Help needed for "complete beginner" gear (and intro post, hi!)

[JamesB]

Skis, you need to find a pair of skis that is flexible enough to encourage tipping and bending into a turn, but still stiff enough to be stable at a reasonable speed. i.e. maybe two steps down from FIS SL, like cheater SL that is softer than the others. Length between chin and top of head, Tip of nose is ideal. If on a budget, look for consignment sales at ski shops, or used. JUST MAKE SURE THE BINDING IS ON THE CURRENT INDEMNIFIED LIST. I adjust all my bindings, and those for my family, but I also started when a 4-setting non-DIN binding was the latest and greatest (Solomon 202?). It's not rocket science.

100% understand what you mean about flexibility. Apart from the manufacturer saying something like "this is a springy and flexy ski" vs "this is a super-stiff ski" - is there a number or code or something else I can look at to know how flexible a ski is?
Can you clarify what you mean by "FIS SL" and "cheater SL"?

Thanks!

 

[Vestirse]

100% understand what you mean about flexibility. Apart from the manufacturer saying something like "this is a springy and flexy ski" vs "this is a super-stiff ski" - is there a number or code or something else I can look at to know how flexible a ski is?
Can you clarify what you mean by "FIS SL" and "cheater SL"?

Thanks!

soothski.com FTW!

 

[Mendieta]

Skip the rental hassle. I think a lot of us forget how much of a pain renting is.

This is why I was suggesting season rentals, see my post above

 

[Vestirse]

This is why I was suggesting season rentals, see my post above

Yep - my sister went exactly this course. Season rentals + beginner boots (and her own helmet and poles of course). It's a really great set up for her first season so +2 on your suggestion from both of us.

 

[François Pugh]

soothski.com FTW!

Here you go.

Comparison Review - Race Ski Round 2: Non-FIS Slalom Skis

Slalom (Lite) Skis Ok, ding ding! Seconds out! Here we go with Round 2 of the race ski cage match ... and here is where it may get a bit more subjective or, as some of you may prefer to call it, opinionated! A little history first. Back in the "olden days," a slalom ski was not really that much...

www.skitalk.com

Not the Fischer SC, but the ones nearer the bottom of the list like the Head i. sl would do quite nicely and shouldn't cost an arm and a leg used. Bonus if your wife don't like 'em, good for you to have fun on for a change of pace.

Note: Beware of Advertising BS. I picked up a pair of Dynastar Speed 12's for my son, who admittedly is NOT a never-ever. He was sort of forced to pick a more direct line down some easy blue runs because the crowded slopes combined with his limited skill meant he couldn't make the turns that would have slowed him down (would have brought him too close to other skiers). He found it terrifying. I tried the skis too. Yeah, they were not built for any sort of speed, despite the reviews (should have got the speed 14s). He was fine on other skis at those speeds.

 

[François Pugh]

100% understand what you mean about flexibility. Apart from the manufacturer saying something like "this is a springy and flexy ski" vs "this is a super-stiff ski" - is there a number or code or something else I can look at to know how flexible a ski is?
Can you clarify what you mean by "FIS SL" and "cheater SL"?

Thanks!

Above post was meant to reply to this post.

 

[JamesB]

soothski.com FTW!

OH NO I'M GOING DOWN THIS RABBIT HOLE FOR THE REST OF THE NIGHT.

 

[JamesB]

This is why I was suggesting season rentals, see my post above

Definitely looking into that.

 

[JamesB]

Definitely looking into that.

Edit: Sorry, misread what you said. Unfortunately, at this point, I think that the availability of season rentals is low, and even if it wasn't, the cost doesn't make sense for this season.... The way I figure it - at $275 for the ski lease for next year, plus another $100 in rentals for this year ... If I can get used skis for $150-200, even if they're going back on Craigslist in a year, it's still a better deal.
But if I can find some skis that are coming *off* of rental for the year, that might be a winner.

 

[GB_Ski]

I'm pretty sure your local shop will rent you boots and skis for the remainder of this season and next for the same price.

 

[JamesB]

Yep - my sister went exactly this course. Season rentals + beginner boots (and her own helmet and poles of course). It's a really great set up for her first season so +2 on your suggestion from both of us.

I'm pretty sure your local shop will rent you boots and skis for the remainder of this season and next for the same price.

That's worth looking into!

 

[Mendieta]

Edit: Sorry, misread what you said. Unfortunately, at this point, I think that the availability of season rentals is low, and even if it wasn't, the cost doesn't make sense for this season.... The way I figure it - at $275 for the ski lease for next year, plus another $100 in rentals for this year ... If I can get used skis for $150-200, even if they're going back on Craigslist in a year, it's still a better deal.
But if I can find some skis that are coming *off* of rental for the year, that might be a winner.

The way I see it, the decisions you make up front are make or break, especially for never evers. Saving a couple hundred bucks and getting frustration win can mean a missed opportunity of a lifetime of skiing together. Too much at stake.

The first year skiing is the year to look for convenience and optimal outcome. Savings come later, IMHO.

 

[skiki]

That's worth looking into!

Where do you ski?

 

[JamesB]

Where do you ski?

Mostly at Pleasant Mountain in Maine

 

[no edge]

My suggestion is to go short and shoot for more performance vs what would be built into a beginner ski.

I ski at Jiminy peak. Riding the 6 pack you get to see what set up people have. I notice lots of down staters skiing on older but good skis. Many are new to the sport. Downstate skiers are a durable lot and they buy what they want. Shorter skis are cheater skis for adults but they tend to improve fast going short. I am talking about women, kids and teens.

Rental skis are worth a look.

 

[JamesB]

OK, if anyone wants to give an opinion ... I found some skis on FB that may be a winner, but trying to find any information on them is like pulling teeth. As far as I can tell, the ski is the Fischer XTR Motiva (link here: https://issuu.com/snowsport_pl/docs/workbook_alpine_13l14_en/57) and I've attached some pics from the ad. As far as I can tell, it looks like they're 10 years old so probably adjustable for the rest of this season ... but the bizarre thing is that I can find almost no information about this ski. Literally a couple of half-built pages on some European ski shops that may have once carried it, and that's it. They're 160s, which might be pushing it on length, but ... I'm open to any thoughts/opinions folks might have. In terms of "are the bindings serviceable", local shop said "shoot me a pic and we'll let you know", so I'm waiting on that.

Thoughts? Close but no cigar? Jump on it?

 

[cantunamunch]

^Bindings NOT Gripwalk. Are her boots 5355 or GW?

 

[JamesB]

^Bindings NOT Gripwalk. Are her boots 5355 or GW?

boots are 5355, not GW, and confirmed shop will work on the bindings!

 

[Vestirse]

Slightly taller than I had in mind. I was thinking mid-150s, but might not be bad, hmmm. Is there a pic of the bases?

 

[JamesB]

Slightly taller than I had in mind. I was thinking mid-150s, but might not be bad, hmmm. Is there a pic of the bases?

No, but I'm hoping they're not torn up....can find out.