Whatever you do, make sure you get high-quality boots. You can buy the cheapest poles available (it won't make any difference at all for a beginner), and you certainly don't need the most expensive skis on the rack, but make sure you get the perfect set of boots. Any decent ski shop will have a trained sales rep who can help you with that.
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Given the choice- go for slightly shorter skis that what they recommend. Gives you way better control. Maybe not as much speed; but I'd trade that over control any day.
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I absolutely second the boots. You can think of your skis as extensions of your boots, if you don't have the right equipment transferring the motion of your feet to those skis, you're gonna have a bad time.
The other thing with getting proper boots is fit and insulation. Not getting the proper fit can result in all kinds of aches and pains that can turn an otherwise wonderful day into agony. In addition to this, improper fit affects your circulation, meaning much much colder toes.
If you've never ever skiied I would totally suggest renting your first time. I would say don't rent at the hill. Find a proper ski shop in town (I don't know where any are in vancouver, sorry) get properly fitted and then try it. Once you love it you can go get yourself the equipment.
I would recommend you spend a decent amount of money on your boots, and more than anything, go to a good shop with people who know what they are doing. You can make all kinds of modifications to boots to get them fitted properly. This is, beyond a doubt, the best thing you'll ever do for yourself when it comes to skiing.
Skis, when you're starting out, are of minimal importance, poles are utterly negligible, but DO NOT cheap out on the boots. Poorly fitted boots can ruin your whole day and wreck your enjoyment of skiing.
Unrelated ski pr0n:
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It's already been said a couple times, but as a long time skier, spending a few hundred on a good pair of boots was by far the best skiing purchase I've made. Besides that, buy a helmet. They are warm, and they have a chin strap so unlike a hat you don't have to worry about it falling off.
As for the skis themselves, see if the hill you are going to offers any demo programs. Typically when I'm in the market for new skis I'll go to the hill on a demo day and switch skis every hour or so for a good part of the day and make my purchase based on that.
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Where is the best place in Calgary to buy ski boots for people with big feet? I wear size 14 and Sport Chek doesn't have any in my size, nor do any of the used places. I really don't want to spend much.
I've snowboarded for the past 25 years but I'm in the process of teaching my kids to ski so I figured I'd take up skiing again as it's really boring snowboarding slow. Figure I'd challenge myself by relearning to be a two-plank wank for the hell of it.
If you're looking for size 14's you're likely going to have to get them ordered in, unless you get lucky on eBay or Craigslist or something. I'm pretty sure Lange makes boots that big and Salomon too. I got my Lange's from Ski West on 14th St. They have been great to me.
Really, really can't stress how important it is to get good boots
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Even if you do end up loving skiing, you have no idea what type of skiing will interest you the most in a few years. You might like skiing glades, powder, carving, park, etc... and all of those have a certain style of ski that complements them the best. A used all-mountain ski will save you money and give you a pair of skis that should be comfortable for a few seasons while you get your feet under you because as a beginner you won't notice a single difference between a new or used ski.
As for boots, I'd recommend renting a few times first.
Boots feel a lot different on the mountain then they do in the store. If you just go buy some first you'll have no clue what to look for comfort wise. Who knows, your foot might have a certain spot that gets sore really easy when skiing and that is something you definitely need to be aware of when your buying ski boots. I cannot stress this enough. Rent boots a few times.
As for Poles, don't worry about them. You shouldn't even be using them the first few times you go out. After that, just buy the cheapest ones you can find.
No one even knows what this means anymore. Wtf is an "all mountain ski" at this point?
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As for boots, I'd recommend renting a few times first.
Boots are the only thing you CAN'T rent. Rental boots bear little resemblance to usable ski boots.
Going to a half-decent boot shop will essentially result in a salesperson looking at your foot, deciding what general shape toebox will probably work for you, and selecting a boot (i.e., this guy has a low-volume narrow foot, I'll put him in a pair of Langes). Going to, say, sport chek, in comparison, will result in someone handing you a pair of Salomons a half size too big and saying "see, they're pretty comfy".
The better idea is to go to a good bootfitter and get them to fit you for boots and footbeds. They'll tell YOU what you're buying. You then go ski, and if you have any discomfort, take the boots back to them - any reputable bootfitter will do work on your boot to tweak it. The extent of your involvement in the boot selection process should be limited to answering the bootfitter's questions and selecting a price range.
Too many people shop for boots like they do shoes - you don't know what fits, the bootfitter does. Not all brands are equal, the lasts are totally different and depending on the shape of your foot entire brands may be unwearable. If you haven't been fitting boots for years you can't make that call with any reliability. I say this as a huge gear-head. I've skied my whole life, 50-100 days per year and more when I was in school, worked in the industry, designed ski gear, and would never buy boots without the help of an expert.
No one even knows what this means anymore. Wtf is an "all mountain ski" at this point?
You know what I mean. Something relatively skinny under the boot that gets a decent clip wider at the tips, so geared more for groomers but could still handle some choppy stuff. 90% of the ski's you'd find at Sport Check or the like.
I personally think it's a huge mistake just going out and buying new gear when the guy has no clue what fits his style or what his style even is or what he wants or even likes.
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Originally Posted by AR_Six
Boots are the only thing you CAN'T rent. Rental boots bear little resemblance to usable ski boots.
Thats fair enough, I haven't been in a rental shop in over 15 years. I thought they offered average boots.
Either way I think he should try to burrow someone elses boots if he can first. See if his feet get sore any where. That type of knowledge would be helpful.
But yeah, like everyone else has said boots are finicky and crucial. Bad boots can (will) ruin your day.
Any advice on where to grab high performance rentals in Calgary? I'll just be getting skis but the gf may be renting boots this trip as finding a decent fitter out east is pretty tough so she probably won't buy before we head out.
I've done the Outdoor Centre at UC a few times and found them to be pretty good, but figured I'd see what you guys suggest.
Oh, and OP, I went through the same situation a few years back and couldn't be happier that I went out and bought solid boots, makes a world of difference.
I think footwear in almost any sport, is the single most import piece of equipment. I have gotten rid of all of my ski gear (it was older, I have not been skiing much til lately) and now that I am using rental boots, I am hating it. Rental boots get almost constant use, and the liner wears out faster, and is shaping to everyone else's foot.
Having a boot that does not fit, makes it diffucult to properly control your skis. I used to do boot fitting (including changing the shape of the shell of the boot) and what you get from a comfort and performance perspective is worth it. Even low end boots fitted properly are better than what you get in a rental store.
Funny - about the helmet - was skiing at COP the other day, and noticed I was like one of five people on the entire hill without a helmet. Never thought twice about not wearing one - but went out and got a good helmet yesterday - regardless of whether I think I will fall down or not, there are too many yahoos out of control going down the hill.
And really for both boots and helmets - I really don't want to use something that someone else used before me. I am fine with rental skis... guess I talked myself into dropping a few hundred on some new boots.
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I have never had any issues with rental boots not being "usable ski boots." Maybe they won't make the cut for an advanced skier; but for somebody just starting out I would recommend renting the first time to see what you do and don't like. As was mentioned earlier go to a decent ski shop, and have some time to wait. For me- after having rented a few different boots I knew what I was looking for when it came time to buy boots.
No one even knows what this means anymore. Wtf is an "all mountain ski" at this point?
Boots are the only thing you CAN'T rent. Rental boots bear little resemblance to usable ski boots.
Going to a half-decent boot shop will essentially result in a salesperson looking at your foot, deciding what general shape toebox will probably work for you, and selecting a boot (i.e., this guy has a low-volume narrow foot, I'll put him in a pair of Langes). Going to, say, sport chek, in comparison, will result in someone handing you a pair of Salomons a half size too big and saying "see, they're pretty comfy".
The better idea is to go to a good bootfitter and get them to fit you for boots and footbeds. They'll tell YOU what you're buying. You then go ski, and if you have any discomfort, take the boots back to them - any reputable bootfitter will do work on your boot to tweak it. The extent of your involvement in the boot selection process should be limited to answering the bootfitter's questions and selecting a price range.
Too many people shop for boots like they do shoes - you don't know what fits, the bootfitter does. Not all brands are equal, the lasts are totally different and depending on the shape of your foot entire brands may be unwearable. If you haven't been fitting boots for years you can't make that call with any reliability. I say this as a huge gear-head. I've skied my whole life, 50-100 days per year and more when I was in school, worked in the industry, designed ski gear, and would never buy boots without the help of an expert.
No one even knows what this means anymore. Wtf is an "all mountain ski" at this point?
Boots are the only thing you CAN'T rent. Rental boots bear little resemblance to usable ski boots.
Going to a half-decent boot shop will essentially result in a salesperson looking at your foot, deciding what general shape toebox will probably work for you, and selecting a boot (i.e., this guy has a low-volume narrow foot, I'll put him in a pair of Langes). Going to, say, sport chek, in comparison, will result in someone handing you a pair of Salomons a half size too big and saying "see, they're pretty comfy".
The better idea is to go to a good bootfitter and get them to fit you for boots and footbeds. They'll tell YOU what you're buying. You then go ski, and if you have any discomfort, take the boots back to them - any reputable bootfitter will do work on your boot to tweak it. The extent of your involvement in the boot selection process should be limited to answering the bootfitter's questions and selecting a price range.
Too many people shop for boots like they do shoes - you don't know what fits, the bootfitter does. Not all brands are equal, the lasts are totally different and depending on the shape of your foot entire brands may be unwearable. If you haven't been fitting boots for years you can't make that call with any reliability. I say this as a huge gear-head. I've skied my whole life, 50-100 days per year and more when I was in school, worked in the industry, designed ski gear, and would never buy boots without the help of an expert.
I'm pretty sure "bootfitter" isn't an actual profession. They're just sales guys. You can't go to "bootfitting" school or take a "bootfitting" course.
If the guy that sells you your boots, is the same guy who is the boot fitter, your likely getting ripped off, as they usually try and sell you off the shelf foot beds and thick socks!
I know several boot fitters, and they do awesome work. If you have wide feet, they can mold, grind or punch the side of the boot out to fit your foot. They can also shim your boots to allow for height or injury. If you are going to spend the money on a good pair of boots, go a little further and have someone fit them to your foot!! Money spent now, will save pair, agony and frustration later.
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I stand corrected. It sounded along the lines of T-Shirt fitter or something equally absurd to me. How is a bootfitter going to know how my toes feel in the end of boots? I guess there must be a way.
Sorry AR_Six, I honestly had no idea and didn't even bother looking it up before I posted as I didn't stop to consider that it could be an actual profession.
First time skiing: equipment advice
