Ski care prior summer storage

Icy (and apologies to thread starter that this is drifting a bit), if you are worried about your skis on planes, you can buy padded ski bags or protective tubes (like this click here) instead of a standard "ski bag". The downside to them is that they do not have any room for you to pack extra items in. People often wrap clothing round skis to protect them and take the items out of their main case.

With regards to buying your skis, I had my own back in the 90's (I won them in a raffle in a resort) but eventually got to the point where they were no good for me, and from then on I strated renting. My argument was that I could have "new" skis every season, and I could change them when I wanted. But I came to start realising that you never really got to know your skis and given the seeming increase in the cost of rental, I decided to buy myself a pair again a few seasons ago. I then spent the last few years trying to find certain models of ski in resort to try. It is not always possible to find the exact ski you wish to try, although things are starting to improve and in some resorts I see that certain shops are setting up stalls at the top of the mountain where you can try out skis down a run then come straight back up and swap them over for a different set and get the benefit of trying several skis.

I finally decided to buy a pair based on write ups by magazines and websites, comments on this forum, and the fact that I did really like a predecessor of the ski. I did not go wrong, and am completely happy with what I got, in fact it is strange, but my skiing jumped a few levels because of them. I bought then in the UK, as tbh at the moment it can be cheaper or at least the same price, and then I knew I had what I wanted. It helps that the shop also threw in 3 years (read that as just "3") free servicing.

I guess it is up to you. If you wish to keep renting, that is fine, but I would advise that you research the skis each year and don't just take the first ski a shop wants to give you, but discuss what they have with them and go for something you want to ski on. It's your money after all and there are other shops in the resort. Also, if renting, don't forget that if you don't really like something you have, go back and change them. Heck I used to change skis if the weather changed. One of the best rental weeks I had was in Val D'Isere. I started out with a set of giant slalom Volkl Race Tigers, and they were brilliant in the sun on well groomed pistes, but then it snowed fairly heavily so I swapped them in for some Atomic Crimsons and had a wonderful time with those in the softer snow.

Far Queue wrote:Icy (and apologies to thread starter that this is drifting a bit), if you are worried about your skis on planes, you can buy padded ski bags or protective tubes (like this click here) instead of a standard "ski bag". The downside to them is that they do not have any room for you to pack extra items in. People often wrap clothing round skis to protect them and take the items out of their main case.

With regards to buying your skis, I had my own back in the 90's (I won them in a raffle in a resort) but eventually got to the point where they were no good for me, and from then on I strated renting. My argument was that I could have "new" skis every season, and I could change them when I wanted. But I came to start realising that you never really got to know your skis and given the seeming increase in the cost of rental, I decided to buy myself a pair again a few seasons ago. I then spent the last few years trying to find certain models of ski in resort to try. It is not always possible to find the exact ski you wish to try, although things are starting to improve and in some resorts I see that certain shops are setting up stalls at the top of the mountain where you can try out skis down a run then come straight back up and swap them over for a different set and get the benefit of trying several skis.

I finally decided to buy a pair based on write ups by magazines and websites, comments on this forum, and the fact that I did really like a predecessor of the ski. I did not go wrong, and am completely happy with what I got, in fact it is strange, but my skiing jumped a few levels because of them. I bought then in the UK, as tbh at the moment it can be cheaper or at least the same price, and then I knew I had what I wanted. It helps that the shop also threw in 3 years (read that as just "3") free servicing.

I guess it is up to you. If you wish to keep renting, that is fine, but I would advise that you research the skis each year and don't just take the first ski a shop wants to give you, but discuss what they have with them and go for something you want to ski on. It's your money after all and there are other shops in the resort. Also, if renting, don't forget that if you don't really like something you have, go back and change them. Heck I used to change skis if the weather changed. One of the best rental weeks I had was in Val D'Isere. I started out with a set of giant slalom Volkl Race Tigers, and they were brilliant in the sun on well groomed pistes, but then it snowed fairly heavily so I swapped them in for some Atomic Crimsons and had a wonderful time with those in the softer snow.

Sound advice, and your story of developing with your own skis is a familiar one to me.

Icy, you really need to stop worrying about the things you cannot do anything about. Your luggage could be stolen, go missing, get trashed. Its the same with skis, but to be perfectly honest the chances of anything like that happening are massively stacked in your favour. Plus you have insurance for this kind of thing.

Ski costs summary:

Purchasing - £300-£400 for very good skis sensibly priced, with bindings.

Maintenance - service after each trip £20 so for me £40-£60 per season each pair

Transport - charter package flights charge £35 per pair of skis per return trip

Bag - expect to pay from £35 up to £200 for a ski bag of your choice. I have a double ski bag fully padded which I paid £40 for that should have been £80, shop around.


Yes, its not a cheap business, but if you do your research and end up with a ski that suits what you want it to do now AND will allow you to progress in the future, they will become your friends and you will not need to worry about how they handle each time you get on them.

I'd be surprised if the all mountain range of skis was not the most popular in the UK now, as buying in this sector means you've got a ski that will handle well on piste and in powder. Something like a 50-50 ski is IMO the right type to buy unless you live in the mountains, go touring, or enter races.

Its really a totally individual choice, but for me I don't think I'd like to be without my skis now. They are part of the whole thing.

Tony_H wrote:Mine always go in for a service after a week away. Dry them off, get them re-edged and lose the rust, and then a standard wax ready to go next season.

Yours should not rust if your using the wax I gave you 8)

How about bindings? Does anyone give any special attention to bindings? Greasing? Anything?

Ian Wickham wrote:

Tony_H wrote:Mine always go in for a service after a week away. Dry them off, get them re-edged and lose the rust, and then a standard wax ready to go next season.

Yours should not rust if your using the wax I gave you 8)

Skis always rust when you bring them home, they tend to retain wet when you pack them after the final days skiing.

Tony_H wrote:

Ian Wickham wrote:

Tony_H wrote:Mine always go in for a service after a week away. Dry them off, get them re-edged and lose the rust, and then a standard wax ready to go next season.

Yours should not rust if your using the wax I gave you 8)

Skis always rust when you bring them home, they tend to retain wet when you pack them after the final days skiing.

Rubbish, use the wax and dry the edges off before you apply 8)