Im wanting to get some of my own equiptment in the next few days but I dont really know what Im looking for.
Can anyone point me in the right direction with some good brands and such?
Any skiers in the house?
Moderator: Moderators
Any skiers in the house?
98 Steel Widebody RSTi-RA Superbeast
The first thing you need to ask yourself, and very honestly, is how good of a skiier are you? If you're still in the learning/beginning stages you'd be best off getting used equipment. Particularly when it comes to skiis as you'll want something shorter than what you will ultimately land with. I've been skiing, downhill, since I was about 8. I consider myself pretty sufficient and any black diamond on the East is comfortable and I find the double blacks challenging but doable. I ski on a set of K2's that are 188 cm long and find they are a nice mix between long and short skiis. The longer the ski the better they track, though you have to be good/pay attention as their tips cross easier. I've skied on upwards of 210's and while I really like them on groomed surfaces, they are a bit difficult to navigate through the moguls. I find my 188's track well and run through the moguls just fine. Also keep in mind I'm 6'4"-6'5" so if you're shorter you'll wanter a shorter ski.
Another thing you're going to run into is straight vs. curved skiis. I personally think curved skiis are waaay over-rated and are a bandaid to make someone look better and are detrimental to learning proper form. My K2's do have a little bit of curve but were gotten when the curved skiis were just coming into popularity and aren't the exaggerated hour-glasses that you see every where now. I will say that one advantage I've found with curved skiis is that if you're on icy are really hard packed snow they do cut better than straights. But good form makes more difference than any curvature and I feel is essential to being able to handle the sticky situations.
After skiis you get into boot selection. And that's a whole ball game in and of itself. My parents just got me a brand spanking new pair for graduation and I managed to get last years model for 40% off which resulted in a final bill of $300 and some change. However, my boots aren't beginner boots and are a fair bit stiffer. If you're still learning you will want something with a little more flex to it. Fit is also extremely important as an uncomfortable boot sucks to ski in, trust me
. A good outdoor shop who knows what they are doing with skiing should be able to get you into the right boot.
Bindings... just make sure they are quality and will function properly when needed. It's usually pretty easy to tell a cheap set of bindings and the store selling you stuff should be able to help you out here. The most expensive isn't really needed, they just have to be robust and reliable.
Poles, eh, poles are pretty much poles. The curved ones are a waste of money unless you're competively racing and I still see people with curved ones not tucking them correctly and leaving them sticking up in the air behind them and out to the sides ready to clip whoever they ski past - very poor style and etique. The biggest difference is the straps/grips. I ski with the ones that have the flexible hand gaurd that will pop off in the event of a hard crash. My brother and dad have the straps. It's a personal preference really. Just keep in mind if you yard-sale it and have straps you're more likely to get thwacked by your own poles but if you have the break aways you can get left hiking for a pole when you survived the crash with skiis still on your feet.
In closing.... get what you feel is comfortable to your experience and tastes. I don't really think there's that much difference between brands until you're really pushing the limits or in very particular situations/conditions. I've skiied on the usual Rossignols, K2's, and Heads and they've all been fine for me. And used stuff can be a whooole lot cheaper and just as quality than new so if you're going to upgrading soon, I'd suggest used.
Hope this helps and you enjoyed the long read.
Another thing you're going to run into is straight vs. curved skiis. I personally think curved skiis are waaay over-rated and are a bandaid to make someone look better and are detrimental to learning proper form. My K2's do have a little bit of curve but were gotten when the curved skiis were just coming into popularity and aren't the exaggerated hour-glasses that you see every where now. I will say that one advantage I've found with curved skiis is that if you're on icy are really hard packed snow they do cut better than straights. But good form makes more difference than any curvature and I feel is essential to being able to handle the sticky situations.
After skiis you get into boot selection. And that's a whole ball game in and of itself. My parents just got me a brand spanking new pair for graduation and I managed to get last years model for 40% off which resulted in a final bill of $300 and some change. However, my boots aren't beginner boots and are a fair bit stiffer. If you're still learning you will want something with a little more flex to it. Fit is also extremely important as an uncomfortable boot sucks to ski in, trust me
. A good outdoor shop who knows what they are doing with skiing should be able to get you into the right boot.Bindings... just make sure they are quality and will function properly when needed. It's usually pretty easy to tell a cheap set of bindings and the store selling you stuff should be able to help you out here. The most expensive isn't really needed, they just have to be robust and reliable.
Poles, eh, poles are pretty much poles. The curved ones are a waste of money unless you're competively racing and I still see people with curved ones not tucking them correctly and leaving them sticking up in the air behind them and out to the sides ready to clip whoever they ski past - very poor style and etique. The biggest difference is the straps/grips. I ski with the ones that have the flexible hand gaurd that will pop off in the event of a hard crash. My brother and dad have the straps. It's a personal preference really. Just keep in mind if you yard-sale it and have straps you're more likely to get thwacked by your own poles
but if you have the break aways you can get left hiking for a pole when you survived the crash with skiis still on your feet.In closing.... get what you feel is comfortable to your experience and tastes. I don't really think there's that much difference between brands until you're really pushing the limits or in very particular situations/conditions. I've skiied on the usual Rossignols, K2's, and Heads and they've all been fine for me. And used stuff can be a whooole lot cheaper and just as quality than new so if you're going to upgrading soon, I'd suggest used.
Hope this helps and you enjoyed the long read
.Lee
93' SS, 5mt swapped, 182k, not stock...
96' N/A OBW 5sp, 212k, Couple mods... RIP
99' N/A OBW, 4eat, mostly stock.
93' SS, 5mt swapped, 182k, not stock...
96' N/A OBW 5sp, 212k, Couple mods... RIP
99' N/A OBW, 4eat, mostly stock.
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