When do you get new skis?

[ski diva]

I was going to entitle this thread, "how do you know you need new skis?", but the word "need" stopped me. People get new skis for a variety of reasons, and the real question is actually this: what convinces you to get a new pair? Are your old skis destroyed? No fun any more? Do you decide to get new skis after a certain number of years? Are you rounding out your quiver? Is a certain pair too tempting? Or a certain price?

I just got a new pair (Fischer Vision 73s) because my old skis were four years old and the mileage was beginning to show. Also, I was bored and wanted something new. And the end of year prices were just too good to resist. I'm also getting a pair of Queen Attivas because I want something fatter for powder and crud.

So what's your excuse?

 

[SnowGlider]

1) When my ability increases (or decreases???)

2) When there are improvements in ski technology that make it obvious that getting new skis would be advantageous in some way. Examples: lighter, softer skis.

3) When I see a fantastic end-of-season deal I can't resist . . .

4) . . . AND I know I can easily sell my current skis to finance 75% of the new ones. Thhis is how I justify new skis and it has worked very well every time. I have good success with "buy low, sell high," which works out to "buy in March, sell in December." Try it! It works!

I buy skis in 2 ways: a) impulsively because I see a deal too good to resist, and b) methodically after tons of research. Both work, but b works better than a, thanks to input from this forum!!!

I've only been skiing 5 years, so I haven't had time to actually wear out any skis.

 

[persee]

Well the first time I replaced my skis I did so because I'd outgrown my "first" skis. This was an outright upgrade. This year I got new skis because I'd been craving something a little fatter (and higher level) since I'd demo'd LottaLuvs last april and then I saw a deal that was just too good to refuse. I spent several days trying to talk myself out of this but it was just no good.

 

[cyn]

I'll buy if I demo a pair and fall in love, and if they're on sale. I always wait until the end of the season when the prices really come down.
I never ever buy skis without demoing them first.

 

[volklgirl]

You need an excuse to buy new skis???????

How 'bout "want.....want NOW!"??

I must be doing this all wrong.:o

 

[kempokelly]

Funny you should ask... since I just started 4 seasons ago and my husband bought my first pair the 2nd season, I really didn't think I would need new ones (just being sentimental). But, when we took our skis in for tuning last year, the guys said my camber was gone. He quickly added, that he only sells telemark skis, so he had nothing to gain by telling me that. It's true. My husband bought his telemark skiis there. I have to buy mine elsewhere. He said, to have fun demo-ing this season. I finally tried my first demo ski a month ago and it made such a huge difference in performance. The next time, I tried a female-specific ski and another huge difference! My confidence shot me up a whole level!!! I'm serious. I started w/my old skiis starting with green and blues. With the demos, I was able to do all blues and a couple blue w/black diamond and I had fun! I didn't approach steeper slopes with anxiety, but with eagerness, because I felt like I could turn and maneuver quickly. I finally started to understand what the heck the ski reviewers were talking about. I re-read reviews and went "aha" when it said something about stability and less chatter at high speeds. It amuses me to think how much I have 'grown' in this last month, just because I changed skis. It's so much fun doing all the research and learning all the time.

 

[akjen]

When people riding up on the lifts with me say "Man, those are old!" or an instructor tells me he uses his same skis as I have, on days he teaches young kids and doesn't mind them skiing over his skis... Actually I was hoping to get new skis this year but have decided to go with new boots first.

Jen

 

[SnowHot]

When people riding up on the lifts with me say ..................
Jen

When someone on the lift with me says, "Those look like nice skis" My reply......."Wanna try 'em out!? I was thinking about trying something new!"

 

[altagirl]

Whenever I can come up with a way to rationalize spending the money. i.e. All of the above.

 

[Quiver Queen]

When I get frustrated with the ski not doing what I want and I know it's not my skills to blame, so either the ski needs to be replaced or the quiver needs to be expanded.

 

[volklgirl]

And the second option is always the best!! :D

 

[Lola]

Umm . . . when my husband brings me a new pair home? So I guess that's about every other year? I don't think I have ever bought my own skis. Remember . . . I'm a Diva . . . the skis come to me. :D

 

[Pequenita]

Remember . . . I'm a Diva . . . the skis come to me. :D

hee hee -- love it!!

 

[abc]

When I feel like it. ;-)

I didn't ski all that much in the past. So I only have one pair of old fashion straight ski. That, obviously needs to be replaced.

But in the process of demoing for the replacement, I realize one ski doesn't really do it all any more. Well, my ability has also improved to the point *I* want to ski different things, like fresh bottomless powder, or house-size moguls! So, I would need more than one ski for the different condition.

In short, I'm in my (protracted) process of building a quiver. So, whenever I find one I like, I'll buy it.

 

[Calgal]

I really "feel" like getting new skis and have been looking all over the net for some, but the little voice inside tells me it is not time yet. Even though I have demoed some awesome skis...(Salomon Siam Origin, Salomon Mynx). I had so much fun on those skis, as my carvers wouldn't have taken me through all the powder that had come down !!
I realized that day, how much a ski can make a difference with confidence and just plain old havin' fun, as upposed to struggling. Those nice wide twintips were even fun on the groomed stuff, getting close to the lifts.
I need to build a quiver, but can't afford to (well I could just go out and start the quiver today, but my inner voice won't let me)
I need a support group to get me through the "want new skis" stage and also the end of the ski season.
Hey Snowhot, wanna give me your old skis ?? LOL