Boarder seeking first set of skis. Looking for advice and your used gear

[soulseller]

I am sick of struggling to string together turns in tight woods and have convinced myself that skis would make this easier. So here I am seeking both advice on what to look for and perhaps to buy your used gear.

I am 6'1" 210lbs fully loaded, I think that should but me at 177-179cm? Riding style, hard charging, take any and every chance to duck in the trees and hit every < 10 footer I can find.

From what i've read, a set of K2 Public Enemies might not be a bad entry for me, they are cheap (big plus) and handle the whole mountain, looks like they no longer make them is that true? Not sure how big under foot they are, I think I want to be around 90.

Then there's the boot thing, no idea what to do there, i'm guessing I should just go to a shop and see what they say.

 

[wa-loaf]

Have you skied in the past? Maybe you should go rent for a day or two to make sure you want to change?

The K2 Extreme is the successor to the Public Enemy. You can prob find a deal on a pair this time of year. Definitely head to a shop for boots.

 

[soulseller]

i've skied 15-20 times but its been a good 15 years. I might rent at Wawa Saturday morning but it looks like I can get a set of enemies w/ bindings for $200-250. I hate the idea of wasting $40 on rentals. I'm not looking to completely switch over yet, just give myself more options.

Also thinking if I find a set of enemies or something similar and I take a shine to it, I can turn them into an AT setup over the summer and scout out a nicer set of Line Prophet's or something of that nature for next season. This is probably a stretch for this late in the season but we shall see.

 

[wa-loaf]

Wachusett is going to be busy this weekend. Races both Sat and Sunday mornings. Smith Walton will be closed for the races.

 

[soulseller]

Wachusett is going to be busy this weekend. Races both Sat and Sunday mornings. Smith Walton will be closed for the races.

Of course they are because its the first day i'll be able to go there with my silve pass. I was there last night and it was awful, they didn't do an afternoon groom and Smith was closed. Everything was bumped and rutted up off the summit quad.

 

[deadheadskier]

IMO snowboards > skis for maneuverability in tight trees.

 

[STREETSKIER]

IMO snowboards > skis for maneuverability in tight trees.

Have to agree,I doubt you could rip trees on skis , try it good luck! Est/channel. Sic

 

[soulseller]

Have to agree,I doubt you could rip trees on skis , try it good luck! Est/channel. Sic

It may be a grass is greener kind of thing but I'd like to try it none the less. I'm looking for a set of skis w/ bindings on ebay or craigslist right now and I have a question. I'm either a 27.5 boot size, if I find a pair of skis that are set up for a different boot size will I be able to adjust them to work? Specifically, I found a ski on ebay that would fit the bill but it is set up for a 29.5, would there be anyway to make that work for me by adjustment or redrilling?

 

[wa-loaf]

I'm either a 27 or 27.5 boot size, if I find a pair of skis that are set up for a different boot size will I be able to adjust them to work?

If they are close maybe, really depends on what they were originally mounted for and some set-ups adjust easier that others. If you find a used demo pair then you are all set. Should be a bunch of demo's out on the market now.

 

[Cannonball]

I ski and snowboard....I will ALWAYS choose snowboarding over skiing for tight trees.

I advise working on your riding technique rather than switching to new sport.

Tip: Look at the spaces, never at the trees. Laugh if you want, but this subtle tip has helped a lot of people.

 

[soulseller]

I ski and snowboard....I will ALWAYS choose snowboarding over skiing for tight trees.

I advise working on your riding technique rather than switching to new sport.

Tip: Look at the spaces, never at the trees. Laugh if you want, but this subtle tip has helped a lot of people.

Interesting, I would have thought being able to have both shoulders pointing downhill and having your feet independent would give you more maneuverability. I'm still interested in trying skiing, I have my eyes on a couple ebay auctions and I'm going to a boot shop tomorrow.

 

[hrstrat57]

I am sick of struggling to string together turns in tight woods and have convinced myself that skis would make this easier. So here I am seeking both advice on what to look for and perhaps to buy your used gear.

I am 6'1" 210lbs fully loaded, I think that should but me at 177-179cm? Riding style, hard charging, take any and every chance to duck in the trees and hit every < 10 footer I can find.

From what i've read, a set of K2 Public Enemies might not be a bad entry for me, they are cheap (big plus) and handle the whole mountain, looks like they no longer make them is that true? Not sure how big under foot they are, I think I want to be around 90.

Then there's the boot thing, no idea what to do there, i'm guessing I should just go to a shop and see what they say.

I think P/E's in 179 would be a fine choice.....Volkl Karma 177 or 184 too....I would think as a boarder twin tips would make you smile....some of the 1080 Sal models in a longer length or the older Rossi scratch models might be sweet at a cheeeeep price too...

My kid has an older pair of 1080's real nice for skiing switch and working the park...not sure what model they are he has them out west with him at the moment.....I paid $10 for them and popped on an old pair of Sal Equipe bindings....

All the above skis are under 90 wide, you will want to learn how to get the skis on edge before skiing fatties IMHO.....

At 210 lbs you should be looking in the 180 length range for twins for sure....

Do not skimp on the boots....get fitted and get the right flex....you are a big guy, beginner boots will make you quit the sport before you even get started.....

 

[bigbog]

Hit up on either Nick Blaylock(@MtSnow) or Chris(@GMOL -Stratton) and at least try on some boots, to at least get an idea of what size/volume you want/need. If I'm not mistaken there are still a few demo days remaining in VT. You owe yourself to try some of the latter day fatties and carvers.. Get the boots dialed in first and today's skis are a lot of fun.

$.01

 

[soulseller]

I was going to Demo some skis at Gunstock yesterday but the line was insane so I through the towel and strapped on the board.

I also went to Anderson's in East Greenwich RI this weekend. I really liked the Dalbello Surge Proton, but even on sale they are $400 which is more then I want to spend right now.