Different Skis

Manston wrote:Ok so I am new to skiing and have seen various threads about ski hire and what you get, as a beginner how do I know what sort of skis I am being given good or bad, is there anything I should look for in particular. Also if and when I decide to buy what sort of price should I be looking to pay for something that will last a good few years.

Steve

Forget colours, gold, or whatever. Initially you want skis that are easy to learn on. They should be 130/140cm long, and with a 11M to 13M radius sidecut. Those dimensions will be on the skis.

Trencher

Steve,
I've been hiring skis for about 5 years now in Austria and France, and I find they always want your weight, height and shoe size in continental sizes - so be prepared and know what these are in advance. And don't lie about your weight because they need to know what it is for the quick release bindings to work correctly and safely.

As is said elsewhere, you can sometimes get beginner learn to ski packages which include ski hire more cheaply than you can get it if you go independantly. But if you organize the rental yourself it's generally cheaper to book it on the internet well ahead of time through the nearest ski shop to your hotel.

Remember, if you have a problem with your hired skis or boots during the week you can usually take them back and have the problem fixed or hire another pair

Ally

I'm toying with the idea of buying my first set of skis - dawned on my that what I've paid in rental over the years I could've bought my own and then some.

I understand the question of upkeep, maintenance etc but I have a seemingly 'stupid' question to ask - where do you store them after a days skiing??

Apologies for asking such a simple question but it's never occured to me before as I've never had to think about it.

Thanks in advance
T

Hi tonyr1967, most hotels and chalets will have a boot/ski room where you should be able to get access to leave your equipment overnight. Apartments will often have a general room for use by all to store skis. The better places will have individual locks on the ski racks, but at the least you should have a lockable room. It may still be worthwhile taking your own padlock and chain to ensure you can secure the skis round something suitable.

Some resorts will also have the option of renting a ski locker at the gondola station for the week. This can save you carting the skis around at the start/end of the day.

A lot of places do not like you taking equipment into rooms, especially skis. However, as long as you don't walk about wearing them, I will always take my boots to my room, for cleaning, drying and to try to keep warm overnight.

ALWAYS take your boots to your room and leave them near the radiator, but not TOO near.
Cold boots in the morning.....no no.

Thanks F Q/Tony.

Made me think some more....Since I've always rented skis, I've always left my boots overnight at the rental shop.

I normally wear normal/snow boots from the hotel to the rental shop and change when I pick up my skis.

So my next question is - what do you do with your normal boots whilst you are skiing?

Understand that if you have a locker, there is an easy answer, but if you don't???

thanks in advance
Tony

The usual solution is to take a pair of slippers with you and carry your boots to where your skis are stored. Then put on your boots and leave the slippers in the ski locker/room ready for when you are finished.

Obviously if you are renting a locker at the gondola, you will need to wear normal boots instead of slippers.

A lot of people will walk down to ski lockers in just their socks, but I do not recommend this. It is a very quick way to get dirty socks, which will then make your liners dirty, plus it is easy to not notice that you had a small bit of grit stuck to the bottom, until of course you are on the middle of the first decent run of the day and your boots are suddenly uncomfortable :cry:

Thanks!!

Makes perfect sense