Vector BC eludes my thinking

[Woodserson]

The only place that I did not like the scales was on firm or groomed snow. They are loud and slow on that type of snow but on anything fresh, the scales are not noticeable, especially if you take care to glide-wax the scales.

This is one reason why I went with the non-BC version. I have enough scaled skis to know what's going to work for me. A lot of the run-outs I would be using are on packed trails, either by skiers or machines, and things can get slow on the packed in either super-cold windpack/hardpack (NOT super cold fluff-- I'm talking cardboard) or when the snow gets variably slushy between the shade and the sun. Also, I plan on taking them to the ski-areas too for some inbound skiing.

If I find myself wishing I had scales by the end of next season I'll consider the BC's, but one thing at a time for now. I can't afford to get too ambitious. I can think of a few spots I'd be happy to have them, but for the most part I'm envisioning up and then down, with no more up. We'll see if that holds true!

[dnt_upton]

If you live in a place where there are long approaches or long exits to steepish lines, you will love Voile's BC series. I would never bring them to a resort unless it was the only pair of skis I owned. If there aren't long approaches, they are still fine in the backcountry, esp. if the terrain is undulating. You will almost always needs skins and, if you don't, then you can save money and just get Madshus, Fischer, or Rossignol waxless skis (or wax if that's your thing).

[lowangle al]

[quote="dnt_upton"]
If you live in a place where there are long approaches or long exits to steepish lines, you will love Voile's BC series. I would never bring them to a resort unless it was the only pair of skis I owned. If there aren't long approaches, they are still fine in the backcountry, esp. if the terrain is undulating. You will almost always needs skins and, if you don't, then you can save money and just get Madshus, Fischer, or Rossignol waxless skis (or was if that's your thing).

They are great for approaches, but you could kick wax any smooth ski for the same or better results.

My wife used hers at the resort prefering her only modern rockered ski to her older smooth based skis. To be fair though the resort we were at didn't have any groomed slopes and was more like bc skiing.

I found that since I got the Vectors I have increased the average slope angles I ski and rarely use skins anymore. So I disagree with your idea that if you don't need skins you don't need a more dh oriented ski like the vector.

[connyro]

I found that since I got the Vectors I have increased the average slope angles I ski and rarely use skins anymore. So I disagree with your idea that if you don't need skins you don't need a more dh oriented ski like the vector.

I agree LAA. I find that I use skins much less with the Vector BCs and find myself on steeper terrain more often with them than on other skis like Guides, etc. IME, the scales climb nearly as well as skins in many/most snow situations.

[dnt_upton]

I found that since I got the Vectors I have increased the average slope angles I ski and rarely use skins anymore. So I disagree with your idea that if you don't need skins you don't need a more dh oriented ski like the vector.

Do you carry skins on those days?

I could probably get up 2/3 of the slopes in just scales with careful and wider skin track setting, but there are conditions where it just isn't manageable, at least not for me. So I never leave without skins in my pack unless it is pure meadow skipping.

[EarlS]

I find that I use skins much less with the Vector BCs and find myself on steeper terrain more often with them than on other skis like Guides, etc. IME, the scales climb nearly as well as skins in many/most snow situations.

Where do you ski ? That probably makes a big difference. Here in Colorado we have dry winter snow in December through mid February and wet spring snow in March through May. One of my favorite ski areas has hiking trails with sections around 10 degrees where I always need skins in dry winter snow, but I can always climb them on fishscales in spring snow with my Annums.
From these trails I can drop off into the woods where the SNOTEL sites at 9500 feet are reading snow depths around 3 to 4 feet in late February, and the SNOTEL site at 10,500 feet reads yet another foot deeper. These sites are in the woods, protected from wind and sun, so the snow is very dry and fluffy; I typically sink knee deep in this fluffy powder and traction on scales is almost nonexistent.
In the spring I can climb the trails with scales, but the snow in the woods, where I now sink in more than ankle deep, is so heavy and wet that the only kind of turn I can reliably do on my Annums is a kick turn.
I doubt that Vectors would climb any better in our dry Colorado powder but, judging by what everyone seems to be saying, they probably would be better for our heavy spring snow.

[lowangle al]

Do you carry skins on those days?

I typically don't because on days when I bring my skins I also need to bring avy gear. Prefering to go light and limit my exposure not having skins or avy gear forces me limit my climbs. That being said I really should always at least have a shovel since I only limit my exposure and don't totally illiminate it. I am not an avy expert but I do follow avy reports and wheather info and play it pretty conservative.