How To Buy Used Skis (model, motorcycles, beginners, sport)

[LeftSo.IL.Behind]

If anyone happens to know a bit about buying skis, I would appreciate your help. I have skiied a few times with rentals and I am planning on buying some used skis. I have noticed (and confirmed with research) that it is easier to navigate (namely turn) with shorter skis, as long as you are on fairly well groomed snow. I am 6' 2" and 185lbs (male of course, I'm not from the former East Germany). What is the shortest "formed", intermediate-type alpine ski I could get away with at my height? 170cm, 160cm, or whatever?

Any help would be much appreciated.
Thanks.

[Fuzz]

Do you have boots? Before you ever think of buying skis, make sure you get good boots and get fitted properly by a good boot-fitter. The best ski won't be worth anything if you don't have good boots. Yes, it will be expensive to get good boots and getting fitted, but trust me, it'll be worth it.

Assuming you have boots...

Length is just one of the many factors that distinguish ski characteristic and performance. It really depends on your skill level, skiing style, and terrain preference.

A longer ski may be harder to turn than a shorter one. Going solely by length, for your height and weight, anything around the 180-185cm mark should be fine. A longer ski is more stable at high speeds than a shorter one. Plus it also gives more float in deep snow (due to greater surface area).

Waist width is another crucial factor. The narrower the waist, the easier it is to turn on groomers (quicker edge-to-edge). For solely groomed skiing, you'd be fine with anything in the 70mm mark. A mid-fat (80-90mm) ski will have good groomer and off-piste performance. Skis with 90+mm waist are more for off-piste and deep snow. Mind you, you can ski a 90mm ski fine on groomers, but it take more skill. Most of us who ski 50+ days in the Rockies use 80mm-90mm as our everyday resort ski.

Turning radius is another good indicator of the ski's behavior. A short turning radius means the ski will want to make short radius turns. A long radius ski will need more area to turn -- good for high speed runs down open bowls, but not necessarily the best for crowded groomed trails. It will take more effort to make a long-radius ski make shorter turns.

Stiffness is one criteria you won't find objective measurements on (unlike the other parameters above). A stiff ski take a lot more effort to turn and control, while a softer ski bends more easily. This is truly down to individual preference and ability. A low-level skier might complain that a ski is hard to maneuver, while an expert may have no trouble getting the same ski to perform. And different people have different ideas of what's stiff and what's soft.

Before you buy, I'd suggest demoing various skis from your local shops. That way you can get a feel for what kind of skis you like better (especially the lengths -- the same ski at different lengths can feel completely different). Then you can shop for skis that have similar characteristics. Also keep in mind future improvements and changes in your skiing ability, style, and tastes.

[Sage of Sagle]

Good post, Fuzz! And to give the short answer, at 6'2" I would think that going below a 170 will make it tough on open slopes where you're getting up some good speed and want stability, especially if icy. Only reason I'd do 160's is if I were chute skiing...

Of course the various things Fuzz brought up play into it all...but if I only had "average intermediate ski" as the foundational criteria, I'd tell you to do a 170-175 just knowing that it's not really suitable for higher speeds or icier terrains.

Here's some reading: Skiing Tips, Choosing Ski Boots, Selecting Skis

[sunsprit]

Having touched upon the characteristics of various skis ... length, stiffness, width, etc. ...

the real key factors to selecting a ski will vary greatly depending upon your skiing style, experience, ski ability, athletic capacity, the slopes you're more likely to be skiing upon (terrain, snow quality), your expectations and comfort level, and perhaps ... the group of people your generally ski with (speeds, slope difficulty, variety and amount of turns, etc.).

With this in mind, I wouldn't buy a ski without demo'ing it for at least a half day to get acclimated to it ... although I've been on some skis that I knew in the first run or two were not going to get along with me ... and some that were love in the first couple of runs. Some were radically different for me just by changing up or down in length a little bit.

So, in buying used skis ... your best bet will be to demo (and perhaps, buy) them from a good ski shop at the slopes you generally ski. With a selection of types/lengths at hand, you can sort them out on the slopes and know what you're buying. Since the skiis are used, buy only a pair that you actually demo and are satisfied with rather than getting a "deal" on a similar pair away from the slopes (unless they come with a full money back satisfaction guarantee for any reason) ... you'd be amazed at how many ways skis can be damaged or vary from pair to pair.

Do keep in mind that the skiing you do this year ... and your skill level, expectations, physical ability, group levels ... may change through the season or to next season. So be flexible about your ski selection and don't be afraid to move on up when the need/opportunity arises.

You will find that quality skis made for ownership (instead of generic "rental" stock skis) are much better performers at almost any level. By having the consistency of your own ski from day to day, you will progress in your skills a lot faster. You may even find that you'll "outgrow" a ski through a season. Don't be afraid to move/trade on up through the skis as your skills progress.

Also, recognize that various skis have different specific strengths ... much like bicycles, motorcycles, cars, or other sporting equipment. You may find that you'll want a few different sets for different conditions (early season "rock skis", powder skis, "icy slope day" skis, etc.), depending upon how many days a season you ski and the variety of conditions/slopes you plan to ski. There's no one "all-around" ski that readily fits all the common situations ... although there are superb skiers that can take almost any ski and still have exceptional results (most of us aren't those skiers ....) on any slope in any condition.

You may want to "demo" new current year model skiis to see what's going on in the industry ... and be guided by what you "discovered" about those skis as they relate to your skiing.

As pointed out above, the boot you select is the foundation to your skiing. Just like skiis, there are various levels of "performance" in boots. Start with boots that fit you well for your skiing level/budget. Be prepared for the boots to not perform up to your level in due course, just like the skiis, and boots may also wear out. Your boots should fit your foot like a glove, closely, but without any pressure points and allow normal circulation in your foot for warmth and control. In my experience, there's a great deal of difference in the skill level of staffers at ski shops when it comes to fitting boots ... so, if you don't feel completely comfortable with a pair at a shop, try another shop. Again, seek a shop that will stand behind the boots that they've sold to you ... for comfort, control, and your ability level ... with some sort of guarantee. There's nothing worse than having a sloppy fit boot through which you cannot feel or control a ski, or a boot that hurts your foot through the day .....

[MainStreet]

Originally Posted by LeftSo.IL.Behind

If anyone happens to know a bit about buying skis, I would appreciate your help. I have skiied a few times with rentals and I am planning on buying some used skis. I have noticed (and confirmed with research) that it is easier to navigate (namely turn) with shorter skis, as long as you are on fairly well groomed snow. I am 6' 2" and 185lbs (male of course, I'm not from the former East Germany). What is the shortest "formed", intermediate-type alpine ski I could get away with at my height? 170cm, 160cm, or whatever?

Any help would be much appreciated.
Thanks.

My 2 cents. You are far too tall for 160 and even 170, no matter what skill level you are.

You are fit for your height, I think you could turn easily, or learn to on longer skis.

Let me explain it to you this way. If you think you turning easier on shorter skis...you are not turning in true form...those short skis are just moving independently with your foot as an axis...that is why short skis make great hot dog stunt skis. The longer the ski, the truer a turn. I hope that makes sense. In other words, you'll look like a clown on short skis.

I am 5'8" and learned and primarily skied 180, eventually you get the best of them and need longer skis.

I might be a ski snob, but if I saw an inexperienced 6-2 guy on 160s...I'd ask you if you needed help.

Good luck and happy skiing!!!

[Fuzz]

For expert advice tailored to your needs, go here: Ski Gear Discussion - The Barking Bear Forums

[easternerDC]

I second checking out Epicski. They do provide some good advice there.

I also agree that a 160 or 170 would be way too short for you and would hinder your development. I am 5'1 female, fairy aggressive skier, lower advanced and I ski on 160 - 165...the longer skis I use for the wider skis that I have.

I would also consider the primary conditions you are skiing in.. will you ever go off the groomed slopes?

Although demoing is good and will help, I don't know that I would recommend that for a novice skier. I feel that most beginners are just happy when they make it down the slope without falling. I would just look for an intermediate/beginner rated ski with a narrower waist and not a very stiff ski.

[RowingMunkeyCU]

So how about for someone like me, Male, 6'0", 140lbs? I always seem to be a bit of an oddball when trying to find a good fit...

[zoomerang]

The friendly folks at powder7.com can help get you on a great pair of used (or new) skis. They can recommend skis for you based on your experience, ability level, and what kind of conditions you usually ski. I ordered a pair a year ago and they've been great. I highly recommend!! [url=http://www.powder7.com]Sale skis, Used Skis For Sale, and Demo Skis For Sale | Shipped From Colorado | Powder7.com[/url]

Hope that helps

Alissa