[RunningForT3]

This spring I think I'm due for new skis... I'll wait for the season to end, to get the best deals. My skis are 7 years old, and they're kind of a beginner level.<br><br>
I'm looking for some recommendations for new skis. I need something for advanced level. Nothing crazy, like freestyle, off-slope or deep powder, but stable and good enough for any double diamond. I prefer a good brand, like Rossignol, Salomon, Atomic, etc..<br><br>
Can anybody enlighten me? Really don't know much about skis, I bought mines when I started to ski and the only criterium was the $100 sale price.

 

[RandMart]

Sorry, don't know nothin' 'bout that two-plankin' bizness.

 

[donskiman]

Will you be doing any skiing between now and the end of the season? If so, I recommend going to a ski shop, telling them what kind of skier you are, and getting some skis to demo. This works even better if you are going someplace for about a week and can demo a different pair every day. A ski that may be a good performer for one person, may not be good for another. Your ability, weight, height, and muscular fitness can all play a role in determining the best ski for you. Most of the major brands will likely have a ski for your needs, but finding a particular model is where demoing comes into play. If you can't demo, see if you can get your hands on the ski buying guide the ski mags put out at the beginning of the year.

 

[ksurp]

I second the demo suggestion from donskiman. Once you know what works for you - check ebay or end of season sale at local ski shop.<br>
Some ski areas/resorts also promote demo days - Atomic or another company will show up for the day with a huge selection of skis and you can try a variety of models.

 

[LeftRightRepeat]

If you can get in good with the ski shop (maybe it's the LBS too?) - they might give you a deal on the demos at the end of the season. I've always bought "last year's model" skis - have never had a "current" pair. My skiing evolves much more slowly than the technology - or at least current tastes in paint.

 

[RandMart]

Myself, I'm kinda further forward looking ...<br><br><img alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2040/2224289911_1895b7229b_m.jpg" style="border:0px solid;"><span style="font-size:xx-small;"><i><<< Bodyboard's D'Kid's</i></span>

 

[neil donnelly]

I agree with The Skiman Don If you are in any resort the any of the skishops should be glad for you to demo especially if you are intending to buy<br><br>
I also agree with John - I nearly always buy my Ski kit at the end of the season<br><br>
Last year I had a new pair of boots for the first time in about 10 years (Old ones were really comfortable) Ski guy in shop had me take a new pair away and try them - werent quite perfect so next day I tried another pair which were perfect - as it was the end of season I got a huge bargain ( Those mad Europeans are very obsessed with this seasons styles and colors so you will always get a bargain at the end of the season as they dont want the old stock hanging around )<br><br>
Neil

 

[Dougie Fresh]

Mmmm ... Victory. You can just drink those now you know ... they'll make more.

 

[RandMart]

That's why the box is open.

 

[Timr1]

I'm heading out to Heavenly in a couple of weeks for three days of skiing. Like you, i'm looking to potentially buy some skis at the end of the season. I'm becoming a pretty good advanced skier. I can get down single blacks and some double blacks and can hack my way through the deep powder. I want a good "do it all" ski that is somewhat forgiving and suitable for an advanced level skier. Here's what's on my radar:<br><br>
1. Volkl Unlimited AC30 Titanium<br>
2. Salomon X-Wing 10<br>
3. Scott P3<br>
4. Fischer Watea 78<br>
5. Atomic Nomad Whiteout<br><br>
Of course all of those may not be available, but I'm sure I'm going to get to try the Volkl and the Salomon.<br><br>
Good luck shopping, and some of last years skis are still out there, so good deals can be found.

 

[Tri-Tammy]

Chris- you might want to take a look at your local ski areas and see if they are doing any demo days.<br>
Our ski areas here usually hold several demo days where you can try many different skis or snowboards all in one day. They are usually free, so for the cost of your lift ticket, you can try a new brand every hour.

 

[regiolanthe]

Can't speak to the ski question (I figure mine are probably 13-14 years old by now), but I can say that an investment in good boots raised my enjoyment of skiing exponentially. If finances are tight (and whose aren't these days?), if I had to make a choice between a ski upgrade and a boot upgrade, I'd think about the boots first... I guess that really is dependent on how good/aggressive skier you are though.<br><br>
Reg.

 

[neil donnelly]

Totally totally agree<br><br>
Get the boots right everything else is easy<br><br>
N

 

[RunningForT3]

Of course I'm getting new boots too. But that's easier, I go to a store, and buy them. For the skis I need to do the research since I want to buy them online.

 

[regiolanthe]

Ah. You might be missing out on good ski/boot/binding package deals from local stores if you decide to go on line ... I never really think about skis that much (like I said) - mine are 13-14 years old (mid level when originally purchased) and - given the skiing I do, I don't feel particularly hampered by not having the latest shaped skis or technology.<br><br>
What do you ski? I assume since you're from the Jersey shore, you primarily ski in the East - although that might be a bad assumption.<br><br>
Reg.

 

[RunningForT3]

Reg, of course I'll check the local deals... However online you can get $300-500 of retail price, and the local stores almost always charge full retail price.<br><br>
Most of my skiing is in the Catskills or Poconos (well, Poconos is not exactly skiing...). But we travel, I've skied in Switzerland, France... still gotta make it to Utah.

 

[regiolanthe]

Sorry to state the obvious.<br><br>
I guess I don't know the condition of skiing down in Jersey ... Here in NH, I have access to a number of ski stores - and rarely do I see ski equipment advertised at full retail. I've priced stuff over the Internet and have definitely been able to buy stuff locally for as good a price (if not for less), and depending on the time you hit the stores, you may get some good bonuses thrown in (last time we bought equip. for kids, they threw in a couple of ski passes to a local mountain).<br><br>
As others have suggested, maybe your best bet is to hit a ski store local to the resort you're going to ... esp. near end of season.