skis - to buy or not

rjp123

is it worth buying my own skis if the most i get away is twice a year?

flikflak

What kind of level skier are you? If you are just a recreational skier who pootles around on piste and are not looking for a specific performance or type of ski then I would say no.

When you are renting you are getting mostly skis that are a couple of years old and designed for all mountain.

Now if you are a die hard off-piste/mogul/racing hound who knows exactly which type of skis you should be wearing on and off piste and has done all their research into different brands and their performance then go for it. Once you have narrowed your search down then you should go out to resort and test them to see which one suits you the best.


The only thing to watch with is the cost of ski carriage which can be up to €80 on top of your air fare. The number of airlines who will carry your skis for free is reducing every year.

I found Lufthansa to be the best last year £99 return and free skis.

sheeplover

In my opinion it isn't worth to buy some new skis, if you use it only twice a year. :rolleyes:

am i bovvered

I ski twice a year, I bought ski's last year and do not regret it, but they are a luxury you can do without.
You need to buy boots first.

Fattes

rjp123; First things first, if you dont have boots put them top of you list.

If you are renting from Middle level and above it is worth buying if you go twice a year. Ski Carrige is free on Swiss and Long haul flights but on the airlines that charge its a handy way to avaid some extra luggage chatges by packing heavy stuff in the ski bag

For you skis you will have to decide on

Pist Skis - 68-72 at the waist with a large side cut and will perfom sharp grippy turns on Pist

All Mountain - 72-86 at the waist less of a sidecut some now featuring Rocker at the tip and will do a bit of everything resonably well some are stronger on piste some are stronger in pow and bumps but its all about balance

Powder 88-150 at the waist, very little sidecut sometimes featuring Rocker, reverse camber and all sorts of other weird shapes to aid floataition Turning radius of a large bus but will float like a lilo in Pow

Freestyle (Can Double as all Mountian) Twin tip skis normally 82-88 underfoot slightly softer than normal skis and allot more fogiving great all mounting choices -Salomon Suspect and K2 Silencer /Punisher as examples

Prices will vary from €300 Entry level up to €1,500 for full Factory Rac skis

Be honest with your self about ability and fitness as it will have an effect on the type of ski you require and how they will perfome for you. You will also have servicing costs approx €16 in resort after you have used them

Let me know if you need anything else

robinph

If you've not already got your own boots then get them first. Having your own boots will make a bigger difference than having your own skis, and they are many times easier to transport.

EileenG

It's definitely worth buying boots, and any money you have to spare, spend on the boots. As for the skis, unless you have very specific requirements, just hire them there. That way, you don't have to haul them across Europe, or pay carriage for them, and for a tenner or two extra, you can hire top of the range really good skis hot off the display window.

I've had a lot of fun trying out different kinds of skis that I would never have bought. Hell, if there's a big dump of snow, you can usually bring your piste skis back and get a pair of powder skis for the day.

rjp123

thanks all. I have my own boots. think i am not going to bother getting the skis it was just a good deal. 80 return is expensive and i am stuck with responsibility of maintaining them, as well as hauling them. also as last poster said i can chop and change in rental store as conditions dictate.

Fattes

Good luck getting Fat skis on a pow day in any resort :D:D:D:D

am i bovvered

rjp123 wrote: »

thanks all. I have my own boots. think i am not going to bother getting the skis it was just a good deal. 80 return is expensive and i am stuck with responsibility of maintaining them, as well as hauling them. also as last poster said i can chop and change in rental store as conditions dictate.

we fit both our skis into a board bag with helmets so €40 each (I say €20 per flight to make me feel better about it )

RoyNeary

I'd go with own boots and rent the skis.

Mr.BBunny

I have bought my own, but would go a few times a year. As people have said, it really depends on what you are doing, and how specific you are on your ski requirements. I bought mine as I know what skis I want to ski on and find that having them increases my enjoyment for the week. I also go for weekends, so having your own skis means no faffing with rental gear on the first morning and that you get straight out for first lifts.