If you read my old posts i often said no to buying because of aft the servicing and transport faffing about.
But
Since i bought my Blackeyes and am well and truly converted. I think there is something nice about having your own kit which is why i first considered it if i am honest. And now i have them i feel i have come on leaps and bounds in my skiing.
I know my own skis, i know what they can do and what i need to do to get them to do it. I wouldn't want to spend precious skiing time each holiday becoming accustomed to different planks each time.
NOW GO BUY.......As Tony says there are some bargains out there.
If I'm committed to skiing should I buy my own skis?
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Do your research before you go and arm yourself with some makes and models that fit the bill.
There are plenty of sites that will give you all the info you need, simply google "buying skis" and read up.
Don't.
I don't compromise, but then I don't do touring so don't need skis with different bindings for starters.
What are you looking for precisely, ie whats your level of skiing and what terrain do you want to ski?
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Started by Bedrock barney in Ski Hardware 28-Mar-2012 - 19 Replies
Snapzzz
reply to 'If I'm committed to skiing should I buy my own skis?' posted Mar-2012
Skied: Arinsal, La Plagne, Alpe D'huez, Flaine, Les Arcs, Morzine, Les Gets, Avoriaz, Sauze, Courchevel, Val Thorens
Far Queue
reply to 'If I'm committed to skiing should I buy my own skis?' posted Mar-2012
BB, I am going to simply copy a reply I gave to Iceman several weeks ago, not trying to be funny, but my answer is still valid in the context of your question.
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.
Bedrock barney
reply to 'If I'm committed to skiing should I buy my own skis?' posted Mar-2012
Thanks for all the replies j2ski peeps.
I might see if I can blag a go on some skis for sale when in Norway - see if I can sense a difference between models and specs.
My biggest problem probably relates to the fact that I'm not sure what I should be asking for. I'll be heading off on my 5th skiing holiday and I think I've done reasonably well to get to where I am by now, ie comfortable on reds, will tackle black runs and also moguls as long as not too steep. Maybe now I'll be able to concentrate more on the subtleties of skiing?
I might see if I can blag a go on some skis for sale when in Norway - see if I can sense a difference between models and specs.
My biggest problem probably relates to the fact that I'm not sure what I should be asking for. I'll be heading off on my 5th skiing holiday and I think I've done reasonably well to get to where I am by now, ie comfortable on reds, will tackle black runs and also moguls as long as not too steep. Maybe now I'll be able to concentrate more on the subtleties of skiing?
slippy slidey snow......me likey!
Snapzzz
reply to 'If I'm committed to skiing should I buy my own skis?' posted Mar-2012
bedrock barney wrote:
My biggest problem probably relates to the fact that I'm not sure what I should be asking for.
Do your research before you go and arm yourself with some makes and models that fit the bill.
There are plenty of sites that will give you all the info you need, simply google "buying skis" and read up.
Skied: Arinsal, La Plagne, Alpe D'huez, Flaine, Les Arcs, Morzine, Les Gets, Avoriaz, Sauze, Courchevel, Val Thorens
Ranchero_1979
reply to 'If I'm committed to skiing should I buy my own skis?' posted Mar-2012
Biggest problem with owning is that you always end up with a compromise. I have 2 pairs at moment and still would like more :-). I.e. I rented for a week this year to get best ski for conditions.
Dynastar 4 x 4 for piste (probably done 10 weeks). These are now outdated 4yrs old and need replacing. Might just have paid for themselves. Will be replacing with slalom ski (think will be more fun on piste). Carving skis seem to take massive leaps every year so can't wait to get on new ones.
Salomon Shogun with touring binding. These are 2 years old on about week 8 or 9 and will be keeping for another season. Given touring binding, skins etc think I need at least another 4 weeks to cover the cost of them. Skin width will also now likely dictate next ski purchase (more compromise). Really happy with these as compromise ski which are good for most conditions.
That is the problem, renting is cheap, you can rent the same skis as you buy, you always get latest models which are always more fun. Can change every day for conditions or plan. Even with the loan of my skis to brothers etc I am struggling to justify cost. Fortunately these are kept in resort so no cost of transport to add into mix. Financially no sense for most people to buy skis. You would have to really stretch life span and end up on something pretty ancient. Technically am not sure makes sense but emotions are what make us human ?.
Dynastar 4 x 4 for piste (probably done 10 weeks). These are now outdated 4yrs old and need replacing. Might just have paid for themselves. Will be replacing with slalom ski (think will be more fun on piste). Carving skis seem to take massive leaps every year so can't wait to get on new ones.
Salomon Shogun with touring binding. These are 2 years old on about week 8 or 9 and will be keeping for another season. Given touring binding, skins etc think I need at least another 4 weeks to cover the cost of them. Skin width will also now likely dictate next ski purchase (more compromise). Really happy with these as compromise ski which are good for most conditions.
That is the problem, renting is cheap, you can rent the same skis as you buy, you always get latest models which are always more fun. Can change every day for conditions or plan. Even with the loan of my skis to brothers etc I am struggling to justify cost. Fortunately these are kept in resort so no cost of transport to add into mix. Financially no sense for most people to buy skis. You would have to really stretch life span and end up on something pretty ancient. Technically am not sure makes sense but emotions are what make us human ?.
Verbier_ski_bum
reply to 'If I'm committed to skiing should I buy my own skis?' posted Mar-2012
I like skiing with my own skis and even that when I started skiing I thought that skis I bought then would last me a lifetime my "collection" is growing. But if I had to fly to ski I would probably just rent. And not because of the costs - skiing IS expensive either way, but because of the associated inconveniences. One season that I decided to ski in different resorts was painful because of having to haul skis there and back every time. Last week I received a letter from resort offering to extend the use of the locker I rented for this season till November for 30 CHF only and I am certainly taking it. By November I'll have another annual pass and my ski (and boots) will be waiting for me by the lifts.
Bedrock barney
reply to 'If I'm committed to skiing should I buy my own skis?' posted Mar-2012
hmmmm.
I think I'm leaning towards continuing to rent.
Maybe after each ski trip I'll be able to re-assess. The rental kit in Hemsedal was pretty good last time (Head Peak 74 I think). Hope it is this time.
I think I'm leaning towards continuing to rent.
Maybe after each ski trip I'll be able to re-assess. The rental kit in Hemsedal was pretty good last time (Head Peak 74 I think). Hope it is this time.
slippy slidey snow......me likey!
Tony_H
reply to 'If I'm committed to skiing should I buy my own skis?' posted Mar-2012
bedrock barney wrote:hmmmm.
I think I'm leaning towards continuing to rent.
Maybe after each ski trip I'll be able to re-assess. The rental kit in Hemsedal was pretty good last time (Head Peak 74 I think). Hope it is this time.
Don't.
I don't compromise, but then I don't do touring so don't need skis with different bindings for starters.
What are you looking for precisely, ie whats your level of skiing and what terrain do you want to ski?
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New and improved me
Topic last updated on 21-September-2012 at 12:06