Buying Skis?

[Welshbeef]

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/onebreaker-rental-mens-...

Need some help/thoughts

Am considering buying the above as its only £100 for the skis with binding.

Size I'm 6'2" tall length wise I'm guessing skis should be then 170cm, as for experience I'd say I'm give or take comfortable on all blues I've ever done and am able to do most reds I've faced - though I'd add some reds have been bloody tough and others much easier. Overall if say possibly 50days on the snow and its purely for fun ski with friends and groups don't try to set any speed records just enjoy skiing.

We have a pad at a ski resort and my view is given these are ok to use - which I cannot see why not then in just one 6 day skiing holiday they will have paid for themselves. I'd probably not do any waxing or polishing just use them.


Are these good skis ample for what I'm after (note zero off piste and I don't want to do any black runs again). When I hire they seem to be at least 1 season old if not more for £100 a go.

[timlongs]

I work for a ski rental company so hopefully can give you a hand...

First the skis look ok as you say for light use. One thing to consider is you will need to get the bindings set up by a certified ski tech - this is not something you want to get wrong, I'd do it for free in my shop but some may charge...

Second you will want to get the skis serviced if you want them to last, wax protects the base and gives it a longer life - if the topsheet comes off the ski then water can get into the core and your skis are ruined, so its worth keeping them well maintained.

I guess since you have your own place you don't have to worry about extra baggage costs etc as you can leave them there. I'd take the 173cm at your height.

One thing to consider would it not be worth buying a slightly better 'brand' second hand? There are always people selling good kit for cheap. Any more q's let me know.

[Welshbeef]

I'll take a look at used - thing is so far I've looked at eBay (not sure if this is the best place for 2nd hand skis) and really there are very few cheap ones most are hundreds or if not local pickup which isn't practical

[Marcellus]

I would actually advise against.

My reasoning is that ive had a habit of buying skis that i and others "thought would be ok and i'd like and then hated them!

Fortunately i was able to sell them on, but as a result i never buy skis I've not used in anger!

[timlongs]

Welshbeef said:

I'll take a look at used - thing is so far I've looked at eBay (not sure if this is the best place for 2nd hand skis) and really there are very few cheap ones most are hundreds or if not local pickup which isn't practical

Where do you ski?

[Welshbeef]

timlongs said:

Where do you ski?

Generally Bansko

[timlongs]

Welshbeef said:

timlongs said:

Where do you ski?

Generally Bansko

Ah ok, was going to say in france a lot of resorts have facebook groups where people are always flogging second hand kit.

Another option is to maybe look at the shops out there and 'demo' a few and see if they have any ex demo skis they are willing to part with? Those decathlon skis will be ok but probably v.heavy and I've no idea what the build quality will be like. We hire a lot of Elan skis (Who I think are Bulgarian) and they make very good entry level skis.

[Welshbeef]

I've been looking on eBay for Saloman/Head skis and now have more questions

Tip should I go for rounded or pointed?
Rear flared double tapered or ?
Flex rating?
Waist width?
Camber rocker or ?
Bindings? If they break first day on the mountain what do I do? Rent a local set or are bindings pretty universal parts to fix?

I've no idea on the above as have simply rented previously and its just been provided.

Also seeing some poles online too what should I be looking for?

[markh1973]

Welshbeef said:

I've been looking on eBay for Saloman/Head skis and now have more questions

Tip should I go for rounded or pointed?
Rear flared double tapered or ?
Flex rating?
Waist width?
Camber rocker or ?
Bindings? If they break first day on the mountain what do I do? Rent a local set or are bindings pretty universal parts to fix?

I've no idea on the above as have simply rented previously and its just been provided.

Also seeing some poles online too what should I be looking for?

Does it really cost you £100 plus to hire a set of skis? It costs me nothing like that where we go in France and I always get the very latest equipment.

At your level of skiing you are presumably hoping to keep improving - as such the ski you want will change from year to years so it may not be worth the cash to actually buy and maintain your own.

[Cheib]

Welshbeef said:

I've been looking on eBay for Saloman/Head skis and now have more questions

Tip should I go for rounded or pointed?
Rear flared double tapered or ?
Flex rating?
Waist width?
Camber rocker or ?
Bindings? If they break first day on the mountain what do I do? Rent a local set or are bindings pretty universal parts to fix?

I've no idea on the above as have simply rented previously and its just been provided.

Also seeing some poles online too what should I be looking for?

At your level of cruising blues and trying out reds I don't think you need to be getting too worried about the spec....how you ski will change massively over say the next three or four weeks of skiing. What is important at your stage is not buying skis that are too stiff (massively important with boots too)......you need to take your weight into account.

If I was you I'd be looking for some piste/carving skis which have got a decent side cut (narrow under your foot) to help you learn how to carve effectively. Don't worry and your tips, camber rockers etc!

[Welshbeef]

markh1973 said:

Does it really cost you £100 plus to hire a set of skis? It costs me nothing like that where we go in France and I always get the very latest equipment.

At your level of skiing you are presumably hoping to keep improving - as such the ski you want will change from year to years so it may not be worth the cash to actually buy and maintain your own.

Just checked online prices for this season its about £35 for skis and poles. Its £100 for a weeks lift pass.


Actually given that lower than I had remembered is it worth buying them or just rent for a few more years?

[Burrow01]

Welshbeef said:

markh1973 said:

Does it really cost you £100 plus to hire a set of skis? It costs me nothing like that where we go in France and I always get the very latest equipment.

At your level of skiing you are presumably hoping to keep improving - as such the ski you want will change from year to years so it may not be worth the cash to actually buy and maintain your own.

Just checked online prices for this season its about £35 for skis and poles. Its £100 for a weeks lift pass.


Actually given that lower than I had remembered is it worth buying them or just rent for a few more years?

Do you have your own boots, these are more important at your level than ski's

[Welshbeef]

Burrow01 said:

Do you have your own boots, these are more important at your level than ski's

Yes I have a set of boots tried hire boots twice it was really not good then bought some good boots which I've used ever since actually comfy as far as boots go.

Ditto helmet

[ALawson]

I have some Salomon Crossmax 170cm or 168cm circa 2003 vintage, used maybe 8 weeks in the garage.

You can borrow them if you want, they were at the time a general purpose piste ski, ok ish off piste. In ok condition from memory.

Unused since partial ACL rupture and MPFL rupture in winter 2008!

I expect anything new even at £100 may be better!

In Fleet if you're interested.

Edited by ALawson on Tuesday 25th November 16:39

Edited by ALawson on Tuesday 25th November 16:40