Ski Equipment Recommendations?

[malcolmk14]

My girlfriend and I are in the market for some new ski equipment this year and we want to gear up completely. Skis, bindings, boots, helmets, poles, the whole works.

Problem is neither of us knows a whole lot about equipment and we are just beginning our research into what is good. We want good stuff but don't want to spend an arm and a leg, as we are both kind of beginners.

I used to ski when I was younger so I'd consider myself a little better than beginner. She started skiing last year and I'd still consider her a beginner.

Any suggestions for where to go, what to expect in terms of cost, etc., would be appreciated. We're budgeting around $900 - $1,000 a piece - is that appropriate or are we way off?

Also if anyone has hookups for discounted ski equipment and wants to trade for discounted golf or golf equipment, we can talk ;-)

Thanks!

[polak]

Here's the link to skiing thread:

http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthread.php?t=140410

Definitely recommend starting at an All Mountain Ski for both of you. Depending on your weight and height you should find a ski somewhere in the 80-95 mm range under the boot (width wise) for yourself and 70-90 for her. Bindings won't really matter for what you will be skiing as beginners, just get the shop to set your din properly for your weight and keep in mind, the cheaper they are the more likely they are to break with a bad fall.

Don't take any advice for how Boots should fit. Do not cheap out on Boots. Try many pairs and pick the ones that fit the best. Boots are the most important piece of equipment and can pretty much make you HATE skiing on their own if they're uncomfortable. I'd recommend going to a real ski shop with a certified boot fitter for your boots. Avoid Sportcheck and the like as those guys don't know nearly enough to help you pick proper boots for your feet.

Actually, I'd avoid big box stores like sportcheck for all equipment unless you visit a reputable shop or do extensive research online and then find the same skis for cheaper. Again, these kids selling skis there are probably no more knowledgeable on the subject then you are.

Your price range is definitely doable:

- A decent, middle of the pack, All mountain ski can be had from $300 - $500 with bindings included.

- A good pair of boots can be had for $250-$400.

- You can get pretty much any pair of goggles but I'd recommend ones with interchangeable lenses so that you can switch them based on conditions if you can swing it (but keep in mind, no lenses will work "well" in white out conditions. Some lenses will just suck less. I skied all season last year with a black out lens and I survived a lot of white out days so again I wouldn't stress to much about goggles). You can get goggles for $20 and you can get goggles for $400. Most of the difference is just brand name and style.

- Helmets are usually between $100 and $200.

- Poles can be had second hand for $20 or brand new, extendable, super fancy ones can be had for $300. I'd definitely try and just buy some used ones from a rental store or something. Poles don't matter, at all. Just buy the right size.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by polak

Here's the link to skiing thread:

http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthread.php?t=140410

Definitely recommend starting at an All Mountain Ski for both of you. Depending on your weight and height you should find a ski somewhere in the 80-95 mm range under the boot (width wise) for yourself and 70-90 for her. Bindings won't really matter for what you will be skiing as beginners, just get the shop to set your din properly for your weight and keep in mind, the cheaper they are the more likely they are to break with a bad fall.

Don't take any advice for how Boots should fit. Do not cheap out on Boots. Try many pairs and pick the ones that fit the best. Boots are the most important piece of equipment and can pretty much make you HATE skiing on their own if they're uncomfortable. I'd recommend going to a real ski shop with certified boot fitter for your boots. Avoid Sportcheck and the like as those guys don't know nearly enough to help you pick proper boots for your feet.

I echo Polak's comments on boots, but would also throw in helmet.

You have one brain, if the helmet doesn't fit well or is uncomfortable you (at least I wouldn't) won't wear it.

I know this should go without saying, but used equipment is OK, skies/bindings/poles. But don't buy a used helmet, ever.

Have fun!

[Huntingwhale]

If you are beginner then you don't need to by expensive stuff. I bought my very first pair of skies at Sports' Mart for just under $300, including bindings and install. In fact, they are for sale if your looking....

Boots are the one thing I might splurge on. I also bought mine at Sport Mart for cheap, but after 2 seasons they almost destroyed my feet. Got to the point where I couldn't ski in them properly and they were ruining my ski days. Spent about $700 on a new pair and they should work better. Helmet is something you want to buy new. I got my old one for $70. Poles are $25. If you plan on going multiple times throughout the year, buy a ski card. The 1st, 4th and 7th times are free and you get a ~$20 discount each time in between. Normally the price of the ski card is close to the price of a lift ticket anyways.

Goggles price depends on how cool you want to look really, but make sure they are UV protected and will reflect the snow glare and fit your face snug. Nothing worse then being blinded going down the hill and having a piercing wind stream hit your face.

But as Polak said, boots are #1 most important part. They should fit snug, but not too tight. It's better to get boots that are slightly larger then ones that are too tight because you can do things to the boot to make it more comfortable. I'd also recommend getting a good pair of ski socks. They cover your shins and have padding on them so you don't feel the pinch on your boots. They also vent well. And make sure to get a face guard. Wind protection is pretty important when your high up.

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

Goggles price depends on how cool you want to look really

Goggle price has absolutely zero to do with "how cool you want to look". There is a massive difference between a $20 pair and a $200 pair. Field of view, clarity, ability to swap lenses, quality of lenses, air movement/fog prevention. You want to save a few bucks on goggles, fill your boots. But don't for a second think you're spending more just for looks.

Also, buying a boot that is slightly larger isn't advice I'd take (caveat here being unless its for touring). You can modify smaller boots as well (heating, hammering out sides, molding liners - not recommended but doable). I sold/tuned ski gear for years and I used to cringe when I could see the amount of play people would have in a boot because they thought it should fit like a skate shoe. A sloppy boot is basically the equivalent of having to turn your car steering wheel a quarter turn before it actually turns the wheels. The best advice I can give is buy boots that fit. Don't take a pair that fits "just okay" to save a few dollars. If something is bugging you when you try it on in the store, it will be ten-fold worse after a full day of skiing. Kill a morning or two (don't go on a weekend or evening when everybody else and their dog wants to go) and talk to the shop and try on lots of pairs. Custom footbeds (which have dramatically come down in price) are a great addition too. Makes a world of difference.

[Northendzone]

My family geared up for skiing this year, and I made several posts about my journey.

We bought all of our stuff at the ski cellar on McLeod and 57th. We wre able to make an appointment to go in before the store opened. We wound up spending about $1400 each including goggles - for the wife and I.

I hemmed and hawed about spending the extra to go to a specialty shop; however, thus far I don't regret spending the money - but our acid test comes next week as we are at panorama for three days.

My personal thought on spots equipment is to spend at the upper end of your budget, as you will likely never be happy cheaping out......

Oh yeah, I have a pair of $40 googles I bought last year when I needed something, and this year I bought a good pair, huge difference in terms of field of vision.......

Also have found my boots so comfortable thus far.......had to laugh though as it was a struggle to put the on the first time, so much so, that I thought my boots got mixed up. But I believe this is because my boots are stiffer than rentals.

[polak]

Obviously you should compare some goggles and put them on, but personally, I have tried a million different pairs of goggles and outside of the lens, the difference is negligable. Yes you might feel more wind go through on some and some might feel better than others but none of this will really have a impact on your skiing. I skied for 19 years before I ever bought a "real" pair of goggles. Before that, I literally wore random goggles from the clearance bin at sport check that matched my outfit for under $50. That being said, bad goggles exist. I've owned a pair of goggles that fogged up like crazy before. I don't remember which brand they were but they were hand-me-downs from my dad and they were terrible. I don't know if there is a way you can check that in the store but yeah... be aware.

One thing I would say is make sure you check how your specific goggles fit with the helmet you're looking to buy. DO NOT LEAVE A GOGGLE GAP.

A) You look lame
B) It will get super cold in that spot
C) You look really lame.

[malcolmk14]

Thanks for the suggestions guys! We went this morning to Ski Cellar in Bowness. The guy who helped us was really helpful and patient, and we were in there for about 2 hours. All told we spent a little more than our budget, but are pretty happy! Looking forward to hitting the slopes.

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by malcolmk14

All told we spent a little more than our budget, but are pretty happy! Looking forward to hitting the slopes.

What did you end up getting?

[Mccree]

Bought an entire ski package from abdominal sports this weekend. Going to try them tommorrow.

Being new to ski ownership is there any tips/ tricks I need to know before/during/after skiing? I normal rent so I pick up/ski/drop off.

[Northendzone]

^ wipe your skis off with a rag when you are done to prevent the edges from rusting

Buckle up the boots,when done to help them retain thier shape

[McG]

I have a similar but different question; I am getting back into skiing a bit after an *ahem* extended period. I want to check out my thoughts on possibly getting back into skiing.

The last time I skied would have been about 18 years ago and now my wee guy is interested in skiing. I have old skis and the old gear, but I think that technology has improved equipment in the last decades.

I was thinking about rentals until I can get back into things especially shorter skis than I have or even have used ever. if I get back into skiing I would buy decent boards and gear and I will be back into this thread later! if that happens, when is the best time to buy new equipment, season start or end? is technology moving equipment forward quickly in skiing? does this sound like a decent approach, rent to get back into things and commit later?

How hard will it be to get back to ski again? I was the guy who could ski on blues all day and not fall down, but I could never do moguls well. I have been to many of the ski hills in western Canada but I am really concerned about what I have to relearn just to ski even greens again. Should I take lessons? I will go to rabbit hill in greaserville for size of hill.

Also fitness..I'm far from sedentary however nowhere near my fitness levels of 20 years ago. Any suggestions from anyone who has had a similar layoff?

Sorry for the oh so obvious questions, and I'm sure it will all come back to me, but just a bit concerned!

[polak]

Definitely try out some new skis before you commit to buying anything. Since you skied before, you will have preferences to how the ski handles when compared to someone who has never skied before. Skiing technology has changed EXPONENTIALLY in the last 15 years. Parabolic shapes, rocker, different core materials, all of these factors didn't really exist 20 years ago and now they are featured on almost every type of ski. Sizes have also changed. A lot more emphasis on width to better handle deep snow. Basically buying anything that is skinnier than 80 cm under the boot for an adult male is pointless.

I can't comment on much on coming back to skiing after an extended period of time but I think it'd be like riding a bike. You will be familiar with the motions and how everything feels. I wouldn't worry to much about that... Stamina on the other hand...

[Northendzone]

How do you try out skis? Does the shop give you a couple of pairs and you then head out to your favourite hill and then make a couple of runs

[polak]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

How do you try out skis? Does the shop give you a couple of pairs and you then head out to your favourite hill and then make a couple of runs

Demo days or rentals.

Sorry I should have been more clear. I mean try out different types of skis (All-Mountain, Carving, Powder, Park...etc) and then shop within your favorite category.

[McG]

Originally Posted by polak

Definitely try out some new skis before you commit to buying anything. Since you skied before, you will have preferences to how the ski handles when compared to someone who has never skied before. Skiing technology has changed EXPONENTIALLY in the last 15 years. Parabolic shapes, rocker, different core materials, all of these factors didn't really exist 20 years ago and now they are featured on almost every type of ski. Sizes have also changed. A lot more emphasis on width to better handle deep snow. Basically buying anything that is skinnier than 80 cm under the boot for an adult male is pointless.

I can't comment on much on coming back to skiing after an extended period of time but I think it'd be like riding a bike. You will be familiar with the motions and how everything feels. I wouldn't worry to much about that... Stamina on the other hand...

thank you! i'm hoping it is like a bike as well except for the falling off bit. Stamina... yeah I'm expecting to be quite sore the next day and I'm hoping rabbit hill is small enough that I can get up and down without too many on run breaks. to think that I used to ski in shorts and goggles and complete decent sized runs top to bottom non stop...

I'm thinking that rentals will be just basic skis and I'm ready for the poor fitting boots.

I'm hoping that I can get enough out of the skiing on the day with my little guy that I want to recommit to the sport for its own sake, because I sure used to enjoy it. I guess as long as he likes it I will be in but I sure want to enjoy it for its own sake.

[McG]

For closure purposes...

Thanks to Polak and others in this thread.

I went yesterday and I am sore today, but not terribly. it took me 2 to 3 runs to get muscle and brain memory back, and by the end of the day I was ready to get back at this sport. I can't say that the years melted away but definitely like riding a bike.

I don't think I have ever skied on shorter skis; they gave me 155s!

Most importantly, my little guy had fun and wants to go "a lot more".

thanks!