 Poster: A snowHead
|
I know this gets asked a lot - so please scroll by if I'm being boring!
I'm an early intermediate - late to ski and quite cautious but have really started to get into it. My husband and kids love to ski and we are trying to take 3 trips a season if possible. We just returned from a trip to the PdS where I hired some skis which I just loved and really made some progress with. I'm wondering whether it's worth buying myself the same pair. I've looked at previous threads about ski carriage - doesn't apply as we normally fly with BA or might drive. Just wondering if there are other "cons" I haven't thought of. Thanks!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
Everyone will have their own opinion on this but I like having my own skis , for me my day can be so different if I start good or bad, skiing is a confidence game and having my own known skis helps me feel more confident
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
One thing to consider, rental versions of skis can be different to ones with the same name and topsheet that are available to buy.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
Reasons for buying:
- Getting something that you really like
- Consistency, as you know how they will feel
- You are in charge of the servicing
- Avoiding the queue at the hire shop
- You simply want to own your own skis
Reasons for hiring:
- No lugging them about through airports etc
- No Ski Carriage cost (if it applies)
- No Servicing costs
- Can change through the week if conditions change
- You are less paranoid about damage and theft - provided you take out the shop's insurance
- You are getting recent technology
- They don't become obsolete or potentially dangerous with age (bindings)
The decision to buy, is primarily not a financial one.
Last edited by You need to Login to know who's really who. on Sun 15-01-23 23:24; edited 5 times in total
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
What were the skis? Hire skis are not always exactly the same as the retail model. You also need to take into account servicing.
Buy skis if you want your own skis, but these skis may not be the best skis for you – they’re just the ones you have experience of, from a pool of one (I’m assuming, this season. Previous seasons were a long time ago.). I would get on a few more pairs first, maybe through ski testing.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
Thanks so much everyone!
That’s really interesting about skis not being the same if they’re retail vs rental versions, I had no idea… they were Head Absolut Joy if that sheds any light.
Good point that I haven’t tried many different ones. I felt i made good progress this trip on those skis - but I have been quite diligent at going to Hemel and practising over the last 12 months which obviously was the main factor (and I’m starting to overcome some mental anxieties about heights and speed - fairly crucial!). I like the idea of having the same skis for consistency as talked about above, and thought the skis I just used seemed to suit me well.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Soozm wrote: |
Thanks so much everyone!
That’s really interesting about skis not being the same if they’re retail vs rental versions, I had no idea… they were Head Absolut Joy if that sheds any light.
|
I think Head make great Piste skis.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@Soozm, if you’re skiing 3 weeks a season and not paying ski carriage then buying is a no brainer. Get boots as well if you don’t already have them
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
@BobinCH, thanks for the encouragement!  I already have boots, looks like it might be time for some skis then!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
dont forget you will also probably need to by a helmet as well.
Skis+boots+helmet does take up a lot of luggage space!
|
|
|
|
|
|
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
|
@Soozm, how about waiting for Oktobertest. Then you can try lots of different skis at Hemel before investing?
My very first skis my hubby bought as a Mothers day present from girls. They were reduced to £99 in Decathlon. They were always OK. I then did the ski servicing course with @Spyderjon. While there I was talking about my knees (many injuries inc ruptures ACL), and he had skme knee bindings which I had been considering. Save to say I left that day with those attached.
A while later did Oktobertest and found a pair of ski I really loved. Much better than the Decathlon. Bought them as ex-demos when the test kit was being cleared and got @spyderjon to switch bindings over onto the new onr when collecting them.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@NickyJ, Thanks - that does sound great but we have 2 more weeks skiing before then so I’m quite keen on the Head skis I’ve tried already. I imagine that even is very tempting though!!
@Gorred I already have a helmet… quite annoying taking it through the airport but worth it!
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
| Soozm wrote: |
Thanks so much everyone!
That’s really interesting about skis not being the same if they’re retail vs rental versions, I had no idea… they were Head Absolut Joy if that sheds any light.
Good point that I haven’t tried many different ones. I felt i made good progress this trip on those skis - but I have been quite diligent at going to Hemel and practising over the last 12 months which obviously was the main factor (and I’m starting to overcome some mental anxieties about heights and speed - fairly crucial!). I like the idea of having the same skis for consistency as talked about above, and thought the skis I just used seemed to suit me well. |
They are ideal in fufilling what you want/need in skills terms. That pure confidence you got is of such value in taking away any barriers of equipment that tnen allow you to just concentrate on other elements you're experiencing and improving with.
If your OK with the cost, then thoroughly worth it I feel.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
If you have another 2 weeks skiing and are considering buying I'd use that time to try some different skis out in resort.
Either just go for the top price package in the hire shop and you shouldn't have any issues popping back in after a couple of days and asking to swap the skis, or maybe just pre-book hire for 1 or 2 days and wander around the shops after skiing Monday talking to the ski sellers (as opposed to pure hire shops). Many will let you hire demo skis, often with a discount if you go on to buy them.
Something you'll see said a lot on the Oktobertest boards is that you might not think you're good-enough to tell the difference between different skis but you will be. It will all be a bit Three Bears. Some you'll hate, some you'll think are 'fine', but some you'll just click with.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
@BobinCH, I saw those, but sadly I want the next size down! Thanks for posting though.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
We've bought, and we only ski 1 week per year (although the retirement bucket list plan is to do a full season or two within the next 4 years).
My wife is a perpetual nervous intermediate. Hyper self critical of her own technique and that is what is holding her back; she lacks the arrogant self-confidence that comes naturally to men.
She rented Head Super-Joys around 5 years ago and immediately loved them; light and responsive and her skiing improved immediately.
Since then, I have been spending many hours/days researching Rental shops in each resort we've been to trying to find one that rents out Super-Joys.
It is now almost mind over matter. If she's on SuperJoys then she is more confident.
So we bought some in last year's end of season sale, and it'll only take 3 years of rental to be in "profit". Include the "saved hours" and we're in profit already and haven't even gone out yet!
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
| Quote: |
the arrogant self-confidence that comes naturally to men
|
Some men. Not the ones I ever fancied..... 
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
@jamescollings, I think that sounds quite like my story! Althought my ski history is quite short, I didn't ski until my mid forties (early hip replacement and lots of years spent overseas) and have been struggling with fear/ confidence. I Hope she really enjoys them
And I bought the skis... being delivered to my nearest S&R in the next few days where they'll fit the bindings. Excited!
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Well done. About to post buy them now don’t wait. You could then always buy a second pair if skiing 3 times per year 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Love these replies! Thanks
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Quote: |
the carriage is £25
|
that's not bad!
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
| pam w wrote: |
| Quote: |
the carriage is £25
|
that's not bad! |
Return or one way?
|
|
|
|
|
|
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
|
| ster wrote: |
| pam w wrote: |
| Quote: |
the carriage is £25
|
that's not bad! |
Return or one way? |
That is return but it is £25 per ski!
My mistake it is £50 per pair of skis return and that is with Ski Miguel
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
You only pay ski carriage for one ski bag which can accommodate 2 or even more pairs so if your hubby also has own skis it halves the cost
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
