| Whether you're looking to buy or rent/demo skis the | | | | with a turn radius from approximately 15 meters to |
| following may be helpful information how to select | | | | 19 meters |
| the best skis for you. | | | | Freeride Skis are for those who enjoy the freedom |
| First you must decide what is best for you, to rent | | | | of the backcountry. If you want a ski that can take |
| demo (renting top of the line models, not rental | | | | you into the backcountry as well as the rest of the |
| stock skis) or buy? Beginning skiers or those just | | | | mountain this is the one current label that seems to |
| trying out the sport to decide if it's for them, it | | | | work for everyone. Many do have twin tips and |
| makes sense to rent ski equipment. Once sure you're | | | | many can do double duty as deep snow skis and |
| going to spend enough time on the slopes to justify | | | | park/pipe skis. Still, in my view these wide skis focus |
| buying ski equipment you can invest in your own ski | | | | on deep snow and crud expertise. Formerly called |
| gear. Considering today's economy and the cost to | | | | deep snow, or powder, or "big mountain" skis. Waist |
| ship or fly with your equipment you may just want | | | | range from low 80's to over 100 mm under foot with |
| to rent/demo till things improve and our economy | | | | a turn radius from 15 up to 35 meters. |
| improves. You can demo top of the line skis for | | | | Specialty Skis - everything else, especially twin tip |
| what it would cost you to fly round trip with you | | | | skis that fare best in park and pipe conditions and |
| equipment- you may want to consider carrying-on | | | | mogul skis. Most shops concentrate on more |
| your own boots. | | | | mainstream models and it's been my experience that |
| What is the Best Ski for You? With a numerous skis | | | | dedicated slope-siders and committed bumpers rely |
| to be had on today's market, choosing can be | | | | not on reviews but on peer-to-peer communication |
| overpowering. Deciding what skis will cater to your | | | | and coaches' recommendations. |
| ability level, gender and your goals can be difficult. | | | | Hopefully you now have a reasonable working |
| You must consider the ski conditions you will ski the | | | | knowledge of types of skis and the criteria to |
| most, your honest ability level, your terrain | | | | determine what is suitable for your type of skiing it's |
| preference and type of skiing (racing, downhill, or off | | | | to time to put the info to use and head to the shop. |
| piste, for example), and how much experience you | | | | No matter whether you are renting, demoing or |
| have - number of days, years on skis -when | | | | buying you need to find a shop that has |
| choosing skis. With honest answers to these | | | | knowledgeable technicians to assist you in your |
| questions you can start generating a list of what skis | | | | needs. You will find it hard to talk to a person that |
| may be right for you. | | | | only has snowboard background to buy or rent skis |
| Advanced technology in ski construction has allowed | | | | and visa-versa. Experience of shop personnel not only |
| downhill ski manufacturers to make excellent skis for | | | | in sales but in local knowledge of the area you are |
| various skiers and conditions but understanding the | | | | skiing will make the process easier. |
| different ski categories is essential. When potential | | | | More guests may be renting/demoing equipment this |
| buyers ask for suggestions, many skiers or shop | | | | winter than ever before. Airline bag fees have sky |
| personnel will recommend their personal favorites. | | | | rocketed with the increases of fuel prices and other |
| What ski works for them may not necessarily work | | | | airline problems. Along with baggage fees guests are |
| for you but interpreting your friend's descriptions can | | | | trending to give up buying, lugging equipment through |
| be useful in helping you find the best ski for your | | | | airports and taking the chance their gear will be at |
| unique needs. | | | | their destination. Under these circumstances shops |
| Today the most popular terms I like to use in | | | | need first-rate, well tuned equipment for our |
| categorizing different types of skis are: | | | | specialized guests. In the past shop have only |
| Technical, racing or carving skis are for skiers who | | | | provided rental performance skis and boots now |
| engage primarily in technical carving on hard or | | | | have to provide better equipment. |
| groomed snow and skiers honing basic technical skills. | | | | It is common for shoppers to check out the stores |
| These include all racing and race carving skis, cross | | | | and then go on line to look for cheaper prices. There |
| skis and recreational carvers. This is the choice of | | | | are a growing number of web sites where new and |
| many teaching pros and advanced expert skiers. | | | | older model skis are for sale at prices that can vary |
| Typical waist measurement is 71mm or less. Turn radii | | | | across the Internet. A lot of the difference in prices |
| are typically 15 meters or less depending on length | | | | is due to the popularity of certain model skis that are |
| skied. Typically these type skis are skied short. | | | | designed for specific snow conditions. I only |
| Tactical, multi-condition, aggressive all mountain, good | | | | recommend buying online if you have already tested |
| everyday skis for skiers for whom the relationship of | | | | and know exactly the ski you want. You may find it |
| the ski to the snow is of paramount importance. | | | | difficult to find this year's current gear on line till after |
| These skiers roam the entire mountain, or at the | | | | Christmas or cheaper than the minimum advertised |
| other end of the spectrum, simply cruise around the | | | | price determined by the manufacturer. Give your local |
| groomed on flat edges. These types of skis are the | | | | merchants the business you may be surprised what |
| most popular with wide-ranging selection to choose | | | | deals are out there. |
| from. Waists are generally in the 68 to 82mm range, | | | | |