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doc_conez

Member
Hey guys,

So I've been skiing for the last four years now but never more than a week at a time and always on rentals. This season I've decided to take a leap as I'm heading O/S for the 14/15 season and was looking into purchasing my own gear. I'd rate myself as an intermediate skier, comfortable on blues and blacks but would lean towards skiing the blue run over the black run. I can do a few small jumps but no tricks. I'm interested in skiing the whole mountain (I'll be at big white) but want to develop my park skills. I was leaning towards twin tips as I want to start learning some tricks and what not. Currently I'm looking at Line chronic's or blend's, although i'm open to any recommendations. Any gear recommendations (bindings, boots, poles, outerwear etc.) would also be greatly appreciated.

Cheers.
 
Hey dude,

The most important tip I can give you is to look for boots that fit first of all. I would rather get cheaper skis if the boots that fit me were a bit over my budget. It is really THE most important thing of your setup. The nicest skis are not gonna help you if you have to stop skiing after 2 hours because your shins hurt.

Also don't go cheap on bindings. (basically: don't buy marker squires if you are older than 13 and have a normal weight). Look into bindings that will serve you well in your purpose. Ask yourself: How big do I wanna go etc.

Cheap bindings might work for you if you are just starting out, but if you get into park and progress they are not gonna hold up.

So before you buy skis look into to boots and bindings.

For skis I would maybe go to a shop or online and look for last years models as they will be mostly the same from the technical side and just have a different design on them. Since you have never ridden twin tips before you probably won't really know what kind of characteristics you would like in a ski. So you could really buy anything with two tips. Since you said you are going to do a lot of piste as well, I would recommend getting a directional twin tip and if you want to ski some pow as well get something a litte bit wider like the blends you listed.

Hope that helps.

cheers

Summary for lazy people: Boots that fit, don't go cheap on bindings, try getting a good deal on skis.
 
13201359:Hamlet said:
Hey dude,

The most important tip I can give you is to look for boots that fit first of all. I would rather get cheaper skis if the boots that fit me were a bit over my budget. It is really THE most important thing of your setup. The nicest skis are not gonna help you if you have to stop skiing after 2 hours because your shins hurt.

Also don't go cheap on bindings. (basically: don't buy marker squires if you are older than 13 and have a normal weight). Look into bindings that will serve you well in your purpose. Ask yourself: How big do I wanna go etc.

Cheap bindings might work for you if you are just starting out, but if you get into park and progress they are not gonna hold up.

So before you buy skis look into to boots and bindings.

For skis I would maybe go to a shop or online and look for last years models as they will be mostly the same from the technical side and just have a different design on them. Since you have never ridden twin tips before you probably won't really know what kind of characteristics you would like in a ski. So you could really buy anything with two tips. Since you said you are going to do a lot of piste as well, I would recommend getting a directional twin tip and if you want to ski some pow as well get something a litte bit wider like the blends you listed.

Hope that helps.

cheers

Summary for lazy people: Boots that fit, don't go cheap on bindings, try getting a good deal on skis.
Click to expand...

Cheers man!

That advice was grouse, was there a specific boot/binding you would recommend more so than another? I've heard a lot about full tilt boots but I don't know if that's just a trend or if they're actually good. As far as bindings go I have no idea so any recommendation would be insightful. I'll be in Vancouver in a couple of weeks so I'll be making sure I buy everything in store and get fitted right. I just don't want someone to take advantage of my n00bness haha.
 
Get gear that fits the way you ski

not the way you want to ski

get some all mountain free ride skis, atomic makes some real good ones.

Get some some boots that fit.

now is the time you transition from gaper to newschoolers

i wish you well
 
13201398:doc_conez said:
Cheers man!

That advice was grouse, was there a specific boot/binding you would recommend more so than another? I've heard a lot about full tilt boots but I don't know if that's just a trend or if they're actually good. As far as bindings go I have no idea so any recommendation would be insightful. I'll be in Vancouver in a couple of weeks so I'll be making sure I buy everything in store and get fitted right. I just don't want someone to take advantage of my n00bness haha.
Click to expand...

Hey dude,

I have never tried full tilt so I can't comment on them, but like every boot: They will suck for you if you don't fit. For bindings I can just say that I use marker jesters and I am fine with them, but a lot of people on here seem to love pivots/fks so maybe look into these? Never tried them though

Good luck with buying your gear
 
13201414:toastyteenagers said:
Get gear that fits the way you ski

not the way you want to ski
Click to expand...

Yeah, but sometimes changing your gear can help you progress. lighter skis can definitely help you whip that extra 180, and softer tips/tails I find are much more forgiving on inconsistent snow. Blends are fun. If you find a pair cheap, pick them up for sure.

Definitely invest in good fitting boots first of all. get the right width and flex for your weight. Hit up a ski swap for some used skis/bindings. rossi 12 din dildo bindings (px12s) can usually be found around $50 and they last forever. Something like a line blend, Sir francis bacon, atomic blog, or salomon rocker 100 can be used equally well in the park and deep snow. You really don't need stiff full camber park skis to hit jumps or rails.

if you can, buy a pair of cheap skis at a ski swap every year to try out new shapes and flexes until you find something you really like to shred on. Everyone has a different taste in skis. Learn to Ptex base gouges, and you're good to go. I never spend more than $200 on a pair of skis.
 
bindings can be tough to pick out when you're new because the skis and boots usually get all the hype in the forums. I would recommend some pivots, salomon drivers, or anything with steel parts instead of plastic.. They will just last you longer.

As as far as boots go, just head into a shop with a decent fitter and let them take care of you, maybe read up on how a proper boot should fit as well. I can't really give any recommendations because I don't know what shape your foot/shins are, but like said before, its super important that they fit right.'

And surprisingly, skis are one of the lesser important items as long as they are in good shape and somewhat pertain to what you want to do with them. With that being said, the blends are an awesome place to start as well as the chronics. When it comes to fitting for a ski, I would say go with something around 90-100 underfoot for all mountain and make sure they are around the same height as you are.
 
13201359:Hamlet said:
Hey dude,

The most important tip I can give you is to look for boots that fit first of all. I would rather get cheaper skis if the boots that fit me were a bit over my budget. It is really THE most important thing of your setup. The nicest skis are not gonna help you if you have to stop skiing after 2 hours because your shins hurt.

Also don't go cheap on bindings. (basically: don't buy marker squires if you are older than 13 and have a normal weight). Look into bindings that will serve you well in your purpose. Ask yourself: How big do I wanna go etc.

Cheap bindings might work for you if you are just starting out, but if you get into park and progress they are not gonna hold up.

So before you buy skis look into to boots and bindings.

For skis I would maybe go to a shop or online and look for last years models as they will be mostly the same from the technical side and just have a different design on them. Since you have never ridden twin tips before you probably won't really know what kind of characteristics you would like in a ski. So you could really buy anything with two tips. Since you said you are going to do a lot of piste as well, I would recommend getting a directional twin tip and if you want to ski some pow as well get something a litte bit wider like the blends you listed.

Hope that helps.

cheers

Summary for lazy people: Boots that fit, don't go cheap on bindings, try getting a good deal on skis.
Click to expand...

13201398:doc_conez said:
Cheers man!

That advice was grouse, was there a specific boot/binding you would recommend more so than another? I've heard a lot about full tilt boots but I don't know if that's just a trend or if they're actually good. As far as bindings go I have no idea so any recommendation would be insightful. I'll be in Vancouver in a couple of weeks so I'll be making sure I buy everything in store and get fitted right. I just don't want someone to take advantage of my n00bness haha.
Click to expand...

Yea what hamlet said boots are the most important. All mountain setup would be ideal, last season I got the line blends probably the best ski ive rode. But get a boot that fits you best. I'd stay away from full tilt they feel like your wearing a boot(the way it fits your foot) my opinion though. Good luck out their. Check evo.com or swap meets
 
In terms of bindings, I think the Marker Griffon could be ideal for what you are looking for. I had them on my first skis, and they were great because they arent that heavy but still durable enough for what most people do.

I disagree with the other recommendations for metal mindings( or part metal) at least for a first ski. I not use the Jester, and honestly for most people the difference in durability will not be of relevance unless you ski REALLY hard, which you just stated you did not. Ive used the same griffon binding on the same ski for over 2 years now ( armada el rey, not really what you are looking for though) although I had them remounted dead center to be better for skiing switch.

The weight you would save with this would be worth the slightly decreased durability, which only comes into play if you are skiing really aggressive pow and want more accurate binding release or skiing some crazy park, which as a beginner you are obviously not going to be.

just my 0.02, although obviously it depends on how you ski.
 
I would most recommend getting out to a local shop. You will be able to get one on one help. You are most probably going to want a pretty simple binding that will still hold up. Thats kind of up to you and maybe somebody at shop to figure out your din range and vary to your needs from there. For skis I would most recommend an all mountain ski. There is no need to pay over 400 for skis. Get an older model. I stayed under 500 with boots, skis, and bindings this year using older models.
 
13201398:doc_conez said:
Cheers man!

That advice was grouse, was there a specific boot/binding you would recommend more so than another? I've heard a lot about full tilt boots but I don't know if that's just a trend or if they're actually good. As far as bindings go I have no idea so any recommendation would be insightful. I'll be in Vancouver in a couple of weeks so I'll be making sure I buy everything in store and get fitted right. I just don't want someone to take advantage of my n00bness haha.
Click to expand...

full tilts are yes good quality but i fucking hate a low flex index, i love my ficher soma x but then again i used to race and thats a racing boot soooo personal prefrance
 
Boot wise, we can't really suggest anything that would be good or bad for you as your foot is different from everyone elses. I recommend you just go to your local ski shop and try on a few different pairs of boots, see what feels good and what doesn't. Then from there start looking at bindings and skis within your remaining budget. Hope this helped! Good Luck
 
Boots that fit really well, it doesn't not matter what kind at all, as long as they fit.

Binders, I ride pivots/fks on all of my skis, The are great and the will hold up thats a promise. But get something not cheap. (difference between cheep and inexpensive)

Skis- blends would be good, 4frnt devastators, Kartel 106, something like that. Get a deal on skis, no reason to pay full price if you are just starting out.

Helmet- I just picked up a giro combyn, its the only helmet for skiing with a dual density eps liner that I have seen. Basically dual density liners are amazing and If you can get your hands on it then you should. Higher end motocross helmets use it. Its good stuff

Goggles-Get a higher end goggle at last years price. Goggle choice isn't too important because most goggles are technically sound, so just buy what looks cool to you. (i ride dragon apx)

Poles- Get creative, it really doesn't matter too much just don't spend more than 30 bucks for a pair...

Have a sick season!
 
13214034:Dr.Nitrog3n said:
Home mountain. I'm actually here currently for pre season rails and junk.
Click to expand...

Oh grouse, well i get there on the 26th of this month so I may see you at the local to knock the tops off a few cold ones.
 
13214138:GrumpisPringle said:
Boots that fit really well, it doesn't not matter what kind at all, as long as they fit.

Binders, I ride pivots/fks on all of my skis, The are great and the will hold up thats a promise. But get something not cheap. (difference between cheep and inexpensive)

Skis- blends would be good, 4frnt devastators, Kartel 106, something like that. Get a deal on skis, no reason to pay full price if you are just starting out.

Helmet- I just picked up a giro combyn, its the only helmet for skiing with a dual density eps liner that I have seen. Basically dual density liners are amazing and If you can get your hands on it then you should. Higher end motocross helmets use it. Its good stuff

Goggles-Get a higher end goggle at last years price. Goggle choice isn't too important because most goggles are technically sound, so just buy what looks cool to you. (i ride dragon apx)

Poles- Get creative, it really doesn't matter too much just don't spend more than 30 bucks for a pair...

Have a sick season!
Click to expand...

Sound advice, thanks heaps manggg!
 
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