ski's!!???
Dec 19th 2007 | 7:39 am
#16
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From: Calgary
Re: ski's!!???
I would definitely agree with the buying a Helmet.
I am sounding like an old fart now, but I cant understand the latest craze among the youngsters to listen to music while they ski/snowboard.
I think its dangerous to not here people around you.
One of the other funny things the youngsters are doing these days, is wearing their ski pants the lowest they will go with there "butts" hanging out.
I am sounding like an old fart now, but I cant understand the latest craze among the youngsters to listen to music while they ski/snowboard.
I think its dangerous to not here people around you.
One of the other funny things the youngsters are doing these days, is wearing their ski pants the lowest they will go with there "butts" hanging out.
Dec 19th 2007 | 7:42 am
#17
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From: Cochrane, Alberta
Re: ski's!!???
I have invested heavily in good boots though - and they took an age to find and fit so, reading the above, I have hopefully got what I paid for. Did try them out for a few hours last Sunday - and as far as ski boots go, they were damn comfy
Dec 19th 2007 | 8:15 am
#18
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From: Vancouver, BC
Re: ski's!!???
One of the other funny things the youngsters are doing these days, is wearing their ski pants the lowest they will go with there "butts" hanging out.
My bottom gets very cold, so I like it safely tucked in my "snow pants"
Dec 19th 2007 | 8:20 am
#19
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From: Vancouver, BC
Re: ski's!!???
I tell my students not to invest in skis until they have skiied at least 15 days and are comfortable cruising around the mountain. It is a steep learning curve, and you requiremnets from a ski can change every few days in the beginning re length, stiffness, etc.
It would save having to pay for rental until you know what type of ski is best suited to you.
Dec 19th 2007 | 8:32 am
#20
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From: Calgary
Re: ski's!!???
There are several ski shops in Vancouver that sell ex-rental skies from the ski hills. They are called Sports Junkies and Cheap Skates. It might be worth looking around to see if there any similar places near you. Mr L2S got a pair for $80 last year (he uses them for teaching the disabled sit skiers as your skies get trashed) but also loads of our friends borrowed them when they were out staying.
It would save having to pay for rental until you know what type of ski is best suited to you.
It would save having to pay for rental until you know what type of ski is best suited to you.
I currently have 4 pairs of ski's ranging from snow blades to 166 b2 rossignols. Only 1 pair was bought for full price in a store. It can work out well if you look around.
"All the gear and no idea"
Last edited by Mountain Girl; Dec 19th 2007 at 8:34 am.
Dec 19th 2007 | 8:58 am
#21
Part Time Poster
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,219
From: Worcestershire
Re: ski's!!???
Clothing
Just make sure its easy to get out of in a confined space
Nobody like to ski with somebody that pee'd all over their suit
Just make sure its easy to get out of in a confined space
Nobody like to ski with somebody that pee'd all over their suit
Dec 19th 2007 | 2:06 pm
#22
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From: St. Albert. AB.
Re: ski's!!???
Oh, I'm OK then - I have none of the gear and no idea either.
I have invested heavily in good boots though - and they took an age to find and fit so, reading the above, I have hopefully got what I paid for. Did try them out for a few hours last Sunday - and as far as ski boots go, they were damn comfy
I have invested heavily in good boots though - and they took an age to find and fit so, reading the above, I have hopefully got what I paid for. Did try them out for a few hours last Sunday - and as far as ski boots go, they were damn comfy
Dec 19th 2007 | 2:27 pm
#23
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From: Cochrane, Alberta
Re: ski's!!???
- I have just dug out the receipt to check.The boots (and I can't read the receipt very well - Dalbello Raya's ??) plus skis, with poles thrown in - $850 - in a sale, in July !! I'm sure he knocked many hundred dollars off that lot ..... but probably still saw me coming .....
I have wide-ish feet and 'curvy' calves (be quiet Souv) and found rental boots agony. Seriously unfunny, to the point of tears.
So this was an 'investment' for me. I'm sure you could pay as much as they'd take from you. Have you ever been ski'ing before, at all? If not, rent for a few sessions and 'have a play' with models and sizing. God, I almost sound like I know what I'm talking about
Dec 20th 2007 | 4:19 am
#24
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From: Flat Oxfordshire
Re: ski's!!???
In your case (as long as you are sure that you are going to keep it up) I would suggest mid range. that way you should get a good combination of comfort and adjustements to keep you happy for several years
Dec 20th 2007 | 12:39 pm
#25
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From: Vancouver, BC
Re: ski's!!???
I have wide-ish feet and 'curvy' calves (be quiet Souv) and found rental boots agony. Seriously unfunny, to the point of tears.
Dec 20th 2007 | 12:41 pm
#26
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From: Vancouver, BC
Re: ski's!!???
I paid 150 GBP for my first pair of boots back in 2001. The are as comfy as slippers now, and I wear them for instructing beginners.
My current pair are a hell a lot stiffer. I think they were 350GBP in 2004. Bloody uncomfortable for anything other than hard skiing.
I have a constant dilenma of whether I unbuggle them in the lift "line-ups" (no queues over here), or do I want to keep my little fingers all snug inside their sleeping bag like mittens
My current pair are a hell a lot stiffer. I think they were 350GBP in 2004. Bloody uncomfortable for anything other than hard skiing.
I have a constant dilenma of whether I unbuggle them in the lift "line-ups" (no queues over here), or do I want to keep my little fingers all snug inside their sleeping bag like mittens
Dec 20th 2007 | 1:26 pm
#27
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From: St. Albert. AB.
Re: ski's!!???
nice one for info all, ta.
Dec 26th 2007 | 8:02 pm
#28
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 19
Re: ski's!!???
I agree with the others. Boots all important and need to be properly fitted by good fitters. Skis less so and I might be tempted to wait until you have progressed slightly to buy a low intermediate pair rather than for complete beginners. Sport Chek do seem to have a good balance between price and having staff who actually know something. Sportmart do have lots of skis suitable for you but we have had very poor experiences of service there.
Kit- I would say warm and dry. Depends where you are doing your skiing. I would buy mittens if you are going to ski anywhere pretty cold, they are much more efficient at keeping hands warm. Even my OH has some. You can get thermal liners to go in them as well for exceptionally cold days, or if you need to make adjustments with mittens off. Agree with live to ski, helmet is essential, if you are a sweaty bod you need one with vents.
I would invest in good quality base and mid layers as well. A powder skirt is possibly essential for a beginner as well.
Gryphea
Kit- I would say warm and dry. Depends where you are doing your skiing. I would buy mittens if you are going to ski anywhere pretty cold, they are much more efficient at keeping hands warm. Even my OH has some. You can get thermal liners to go in them as well for exceptionally cold days, or if you need to make adjustments with mittens off. Agree with live to ski, helmet is essential, if you are a sweaty bod you need one with vents.
I would invest in good quality base and mid layers as well. A powder skirt is possibly essential for a beginner as well.
Gryphea
Break a leg (oops thats for show biz)
A True Canadian
Feb 4th 2008 | 6:25 am
#29
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,020
Re: ski's!!???
A ski instructor at the weekend suggested that Mrs Bazzz's progress might be being held back by her second-hand $4 boots, and to some extent her skis. Any suggestions on good shops to try in Vancouver for new boots? We've already had Snow Covers and Swiss Sports Haus offered up.
And the painful bit - how much are they likely to cost? I've heard that a lot of new designs come out March-April, so you can often pick up bargains then as they try to get rid of last season's stock - is this about right?
And the painful bit - how much are they likely to cost? I've heard that a lot of new designs come out March-April, so you can often pick up bargains then as they try to get rid of last season's stock - is this about right?
Feb 4th 2008 | 6:53 am
#30
little snowy owl
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,921
Re: ski's!!???
I actually paid 45 dollars for mine(not being sure if I really wanted to ski). They're red! (Salomons) I bought them in a used-gear store, and they were the only ones remotely my size. It's my third season now, and I am considering buying myself some new ones! 
My foot is really comfortable in them actually, but they hurt like stink around my lower legs when I take them off....they're fine while I am actually skiing, but I can't walk comfortably after. They bruise me!
I don't think it's the fit, so much as the liner compressed that may be problem.
I would never advise anyone to do what I did, and think I have been very lucky!
My foot is really comfortable in them actually, but they hurt like stink around my lower legs when I take them off....they're fine while I am actually skiing, but I can't walk comfortably after. They bruise me!
I don't think it's the fit, so much as the liner compressed that may be problem.
I would never advise anyone to do what I did, and think I have been very lucky!
