Knitjenious
Angel Diva
Stopped by The Ski Company locally here in Buffalo today, and they're having some significant end-of-season sales, with 20% off the lowest sale price of everything (if there's one near you in NYS, maybe worth checking out!) I felt like their more beginner skis were an especially good deal -- the more advanced stuff was only an okay sale compared to online prices. But it made me start thinking about whether it's worth buying something for my teen for the next few years.
L is currently 13.5, 5'4" and 140 lbs, extremely cautious low intermediate (she's grown more fearful in the last few years, but I have hopes her 8-year-old confidence and abilities will return eventually! It's in her body somewhere... LOL) We primarily ski small WNY hills, though hoping to take her somewhere bigger in the next year or two. This year we did a lease package, first year on adult skis, Elan Zest Black in 154 cm-- she liked these quite a lot and they did seem to improve her confidence over last year's junior skis. I'd originally thought we'd lease one more year before buying something that would last a while longer. I imagine she will grow between 2-4 more inches (I am 5'7")
A few deals I'm considering and interested in thoughts on the value of:
-Volkl Flair 7.2, with system bindings for $230 (158 cm)
-Elan Explore 80, with system bindings for $262 (160 cm)
-K2 Mindbender 85, flat for $205.60 (163 cm)
Of the 3, the Mindbender is the most likely to continue to be suitable for a longer amount of time -- though she may not quite grow into it next year -- and there's the expense of the bindings (plus not 100% sure her feet are done growing.) The Explore feels like the lowest quality and most beginner, but L likes Elan and wishes for green skis -- these are green, even though we all know it's not the top sheet that counts! Volkls are on the narrow side for the long term, and she might get tall for them -- imagine they might be a next-2-years ski, not a next-10-years ski.
We won't forget about the importance of boots, but won't think about those until the fall -- when we can see what her foot size is like!
Any of these seem like a steal that can't be passed up, worth the risk versus leasing for one more year? Any other recommendations out there (note that L is gender-fluid and does NOT want anything feminine looking.)
Thanks for musing with me!
L is currently 13.5, 5'4" and 140 lbs, extremely cautious low intermediate (she's grown more fearful in the last few years, but I have hopes her 8-year-old confidence and abilities will return eventually! It's in her body somewhere... LOL) We primarily ski small WNY hills, though hoping to take her somewhere bigger in the next year or two. This year we did a lease package, first year on adult skis, Elan Zest Black in 154 cm-- she liked these quite a lot and they did seem to improve her confidence over last year's junior skis. I'd originally thought we'd lease one more year before buying something that would last a while longer. I imagine she will grow between 2-4 more inches (I am 5'7")
A few deals I'm considering and interested in thoughts on the value of:
-Volkl Flair 7.2, with system bindings for $230 (158 cm)
-Elan Explore 80, with system bindings for $262 (160 cm)
-K2 Mindbender 85, flat for $205.60 (163 cm)
Of the 3, the Mindbender is the most likely to continue to be suitable for a longer amount of time -- though she may not quite grow into it next year -- and there's the expense of the bindings (plus not 100% sure her feet are done growing.) The Explore feels like the lowest quality and most beginner, but L likes Elan and wishes for green skis -- these are green, even though we all know it's not the top sheet that counts! Volkls are on the narrow side for the long term, and she might get tall for them -- imagine they might be a next-2-years ski, not a next-10-years ski.
We won't forget about the importance of boots, but won't think about those until the fall -- when we can see what her foot size is like!
Any of these seem like a steal that can't be passed up, worth the risk versus leasing for one more year? Any other recommendations out there (note that L is gender-fluid and does NOT want anything feminine looking.)
Thanks for musing with me!
