New skier, totally green

Howdy y'all, and thank you for the use of the forum. As a beginner, what should I know, above all?

I've got some vintage Rossignol skis with broken hardware. Can repair with hardware from another pair of thrift store skis. Any tips?

I'm 6'3 and about 145lbs, I should be alright with longer skis, right?

This will not only be my first year in ski country, but the first time I've strapped on a pair of skis in general. Any input is appreciated.

Hi and welcome.
While broken bindings can be replaced if the skis are old straight ones you'll be better off starting over.
If they are expert level skis they will be a pig to learn on. Your long and lean you won't want a too stiff ski or you'll be miserable.
If I were you I'd begin by booking a beginner ski class with rental boots and skis so you can get hold of the basics (you'll progress fast to start with) then worry about your own kit when you know you're hooked.
Boots are way more important than skis, you want boots that feel like a firm handshake not a sloppy slipper. Skiing in too big boots is like trying to type with mittens on.
You may end up on longer skis but to begin with you'll be on shorter ones to take account of your lighter weight and lack of technique.
If your having fun your doing something right!

I read over this reply and thought I should put above all, that I am super, super cheap.

I've got less than $15 tied up in the whole mess, and abhorr the idea of spending twenty dollars for hardware to fix the skis I have. I bought them for $3 in the desert, big difference from what they want up the hill, at this time of year.

The skis are springy, light, and in good shape. I jumped on the first pair of boots I found that I could get my foot into. With a size 10 1/2 foot, I can't get into any boot smaller than a size 12. Of course, I couldn't find a size 11 boot, but the 12 is pretty snug. A little more toe room than I need is all I've noticed in them.

Since I've got the stuff, and can replace the bindings cheap enough, I figure I'd start out in the Nat'l Forest. There's enough gentle slopes out there to get practiced on before spending the money on lift tickets.

Honestly, if I absolutely must take classes, I'd rather cash out now and get my $15 back. I imagine that instruction will cost more than my current initial investment, and I'm not willing to spend more than $20 on something I can't say for sure I'll enjoy.

It's your choice but self teaching on equipment you've bought from a thrift shop in a national forest is a scary thought.
Bindings are there to stop you busting your knee if it all goes t1ts up. If you have ancient bindings that have not been adjusted to suit your height/weight/level/boots you could end up in hospital on your first run. Worse you could be stranded in the icy cold because you can't walk. The area your considering might be prone to avalanche? Have rocks just under the surface of the snow? You could end up in a tree well upside down and stuck.
Honestly if your not going to pony up for at least one lesson and to get your bindings checked then your probably better off not skiing. You very literally could disable or kill yourself and your probably not going to bother with insurance? Hope your parents are rich and supportive.
Theres being super cheap and being super stupid!

Ah, and as I've been reading, my skis are way too long apparently. They're roughly 190cm, just over my head. As I was willing to spend the cash for another set to cobb the hardware from, I suppose I should simply get another set and be sure they go no farther than chin height.

Would the 190s be good for cross country?

Are they cross country skis with suitable bindings? Cross country is a different discipline on different equipment. Are your boots Alpine?

Yeah, and I've thought about a lot of those points. I wouldn't try it in an area I wasn't familiar with when dry, and I'd have to have someone around for safety reasons.

Perhaps I'd ought to stick to motorcycles. Suddenly they seem safer by an ever expanding margin, and they make money when I'm done with them, never the other way around.

lilywhite wrote: Are they cross country skis with suitable bindings? Cross country is a different discipline on different equipment. Are your boots Alpine?

Well over my head, there. It's not hard to do in this subject, and I appreciate your patience.