 Poster: A snowHead
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A couple of questions please - we are looking to buy our 16Y old a new pair of skis for his upcoming birthday (we are based in Cheshire) :
- would you buy skis online or do you definitely recommend going to somewhere like Ellis Brigham to have a proper feel, see how heavy they are etc?
- can someone please recommend a reputable online retailer that will stock a much bigger range than a normal shop outfit
Thanks
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I don't think picking them up in a shop will actually tell you much, ideally you want to ski on them. Having done a couple of Oktobertests I can tell you it's amazing how different 2 pairs of skis from different manufacturers, looking and feeling much the same in your hands, and aimed at the same segment of the market can feel when you're actually sliding - to the point you'll love one pair as they give you confidence but hate the other and think they're trying to kill you the whole time!
How about picking up some knackered old skis second hand on eBay on the cheap, so you have something to wrap - then when he unwraps them tell him they are just a joke and he's actually going to demo some different skis when you actually go skiing/you'll buy the ones he likes the most at the end of/online after the trip and before your next one?
A lot of shops will have demo skis you can effectivly hire by the day, getting some or all of those hire fees knocked off the purchase price if you go on to buy a pair. Alternatively hire normal skis for the first couple of days, when the hire shops are rushed off their feet with returns/collections, then go back when they are quiet and have time to chat and tell them what sort of ski you're interested in and hire their recommendations by the day, giving them feedback on yesterday's skis to help them recommend tomorrows.
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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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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| Mjit wrote: |
I don't think picking them up in a shop will actually tell you much, ideally you want to ski on them. Having done a couple of Oktobertests I can tell you it's amazing how different 2 pairs of skis from different manufacturers, looking and feeling much the same in your hands, and aimed at the same segment of the market can feel when you're actually sliding - to the point you'll love one pair as they give you confidence but hate the other and think they're trying to kill you the whole time!
How about picking up some knackered old skis second hand on eBay on the cheap, so you have something to wrap - then when he unwraps them tell him they are just a joke and he's actually going to demo some different skis when you actually go skiing/you'll buy the ones he likes the most at the end of/online after the trip and before your next one?
A lot of shops will have demo skis you can effectivly hire by the day, getting some or all of those hire fees knocked off the purchase price if you go on to buy a pair. Alternatively hire normal skis for the first couple of days, when the hire shops are rushed off their feet with returns/collections, then go back when they are quiet and have time to chat and tell them what sort of ski you're interested in and hire their recommendations by the day, giving them feedback on yesterday's skis to help them recommend tomorrows. |
Great idea, I really like this. As someone who started boarding in 1995 I have always “known” what my next board will be. This doesn’t necessarily mean I have always picked up the right one though … We have 3 trips booked starting with a long weekend at PdS in January so we’ll do as you recommend. And if he’s not quite sure after this he can test a couple more options when we’re out in Meribel for a week in February. Thank you, much appreciated.
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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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IMHO you should buy local, I'd rather go independent but S&R or Brighams will have a good selection.
Ventura in St Helens
Rivington Alpine in Chorley
Outdoor Action in Blackburn.
#shoplocal
#supportlocal
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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| franga wrote: |
| We have 3 trips booked starting with a long weekend at PdS in January so we’ll (test some different skis). And if he’s not quite sure after this he can test a couple more options when we’re out in Meribel for a week in February. Thank you, much appreciated. |
Is Meribel a package or driving, either from the UK or in a hire car? If you have a car it could well be worth buying 'for collection' from one of the French online ski sites that have physical shops. Pick them up en route to the resort, ski on them all week, try to work out if you're meant to declare them as you pass through the green channel on your return  The hard won Brexit tax really adds a chunk to the price if you have them delivered to the UK by and EU retailer.
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| andy n netty wrote: |
IMHO you should buy local, I'd rather go independent but S&R or Brighams will have a good selection.
Ventura in St Helens
Rivington Alpine in Chorley
Outdoor Action in Blackburn.
#shoplocal
#supportlocal |
Thanks - Ventura is a good shout. We’ve used them a few times for servicing and they’ve always done a good job. Just not sure they’ll have a wide enough selection.
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| Mjit wrote: |
| franga wrote: |
| We have 3 trips booked starting with a long weekend at PdS in January so we’ll (test some different skis). And if he’s not quite sure after this he can test a couple more options when we’re out in Meribel for a week in February. Thank you, much appreciated. |
Is Meribel a package or driving, either from the UK or in a hire car? If you have a car it could well be worth buying 'for collection' from one of the French online ski sites that have physical shops. Pick them up en route to the resort, ski on them all week, try to work out if you're meant to declare them as you pass through the green channel on your return The hard won Brexit tax really adds a chunk to the price if you have them delivered to the UK by and EU retailer. |
No - we always fly and hire a car. But he’s very very fussy and an excellent skier … he will ultimately go for a good all-mountain ski which he can then pass on to his younger brother - I think the demo option would suit us much better. Thanks.
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| franga wrote: |
| Mjit wrote: |
| franga wrote: |
| We have 3 trips booked starting with a long weekend at PdS in January so we’ll (test some different skis). And if he’s not quite sure after this he can test a couple more options when we’re out in Meribel for a week in February. Thank you, much appreciated. |
Is Meribel a package or driving, either from the UK or in a hire car? If you have a car it could well be worth buying 'for collection' from one of the French online ski sites that have physical shops. Pick them up en route to the resort, ski on them all week, try to work out if you're meant to declare them as you pass through the green channel on your return The hard won Brexit tax really adds a chunk to the price if you have them delivered to the UK by and EU retailer. |
No - we always fly and hire a car. But he’s very very fussy and an excellent skier … he will ultimately go for a good all-mountain ski which he can then pass on to his younger brother - I think the demo option would suit us much better. Thanks. |
I was suggesting demo on the first trip, then buy online/collect on route to the second trip.
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