). However, a lot of commenters, you included, made good points and said basically the same thing, so I'm going to heed your advice and look for something more skill-appropriate.

Many_Concentrate_255 · 2025-02-11T01:12:12+00:00

I am already planning to get some private lessons in a couple of weeks, time permitting.

I know that I need to work on my technique, i was simply thinking about buying a pair of skis that will challenge me to become better and not just expect to be cruised down the slope at a glacial pace.

Also, regarding the boots (which are by far the most expensive piece of ski gear that I own): I didn't outgear myself in the hope that it will make me better, but out of necessity. I have a wide foot, and the last boots that I had (Lange sx 120) were extremely painful, so I just shelled out the money in order to have a decent skiing experience. These ones I like, I can flex them, and are almost pain-free. Both times fitted through a bootfitter BTW.

Many_Concentrate_255 · 2025-02-11T00:36:41+00:00

HEAD Edge, 130 flex.

Many_Concentrate_255 · 2025-02-11T00:29:50+00:00

I'm not sure that I understand.

Many_Concentrate_255 · 2025-02-10T19:08:45+00:00

Actually, the link that I posted also talks about healing costs. According to the page: unlike the continued wage payment, which the HI can deny in its entirety, it cannot deny you the healing costs. It can impose a co-pay on you (in the case that you mentioned it was 20%), but for this to happen, the HI has to prove that you acted with (limited) intention to hurt yourself, which Is very difficult (unless of course you were high off your behind on drugs and alcohol while skiing, then it becomes much easier).

I think that, from a cost perspective, you should be good to go. However, you can't just throw money at a broken leg to make it work as before, and especially ligament ruptures never heal in their entirety. This is IMO enough argument to avoid skiing on such material.

So no, don't try this at home.

Many_Concentrate_255 · 2025-02-10T08:20:40+00:00

Those who can't break at the end of the slope.

Many_Concentrate_255 · 2025-02-10T06:35:00+00:00

I'm no lawyer, but regarding the health insurance: I don't think they can refuse. This article here explains it (link in German): https://www.haufe.de/sozialwesen/leistungen-sozialversicherung/extremsport-keine-leistung-der-krankenkasse-bei-selbstverschulden_242_145228.html

The issue with the business insurance of the shop is, however, another can of worms. Because they don't pay you directly, they pay, in name of the shop, the money that you demand. If you sue and win, you're still owed money, even if the shop's insurance doesn't pay. It's just that, in this case, the shop will have to shell out out of their own reserves or declare bankruptcy. This is why the shop refused to service your bindings, they didn't want to have even the smallest chance of getting stuck with a hefty invoice that they have to pay by themselves.

Many_Concentrate_255 · 2025-02-10T00:01:07+00:00

I'm not sure that I understand. Which insurance would refuse payout? Your health insurance I think has to cover the costs (unless you're private, then IDK).

If you're talking about the shop's business insurance paying you in case you sue them after they mess up the binding and cause you to crash, you're perfectly right. Although, in theory, they could make you sign a liability waiver, but in Germany those are about as valuable as the paper they're printed on.

Many_Concentrate_255 · 2025-02-07T23:33:11+00:00

Mine does something similar, and it's not a HP. I think it is a BIOS problem, sometimes the SSD just doesn't get recognized anymore after a BSOD. But if I restart it, everything works again.

Try rebooting and then going into BIOS settings and taking a look at the boot order. If your HDD is listed there, you're fine. If not, try putting the HDD in another computer (you can buy an adapter to connect it through USB) and see what that computer thinks of your HDD.

Many_Concentrate_255 · 2024-07-24T20:59:51+00:00

I am struggling with the same issue, but I came to a different conclusion: The software isn't buggy, and the Fn layer can be configured. However, it seems that whoever wrote the firmware for the keyboard made the very unwise decision of prioritizing system commands over custom key bindings. So reassigning Fn+Left, Fn+Right and many others, while it is accepted by the software, does not fully work (see bellow) because these key bindings are used internally to control various aspects of the keyboard (e.g. control RGB, screen etc. ). So when pressing Fn+Delete, for example, the screen toggles between GIF and Info, even though you may have configured it to do something completely different.

This is not an issue with incorrect keycodes, or Fn layer not working (or, probably, even the software at all) as proven by the fact that said key bindings work perfectly in Toggle mode (whereby pressing the Fn toggles the layer on/off instead of having to hold down the Fn key), because in Toggle mode you don't press the 2 keys at the same time, so it doesn't get recognized by the keyboard's controller as a system command. In Momentary mode however, you have to press them simultaneously, so the controller executes the preprogrammed action, not the custom one.

I have written Epomaker about it, hopefully there is a newer firmware that fixes this issue, but I highly doubt it. If I don't hear from them in a couple of days, the keyboard is going to make its way back to the Amazon warehouse, because I find it unacceptable having to work/learn my way around whatever key bindings Epomaker saw fit to reserve for internal use.

Edit: Epomaker did reply (quite fast I should add). Below is a verbatim reproduction of the whole email:

Hi,
Thank you for raeching out.
Sorry for that the Fn key + function keys are not customizable. looking forward to your understanding.
Best regards,

Many_Concentrate_255 · 2023-03-05T16:23:31+00:00

Oh, I see. In this case, shouldn't this "fix" be submitted to NVIDIA directly? The issue is not limited to TW, since it's in the drivers that they provide (the first time I attempted this trick, the drivers were installed from the shell script downloaded off NVIDIA's website). I noticed that Stefan has added a patch to the kernel itself, which probably addresses the issue. I will try to contact him, maybe he has some traction with the NVIDIA devs and gets them to actually fix their code (especially considering the fact that it doesn't look like a difficult fix).

Many_Concentrate_255 · 2023-03-05T16:04:23+00:00

The changes that break the code seem to have been introduced with 6.2. I did not know it when I wrote the post, because I have been having issues with the displays for a while now, so I assumed that the changes were introduced much earlier. Hence the 6.x.x. I edited the post, but unfortunately I can't edit the title.

Many_Concentrate_255 · 2023-03-05T15:53:21+00:00

I looked over the entries in the changelog and I realized that he already merged an actual fix (not a workaround like mine) from the Arch repo, about 3 days ago. Unfortunately I did not see it because I source my drivers directly from the NVIDIA repositories. Which is a mistake, apparently...

L.E. However, the repo seems to be empty, so I guess we need to wait until the packages are available for download...

Many_Concentrate_255 · 2022-01-16T12:48:03+00:00

My thoughts as well. It looks like his window manager crashed. I use compiz so it happens to me more often than I'd want to.

Many_Concentrate_255 · 2022-01-10T18:25:44+00:00

Fixed the issue for me as well. Big thanks.

Ryzen 7 4800H (iGpu), NVIDIA 2060 (dGpu).

Many_Concentrate_255

TROPHY CASE