Buying skis without demo?

[Krina]

I'm middle aged female, 50+ about 5'2" and 115lbs, advanced intermediate. I just bought my Epic pass. I need skis! Can I buy an all mountain ski on sale without demo? I ski VT and CO but live in NJ and don't love the local ski shops with limited selection and little expertise. Thoughts appreciated!

 

[dloveski]

I just did. A good deal on skis that are right dimensions and have decent reviews on conditions you ski the most can work out. If not, a later trade or upgrade is ok.

 

[AJM]

I'm guilty as charged ! Most of my ski's have been bought without demoing first but I find the key is to know what you do and dont want from a ski then narrow it down from there.
I also do a LOT of research on the ski's that make it to my short list and read all the reviews so I can get a better understanding of how they perform.

 

[Susan L]

I didn’t demo any of the skis in my quiver before buying! I figured if I don’t like them, I can always swap them out. So far, that hasn’t happened yet. I just ordered 2 pairs for the upcoming season that won’t arrive until December.

 

[badger]

I have done that several times!!! Demos in Arizona are only available on mountain ( a bit limited ) or require me to drive 90 minutes to Phoenix, with the hassle of also returning them .

For me, I purchase skis--lots of research first--- and consider them "long term" demos. If I like them a lot, I keep them. If not, I sell. Adding bindings to every ski pair does take a hit on your resale profit. I currently have skis that I do not use much, but won't sell. I enjoy taking them out for a day just to experience the different qualities. And you know, this is because I feel a bit guilty for ignoring past purchases.

 

[marzNC]

I'm middle aged female, 50+ about 5'2" and 115lbs, advanced intermediate. I just bought my Epic pass. I need skis! Can I buy an all mountain ski on sale without demo? I ski VT and CO but live in NJ and don't love the local ski shops with limited selection and little expertise. Thoughts appreciated!

Welcome! Do you have an idea of what skis you want? If so, no reason not to buy online if you find a pair of interest on sale.

If you want suggestions of good websites for skis, just ask.

 

[Krina]

I just did. A good deal on skis that are right dimensions and have decent reviews on conditions you ski the most can work out. If not, a later trade or upgrade is ok.

Would love to know what you bought and how you narrowed it down. I'm considering K2 Mindbender, Nordica Santa Ana 88 and Blizzard Balck Pearl 88.

 

[Krina]

Welcome! Do you have an idea of what skis you want? If so, no reason not to buy online if you find a pair of interest on sale.

If you want suggestions of good websites for skis, just ask.

I asked a friend ski instructor from Vail who suggested K2 Mindbender, Nordica Santa Ana 88 or Blizzard Black Pearl 88. I'd love other recs and websites. I've been on EVO. I want to use same skis for East and West skiing. All tips welcome!

 

[BlizzardBabe]

I've done it. If you know what you like and research reliable reviews, it usually works out. I like Ski Essentials' reviews in particular, but I read as many as I can when I'm trying to narrow choices.

 

[aquiton]

I'm middle aged female, 50+ about 5'2" and 115lbs, advanced intermediate. I just bought my Epic pass. I need skis! Can I buy an all mountain ski on sale without demo? I ski VT and CO but live in NJ and don't love the local ski shops with limited selection and little expertise. Thoughts appreciated!

I'm a ski instructor at Crystal Mountain resort in Washington state, and am the same size as you. Three years ago, I bought some 166 cm Blizzard Black Pearl 88s and I LOVE them. They are stiff enough to carve groomers, and wide enough to ski powder or crud anywhere on any mountain. Even though the newer versions have dropped slightly in the yearly rankings, they still make the cut in SKI magazine, and in my opinion, you can't go wrong.

 

[BlizzardBabe]

I bought the Blaze 86 and Blaze 94 based on reviews. I LOVE the 86, which I've been skiing for 4 years. You can read all about this ski on this site; a lot has been posted about it. This season will be my first on the 94, so we shall see.

 

[tinymoose]

I'm middle aged female, 50+ about 5'2" and 115lbs, advanced intermediate. I just bought my Epic pass. I need skis! Can I buy an all mountain ski on sale without demo? I ski VT and CO but live in NJ and don't love the local ski shops with limited selection and little expertise. Thoughts appreciated!

As others have said... definitely! What have you skied/tried in the past and what did you like/not like about them? What kind of terrain are you skiing or wanting to ski? Knowing what you like/don't like as @AJM said can go a long way in selecting a ski without demoing.

Just FYI, if you get up to Killington, Potter Brothers has a demo shop on mountain that is extremely convenient for trying multiple skis. Also, using performance rentals when going out west is another great way to try skis.

 

[BlizzardBabe]

https://www.skiessentials.com/

 

[elemmac]

I asked a friend ski instructor from Vail who suggested K2 Mindbender, Nordica Santa Ana 88 or Blizzard Black Pearl 88. I'd love other recs and websites. I've been on EVO. I want to use same skis for East and West skiing. All tips welcome!

In my opinion, 88 (more or less) is a great "do-it-all" width for east and west coast. I think you're on the right track. For websites with reviews:
- I'll second skiessentials.com...well written, thorough reviews.
- Skitalk.com has a lot of reviews, along with the ability to interact with the testers, and ask questions. Many (maybe all?) of the women testers are members here as well.
- Blister Reviews - to get the most out of this site, you need to be a member, but they do have some good content that's not behind a paywall. Keep in mind this site strays towards a west coast, freeride bias.

A key point when you're reading reviews is to try to find out information about the skier writing the review. At 5'2", 115lb, advanced intermediate skier; a review written by a 6'2", 260lb linebacker probably won't be the best gauge of how a ski will perform for you. But, if you find someone that is similar size, ability and enjoys the same terrain...you're going to get a much better idea of what the ski will feel like for you.

 

[marzNC]

I asked a friend ski instructor from Vail who suggested K2 Mindbender, Nordica Santa Ana 88 or Blizzard Black Pearl 88. I'd love other recs and websites. I've been on EVO. I want to use same skis for East and West skiing. All tips welcome!

In addition to SkiEssentials and EVO, here are a few other e-stores that are worth checking out. All are having sales as they get ready for the upcoming season.

Outdoor Gear for Ski, Snowboard, Bike, & More

Level Nine Sports is committed to providing quality goods and top notch customer service at the lowest prices anywhere.

www.levelninesports.com

Powder7 Ski Shop - Everything You Need On The Slopes

Powder7.com in Colorado is the premier online ski shop. We carry all the gear you need and our friendly staff of dedicated skiers will help you find just what you need.

www.powder7.com

Outdoor Divas

We are the only women's ski shop in the county, selling women's ski equipment, women's ski boots and women's ski apparel.

outdoordivas.com

Skis that are 85-88 underfoot work well in multiple regions. My all-mountain skis are 85 underfoot and I've been quite happy as a petite, older advanced skier. I used to demo fairly often and bought skis online during the off-season. After finding what I liked, I don't shop for skis much.

 

[Krina]

I'm a ski instructor at Crystal Mountain resort in Washington state, and am the same size as you. Three years ago, I bought some 166 cm Blizzard Black Pearl 88s and I LOVE them. They are stiff enough to carve groomers, and wide enough to ski powder or crud anywhere on any mountain. Even though the newer versions have dropped slightly in the yearly rankings, they still make the cut in SKI magazine, and in my opinion, you can't go wrong.

Wow, thank you! I've skied Crystal and Whistler. Lucky you to live there. I have family in Seattle. Have you ever skied them in icy conditions? East Coast can be tough. I'm more intermediate level, as you're instructor do you suggest I size down?

 

[DebbieSue]

I had great experience with20/21 BP88/159. I’m 64, 5’5” 140, advanced skier. My daughter 24, 5’4” 125 has appropriated tgem. She is more advanced. You cannot go wrong w BP88, most popular ski ever. The design changes year to year but it is a perennial favorite with good resale value. I’ve had good experience w powder7 and skiessentials for used and new skis. At your size and an intermediate you prob want to be in the 150s. OTOH if you liked the Yumis why not go with them. OTOH I found they did not have as much edge hold as I’d like on East coast “firm” back 10 years ago when I demo’d them. They are a popular ski, but BP88 is the popular-ist! Must be for a reason.

 

[Tundra]

I'm middle aged female, 50+ about 5'2" and 115lbs, advanced intermediate. I just bought my Epic pass. I need skis! Can I buy an all mountain ski on sale without demo? I ski VT and CO but live in NJ and don't love the local ski shops with limited selection and little expertise. Thoughts appreciated!

I just learned to ski last year, i hate the process of going to ski shops and renting. So i researched like crazy and got a well rated beginner ski (Black Pearl 82) on sale. Worked out amazing! I am not good enough to be super picky and these ended up being bomb proof.

I figured i could sell them for nearly the same price if they were bad but they were not and I didnt have to deal with ski shops more than I needed to.

Finding demos are hard to find and honestly expensive.. I wanted to ski with minimal extra tasks.

 

[Jilly]

I've made the mistake of not demo'ing a few times.

Rossi Hero MT's...bought and were just too soft.
SA 88's....just plain didn't like them. No edge hold on firm snow. Just not my type of ski. And I've discovered that anything that wide, my knees don't like.

So I prefer to demo. There is only so much disposal income for skis.

 

[Krina]

I had great experience with20/21 BP88/159. I’m 64, 5’5” 140, advanced skier. My daughter 24, 5’4” 125 has appropriated tgem. She is more advanced. You cannot go wrong w BP88, most popular ski ever. The design changes year to year but it is a perennial favorite with good resale value. I’ve had good experience w powder7 and skiessentials for used and new skis. At your size and an intermediate you prob want to be in the 150s. OTOH if you liked the Yumis why not go with them. OTOH I found they did not have as much edge hold as I’d like on East coast “firm” back 10 years ago when I demo’d them. They are a popular ski, but BP88 is the popular-ist! Must be for a reason.

Thank you, this is so helpful! I'm 58 and starting to be more cautious. I demoed the Yumi's at Stratton several years ago and wasn't a fan. Ended up buying some Rosi's I hate at a shop in NJ, used the last several years to get money's worth. Just want something that performs well in VT but also can use our West and is consistent, sounds like BP88's are a winner. Given I'm intermediate, any years to stay away from?