Choosing the first ski: Some hints.

Just visited a ski sale at a local university and am amazed how beginner skiers select their first ski.

This was a one week event where anyone can bring ski material and university takes a 10% sale commission.

Saw some great great deals, but also saw some "poor" choices from beginner skiers buying boots too large, boots too worn or broken, skis too damaged etc,,,

This posting is just a short list of ski buying strategies to help you get a better deal.

1. Do your homework. That is read up on ski material. Talk to persons who know a little about skiing.

2. Be modest about skiing goals and purchases. That is find out if you really like this sport before getting serious material.

3. Find out some basic "points" to look for when buying the folling;

Skis: edges : de-lamination, rust, dings, burrs, amount out of sidewalls.
bases : grooves, scratches, de-lamination near tips or tails
top skin : quality near tip area, cuts or de-lamination,
size : some persons still think long = better Not at beginner level.
( color, graphics, designs on top ski NOT important at all )
Boots : buckle condition, shell quality, take out liner to see condition
Fit No pressure anywhere

Hope this helps some of you.

Skis: Don't buy if you are a beginner or a novice skier.
Once you are through this stage, go test, then test some better quality skis. If you can feel the difference it's time to buy.

Boots: Go to a fitter, replacement feet are in short supply. However, losing Toenails is easy.

bandit wrote:Skis: Don't buy if you are a beginner or a novice skier.
Once you are through this stage, go test, then test some better quality skis. If you can feel the difference it's time to buy.

Boots: Go to a fitter, replacement feet are in short supply. However, losing Toenails is easy.

Dead right about the skis, (although, not what I did....bought Elan Jets from Ellis Brigham for £3.00, and I have never let him forget it!) A novice skier will benefit greatly from skiing on very short skis, but as soon as the capability develops, they will not meet your needs.

I do not have a problem with hiring boots for what might be the start of a ski destiny. However, at the point that you realise that skiing is for you, buy your own boots. Don't try and buy cheap, because sore/injured feet are very expensive!

Yeah:) I bought skis before I started learning and skied the cr@p out of them for 5 years. For some reason I thought skis were something you only buy once to last you lifetime:) I am not sure what is "very short", I think they should be appropriate length and stiffness. I just went to the ski shop here and ask shop people to kit me out, and they put on some softer Volkl carvers at 156 (I am 168). When I wanted to upgrade I went to them again and they put me on Scott Maya at 165. And it worked both times. I saw people on what I think way too short skis for their height (like 140 for someone my heigh or even taller) and I think they will have hard time adjusting to "proper length". Also I was told shorter skis may lead to developing bad habits like twisting tails and forcing turns because it's very easy thing to do on shorter skis. I think as a beginner it's better not to overthink but go along with whatever shop personnel put you on for your stats and level as they usually know better.

In my area there seems to be two types of "beginners" !

1. The rank beginner
Really first time of skis, snow or boots. Typically someone from another country or a child of 3 ( children begin skiing early here ).

2. The retired beginner
The man or women who discovers skiing after one or two sessions on "hired" skis. Loves sport and wants to do it more. 90% of persons who go to "ski bazzars" are for these two types of beginners.

It is too expensive for the latter to "hire" skis since in my area, used skis ( two years old) go for $50-100 ! ( That is with bindings )

Like others recommend, I suggest shorter skis ( near tip chin level) for initial 2 years, then shop around for a better longer ski.

Spend more money ( on first two years) on lessons rather than on material or ski trips.