 Poster: A snowHead
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Re demoing, IME there are 2 distinct types of demos:
1. Specific demo events, normally from a small set of manufacturers. Some you need to book, some you don't, but these seem more like marketing events than necessarily aimed at a direct sale
2. Via a ski shop, which covers whatever they have as rental stock. Most shops will be happy for you to try different skis for up to 3 days, and not charge if you buy a pair. I pretty well always ski at quieter times of the season, when shops have plenty of rental stock; during peak periods it may be more difficult to get different skis to try
I'd go for option 2, if you are skiing out of peak times. Be aware that snow conditions can have a big impact; if the snow conditions are noticeably different on the days that you try different skis, it is likely that the snow conditions will have as big an impact on your perceptions as the difference in skis
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@johnE,
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I have to confess I never wax them
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That's why they are wearing away! CH4 or Polar-X will give you a better ride, and the bases will last longer! Doesn't take long when you get used to it, and no real need for brushing etc that you do for snow. Get the wax thin enough and you can get away without scraping....
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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?
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| samr96 wrote: |
| ... I'm longing for the feeling of skiing on my own skis, too, instead of playing the rental shop lottery. |
I think you may well find that retail is no less of a lottery.
I'd not buy anything without riding it first, because there's massive variability in design,
even within a single manufacturer/ model season on season.
| samr96 wrote: |
| ... Q6) Ultimately, for somebody who doesn't have a ton of disposable income but plans to ski 1-2 weeks a season, are skis a sensible investment? ... |
Personally I carry my own boards because I can't be sure I'll be able to rent precisely what I want, and I don't care about the costs.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@philwig,
key being, presumably,
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somebody who doesn't have a ton of disposable income
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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I noticed this year that ski hire had gone up significantly.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@samr96,
I have a few pairs of skis, but its very rare that I take them with me on ski holiday any more.
If I lived within driving distance of the alps so that I could ski weekends that would be different.
You are going to waste at least 1/2 an hour renting skis when you need to.
But the cost and the phaaf of transporting them to the alps by plane for a week just reinforces my rule of not taking them with me.
I did break that rule this year as I was going to Canada for 14 days and I could have bought new skis for the cost of rental.
Plus the airline only charged me £29 each way for ski carriage.
The other reason is, I like to rent new kit.
I'm an absalute tart when it comes to skis and I've been known to swap skis 6 times in a week, just for the shear pleasure of trying something else.
You'll get powder days on rare occasions when you'll want to try something wider.
You'll get days when you want to play in the moguls and want something super flexy.
You'll get days that are just for cranking those carves on the piste and want to try something a bit racier.
If you take your own skis you'll only have the pleasure of smoothing warm wax into their P-Tex bases and thinking about ... what would it be like to ride those ones.
You have done the important thing though.... You bought some boots ... I hope they are comfy 
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The shortcoming of owning skis: it's one particular ski you'll have to make to work in all conditions.
The advantage of owning skis: it's the one ski you've learned to make to work in all those conditions.
Some people like the latter. They're destine "owners". Others likes to blame their skis for not having a good day when condition is iffy, they're better off as "renters".
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Def demo.
Def buy some.
It's an itch you have to scratch
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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.
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Buying skis is somewhat of a learning curve, and you have to have an idea of what you want. Be aware that they have a "Best before" date that you should sell by, otherwise they become too old very quickly. I've been buying and selling my skis on ebay for best part of 20 years, and reckon that they end up costing in their value between £0 to £50 each ski week. Just sold my last set of skis (Whitedot One) on Ebay, and bought brand new Volkl Kendo's at decent price.
Probably best not to have a preferred couple of skis that you target, but a range of similar type skis that would suit your skiing. Choose what you would like to buy but knowing that they are for the next season, possibly 2. Always look for price point as I regularly see over-priced second hand skis that suggest the seller over-paid when they bought.
Last edited by You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net. on Sat 7-05-22 19:15; edited 1 time in total
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Is hiring cheaper than paying air carriage?
Only if you are hiring basic skis for one week, if you want more advanced / specialist skis, these will cost a lot more to hire IF they are available.
Is carring skis a faff?
Yes it can be but depends on circumstances, if you have your own skis, you will almost certainly have your own boots, for me, boots getting lost in transit would write off the ski trip so they always go as hand baggage with other clothes packed around them, all other clothes etc go in the ski bag, no suitcase. Without skis, it would be a carry on and a small hold bag.
Demo skis?
Yes but easier said than done, Nordica enforcer 110s are on my shortlist, on paper but I have never found anywhere that has a pair to demo.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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For me, having my own skis is like having my own boots, inasmuch as it gives a consistent foundation of equipment that works for me, and that any issues I'm having aren't to do with the hardware: I'm either just not back up to speed after a gap, or just having an off day, or just not fit enough, or the conditions are simply poor, etc. etc. I got my current skis in a 'try and buy' arrangement in the resort, where I could hire a ski and get it at a discount if I decided to buy a new pair.
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FAQ
