New Skis!
December 10, 2009 10:45 AM Subscribe
Help me get up to speed for new skis
My teenage daughter is ready to get some skis, boots, poles and a helmet of her own. No more rentals. She's a solid intermediate skier ready to advance.
I am behind on ski technology and am doing this on a budget.We have about $400 to work with now, can I look at a whole package? If not, skis first? Boots first?
Where around Portland, OR is a good value place to go?
Lots of questions, but, as always, thanks in advance.
My teenage daughter is ready to get some skis, boots, poles and a helmet of her own. No more rentals. She's a solid intermediate skier ready to advance.
I am behind on ski technology and am doing this on a budget.We have about $400 to work with now, can I look at a whole package? If not, skis first? Boots first?
Where around Portland, OR is a good value place to go?
Lots of questions, but, as always, thanks in advance.
Consider craigslist once you figure out what you want. Often skis are a pretty flooded market.
posted by craven_morhead at 10:58 AM on December 10, 2009
posted by craven_morhead at 10:58 AM on December 10, 2009
Boots, definitely. Do what ever is required for a perfect fit. I had foot beds done by Sure Foot. I've been in the same boots now for about 8 years and I'm still comfortable in them.
Depending on how often you ski, it might not make sense to buy skis at all. Rental equipment is pretty good now. Skis are absurdly expensive.
posted by Carmody'sPrize at 11:25 AM on December 10, 2009
Depending on how often you ski, it might not make sense to buy skis at all. Rental equipment is pretty good now. Skis are absurdly expensive.
posted by Carmody'sPrize at 11:25 AM on December 10, 2009
Next Adventure on SE Grand and Stark would be a good place to check out. Go in at other than "peak" times, when it's not crowded, and pick their brain.
Early next Fall, you can also check the various ski swaps, if you have some information about what would work for her. Do you rent from a shop in town? That would also be a place to go, esp since, if you do that, your face would be known in the store and that's a good thing.
Nthing Boots First.
posted by Danf at 11:57 AM on December 10, 2009
Early next Fall, you can also check the various ski swaps, if you have some information about what would work for her. Do you rent from a shop in town? That would also be a place to go, esp since, if you do that, your face would be known in the store and that's a good thing.
Nthing Boots First.
posted by Danf at 11:57 AM on December 10, 2009
Boots, boots, boots. New boots, fitted by a bootfitter. DONT BUY THEM IN A NON-SKI SHP. A good ski store will fit boots once bought, with a custom orthotic. Single most important purchase for her: good boots last 10-15 years if you're a 1-2week a year skier. This will use up most, if not all of your $400, but it is money well spent.
Don't buy new high-end skis, or ones you haven't tried.
Skis and poles can be picked up used from a rental shop. I reccomend at the end of the season going to a ski resort, and aksing if a rental shop has a demo sale. Rent demo skis for the day (usually $40-50 for high-end rental), haver her try 3 or 4 types o varying terrain, and then apply the $40 to the best ex demo skis she tried. The skis won't be pretty (scratches on surface), but she will know that she likes them and the way they feel. I've got a good pair of 2-year-oldy demo skis for $150 inc bindings.
Poles: don't buy fancy ones: $20 for used! Make sure they are the right length. (Hold basket at bottom of pole with arm locked at ca. 90degrees at the elbow, the handle should just touch the ground).
posted by lalochezia at 12:00 PM on December 10, 2009
Don't buy new high-end skis, or ones you haven't tried.
Skis and poles can be picked up used from a rental shop. I reccomend at the end of the season going to a ski resort, and aksing if a rental shop has a demo sale. Rent demo skis for the day (usually $40-50 for high-end rental), haver her try 3 or 4 types o varying terrain, and then apply the $40 to the best ex demo skis she tried. The skis won't be pretty (scratches on surface), but she will know that she likes them and the way they feel. I've got a good pair of 2-year-oldy demo skis for $150 inc bindings.
Poles: don't buy fancy ones: $20 for used! Make sure they are the right length. (Hold basket at bottom of pole with arm locked at ca. 90degrees at the elbow, the handle should just touch the ground).
posted by lalochezia at 12:00 PM on December 10, 2009
Boots first. I second the recommendation to buy used from a rental shop at the end of the season.
posted by arcticseal at 12:11 PM on December 10, 2009
posted by arcticseal at 12:11 PM on December 10, 2009
Well, boots, but assuming she has stopped growing. No use spending big money on boots that will be in great condition but a size too small next year.
Ski wise I like twin-tips now for everything but racing. They are 95% as fast as normal skis but so much more fun on so much more terrain.
posted by trialex at 1:12 PM on December 10, 2009
Ski wise I like twin-tips now for everything but racing. They are 95% as fast as normal skis but so much more fun on so much more terrain.
posted by trialex at 1:12 PM on December 10, 2009
Response by poster: We have gotten some boots! She loves them and we will look for used skis and poles in the off season. Thanks to all of you for your advice. (Next Adventure is awesome)
posted by Northwest at 8:41 PM on December 12, 2009
posted by Northwest at 8:41 PM on December 12, 2009
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by jckll at 10:51 AM on December 10, 2009