Updating my 12 year old Elan's...

[jmich]

I have been reading this forum for about a week now and just build up the confidence to post.
I am in search of new skis. I am 5'8, 150lbs, intermediate skier who is getting back in the game after a few years. I only ski in the east and don't see myself going out west in the near future (doesn't mean I wouldn't want to). I am looking for a ski I can have fun on and not have to work very hard. Now, I ski a lot of blues (and greens with my beginner friend:( ) and would like to get back to skiing the easier blacks. I like some speed and also the bumps, even though I am not very good at them. I have been researching a lot and have gone to a lot of shops. It seems like everyone tells me something different. I was looking at going about 160 in the K2 Luv (True or One) or Volkl's. I found a pair of AC's, but will I grow out of them sooner than later? Of course price is a big factor. HELP...I am so confused!
I know everyone says to demo, but the local shops around here don't have demos? I will look into it more, but for now can anyone help?

 

[Quiver Queen]

I'll be the one to say it first: You boots are your most important piece of equipment, so before you go ski shopping make sure your boots are appropriate to your skills and usage, they fit properly, and you have custom foot beds. Only after your boots are perfect should you think about the skis.

That said, yes, after you've narrowed your choices down a bit, demo'ing skis is the way to go. If you tell us where you live & what mountains do you ski then we can suggest some demo shops. As for narrowing down your choices, we'd all love to help.

 

[Pequenita]

And once you get your boots sorted out, an easy (depending on where you live!) way to go about demoing is early on in the season. Frequently, ski shops will have a demo day at a local mountain during which they bring a variety of skis. This introduces you to more skis than, say, if Salomon decides to have a demo day. You wrote that your local shops don't have demos, but perhaps they already devote one day to a local mountain....?

Then, when you decide to demo, try several pairs for 2 or more runs. I'm not as technical as many of the posters here are -- I basically only know what I like and dislike -- but testing multiple skis on similar conditions is one the best ways to figure out what those likes/dislikes are.

 

[jmich]

Advice taken

Thanks for the replies!!! As you can see, I love to ski, but I am new to buying skis and boots...
I will definitely go and get my boots first. I guess I never realized, unitl I read this forum, how important boots are. I have already tried on a few pair and they seemed pretty tight and a little uncomfortable. The guys said they are suppose to be like that. Is that true? My old (and I mean old) boots seemed to be more comfy. Will they stretch and form to my foot? I will consider foot beds and a custom fitting, but Im not sure if it is in my budget yet.
I live in eastern pa...I ski mostly the small mountains near me and I go up to the Poconos a few times a year. If you know of any places to demo, please let me know...sounds like it would be pretty fun! However, do they have them this late in the year?

 

[SnowHot]

There are a few Divas here from eastern Pa, including the head Diva herself. Where in eastern Pa are you? Lola's husband grew up in the Poconos and his brain could be picked...what is left of it.

I will also agree that boots are the most important part of the set up. The fit should be snug without any foot movement but you also do not want pressure points either.

 

[Kimmyt]

It looks like Elk is having a 'winterfest' thing that has on-mountain demos on Mar. 2

 

[jmich]

You girls are the best!
I live in Reading...about an hour from Philly. I came from western pa and skied a lot at Blue Knob and Seven Springs...but that has been a while. Now I ski mostly Bear Creek (Doe) and Blue Mountain and go up to the Poconos occassionally. Its tough when my husband doesn't ski...Im trying hard though to get him into it (and his 10 year old brother)! I am going to call around to the local ski shops to find more information on the Winter Fest at Elk...its kinda a drive, but probably well worth it if they have a good variety.
Any recommendations on boots? I have tried Salomons and Nordicas...again, both fit pretty tight, especially in the toe. I snowboarded for the first time this weekend and half of my toenail is ripped off because I was borrowing boots that were a 1/2 size too small...so I am a little nervous that I wont buy the right boots.

 

[ski diva]

Could you post any details you happen to find, such as what lines of women's skis will be there? I think one or more of our other Divas may find it of interest.

 

[Kimmyt]

I don't know of shops in Reading, but I very much like Salter's in Eagleville (near Collegeville, where I'm from) for all things boot-related. They have a very knowledgeable staff, I got my orthotics from them, and plan on buying my next pair of boots from them when it's time!

K.

 

[Pequenita]

If you can head a little more north and bear the NYC crowds, perhaps another ski area to try is Mountain Creek in NJ. Allegedly, they have demos available in their rental shop. Website lists the skis that are available to demo and include the K2 Burnin and Lotta Luvs. I was debating between heading there or into the Catskills this past weekend, and opted for the latter so I don't know any of this firsthand.

 

[marta]

As of a couple weeks ago, the Burnin Luvs at Mountain Creek were *still* sitting there unmounted! Apparently the demo bindings were never ordered. And no Lotta Luvs. :mad:

 

[Pequenita]

As of a couple weeks ago, the Burnin Luvs at Mountain Creek were *still* sitting there unmounted! Apparently the demo bindings were never ordered. And no Lotta Luvs. :mad:

Jeez. That's lame. It makes me sort of glad I decided to skip the 40 minute drive to go there and face NYC crowds up at Hunter instead. On the other hand, does that mean that the ski shop is going to be offloading those skis soon?

 

[marta]

I wonder!! But I just went out and bought them anyway! :D

It's a darn shame, cuz there's many men's choices there to demo, but only some of last year's Salomon Siams for the women.

 

[Jilly]

You wouldn't want the Siam's for eastern conditions. They don't like ice!!