Borrowing Skis ( A Franklin Problem)

Mr. Franklin touched on an issue that is very "delicate" and often never discussed among skiers!

Why you ask? At a risk of creating another long "heated" posting here it goes!

We all realize that there are many types of skiers, so each types can make up decision to lend skis or not!
The beginners see no problem and also do not see danger ( that is another topic Mr. Franklin should look into)

The intermediate skier might lend skis if he/shhe feels you will take care of them and return them in the same state. Still you must have some "close" social relationship such as family, rugby mate, or close work mate!

The experts never but never lend their skis! It is close to that taboo subject of "lending wife/husband"! It takes them many hours of "getting to know the ski", it takes them many hours to "modify" ski for skier, then the lend them?
These "experts" at the end of a ski day examine their skis with a magnifying glass to see what new scratch is on base! These experts have a rag in ski bag to wipr off snow at end of day! Some experts have been known to "kiss" their skis at end of a great ski race or ski day!

So you ask, "do they ever lend their skis"?
I have done so three times and regretted it!
First time
One of my friends, who bought the same skis and who was skiing with me, constantly complained about these skis! The price was too high for what they did ( or did not do), this "shaped ski" bull was not true, etc......
After 30 minutes of this constant verbal blahhhhhh, we exchanged skis and I told him to do EXACTLY as I did! He was a new skier, the smile returned to his face! At bottom he insisted on having another go with my skis! After 5 runs,,,I insisted he give me back my skis! Now he saw the difference!

The next time up the lift with him, I announced thatI had to go away to a more difficult run so I left him! I just could not want to hear him "complain on how ski shop did not tune his skis correctly"

2. The second time I lend my skis, it was to my wife! She had a important ladies race and she wanted that edge! She still has them! I have tried seduction, wimpering, pleading,blackmail to no avail! She rules!
They are hers!!!

3.Last Spring I got a pair of 2008 Fischers SL World Cup skis to test. Since I could not really give my maximum on them ( I was due for some knee tune ups), I lent them to my son to test! You guessed it! I promised to dis-inherite him,I pleaded with him,I even sneaked into his house to find them,while he was away! He had hidden them! The devil!

In conclusion,,,no do not lend skis! Do not ask to borrow skis! Rent or as you say on your side of the pond hire them! You will have a more serene family!

PS By the way,,yes my wife did win the race and that is why she insists in keeping MY SKIS,,,they are her lucky skis!

Don't be such a stick in the mud Pav. Just have rental bindings put on all your skis :lol:

Trencher,
That is the problem with many demo skis, they have rental type bindings,,so all my friends insist in trying them out!

I will take your advice when I go to ski with you and bring only skis with rental type bindings!
Will at least give the skis back at end of day!

I am still trying to locate 5 pairs of skis, a "friend" was supposed to bring back to dealer! Seems he was lost between my house and the dealer!
Cheers.

If anyone wants to lend me skis, for example a decent pair of all mountain twin tips (180-190 ish), I promise to return them. Honest.

Hirsty,
Timing is everything! Look up K2 Apache! Just finish testing them and guess what they are gathering dust! !77 cm.
You will read about them in 2009 since they are next years skis!
Now define,,,"lend"!

pavelski wrote:Hirsty,
Timing is everything! Look up K2 Apache! Just finish testing them and guess what they are gathering dust! !77 cm.
You will read about them in 2009 since they are next years skis!
Now define,,,"lend"!

Hello Pavel.

Thank you very, very much for the offer - I have PM'd you.

Hirsty,
Yes I have received your PM. Waiting for you to test the 150 pairs of skis in 2009!