Where to buy ski equipment?

[Arsenal14]

My wife and I just went skiing for the first time in decades this weekend and are feeling like it might be something we want to do more often. Looking at rental prices it seems like buying our own equipment would pay off pretty quickly.

So, the question is: where should we be looking for decent used equipment? We're both novice skiers, so nothing high end is needed. Probably going to ski four or five times a year, mostly green and blue runs. Are there used equipment sales we should be watching for? Is there anything that we should be buying new instead of used?

Obviously this is going to an expensive hobby so anywhere we can reduce that is going to help.

[Tron_fdc]

Try play it again sports. They should have loads of used stuff.

I would go into somewhere like Sportchek, get sized for everything, then find it used on Kijiji. That's what I've been doing with my kids and we're saving loads of cash.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Arsenal14

My wife and I just went skiing for the first time in decades this weekend and are feeling like it might be something we want to do more often. Looking at rental prices it seems like buying our own equipment would pay off pretty quickly.

So, the question is: where should we be looking for decent used equipment? We're both novice skiers, so nothing high end is needed. Probably going to ski four or five times a year, mostly green and blue runs. Are there used equipment sales we should be watching for? Is there anything that we should be buying new instead of used?

Obviously this is going to an expensive hobby so anywhere we can reduce that is going to help.

Nowhere right not to be honest.

IMO, take the pain for rental until either the end of the season (I know some hills sell off their rentals at the end of the year) or wait until the big ski sale at Max Bell in Oct:

http://www.skisale.ca/

I reckon that will be your best bet. The only thing I will say is if you have friends/family that know something about skiing bring them with you. If you are new and don't know much it can be tuff to know what to buy. It is a very busy event, and often the customer service people on the floor are overwhelmed.

[llwhiteoutll]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

Nowhere right not to be honest.

IMO, take the pain for rental until either the end of the season (I know some hills sell off their rentals at the end of the year) or wait until the big ski sale at Max Bell in Oct:

http://www.skisale.ca/

I reckon that will be your best bet. The only thing I will say is if you have friends/family that know something about skiing bring them with you. If you are new and don't know much it can be tuff to know what to buy. It is a very busy event, and often the customer service people on the floor are overwhelmed.

This is what I’m doing right now. Taking the chance to try out a bunch of stuff through renting and then I’ll either buy from the rental place when they sell their stock or hit up the ski sale.

The only exception is the boots. I have wide feet, so I had to bit the gullet and buy full price so I wasn’t always killing my feet.

[WCan_Kid]

Spend most of your time and money on decent new boots.

[Fuzz]

Boots are the one thing I don't buy used. I like to find a good pair that lasts a decade. Check out Ski Cellar, they should be getting to end of season prices. Probably still $300-400 but IMO it is worth it. They are good with fittings to get them heat-set for you.

[socktape]

Skis and poles etc. are a dime a dozen for someone that is going to only go that many times a year. You can definitely get away with some good used ones at play it again or Kijiji or even the ski sale. That being said, buy some new boots. Get them molded to your feet. There is nothing worse than skiing on a cold day or any day with boots that don't fit properly. You don't have to spend $1000s but a good mid range pair 300-500 that has been molded to your feet will help tremendously. If you wait for the end of season/boxing day sales you can get a really good pair for $3-500.

Do some research on the skis as well... find the make and model and see what the skis were designed for and how aggressive the skier they were made for. You don't need off piste double black diamond used $1200 skis if you don't go higher than a blue run. Try do find a good all mountain ski that can handle a little of everything... groomed, bumps, and cruddy snow.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by llwhiteoutll

This is what I’m doing right now. Taking the chance to try out a bunch of stuff through renting and then I’ll either buy from the rental place when they sell their stock or hit up the ski sale.

The only exception is the boots. I have wide feet, so I had to bit the gullet and buy full price so I wasn’t always killing my feet.

Originally Posted by WCan_Kid

Spend most of your time and money on decent new boots.

Originally Posted by Fuzz

Boots are the one thing I don't buy used. I like to find a good pair that lasts a decade. Check out Ski Cellar, they should be getting to end of season prices. Probably still $300-400 but IMO it is worth it. They are good with fittings to get them heat-set for you.

Originally Posted by socktape

Skis and poles etc. are a dime a dozen for someone that is going to only go that many times a year. You can definitely get away with some good used ones at play it again or Kijiji or even the ski sale. That being said, buy some new boots. Get them molded to your feet. There is nothing worse than skiing on a cold day or any day with boots that don't fit properly. You don't have to spend $1000s but a good mid range pair 300-500 that has been molded to your feet will help tremendously. If you wait for the end of season/boxing day sales you can get a really good pair for $3-500.

Do some research on the skis as well... find the make and model and see what the skis were designed for and how aggressive the skier they were made for. You don't need off piste double black diamond used $1200 skis if you don't go higher than a blue run. Try do find a good all mountain ski that can handle a little of everything... groomed, bumps, and cruddy snow.

All bang on with the boots.

I should say that there is (well was) new boots there this year, both my wife and daughter got all new gear.

[Arsenal14]

Thanks everybody! Sounds like a very strong consensus on buying new boots and used skis/poles. I'll probably check out Play it Again and keep watching Kijiji for the used stuff.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Renting is just throwing money away. What do rentals cost, $80 a day? So 3-4 days on hill of rental cost is basically the difference between sale price skis and regular price skis. You're not saving anything by renting until the prices drop, seems to me.

[powderjunkie]

Kijiji is a good bet. Avoid Sport Chek - try Ski Cellar, Lou's, Ski West, etc. for boots.


One of the first few results on kijiji right now might be a good bet:
https://www.kijiji.ca/v-ski/calgary/...ationFlag=true

Brand of ski doesn't matter much with beginner/intermediate as much, but Dynastar and Volkl are generally considered highest quality; K2, Salomon, Atomic, Rossignol, etc. are all fine too.


Post your height, weight, age, athleticism, and experience and the braintrust here can confirm if you're making a good pick or not. Same for your wife (if she's small, I might actually have a pair to unload if I can find an upgrade for my wife)

[Arsenal14]

Originally Posted by powderjunkie

Kijiji is a good bet. Avoid Sport Chek - try Ski Cellar, Lou's, Ski West, etc. for boots.


One of the first few results on kijiji right now might be a good bet:
https://www.kijiji.ca/v-ski/calgary/...ationFlag=true

Brand of ski doesn't matter much with beginner/intermediate as much, but Dynastar and Volkl are generally considered highest quality; K2, Salomon, Atomic, Rossignol, etc. are all fine too.


Post your height, weight, age, athleticism, and experience and the braintrust here can confirm if you're making a good pick or not. Same for your wife (if she's small, I might actually have a pair to unload if I can find an upgrade for my wife)

I'm 5'10", just under 200 lbs (on a good day), 36 years old, decently athletic with not a ton of skiing experience. My wife is same height, around 170 lbs also decently athletic with not much skiing experience.

I think I will inquire about that pair on Kijiji. Sounds like a steal.

[powderjunkie]

I think those Dynastars should do the trick for you - great deal considering they're from this decade. Bindings should be a quick and easy adjustment (wherever you buy your boots should be able to do it for free in under 5 minutes).

Your wife will want similar dimensions in a 160ish length - I'll let you know if I come across anything.

[Arsenal14]

Originally Posted by powderjunkie

I think those Dynastars should do the trick for you - great deal considering they're from this decade. Bindings should be a quick and easy adjustment (wherever you buy your boots should be able to do it for free in under 5 minutes).

Your wife will want similar dimensions in a 160ish length - I'll let you know if I come across anything.

Thanks so much. I've bought those Dynastars and will keep looking for another pair for my wife. With ski rentals going for $45/day this is a no-brainer.

[temple5]

A few years ago I got end of season used rentals for a great price at http://ultimatebanff.com/

[Wormius]

For kids, I would rent if you're sticking around here. We did a season's rental from Nakiska that worked out pretty well.

[powderjunkie]

These are a probably a little short for her, which will make learning easier in the short term, but they won't feel quite as stable at higher speeds as she gets better. If you'd describe her as 'athletic, tall, and/or powerful' then she might outgrow them a bit faster, but if she's at all 'timid, easy-going', or perhaps 'graceful', then these would be a good bet.

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-ski/calgary/...ationFlag=true

more info: https://www.evo.com/outlet/ski-packa...-demo-bindings



Probably a touch too long - not sure how old they are
https://www.kijiji.ca/v-ski/calgary/...ationFlag=true


There's a bunch of other older stuff on kijiji that would work for her, but nothing jumps out as ideal.

[Northendzone]

if you decided to go new, I have enjoyed the service from the folks at the ski cellar on McLeod. You can actually make an appointment about a half hour before the store opens to get your stuff fitted and they focus on you only.

I also found them helpful in selecting a ski for me.

I would not use them if you just want to get sized and then buy stuff from kijiji, or the internet - because they just sell skiis, to me it does not seem right to go and waste their time. I'd feel ok about going to sportchek and doing that since they sell a bunch of lines of stuff.

[fleuryisgod]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

Renting is just throwing money away. What do rentals cost, $80 a day? So 3-4 days on hill of rental cost is basically the difference between sale price skis and regular price skis. You're not saving anything by renting until the prices drop, seems to me.

To give you a head up rentals at my store, Sports Rent, costs $35 for Skis, Boots and poles for the day and everything is pro-rated so the longer you go, the cheaper it becomes per day. That's for our recreational package which would be appropriate for any novice to intermediate skier. High performance packages run $55 for the day. So renting isn't big of a cost as you imagine, especially for getting a freshly tuned and waxed ski every time you head out.

We always clear out our higher end skis starting Easter weekend and I'd imagine most other rental shops do the same if you are looking to buy used.

[Frequitude]

Can I hop aboard your thread, Arsenal?

I'm looking for ski recommendations. Life has been busy for the past 5 years so I've just rented the 1 time a year I get out. But its time to buy when the deal's hit.

6'3", 170lbs, expert skier. Some sort of all mountain ski that's good in the powder and trees, but still good to bomb groomers since I'm getting older and more boring. The last couple times I rented the Rossignol Soul 7's and liked them. Forget if they were the green or yellow ones, or what the difference is.

Rented a pair of Volkl's once and they were way too stiff for my skinny self. Aren't all Volkl's stiff? Not sure I'd recommend them for Arsenal.