Buying expert skis?
August 6, 2009 - 11:09am
I’m an intermediate skier, but I plan on becoming an expert soon. Should I buy advanced or expert skis?
November 14, 2009 - 1:10pm
#2
Sally: I am a ski instructor,
Sally: I am a ski instructor, don't know all of the answers but a few. First what kind of skiing do you like to do, will help determine whether you buy advanced or expert, since advanced is usually a softer ski and not as stiff as an expert ski. But, if you are very aggressive, know "how" to ski on the shaped skiis, know what kind of terrain you like to ski on then do read on. My real an economical advice is to buy a second hand pair of good advanced skiis instead of paying more for expert, then as you progress you can learn more about the advanced ski, your talent and what is needed for your level of expert.
To help with selection: if you are a groomed slope skier then you want a ski that is not too stiff and when set on edge will give you a nice smooth carving turn. If you are doing speed, bumps, etc. then the ski should be stiffer to turn more quickly. Realize that a stiffer ski demands more from the skier to be able to maneuver the ski and gain from its design. Also pay attention to the ski length, your ski shop can assist you. Since you only asked about skiis, must remind you to pay lots of attention to the boot you are wearing. If you are aggressive and ski hard, with the stiffer ski, need to also get a more advanced boot. Learn that boot flex does vary going from intermed to adv to expert!
Just in case, don't mean to tell you the obvious, but anyway-your height, weight and ski skill level will ultimately determine equipment selection.
One caution, we have all been where you are. Be careful that you do not buy a ski that is too agressive for you. If you make this mistake, you will be working very hard working the ski instead of developing the true skiing technique. Because you are interested in being an expert, realize why you need a different ski to advance. I have taught skiers to advance without having them buy new and more advanced skiis immediately. Be sure you have out-skied your current equipment, otherwise you are preparing for the future which may be too soon. Also, get an instructor thay you have confidence in and will give you sound advice, can assess your current skiing capability and guide you to advance. I am excited for you taking this step to progress.
Hope this helps. Have a great season.
November 12, 2009 - 7:36am
#3
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October 31, 2009 - 5:45pm
#4
Hey Sally,
I am sure that you
Hey Sally,
I am sure that you have gotten more than enough advice about your ski purchase, if you have not purchased them already. I just wanted to add my two cents: Having been skiing for over 12 years and have purchased more pair of skiis than I want to admit to (I remember purchasing a pair and hiding them at work for 4 months before I could sneak them into my house. Helps explain why I am divorced, another story).
BUT about your skiis spend money on the best boots for yourself, that is what counts the most, if the boots don’t work it will not matter what type of skiis you strap on you’re gong to have a bad ski day. Than take lessons, lessons, lessons and more lessons. The best ski advice that I ever received was to take a lesson every other time that I skied. Lessons will best let you know when you’re ready for the next level.
I know that it is more exciting to purchase skiis and frankly most resorts and ski stores need & want your dollars, but the best boots for you and lessons are the way I would encourage my family & friends to go. Also another tidbit, try & buy skiis at the end of the season sometimes you can get up to a 50% discount. Hope this helps. Ski like you’re “jonsein” and love every minute of it and you’ll become an expert before you know it.
Skiboy
October 29, 2009 - 12:36am
#5
re: expert-intermediate
re: expert-intermediate
skiis evlove, Killey won the gold on skiis no ski tech in the USA would fit boots for due to liability issues. Bill Johnson skiied those atomic red sleds-to the gold. I still have mine, theyre 210's, Im 5'6", they still go like rockets. But theyre work to ski anymore, it must be a flaw in materials not holding up over time.
Regardless, Im my humble opinion ; having skiied since Timberline lodge had wood skiis/ cable bindings to go along with the leather lace up boots in rental shop I feel there in ONE mandatory piece of equiptment for any serious downhiller to improve skills. A lift ticket. Preferably a lot of lift tickets, to a lot of differant hills.
If I did a ski audit of the boards setting around the house, stuck in closets, hidden under beds ( a pair of atomic chugach are leaning against wall behind me as I type, I keep telling myself I want to try the new dynafit binding on them) I'd have enough skiis for any Warren Miller film on any terrain.
My point is, only time on snow will turn you into expert, my volkl 5 stars,volkl v-pros, k2's,rossi's, Harts,snow rangers,karhu's yadayadayada's didnt teach me to ski, the mountains did.
This year I may fore go another set of sticks and toss that cash at more lift tickets on some hill I havent skiied yet.
I bet those marker duke's would fit my technicas nice though, and I saw some black diamond ski on sale in Tacoma thats light like my old Kazama rock ski but wider
October 21, 2009 - 10:17am
#6
If you have to ask, then your
If you have to ask, then your not an expert :). Joking aside, ski labels as "expert" or "intermediate" are just selling points. Usually, expert will mean a stiffer, and in some cases longer ski. In reality, depending on your height, weight, leg stength etc, you could be an expert perfectly content on an intermediate ski. The best thing to do is demo a bunch of skis, forget about the label, and go with what feels best to you. Different brands will have different feels. For example, an "intermediate" vokl may feel stiffer than an "expert" saloman. Demo, demo, demo. When you find a ski that matches your skiing style, that's what you should get. Good skiers can ski on anything, it's finding out what your preferences are and matching your ski to those preferences, regaurdless of what "level" of skier you are.
September 2, 2009 - 1:33pm
#7
What do you mean by expert?
Hey Sally,
Expert at what?
A racer chasing sticks? Black groomers? Back country? Park/pipe? Trees? Bumps? Steeps? Or do you just want to become a more confident skier overall?
What type of terrain are you comfortable on now and what is your goal?
I’m assuming you have your own skis, boots and poles. What do you like/dislike about your current skis? Do you want to go faster but your current skis feel squirrlly at speed? Might want to look at a longer ski. Don’t care about speed but want to make quick turns? Maybe a shorter race/slalom cut ski. Park/pipe? A center-mounted, twin-tip might be the ticket. All mountain confidence? There’s a category for that too.
Also consider where (snow type and conditions) you’re going to ski. East coast glass? Rockies/West Coast mixed bag? Alaskan shower-curtain steeps?
Then, how many days do you currently ski and how many are you planning on skiing. This translates into what kind of investment you’re willing to make? Or, what’s your budget?
And, how long has it been since you last purchased skis? If your skis are more than 10-years old the technology has changed radically.
If you live close to a ski resort keep an eye out for demo days. Ski manufacturers work in conjunction with ski resorts to give guests a chance to tryout their newest stuff. If you have your eye on a particular brand check out the manufacturers website and see if they have any demo days in your area. Hint: pay the insurance when you demo the skis—just trust me on this one.
If you can’t find a demo day in your area then consider renting. Most rental shops will have a demo package. You can ride the skis all day and see if you like them.
Sometimes, and I do mean SOMETIMES!, you can arrange with a rental shop at the resort you’re skiing to “exchange” one set of demos for another pair on the same day. Don’t expect the shop to be able to do this on a weekend or a holiday but if you are skiing mid-week this might be an option. Hint: I’m always amazed what bargaining power a 12-pack has (when setting up the deal ask the flavor preference, and double points if you can pay up front).
Then, once you’ve decided on a ski that fits your needs look at last years model. Sometimes manufacturers will only change the graphics or binding choice between model years. BUT...sometimes they change the ski completely; sometimes for the better and sometimes for the worst, depending on your preferences.
OK, maybe it’s not the ski but the skier. Out of the list of goals what is the one that you want to focus on? Chances are that your local ski area offers clinics in that specific area of expertise. A one day class might seem to be a little expensive at first but remember the skills you learn will last far longer than any pair of skis.
Just to put the proverbial “wrench in the works,” you might want to consider upgrading your boots, and demo skis for this season. Even if your boots are only one season old, if you bought them as an “intermediate,” you might benefit from a boot that puts more power to the ski and improves your ski sensitivity.
I have several pairs of skis but only one pair of boots. Last season I upgraded my boots and that affected how all my skis “felt.” For the price of one pair of boots I upgraded all my skis.
Beware of the person that tells you that because they ride the “X-piste-ShreDDer-68-reverse-doubble-camber” that it’s the ski for you. That might be a great ski in the rail-yard but if you want to hit steep trees AND teach your niece on the groomers it might not be the best choice for your skiing pleasure.
Ski Jimbo,
Alma, CO, 10,578’
Post Script: My personal choice of ski manufacturers is Fischer. Not a popular ski here in the Rockies, but extremely popular on the East Coast and the race set.
August 6, 2009 - 11:14am
#8
It depends...
If you’re a strong athlete and a quick learner, try expert. But you may be overpowered. The intermediate/advanced skis are more forgiving, meaning they won’t punish poor technique as much.
Sally: I am a ski instructor, don't know all of the answers but a few. First what kind of skiing do you like to do, will help determine whether you buy advanced or expert, since advanced is usually a softer ski and not as stiff as an expert ski. But, if you are very aggressive, know "how" to ski on the shaped skiis, know what kind of terrain you like to ski on then do read on. My real an economical advice is to buy a second hand pair of good advanced skiis instead of paying more for expert, then as you progress you can learn more about the advanced ski, your talent and what is needed for your level of expert.
To help with selection: if you are a groomed slope skier then you want a ski that is not too stiff and when set on edge will give you a nice smooth carving turn. If you are doing speed, bumps, etc. then the ski should be stiffer to turn more quickly. Realize that a stiffer ski demands more from the skier to be able to maneuver the ski and gain from its design. Also pay attention to the ski length, your ski shop can assist you. Since you only asked about skiis, must remind you to pay lots of attention to the boot you are wearing. If you are aggressive and ski hard, with the stiffer ski, need to also get a more advanced boot. Learn that boot flex does vary going from intermed to adv to expert!
Just in case, don't mean to tell you the obvious, but anyway-your height, weight and ski skill level will ultimately determine equipment selection.
One caution, we have all been where you are. Be careful that you do not buy a ski that is too agressive for you. If you make this mistake, you will be working very hard working the ski instead of developing the true skiing technique. Because you are interested in being an expert, realize why you need a different ski to advance. I have taught skiers to advance without having them buy new and more advanced skiis immediately. Be sure you have out-skied your current equipment, otherwise you are preparing for the future which may be too soon. Also, get an instructor thay you have confidence in and will give you sound advice, can assess your current skiing capability and guide you to advance. I am excited for you taking this step to progress.
Hope this helps. Have a great season.