Cheap All Mountain Skis in Whistler and the Telus Festival

Hello wise chums.

I might, might just be going to the Telus Festival in Whistler. This is completely unplanned and came as a total suprise, just landed in my lap. I don't want to say any more about how it came around at the moment in case I jinx it (but hopefully I'll be able to spill my guts on Tuesday).

My current skis are dead. They have lasted since 2003 and they will not take anymore punishment. Even the bindings won't be salvagable (well I can use the rig for the dry slope but not on the proper stuff).

This was all fine and well when my next trip was going to be next season (you may have read my cunning plan in an other one of my postings) but now that it is next month I'll need to pick up something now and my old plan won't work.

My new plan is to pick up a new pair in Canada as this should be a lot cheaper compared to Scotland.

As it is towards the end of the season I was hoping to pick up some sort of bargain. My budget is really tight (still paying off last Les Arcs trip) so if anyone knows Whistler and can reccomend a really good and cheap ski shop I'd be really grateful.

Cheers

Better yet, can you fly via the US. A stop over somewhere with good ski stores.

Maybe you could purchase on the net and have them delivered to the place where you are staying. (would have to be from a Canadian store as there are custom duties shiping from the US).

I'm not on any airline hub that you would come through (only KLM/NWA) otherwise I would always help.

Trencher

Thanks for the advice Trencher.

I won the prize on Fall Line Magazine's website.

I even get to stay in the Fairmont!

That's fantastic. I've seen documentaries about the Faimont and it's construction. Sounds like an awesome place. I bet it's one of those places where they warm your boots for you in the mornings :)

Didn't the prize include ski rental ?. I'm sure there are a lot better than average skis for rent. Might be a good chance to try out some of the best skis (if it's included).

Trencher

Dont bank on it being a lot cheaper in Canada. When i went out to Big White in early Dec, i had to buy a pair of skis there and the prices are pretty much the same as they are in the UK. You never know though you might find some better places!

This might be useful

http://www.skisite.com/shopsList.cfm?state=BC

Looks like Vancouver is full of ski stores. It would be a good idea to find out when the stores are going to pull thier winter stock off the floor.

An idea of mailorder prices (canadian)

http://www.sportmart.ca/store/2thumbnail.asp?countryID=0&category%5Fid=143&gender=0&sort=p¤tpage=1&mscssid=ECLEDGE8BAT28K9WHUKPJ7NVGFLKDH37

Trencher