help with skis

[jlboyell]

Thanks for all the information you guys have provided so far! My name is Josh and i found this forum a few weeks ago. I have been checking it quite frequently. I grew up in NJ, but currently live in Delaware. My parents started me skiing when i was young, but stopped for a around 10 years. Last year, my sister went to college, joined a ski/snowboard club and started snowboarding with friends there. She got me hooked on it. I'm a little older now and really appreciate getting outside and days away from work, not to mention the rush and relaxation it provides for me. Therapeutic.
I had a few reasons for this post, one to introduce myself, and two was for my dad. I brought him along two trips this year, again for the first time for him in years. He was used to conventional skis and just rented a pair of shaped. He really enjoyed himself, and was interested in making an investment into his own equipment again. The problem is, neither of us really know anything about this "new" (don't laugh) equipment. He was a decent skier, not into bumps but liked to go fast and cruise. You guys know the weather conditions around here, not really looking for a powder ski, but a recommendation on a general purpose ski would be greatly appreciated. Any ideas on boots to go with it? That would be wonderful. Not trying to break the bank, but do understand we get what we pay for.
Thanks for a very informative site,
Josh

 

[riverc0il]

The boot question is the easier of the two to answer because I can be really specific. Go to a reputable boot fitter that fits out of a ski shop and have dad try on boots with the help of the fitter. Boots are all about fit so there will never be any one "right" boot based on recommendations from other skiers. Every manufacturer has their own "fit" and even different fits within each line of a manufacturer's product. A boot fitter can also customize the boot to better fit and eliminate hot spots. Perhaps make a custom foot bed if needed. Don't skimp on the boot!!! Any all mountain carving ski will probably do just fine but a comfortable boot is where performance starts.

So with the ski... sounds like a carving ski will be just fine. Every major ski manufacturer offers a carving ski. There are a lot of good options and for someone that has never owned a shaped ski and getting back into skiing and likely only to ski groomers.... he probably is not going to notice any differing subtleties so long as he gets a ski that matches up well with his weight and height. Again, find a good shop that asks good questions and find some of this year's models on end of season clearance.

I would be most concerned, from your perspective, in finding a good shop with a qualified boot fitter and ski sales guys that know their gear and will ask the right questions. Hopefully you can get a local recommendation here for the Delaware area. If not, you may have better luck with other regional forums that focus more on the mid-Atlantic. Here is a good place to start for finding a bootfitter:

http://www.bootfitters.com/oldsite/FIND_SHOP.htm

Perhaps the most important thing will be make sure he gets a lesson as the technique for a shaped ski may be different than what he was used to. This could be the most important thing to purchase regardless of specific equipment choices.

 

[jlboyell]

This is our problem, and one of the many reasons I'm tired of DE. There are no specialty shops for anything. Walmart and grocery stores. There is one ski shop in my area, and they really don't care about service. They're the only shop around and can get away with what they want. I think the next step is to take a ride back to jersey, we had a decent shopback there. Thanks for the input.

 

[riverc0il]

Yea, you might have to drive. That link above shows boot fitters in NJ, PE, and VA. Once you get more than an hour or two outside of ski country, service and knowledge in ski shops tend to drop out pretty significantly. Getting a well fit boot is probably worth the investment in travel and time expense.

 

[goldsbar]

+1 on boot fit. Fit is everything. For an advanced skier, the ideal boot should fit like a really tight glove. Think super tight all around but no presure points. They should be somewhat painful for the first few days and require constant unbuckling until the liners pack in.

That's for an advanced skier. For yourselves, take that down a notch but keep the concept in mind. If they're super comfortable day 1 in the shop the liners will pack out after a few days and you'll be left with loose boots. This is one reason why a bootfitter is so important.

Skis are easy. It's hard to buy a bad pair of skis these days. Sign up on the review sight at realskiers.com (aka expertskiers.com). They give great unbiased reviews for a small annual fee.

 

[RootDKJ]

Where do you normally ski? Off the top of my head I'd say take the 90 minute ride out of Philly and go to Nestors. The staff there are nothing but nice and the all love the great outdoors. If you go there, PM me 1st. My 2nd suggestion is Danzeisen and Quigley over in Cherry Hill, NJ. I've never bought anything from them, but I'll recommend them on reputation alone. Buckmans might also be a good choice, but again I'm basing this on reputation, not experience. Further away is Henio's in Wayne, NJ. I've really not had the best experiences with some of the other larger chain ski-shops in NJ/PA.

In addition to getting a proper fitting boot, go for the footbeds. People have been telling me for years to get footbeds and I finally did it this season. Instantly, my ability went up two levels. On the suggestion from the admin over at PASkiAndRide.com, I got a set of semi-custom footbeds at Netstor's called Aline Systems. http://www.aline.com/sports/aline-ski That was one of the best $100 I've spent on ski gear in long while. They are so supportive, I'm going to pick up a 2nd set for everyday use and to use while mountain biking.

There's a lot of great skis out there that I think will meet your needs. Regardless of where you go, I'd do it quick. Most of the local shops had a pretty good year selling off their invenatory. 3 major 2+ foot snowstorms really helped the local shops to have a great season.

 

[spring_mountain_high]

if you don't mind taking a ride, salters ski shop in eagleville, near king of prussia is the best bootfitter in the area...they are a little pricey compared to bigger shops/chains, but the owner of the shop spent hours with me when i bought my boots.

 

[jlboyell]

Thanks for the replys. I grew up renting from D and Q, and we had planned to take that ride tomorrow. Its so hard to find a forum with real information, and not just bickering. This information is very much appreciated. Glad we could help stimulate the economy!
Josh

 

[RootDKJ]

Thanks for the replys. I grew up renting from D and Q, and we had planned to take that ride tomorrow. Its so hard to find a forum with real information, and not just bickering. This information is very much appreciated. Glad we could help stimulate the economy!
Josh

Cool. Post an update on how you make out!

 

[campgottagopee]

Thanks for the replys. I grew up renting from D and Q, and we had planned to take that ride tomorrow. Its so hard to find a forum with real information, and not just bickering. This information is very much appreciated. Glad we could help stimulate the economy!
Josh

Right on!!!