 Poster: A snowHead
|
Hello. I ski in scotland 1 or 2 times a year (can’t afford to go abroad) and want to avoid renting skis, so want to buy a pair. I have my own boots. My budget is £150 so I can’t affford the current models but there seem to be plenty on ebay in that price range. What sort of skis should I look for and what length? At Castleford they give me 163cm skis.
I am 6 ft 1 and 69kg
I only ski on the piste
I am ‘basic intermediate’ level
Thanks.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
Welcome to the mad house!
I did the same a year or two ago as I live N of Glasgow and wanted to go to the Coe without paying hire every time or buying new skis to polish the Scottish rocks with. I found that with ebay fairly new skis could go for excessive prices but less trendy models (beginner and inter piste skis rather than fat skis and twin tips) could be quite cheap and if you belt them off the rocks skiing to the car park it is no huge loss. I got basic skis 4 or 5 years old for less than £80. They are in perfect nick and do the job, the hire cost was paid back in a year.
I just looked at a whole heap of skis in the right length bracket and watched how the bidding was going. I put in lowish bids on 3 or 4 which I lost before getting any.
Maybe I was lucky, but if you check for photos which show the edges and bases clearly you should be OK. Intermediate type skis from a private seller shouldn't have been used too hard.
Get the skis serviced and the bindings set up.
Alternatively I have bought skis from ski-barn on ebay, they were as described and in good condition, they have some reasonable standard piste skis in your range. They often seem to have rental bindings so some may have been abused but should still be no worse than the skis you can hire in Scotland, mine are absolutely fine. They will be a bit dearer than you might get from auction but have been waxed and the bindings checked. You still need them set up though.
I would think 163 is a bit short for your height, and could become limiting as you progress. My wife is a controlled (ie slower than me and more stylish!) red/blue skier who is 6" shorter than you and a good bit lighter and skis 160s. I would think about skis up to 170 for now (but I am old fashioned and ski 180s so I am sure modern instructor types will correct me)
Maybe see you on the Scottish Hills
|
|
|
|
|
|
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
|
|
npennine, Welcome to snowheads....Ebay would be your best bet and I'm sure you would be able to pick up a pair of Storm skis and bindings for your budget and they would be new.At the price they are up for they are a total steal.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
Look at the for sale section here. There's a pair of Salomon X Wings that sound ideal. Well within budget too.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
Try ellis Brigham or nevisport sales section - I bought
new Dynastarswith bindings for about 150gbp last year - delivered.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Check out sportspursuit.com they sell some real good value new skis!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
|
Lots of good options there, many thanks for all that advice. I just found the X wings on alpineroomshop.co.uk and their ski length guide recommends 155cm for an intermediate skier weighing 66 to 73kg - they don't mention height - so I'm still confused about what length I need! 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Here is a chart by height http://www.evo.com/how-to-choose-skis-size-chart-and-guide.aspx which suggests you should be looking for 170-195 ish, I'm about 3" shorter but 11kg heavier than you, most definitely an intermediate skier and tend to go for 165-180ish depending on the skis. I certainly use shorter skis in the fridges than I do out and the rule of thumb of somewhere around nose to head height seems about right to me.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
