New here...maybe you could advise me

[bettei]

Hello,
I stumbled upon your forum in a search for a pair of last year's Burning Luvs. I rented them last year in Colorado, and really liked them.
But I wonder...I live in the midwest and only get to ski 4-5 days a year anymore. We are still making our yearly trips out west, usually Colorado to ski, so does it even pay to buy new skis or just rent?
Equipment gets out of date so quickly, and I'm wondering if it even pays to own skis anymore, no more than I ski. I'm skiing on K2's Black Magics, and they are dated now. The Burning Luvs aren't a cheaper ski as you know, and I'm wondering if the Lotta Luv would ski that much different for me. Those aren't quite so expensive.
I might add...I'm a granny in my fifties with achy knees. I am a terminal intermediate, and I prefer groomed blues, but will do a black if it's groomed. I can last much longer by staying on the groomed slopes. Would I even notice the difference in those models?
So there are my questions....buy or rent, and if it's buy...which one?
Thanks!

Thanks!

 

[SnowHot]

Buy!
If you're skiing here and there, you'll be better off buying, especially if you get a bargain, which is very achievable this time of year.

This thread, here on Ski Diva has a great opportunity to buy some awesome women's skis.

The Dynastar exclusive line is well received by a lot of women on this site. You'll see deals in the 199.00 range here

Here you'll find the Fischer Vision 73 and Vision 70 for only 299.00

They did have the Burnin luv for 299.00 but it didn't last long.

As to your question about the BL being comparable to the Lotta Luv:
I have skied the BL but not the LL.
Those who like the BL don't necessarily like the LL, because they are completely different skis. IIRC, the BL is better at handling crud, while the LL is a better all mountain ski with some ability to handle powder, and is a bit softer.
Hope this helps.
Chances are, I confused you with new options:D

 

[bettei]

I am leery of buying a ski I have never tried, and where I live, there are no demo places. It happened I tried that ski and liked it, but have been unable to find a bargain on it in a 167 length.

I would buy another brand if I knew they were very similar in performance. Can anybody tell me if there is one very much like it?

 

[ISki]

I have a relative in a similar situation. He rents because he does not have to haul skis on planes and his achy knees can take advantage of the latest & greatest. Also, buying skis & bindings is expensive, and he only skis a few days a year. He also doesn't have to store & maintain skis & bindings.

He used to own skis. Now he prefers to rent them. He brings his own boots.

 

[ski diva]

Y'know, if I were in your shoes, I'd probably rent, too, at least until I had a better idea of what I wanted to buy. It costs, what, $20. to $30. a day? And if you ski only 4-5 days a year, you're probably better off. I know all the ski areas out west offer demos, so maybe next time you're there, you could start giving some different skis a try. Then you'd be in a better situation to start shopping around for bargains.

What I do recommend, however, is investing in a pair of boots (if you don't already have them). Boots can make a tremendous difference in the way you ski, as well as in your overall comfort. Plus it'll make it easier to evaluate the skis you try.

 

[SnowHot]

Are you talking about the 07 K2 Burnin Luv or the 06 K2 Burnin luv?
I have a pair of used 05/06's I'd sell in a 168cm.
2007
Dimensions: 115/68/99

2006
Dimensions: 109/69/99

 

[bettei]

I rented them last February, I believe they were the 06/07 line. They had the white on the toe of the ski, no flowers like they had the year before.

 

[ski now work later]

I ski on Volkl Attiva AC3s which is a very similar ski to the Burnin Luvs. I found the ski to be too stiff and somewhat unmanageable in Montana in powder and varied conditions. You might find the same with the Burnin' Luv though they are a great ski for mid-west and Eastern conditions (groomers and crud).

There are not many demo options at Big Sky (my annual Western destination), so at the end of last season, I bought a pair of Volkl Attiva AC2s to bring out West for groomers and bumps, and a pair of Solomon Scarlet twin tips to bring out West for powder and the park, both in shorter lengths (I'm an intermediate/advanced skier). If you're heading West to a place with lots of demos in various sizes, go for it, but I've resigned myself to owning skis for Northeast conditions (where I live) and other skis to take out west for softer, powdery conditions.

I think you might like the Volkl Attiva AC2s from what I've read in your inquiry, and www.sierrasnowboard.com has them on sale super cheap! They are a good all around ski that will like the softer snow out west and hold an edge well for you on groomers and if you encounter some varied conditions.

 

[SnowHot]

I ski on Volkl Attiva AC3s which is a very similar ski to the Burnin Luvs. I found the ski to be too stiff and somewhat unmanageable in Montana in powder and varied conditions. You might find the same with the Burnin' Luv though they are a great ski for mid-west and Eastern conditions (groomers and crud).

There are not many demo options at Big Sky (my annual Western destination), so at the end of last season, I bought a pair of Volkl Attiva AC2s to bring out West for groomers and bumps, and a pair of Solomon Scarlet twin tips to bring out West for powder and the park, both in shorter lengths (I'm an intermediate/advanced skier). If you're heading West to a place with lots of demos in various sizes, go for it, but I've resigned myself to owning skis for Northeast conditions (where I live) and other skis to take out west for softer, powdery conditions.

I think you might like the Volkl Attiva AC2s from what I've read in your inquiry, and www.sierrasnowboard.com has them on sale super cheap! They are a good all around ski that will like the softer snow out west and hold an edge well for you on groomers and if you encounter some varied conditions.

The skis I have are the older skis which are definitely different, shape and graphix.
What Skinowworklater said rings true on all accounts. This is good advice.

 

[Pequenita]

bettei -

I was in your boots from about 1997 until the end of last season. I actually had owned several skis in the past, but I didn't keep up with the shaped ski revolution. In 2002, I purchased boots, and until the end of this season, I demo'd and rented performance skis. I ultimately purchased skis at the end of this season because if I ski locally around DC or in southern NY where my family is, the rental shops generally have crappy gear way below my ability AND charge an arm and a leg. Also, I had been on 10-day trip out west. Between getting tired of having to adjust to new skis every few days and the cost of the rental, I figured it would be better to take advantage of an end-of-season deal and know immediately how a ski would feel.

I would say that if your skiing is done predominantly at mountains/towns were you can get good gear for decent prices, continue to rent. If you're satisfied with the skis you've been renting at home for the 4-5 ski days you're getting there, again, renting seems the way to go. I learned this winter, however, that there's nothing worse than trying to take advantage of 2 feet of new powder in the mid-Atlantic and having only crappy gear available!

 

[bettei]

You are right about some places having crappy gear. And I don't even ski any place else but out west anymore. There just isn't any place worth going to in my area.

 

[Quiver Queen]

I've never found anywhere in the West that didn't have the latest & greatest gear available, which is a terrific benefit when you rent so "your" gear never out-dates. Do a little research on line before you go, that will give you the flavor of the shop, and many places will let you reserve the skis of your choice. But S.D. is right--good boots that fit will are way more important than any ole pair of skis.

 

[bettei]

I have good boots, and they aren't very old. I'll probably go the renting route.
But it will seem strange after so many years of having my own stuff.

 

[SnowHot]

IMHO I think renting should be a temporary thing until you actually find exactly the ski and price you want.

I think you will ski better and get more out of your skiing if you have equipment you can be on consistently.

 

[volklgirl]

I have good boots, and they aren't very old. I'll probably go the renting route.
But it will seem strange after so many years of having my own stuff.

If you haven't already, spend some $$ on making sure your boots are correctly and professionally fitted. This will affect your skiing more than anything else.

Then, take a vacation up to Michigan in early December, and spend a day at Nub's Nob and a day at Boyne Highlands. Both have tremendous demo programs with a huge selection for about $45 a day. You can take out an unlimited number of skis during the day (so don't just pick 1 and ski it all day - try them all!!). Print out the Ski Demo form on this website and take tons of notes! When you've found the ski that freezes the grin to your face and makes your heart race, look for a used pair in your price range (here, other ski forums, or ebay). It may take some patience, but you'll have the perfect ski for you, at a reasonable price, that should last 2-5 years.

 

[Jilly]

To add to volklgirl -If you are in the market to demo, take a look through the gear reviews. A few of us were lucky to try out some of this years stuff last winter. It might help remove some from your list or just make the list even longer!!

 

[tradygirl]

Definitely rent. That would give you the flexibility of going fat if it happens to dump during one of your trips, and going carver if you want to hit the groomers during a dry spell. Since you only ski 4-5 times a year, flexibility is key.

Plus, if you're anything like the rest of us, one pair of skis won't keep you happy for more than a couple of years, so you'll end up spending more $$ in the long run. JMO.

 

[Native Vail Gal]

Colorado has a TON of demo days, and you can also talk to some shops around Colorado, and they will let you demo several different models. My favorite is Colorado Ski and Golf....because they are right near my home....and they are so nice to me!

I bought my latest pair of skis, which retailed around 600 dollars, on ebay from a man I know here in Denver who buys the used demos from the ski areas and then puts them on ebay for nothing!

I love my K2 One Luvs! They are great. I have several pairs of K2's, but my One Luvs seem like they would meet your needs, if you are buying. My total cost for the One Luvs on Ebay was only 150.00! That was a steal!

I agree with Ski Diva.....get fabulous boots! That makes all the difference in the world!

Good luck .....and welcome!

 

[bettei]

Colorado has a TON of demo days, and you can also talk to some shops around Colorado, and they will let you demo several different models. My favorite is Colorado Ski and Golf....because they are right near my home....and they are so nice to me!

I bought my latest pair of skis, which retailed around 600 dollars, on ebay from a man I know here in Denver who buys the used demos from the ski areas and then puts them on ebay for nothing!

I love my K2 One Luvs! They are great. I have several pairs of K2's, but my One Luvs seem like they would meet your needs, if you are buying. My total cost for the One Luvs on Ebay was only 150.00! That was a steal!

I agree with Ski Diva.....get fabulous boots! That makes all the difference in the world!

Good luck .....and welcome!

I went right to that website, and it looks like you can't shop from it anymore, they just have an 800 phone number, but I will call them. It also doesn't list K2 as a brand they carry. I have been looking on Ebay all summer, none are the length I want, and one pair went too high in price. Guess if I am meant to have a pair of these babies, I'll find them or just end up renting.

 

[Shellski]

I have both Burnin's and Lotta's, I think the K2 ladies range are terrific skis.

Keep a lookout for a pair of One Luvs, they are the ultimate easy, forgiving ski, you will cruise through most conditions on them, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to anyone without demoing them.