help picking skis

[roro8o]

I am a beginner skier, I want to purchase skis. I am not sure what type and size I should be looking for. I am 5'10 and wiegh 220. I usually ski at hunter mtn. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[beswift]

Don't let them sell you the Brooklyn Bridge. If you are a beginner, you don't have to buy more than a good warm pair of boots right now. Wait until the end of the season and pick up your skiis. You could also pick up a used or demo pair then or at some swap meet. Rent or Demo your skiis for a while and you will get a better idea of what you want. If you want to spend some money, buy a good warm bib, sox and Parka. You're in a popular size range, so you might want to spend the extra buck and buy now. You want warm accessories as well. Gloves, sox, underwear, chill choker, ect. You can find good stuff in the general merchandisers, too. You'll get good service in a Ski shop, but you won't necessarily need to spend so much that you can't afford the price of a lift ticket.

 

[skijay]

Be careful at ski shops. Do not assume that the person selling you skis knows the skis. This DOES NOT apply to all shops. Your best bet is to shop around and go to the ski's website (Rossignol, Atomic, Head, Salomon, etc) and look at their beginner / intermediate skis. At least you can be an informed shopper. Also look at the binding manufacturers so you know what you are getting.

Did I say shop around?

I saved $50 last weekend by going to another shop. It was a little dbit farther from my house, but the service & advice was worth the drive!

 

[roro8o]

I really want to know what size skis I should be looking for. Length and other dimensions. I am 5'9 weigh 220 and am a begginer skier. I am going skiing for about a week and see no purpose of paying 200 for rentals when I could purchase the skis for alittle more. Thanks

 

[beswift]

I'm the same weight but taller. I ski a 170 shaped. I'm not a beginner, however. They will tell you in the shop how to chose a height which would be somewhere between your chin and nose for shaped. Nevertheless, if you are going on a week's ski trip, don't expect to ski the whole week. You will prabably be too sore after one or two days to continue.

 

[bigbog]

My $.02 would be to sign up for a package....lessons + rentals(with the balance applied toward a purchase of somekind..which most shops @resorts do...) over a number of days....
After that...more lessons, read, and apply all you can..... 8) ...
Buy the previous season's ski!.....usually ~1/2_price....

Steve

 

[riverc0il]

i disagree with demoing. demoing gear at $30+ a day is overkill for a beginner. i assume you a renting now, so find a manufacturer that has pleased you when you rented and go with a low intermediate ski at end of the year prices, or check ebay which has insane deals on 3-4 year old equipment that's still brand new. if you plan on sticking with skiing, choosing a true beginner ski will limit your growth, so look slightly above your ability into what you'll be growing into or else you'll be buying skis every other year.

 

[yannbuse]

I think it depends where you want to go with skiing. If you are serious about it and plan to ski everyweekend and if your lucky every day, maybe you should consider last year;s model. I got a pair of V-pros for $300! sorry just pleased with myself. I agree with beswift, key is boots, they can ruin your day so fast and make any ski feel horrible (or great). Plus boots last longer than skis i find. Hmm, buying skis to use for a week? ..... i like your style.

yann

 

[teachski]

Many shops have seasonal rentals, you should check into this. The rental includes skis, boots and poles. You usually get brand new boots(boots are the most important part, make sure they are fitted correctly, they should be snug feeling). They also usually have a couple different level packages to choose from.

As for length, as a beginner it is better to err a little on the short side rather then the long. The ski should be someplace between your chin and forehead for most skiers. For beginners I have seen them go as short as the chest. I'd say anywhere from a 150 to a 165 would be best.
I have been skiing since snow was invented and I am on a 161. I am also 5'9" tall. With the new technology longer does not necessarily mean better. My skis are meant to be skied short. Hopefully, the rep from the shop that puts you on your skis will know the correct recommendation for the ski you get.

Oh, BTW, deals are out there to be had. I picked up a pair of brand new, old stock (2003-2004 model, Solid intermediate skis)Rossi's last weekend. The skis were $120, with the binding I could have got them for $200, but I had a new binding to put on them. I got them in Stowe,VT. so don't be afraid to look in ski towns.

If we knew where you lived we might be able to point you in the direction of a good ski shop.
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[EastCoastRipper]

One word about your shoice of shops... as mentionsed in the prior post shopping in ski towns you can get good deals. The more stores, the more competition and most likely they will force each others prices down. They will also usually let you demo a model ski and take the demo price off a purchase if you make one.
Don't buy to much ski.