Hi, I'm new here and fairly new to skiing. I went skiing a few times when I was younger, about 10 years ago. I recently went skiing again and fell in love with it. I'm looking into going a lot more as a way of staying active during the winter months. I've read a lot of posts on here and I see the importance of getting boots first, boots, boots, boots. But, is there a problem of buying both boots and skis at the same time? I would really like to start going more often soon, and I would like to do so on my own equipment. I have also read posts about demoing skis before you buy..however there aren't a lot of options to do this near where I live and at my skill level I don't think it will make much of a difference as I do not know what to look for anyways. Thanks for any help!
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- Thread starter KimWI
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num
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Hey Kim, welcome to the ski diva and welcome back to skiing!
You're spot on about boots first. Not just first, but they should be the splurge; if you have any budget limitations allot more of your budget to boots, and skis can be purchased more discountedly, or depending on your level and comfort you may wanna rent for a little bit while bringing your skills up to a higher level before your ski purchase. Many ski shops and some hills offer season rentals for cheaper than a pair of skis, some with maintenance (tuning/waxing) provided. In response to your question though, I don't think that buying skis and boots at the same time is necessarily a bad thing. Just in general if demoing is an option we recommend it highly, so you can see what makes you grin and buy accordingly. If not, just research as much as you can and take the plunge.
Where do you live/ski?
You're spot on about boots first. Not just first, but they should be the splurge; if you have any budget limitations allot more of your budget to boots, and skis can be purchased more discountedly, or depending on your level and comfort you may wanna rent for a little bit while bringing your skills up to a higher level before your ski purchase. Many ski shops and some hills offer season rentals for cheaper than a pair of skis, some with maintenance (tuning/waxing) provided. In response to your question though, I don't think that buying skis and boots at the same time is necessarily a bad thing. Just in general if demoing is an option we recommend it highly, so you can see what makes you grin and buy accordingly. If not, just research as much as you can and take the plunge.
Where do you live/ski?
Severine
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Welcome!
Boots are THE single most important item to get right, so splurge there and go to a reputable bootfitter. I wish I had. My boots are wrong for me and I pay every time I use them, but can't afford to replace them this year.
I don't see any problem with buying boots and skis now. You can usually get a discount if you do. As a beginner, you won't see a huge difference (IMHO) between the varying beginner skis anyway and can go by the shop's recommendation. As you progress, you'll have to be more diligent and would benefit more from demoing. But I'll be honest in saying that if I had to demo before I bought my first pair of skis, I wouldn't have had a clue what to look for or if one pair worked better for me than the next. That comes in time with experience.
That said, if you do buy skis now, don't buy anything too spendy. And don't buy above your ability. Upper level skis can't always be grown into, especially since you don't know at this time what your preferences will turn out to be later.
Good luck!
Boots are THE single most important item to get right, so splurge there and go to a reputable bootfitter. I wish I had. My boots are wrong for me and I pay every time I use them, but can't afford to replace them this year.
I don't see any problem with buying boots and skis now. You can usually get a discount if you do. As a beginner, you won't see a huge difference (IMHO) between the varying beginner skis anyway and can go by the shop's recommendation. As you progress, you'll have to be more diligent and would benefit more from demoing. But I'll be honest in saying that if I had to demo before I bought my first pair of skis, I wouldn't have had a clue what to look for or if one pair worked better for me than the next. That comes in time with experience.
That said, if you do buy skis now, don't buy anything too spendy. And don't buy above your ability. Upper level skis can't always be grown into, especially since you don't know at this time what your preferences will turn out to be later.
Good luck!
Ski Spirit
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Hi Kim,
Welcome to Ski Diva! I agree with everyone, boots are the single most important purchase. To know which boots are best, try to find a really good bootfitter to advise you. Like Severine, I started off with the wrong boots and they caused all sorts of problems --from poor compensating technique to overcome boot problems to radical foot pain. I got new boots from a master bootfitter this season and the difference is illuminating!!
I can understand why you would want to buy skis based on the logistics of renting (and sometimes quality of skis). I rented for about half a season, then got boots the next season and skis at the end of that season. The skis were women specific skis and I was overjoyed w/them; much nicer than rental skis.
Best of luck! You're in good company on this forum!!!
Welcome to Ski Diva! I agree with everyone, boots are the single most important purchase. To know which boots are best, try to find a really good bootfitter to advise you. Like Severine, I started off with the wrong boots and they caused all sorts of problems --from poor compensating technique to overcome boot problems to radical foot pain. I got new boots from a master bootfitter this season and the difference is illuminating!!
I can understand why you would want to buy skis based on the logistics of renting (and sometimes quality of skis). I rented for about half a season, then got boots the next season and skis at the end of that season. The skis were women specific skis and I was overjoyed w/them; much nicer than rental skis.
Best of luck! You're in good company on this forum!!!
Yes - Boots are THE most important purchase - but if you go with the whole package because you don't want to or can't demo skis, I would stay away from the beginner packages. Something a little higher in the performance range - such as for an intermediate skier will allow you to continue improving without having you outgrow the performance level too quickly. I would also suggest you look for a ski/binding package that does not include boots so that you can choose the boot that fits your foot rather than the one that's included in the package.
The first time i've ever been on skis was last year, now i am a solid intermediate and ski all blues some blacks and take lessons regularly.
So i can relate...
Yes, i agree definitely get boots first and buy really good ones, i suggest going to a really good boot fitter near the mountains. What works for one person won't work for another. But the bootfitter will tell you. I have Saloman Rush 8 boots.
Skis---
I wouldn't even bother buying skis. I demoed skis when i was a green skier and i couldn't tell what was supposed to be right. I think if you buy a beginner ski, you'll outgrow it, and if you buy too advanced of a ski you'll limit how fast you can learn. I highly recommend you wait.
Since you've skied before maybe u're more advanced, but this was my progression
I'm 5'3- 144 lbs
Dec 2nd 2007- First time on a ski ever- Skied on Rentals- Aspen Ski School gave me 120 length (junior skis) could only snowplow, and make wedge christie turns
Dec 7th 2007- Skied on Rentals- Hunter Ski School moved me to 130 length (junior skis) learned to make parallel turns, sort of skied greens ( skied almost every other day)
Dec 21st 2007- Stratton Ski schools moved me to 135 Saloman Siam ( i loved them i wanted to buy them) was skiing greens and cautiously on blues) ( on vacation and skied every day all week)
Jan 2nd 2007- Got my season rentals in 140- below chin length still
(was a disaster at first cause thought skis were too long to turn, but got used to them in 1 day, was skiing all greens well)
By mid Jan-Feb- I was ripping through greens and blues and even started skiings blacks at killington, okemo, tremblant, stratton, my speed on black trails made my skis chatter, and shake, so i upgraded again.
March- I bought my own pair of skis Volkl AC3 in 150 (comes up to my chin) after the ski shops recommended the ski. Skied well on it at Killington, and did some pretty hard black diamond bowls at Vail, but these skis were too advanced for me and too fast, and my legs always hurt, and i broke my ankle on them.
This year- I've been out 7 times so far and am doing very well on blue trails, but my legs get so tired, and i am not learning anymore because my skis are way too advanced for me, so now i'm getting a new downgraded ski.
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So from my experience--- -Just wait to buy skis, wait til end of the season, you can see how much progression can be made for a begginer skier in just a few short months
But I skied a lot, If you ski less, you might make a slower progression but nonetheless it doesn't really matter what you ski on right now. Get season rentals. The nice thing about them is that you can go back to the shops usually and continue trading sizes and types with no fees.
So i can relate...
Yes, i agree definitely get boots first and buy really good ones, i suggest going to a really good boot fitter near the mountains. What works for one person won't work for another. But the bootfitter will tell you. I have Saloman Rush 8 boots.
Skis---
I wouldn't even bother buying skis. I demoed skis when i was a green skier and i couldn't tell what was supposed to be right. I think if you buy a beginner ski, you'll outgrow it, and if you buy too advanced of a ski you'll limit how fast you can learn. I highly recommend you wait.
Since you've skied before maybe u're more advanced, but this was my progression
I'm 5'3- 144 lbs
Dec 2nd 2007- First time on a ski ever- Skied on Rentals- Aspen Ski School gave me 120 length (junior skis) could only snowplow, and make wedge christie turns
Dec 7th 2007- Skied on Rentals- Hunter Ski School moved me to 130 length (junior skis) learned to make parallel turns, sort of skied greens ( skied almost every other day)
Dec 21st 2007- Stratton Ski schools moved me to 135 Saloman Siam ( i loved them i wanted to buy them) was skiing greens and cautiously on blues) ( on vacation and skied every day all week)
Jan 2nd 2007- Got my season rentals in 140- below chin length still
(was a disaster at first cause thought skis were too long to turn, but got used to them in 1 day, was skiing all greens well)
By mid Jan-Feb- I was ripping through greens and blues and even started skiings blacks at killington, okemo, tremblant, stratton, my speed on black trails made my skis chatter, and shake, so i upgraded again.
March- I bought my own pair of skis Volkl AC3 in 150 (comes up to my chin) after the ski shops recommended the ski. Skied well on it at Killington, and did some pretty hard black diamond bowls at Vail, but these skis were too advanced for me and too fast, and my legs always hurt, and i broke my ankle on them.
This year- I've been out 7 times so far and am doing very well on blue trails, but my legs get so tired, and i am not learning anymore because my skis are way too advanced for me, so now i'm getting a new downgraded ski.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
So from my experience--- -Just wait to buy skis, wait til end of the season, you can see how much progression can be made for a begginer skier in just a few short months
But I skied a lot, If you ski less, you might make a slower progression but nonetheless it doesn't really matter what you ski on right now. Get season rentals. The nice thing about them is that you can go back to the shops usually and continue trading sizes and types with no fees.
Thanks everyone for the suggestions, you have been very helpful and I'm glad I found this foum!
I live in La Crosse, WI and ski at Mt. La Crosse..nothing special, just a little hill. I bought boots their today actually. Apparently this town doesn't have much to offer for skiers as far as shops. As far as I know there are no boot fitters around, but I could be wrong. The people at the ski shop on the hill were very helpful however and the boot feels comfortable, I really like the therma fit too. I bought Rossignol Xena X6. They did the shell fit and it seems to be the right size, now I just have to ski in them. I'm still interested in my own skis though, but haven't really seen anything that is worth it around here. Two that the people at the ski shop said would be good for me are Volkl Attiva Supersport Star and Fischer Vision 10. They said the Volkl woul be better because I wouldn't 'outgrow' them as quickley as the Fischers. There is another store that sells skis, but only Atomics and they're getting skis in in a couple weeks. Anybody have any suggestions on any of those skis, or any Atomics? Does anyone known of any places near here that sell good skis or perhaps a boot fitter?
I live in La Crosse, WI and ski at Mt. La Crosse..nothing special, just a little hill. I bought boots their today actually. Apparently this town doesn't have much to offer for skiers as far as shops. As far as I know there are no boot fitters around, but I could be wrong. The people at the ski shop on the hill were very helpful however and the boot feels comfortable, I really like the therma fit too. I bought Rossignol Xena X6. They did the shell fit and it seems to be the right size, now I just have to ski in them. I'm still interested in my own skis though, but haven't really seen anything that is worth it around here. Two that the people at the ski shop said would be good for me are Volkl Attiva Supersport Star and Fischer Vision 10. They said the Volkl woul be better because I wouldn't 'outgrow' them as quickley as the Fischers. There is another store that sells skis, but only Atomics and they're getting skis in in a couple weeks. Anybody have any suggestions on any of those skis, or any Atomics? Does anyone known of any places near here that sell good skis or perhaps a boot fitter?
Also, I keep getting conflicting opinions about what size ski I should be in. I've heard around a 149 or a 155/156. What would be the right size? Like I said before I'm a beginner and fairly comfortable on greens, and I'm not an agressive skier and don't feel comfortable at high speeds yet. Anyone have an opinon?
num
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Ski length is a bit debatable. Keep in mind that there are some divas that feel that women are sold short on skis and think many would benefit from going longer, then there are some who feel like we need to go shorter, so it's highly subjective. Also some models of skis ski short and some ski long, and some manufacturers measure length differently.
For starters what's your height/weight?
For starters what's your height/weight?
As num said, if you are looking at different brands of skis, keep in mind that length may vary between the skis because of the way the manufacturers measure them. That 149 may actually be a 153 if it were measured in the way the second brand measures, and really, 153 is not a huge difference from 155 (using numbers that you've posted). Unfortunately, I don't know off the top of my head which brands do what. But, instead of relying solely on the stated length, check out where the tips come up in relation to your face; you may find that a 149 in the Volkl isn't really 6 cm shorter than the 155 Fischer or vice versa.
There's a sticky at the top of this forum that discusses ski length and provides a good starting off point. As always, if you can ski both skis beforehand, do that, in different lengths. A bunch of beginner/intermediate skiers sometimes think that they're not good enough to distinguish between skis. The truth is, whatever makes you the skier feel good (whatever that means to you -- stable, confident, fast, slow, etc.) is the right ski. Just make sure to try to ski each ski on terrain you're comfortable so you can do a decent comparison.
There's a sticky at the top of this forum that discusses ski length and provides a good starting off point. As always, if you can ski both skis beforehand, do that, in different lengths. A bunch of beginner/intermediate skiers sometimes think that they're not good enough to distinguish between skis. The truth is, whatever makes you the skier feel good (whatever that means to you -- stable, confident, fast, slow, etc.) is the right ski. Just make sure to try to ski each ski on terrain you're comfortable so you can do a decent comparison.
persee
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Ok... Some more input from a relatively new skiier.
Boots are definitely key, but you've already been smart enough to get them as for skis it's a tough decision. I bought "beginner" (K2 rated them as blue/green) after I took my 3 learn to ski lessons. I got the package (including poles) for pretty cheap money, and what it gave me was consistent skis every time I went out and ones that hadn't been beaten on so they gave me consistent performance. I out grew them by the 5th time out my second season, but what they gave me in terms of learning was definitely worth it. I spent like $270 on the package (which included the poles that I kept)... when I out grew them I sold the skis to another girl who was learning for $100, so I think it was a winning situation. If I did it again I'm not sure I would do it differently.
Now on to size. I'm 5'3.5 and my K2 True Luvs are a 153 (my beginner skis were 153 K2's as well). I have Volkl Attiva AC3s that are 156. I haven't put these skis up to one another to compare, but from what I know of the brands they're probably about the same actual length - K2 measures their skis for "contact length" which is the part of the ski that touches the snow, not the full tip to tail, while most other brands measure them as tip to tail. I would say see what the shop recommends/can give you a good deal on for the skis. As long as the price is good and the skis aren't too advanced it's probably worth doing.
Boots are definitely key, but you've already been smart enough to get them as for skis it's a tough decision. I bought "beginner" (K2 rated them as blue/green) after I took my 3 learn to ski lessons. I got the package (including poles) for pretty cheap money, and what it gave me was consistent skis every time I went out and ones that hadn't been beaten on so they gave me consistent performance. I out grew them by the 5th time out my second season, but what they gave me in terms of learning was definitely worth it. I spent like $270 on the package (which included the poles that I kept)... when I out grew them I sold the skis to another girl who was learning for $100, so I think it was a winning situation. If I did it again I'm not sure I would do it differently.
Now on to size. I'm 5'3.5 and my K2 True Luvs are a 153 (my beginner skis were 153 K2's as well). I have Volkl Attiva AC3s that are 156. I haven't put these skis up to one another to compare, but from what I know of the brands they're probably about the same actual length - K2 measures their skis for "contact length" which is the part of the ski that touches the snow, not the full tip to tail, while most other brands measure them as tip to tail. I would say see what the shop recommends/can give you a good deal on for the skis. As long as the price is good and the skis aren't too advanced it's probably worth doing.
