so i sold my skis when i moved to FL...i knew it would be time for an upgrade by the time i got a chance to do much skiing again.

well, i'm headed up to northwest WA in a few weeks, so i'll be back on the mountain a lot this season. i'm thinking that i'll probably ski enough just this season that buying a pair of skis will pay for itself over renting, and probably then some.

the last time i was in the market for skis, the Rossi Bandits, Salomon X-Scream, K2 Axis Mod-X (which is what i had) and the like were the types of skis I liked...good all around, all mountain skis. I ski a little of everything, but probably prefer groomers at the speed of heat to pretty much anything else. i'm not a huge mogul fan, although i'll get into them from time to time.

I haven't really kept up with the advances over the last few years...so I'd really like a good online buyers' guide or two, and any personal suggestions are also welcome.


oh, and this is because I figure that if I'm buying anyway, and am ok with getting last year's gear, I might as well buy now during the off season to get a good deal.

and the season at Whistler starts pretty early, anyway.

5/22/2007 11:54:35 PM

I just snowblade, and my wife & I love of Salomon's for what it's worth.

Best advice: get used gear from http://www.evogear.com

Matter of fact, they're based in WA (at least I always get stuff shipped from WA when I buy from them), so they may have a B&M store too. I got some barely touched ski boots for $30 shipped -- probably around $200 new.

5/23/2007 12:07:37 AM

yeah, i have some Dalbello Avanti V-pro boots...i kept those, because i hate renting boots.

i'll have to check them out. i'm a little scared of de-laminating a ski, but for the right price, i'll roll the dice.

[Edited on May 23, 2007 at 12:27 AM. Reason : safasdf]

5/23/2007 12:13:17 AM

bttt

5/24/2007 10:32:05 AM

The best thing you can do for yourself is to spend some time with a professional boot fitter. nm, i misread and thought you were renting boots.

For what you ski, a good all-mountain ski is definitely your best bet.

http://www.ski-review.com/ may be a good site to check out.

Also, you can find some sweet deals at http://www.steepandcheap.com

5/24/2007 11:16:08 AM

last season around xmas i picked up a pair of K2 Commanche 174cm



The skis are super fast and very easy to maneuver and they dont chatter at all



I couldnt have been happier



These boots too: Very sturdy, not much movement. Good for more serious terrain


[Edited on May 24, 2007 at 11:23 AM. Reason : .]

5/24/2007 11:21:57 AM

Quote :

" Very sturdy, not much movement. Good for more serious terrain"

One thing I've learned over the years--- If you can't flex your ankles comfortably inside the boot, you're too stiff.

5/24/2007 11:44:13 AM

it's all about personal preference



i dont wear them as tight as i could for just fast, down the mountain skiing


but if im in some moguls or something really steep where i need a good edge, i tighten those bastards up

5/24/2007 11:45:57 AM

agreed... definitely about personal preference.

I tend to loosen my boots the most for bumps. I took an advanced mogul class at copper mtn. last year and they made me loosen my boots, and that mad a huge difference.


god i want to go skiing so bad right now.

5/24/2007 11:51:11 AM

yeah, i think i've been cranked down too tight, too. haven't had a chance to ski any in a while to try loosening them, though. I haven't skiied in 2 YEARS now!

^i'll be about an hour from Mt Baker (and some other smaller name places), and a little over 2 hours from Whistler. You're welcome to make a trip up there and ski with me/us. I don't know you, but you seem aight, and I think we know some of the same people.

5/24/2007 11:55:40 AM

bttt

any other all-mountain ski recommendations/reviews?

[Edited on June 3, 2007 at 9:47 PM. Reason : right now, i'm kinda leaning towards the Rossi Bandit B2, but I'm by no means set on them.]

6/3/2007 9:40:25 PM

K-2 Apache, recon model

6/4/2007 6:35:29 AM

yeah, there are like 50 different Apache models. I didn't even know where to start with them.

6/10/2007 4:16:18 PM

Snowblades??

HA!

6/11/2007 9:04:14 PM

steapandcheap

6/11/2007 9:13:52 PM

i think i'm gonna go with Rossi's Bandit B2 unless someone says something else is better (without spending a ton more).

I think I'm gonna go with the 174cm skis...I'm 5'8" and about 185 lbs. My K2 Mod X's were 181s, but I think they were on the big side for me, and the next size up in the Rossis is 182.

Any suggestions on bindings?

7/31/2007 3:17:23 AM

Sometimes Sierra Trading Post (one word... too lazy to put the link) has nasty deals on skis. I just bought some Rossi Actys 200's which retail around 700 alone for 169 shipped with middle of line Axiums included. Five more months until Breck. I can't wait.

[Edited on August 3, 2007 at 9:09 AM. Reason : spelling]

8/3/2007 9:08:33 AM

yeah, check THIS deal out!

http://shop.sierrasnowboard.com/browse.cfm/4,1655.html

8/5/2007 2:22:42 PM

How are you supposed to know your preferred ski size?

8/5/2007 4:12:05 PM

recommended sizing charts and just skiing on different stuff to see what you like

8/5/2007 4:48:24 PM

Quote :

"Snowblades?? HA!"

8/5/2007 5:54:10 PM

now i just can't decide...in addition to Bandit B2, i'm now leaning more towards Nordica's Eliminator, or something out of K2's Apache series (possibly the Recon, but more likely the Crossfire). Dynastar Legend 8000 is another one I've kinda got half an eye on...

8/6/2007 2:59:55 AM

ooohh, i think i might've found the ticket.

Nordica Modified...now just whether i should go 170 or 178cm.

i'm 5'8", 185 lbs. advanced skiier, wouldn't say i'm an expert.

8/6/2007 11:33:34 PM

They were sold out of the Modifieds in 170cm, and I think the 178 Mods might be a little more ski than would be optimal for me (even though my last skis were 181cm K2 Mod X's)

Ended up ordering the Nordica Eliminators in 178cm.

8/8/2007 1:12:42 PM