you can get like 2 or 3 year old lines for way cheap. they arent the greatest ski compared to new stuff, but they would get you off to a good start for cheap.
'I heard that there was this ninja who was eating at a diner. And when some dude dropped a spoon the ninja killed the whole town.'
If you're talking brand new skis, get the Public Enemies for only $350. I have some Salomon 720s from the first year they ever came out (the half blue/half white ones). They rock and are indestructable.