jumperlass
Certified Ski Diva
All--
I bit the bullet and bought season passes for the local resort for me and my two kids. (Husband wants to take lessons and overcome the first *terrible* lesson he had at a different local hill before he invests in a pass. Maybe next year.)
I need help evaluating some end of season ski deals, though, because my older boy has outgrown his old Craigslist skis, and my younger son doesn't have skis at all. We live in central NY, and I don't know what I'm looking for in skis that handle ice and packed or groomed trails well.
DS1: 10yo, skied 10-15 times per year the last two years. Skis greens and blues, has gone down blacks successfully but found that he's not confident enough yet for them to be fun. Currently about 4'10" and 88 lbs. Not a "natural athlete" type by any stretch of the imagination, but he does karate and soccer, so he's reasonably fit and active. My preference would be that he can use his next skis 2 years; they'll probably eventually be handed down to...
DS2: 6yo, has had three learn-to-ski lessons. Needs more. (He's not really ready for the bunny slope, but he's loving being a skier.) He is too young for the elementary school ski club, so he will basically only be skiing with me. Currently 45 lbs and 45 or 46 inches tall. At the learn-to-ski lessons they put him on 90cm rentals, for what that's worth.
Me: in need of lessons to get beyond greens. I skied half a dozen times in my twenties, then not at all in my thirties, and now in my 40s I can enjoy greens but not more. I will get better next year, since I'll go more than 5 or 6 times per year. My husband bought me skis at the reuse shop two Christmases ago, but I think they're the wrong size or style or something. They're very heavy for me, and although they were great fun on the single powdery day I skied them, they're really hard to turn in on ice and in slush. Maybe this is because I haven't had them tuned this year, or maybe they're not suited to where/how I ski? I'm open to advice on this! I'm 5'3" and overweight (165-170), so I'm not really clear on how long my skis should be. I don't really aspire to be more than a confident greens and blues skier, but I'd like for my sons to be able to enjoy skiing a few runs with me rather than just wait at the lift to ride up together when I eventually get down the hill.
Money is a concern on these purchases (think two teacher family), but I want us to be safe and have fun, so I'm considering buying new equipment for next year. I was looking at these packages and want some feedback on why they're good or bad ideas, or what I should be looking for instead.
For DS1: the Defiance Pro Jr package at 145cm, with Roces adjustable boots
https://www.levelninesports.com/definace-pro-junior-package-complete-skis-boots-bindings-2019
OR
the Fischer RC4 package at 150 cm, no boots (pick those up at 2ndhand gear sale in the fall, probably?)
https://www.levelninesports.com/fischer-rc4-race-junior-skis-w-fj7-ac-slr-ski-bindings-2019-1
For DS2: the Defiance Flash Jr package at 100 cm, again with the boots you can wear for a few years
https://www.levelninesports.com/def...s-complete-package-skis-boots-bindings-2019-1
For me--though I'm open to hearing I just need to have my current skis tuned and then take lessons until I can actually use them well, if that's the truth:
The Defiance Arrow 72 skis at 144cm, with Tyrolia bindings
https://www.levelninesports.com/defiance-arrow-72-women-s-skis
or
Elan Waveflex 76 at 146 cm
https://www.levelninesports.com/elan-waveflex-76-skis-2019
I've been reading through forum posts here off and on for the last year, so I really appreciate the wealth of knowledge Divas have offered up. If you can give me some direct advice, I'd be grateful!
Oh, and I attached a photo of the skis DS1 and I used this year and last.
I bit the bullet and bought season passes for the local resort for me and my two kids. (Husband wants to take lessons and overcome the first *terrible* lesson he had at a different local hill before he invests in a pass. Maybe next year.)
I need help evaluating some end of season ski deals, though, because my older boy has outgrown his old Craigslist skis, and my younger son doesn't have skis at all. We live in central NY, and I don't know what I'm looking for in skis that handle ice and packed or groomed trails well.
DS1: 10yo, skied 10-15 times per year the last two years. Skis greens and blues, has gone down blacks successfully but found that he's not confident enough yet for them to be fun. Currently about 4'10" and 88 lbs. Not a "natural athlete" type by any stretch of the imagination, but he does karate and soccer, so he's reasonably fit and active. My preference would be that he can use his next skis 2 years; they'll probably eventually be handed down to...
DS2: 6yo, has had three learn-to-ski lessons. Needs more. (He's not really ready for the bunny slope, but he's loving being a skier.) He is too young for the elementary school ski club, so he will basically only be skiing with me. Currently 45 lbs and 45 or 46 inches tall. At the learn-to-ski lessons they put him on 90cm rentals, for what that's worth.
Me: in need of lessons to get beyond greens. I skied half a dozen times in my twenties, then not at all in my thirties, and now in my 40s I can enjoy greens but not more. I will get better next year, since I'll go more than 5 or 6 times per year. My husband bought me skis at the reuse shop two Christmases ago, but I think they're the wrong size or style or something. They're very heavy for me, and although they were great fun on the single powdery day I skied them, they're really hard to turn in on ice and in slush. Maybe this is because I haven't had them tuned this year, or maybe they're not suited to where/how I ski? I'm open to advice on this! I'm 5'3" and overweight (165-170), so I'm not really clear on how long my skis should be. I don't really aspire to be more than a confident greens and blues skier, but I'd like for my sons to be able to enjoy skiing a few runs with me rather than just wait at the lift to ride up together when I eventually get down the hill.
Money is a concern on these purchases (think two teacher family), but I want us to be safe and have fun, so I'm considering buying new equipment for next year. I was looking at these packages and want some feedback on why they're good or bad ideas, or what I should be looking for instead.
For DS1: the Defiance Pro Jr package at 145cm, with Roces adjustable boots
https://www.levelninesports.com/definace-pro-junior-package-complete-skis-boots-bindings-2019
OR
the Fischer RC4 package at 150 cm, no boots (pick those up at 2ndhand gear sale in the fall, probably?)
https://www.levelninesports.com/fischer-rc4-race-junior-skis-w-fj7-ac-slr-ski-bindings-2019-1
For DS2: the Defiance Flash Jr package at 100 cm, again with the boots you can wear for a few years
https://www.levelninesports.com/def...s-complete-package-skis-boots-bindings-2019-1
For me--though I'm open to hearing I just need to have my current skis tuned and then take lessons until I can actually use them well, if that's the truth:
The Defiance Arrow 72 skis at 144cm, with Tyrolia bindings
https://www.levelninesports.com/defiance-arrow-72-women-s-skis
or
Elan Waveflex 76 at 146 cm
https://www.levelninesports.com/elan-waveflex-76-skis-2019
I've been reading through forum posts here off and on for the last year, so I really appreciate the wealth of knowledge Divas have offered up. If you can give me some direct advice, I'd be grateful!
Oh, and I attached a photo of the skis DS1 and I used this year and last.