Price point

[PartyBullshiit]

With most of the companies starting to drop new skis and prices seemingly being on the rise I was curious what most of you are willing to spend on new season skis and types?

For instance, on new model standard skis that are regular production runs I’d find it hard to pay $1000 or more.

On something that’s extremely low volume or limited etc where it’s a now or never type of buy, I’d be willing to spend up to $1200.

The tricky one for me is on something custom which is what got me wondering this whole price thing in general. I completely understand the need for a higher price on a ski that literally custom made for you and not at all a normal production. How much? I’m not sure. The one that bothers me is someone offering a ski that’s essentially a normal production ski but maybe a semi custom top sheet or base etc and trying to charge a fair amount more than the standard version. The one that got me on this thought was On3p. I’ve been interested in a Jeff 100. I know cheating on moment yada yada but I’d like to get one. I just hate yellow and that’s the TS color. But for me to change it to the blue ts with a different base takes the ski from $849 to like $1100. Which makes absolutely zero sense to me. I’m getting a ski that’s a regularly production with a TS and base that’s standard offerings. If I wanted full custom pictures and bases etc I’d completely understand the price increase, But for options that are all standard offerings and do not require any kind of crazy retooling or custom graphic creations etc I find it very hard to justify the price increase.

To be clear this is not a knock on on3p, It’s their company and they get to set the prices they believe are fair for their time and work. They made some great skis. No argument there. I just feel the price bump for changing the graphics flavor to another standard offering of theirs really doesn’t justify the price bump and keeps me from pulling the trigger. Which is disappointing.

I’ll be the first to admit I haven’t paid full price for all my skis. I’ve scored plenty of deals with end of season sales etc. I’m not all about paying full price. I like to save money just like most others. Obviously I have paid full price as well for some limited offerings etc because I wanted something I knew would sell out.

so that’s what got me thinking and I’ve been curious what you all would be willing to pay in general.

 

[profa_212]

I have never, and likely will never buy skis at full price. I don't think I have ever spent more than 350 on a pair of skis in my 25 years of skiing.

Between facebook, craigslist, ski swaps, consignment stores, TGR, pro deals, and reps giving hookups......there are just way too many options of great condition (or even new) and extremely cheap skis out there. Why anyone would spend 900 for skis when they can get a dentist's year old set with 5 days and one set of holes for 150 is confusing to me.

I used to think 800 was crazy for skis. Anyone spending 1000+ is absolutely flabbergasting to me. Bloody hell there are Line skis going for 900 now. Thats dumb.

 

[skiP.E.I.]

It has to come in under $500 CAD after shipping and tax. I just don't buy 'new season' equipment. Only used or new old stock.

 

[KungKalmar]

Skis from normal brands needs to be heavily discounted, I don't buy skis from big brands if they are over 400€.

But there happens to be a brand called Pusu skis. They make beautiful wooden skis in Finland. They have model Wanaka that is absolutely everything I want from my skis. It's probably the best carving 110mm ski on the market, It grips on pure ice like a dream. Around 1900g weight is the best for my usage. Stiff from tail to the point where tip rocker starts and from there it's quite soft. Best graphics on the market. Lighter swing weight than my park skis.

All of this costs 1100€ and I do not regret buying them. In fact I will sell all of my other skis and buy another pair in the same size. So then I will have a park/rock ski and a new fresh pair for everything else. This will continue every season until Pusu doesn't exist anymore. Probably won't touch skis from other brands in a while. (I love Pusu)

So from summer sale with under 400€ price tag, but if It's a Finnish company that makes the best skis for me I'm willing to pay the 1100€ price tag.

 

[PartyBullshiit]

Skis from normal brands needs to be heavily discounted, I don't buy skis from big brands if they are over 400€.

But there happens to be a brand called Pusu skis. They make beautiful wooden skis in Finland. They have model Wanaka that is absolutely everything I want from my skis. It's probably the best carving 110mm ski on the market, It grips on pure ice like a dream. Around 1900g weight is the best for my usage. Stiff from tail to the point where tip rocker starts and from there it's quite soft. Best graphics on the market. Lighter swing weight than my park skis.

All of this costs 1100€ and I do not regret buying them. In fact I will sell all of my other skis and buy another pair in the same size. So then I will have a park/rock ski and a new fresh pair for everything else. This will continue every season until Pusu doesn't exist anymore. Probably won't touch skis from other brands in a while. (I love Pusu)

So from summer sale with under 400€ price tag, but if It's a Finnish company that makes the best skis for me I'm willing to pay the 1100€ price tag.

Ya I was basically excluded sale skis for this comparison. Essentially only new season skis, but your point about a really special ski you love is very valid. That would fall under the limited special skis for me. At 1100eu that would be a damn pricey us ski. Is it a normal production ski made every season?

 

[KungKalmar]

Ya I was basically excluded sale skis for this comparison. Essentially only new season skis, but your point about a really special ski you love is very valid. That would fall under the limited special skis for me. At 1100eu that would be a damn pricey us ski. Is it a normal production ski made every season?

They have few pairs in stock and make more if people order them. So they are always available. I don't think lot of people can afford them in this economy though. But I can and for me the price tag is worth it, only skis I haven't regretted buying. They are not doing well financially either, Looking at their public financials reveals that they made -50% of profit last year. I hope they can keep going.

 

[bennwithtwons]

i think the most i ever spent on a pair of skis alone was 550 and that was basically 50% for. after that it was probably more like $300-350 max

the most i've paid for skis/bindings together was $800

paid as little as about $120 for brand new skis cause they were a couple seasons old

i try to get my pivots at end-of-year sales where i can get a 40-50% discount, so $200-250 at most

**This post was edited on Jul 26th 2024 at 4:14:27pm

 

[weatcoast]

On3p charging $900 for park skis that use the same exact edges as every other manufacturer and getting away with it is easily the greatest marketing feat of all time. Their chief of marketing needs a raise for sure

 

[officechair]

For a small company or unique ski, I think $1000-1200 is okay (not just a rare topsheet version like Porsche branded or something). Most skis in the $500 range I’m okay with. I bought some Commander 98s for $600 last season because I wanted a pair for a while and they got changed this year.

But if I know I like a model I would pay retail to replace an old pair. If I’m hesitant I’ll wait for a sale.

**This post was edited on Jul 26th 2024 at 6:46:22pm

 

[Vzx]

On3p charging $900 for park skis that use the same exact edges as every other manufacturer and getting away with it is easily the greatest marketing feat of all time. Their chief of marketing needs a raise for sure

Where are you getting 900 from? I could go on their website right now and pick up a pair for almost half of that with discounts.

**This post was edited on Jul 26th 2024 at 9:14:16pm

 

[PartyBullshiit]

Where are you getting 900 from? I could go on their website right now and pick up a pair for almost half of that with discounts.

**This post was edited on Jul 26th 2024 at 9:14:16pm

Past seasons are currently onsale. This thread was about 24/25. Meaning not onsale. In which case they are aboot $900. Or in my case they were $1100 for customs.

 

[Vzx]

Past seasons are currently onsale. This thread was about 24/25. Meaning not onsale. In which case they are aboot $900. Or in my case they were $1100 for customs.

Oh my bad for not fully reading the thread. Personally I don’t really think it’s worth it to spend an extra 200-300 on customs especially when you’re just customizing the base and top sheet. It doesn’t matter though because people can spend their money on what they want without other people’s influence.

 

[PartyBullshiit]

Oh my bad for not fully reading the thread. Personally I don’t really think it’s worth it to spend an extra 200-300 on customs especially when you’re just customizing the base and top sheet. It doesn’t matter though because people can spend their money on what they want without other people’s influence.

And that was my point. The price bump for just different graphics and bases that are already standard options seems a bit much.

 

[Voyage86]

i would literally never ever pay more than 500 for a ski. All my skis i have ever bought have been on end of season sales. Most of my pairs were around 500 total including the binding all brand new. I see absolutely zero point in buying new skis at the beginning of the season. I really compare people who buy new skis at the begging of the year to trigger happy 12 year olds that can’t wait the 2 months for the price to drop. honestly i’m just not sure how these ski companies are making money because I don’t know who is paying full price for these twigs. it’s an utter rip off.

 

[nCrow]

Yeah this thread is honestly fucking crazy. On3p factory finds for 600 is the highest I’ve ever gone. Nothing over 450 ever besides that. Skis are tools for shredding why would I spend a shit ton of money on something I’m actively destroying

i would literally never ever pay more than 500 for a ski. All my skis i have ever bought have been on end of season sales. Most of my pairs were around 500 total including the binding all brand new. I see absolutely zero point in buying new skis at the beginning of the season. I really compare people who buy new skis at the begging of the year to trigger happy 12 year olds that can’t wait the 2 months for the price to drop. honestly i’m just not sure how these ski companies are making money because I don’t know who is paying full price for these twigs. it’s an utter rip off.

 

[BallClapper]

Can't remember the last time I paid full price for any kind of recreational equipment. For skis I'd spend ~500. Usually find nos or use pro deals and end of season sales. People who say "oh, that __ is so good I would pay full price for it" are fucking stupid. No you wouldn't. Also feel like the only people who actually pay full price for stuff is the vail vacationer type skier.

 

[Voyage86]

Yeah this thread is honestly fucking crazy. On3p factory finds for 600 is the highest I’ve ever gone. Nothing over 450 ever besides that. Skis are tools for shredding why would I spend a shit ton of money on something I’m actively destroying

exactly, no matter how pretty the new model looks i know it will be blown to pieces after 100 days or so. i just can’t understand the child like impulse to spend a band on something that’s essentially disposable

 

[PartyBullshiit]

I’ve only paid full price for 2 skis. A pair of blades which literally sold out in minutes and my ghost trains which sold out in days. The trains being powder skis I should easily get years of use out of. So the cost was justified personally.

 

[cyphers]

i hope people never stop buying new shit, always super affordable for me when it hits marketplace next summer

 

[Non_State_Actor]

Echoing everything above, I've only once purchased a pair that wasn't at least 40% off. I think the highest amount I've paid was ~$425 for a pair of blemished Moment Death wish.

 

[FaunaSkis]

The tricky one for me is on something custom which is what got me wondering this whole price thing in general. I completely understand the need for a higher price on a ski that literally custom made for you and not at all a normal production. How much? I’m not sure. The one that bothers me is someone offering a ski that’s essentially a normal production ski but maybe a semi custom top sheet or base etc and trying to charge a fair amount more than the standard version. The one that got me on this thought was On3p. I’ve been interested in a Jeff 100. I know cheating on moment yada yada but I’d like to get one. I just hate yellow and that’s the TS color. But for me to change it to the blue ts with a different base takes the ski from $849 to like $1100. Which makes absolutely zero sense to me. I’m getting a ski that’s a regularly production with a TS and base that’s standard offerings. If I wanted full custom pictures and bases etc I’d completely understand the price increase, But for options that are all standard offerings and do not require any kind of crazy retooling or custom graphic creations etc I find it very hard to justify the price increase.

A full custom ski designed to your spec is likely to be $2000+ from the likes of Wagner Custom.

Changing top sheet graphics, sidewall or base colours is more disruptive to production than you would think, a high proportion of the cost of making skis is labor and you keep skis affordable with the efficiency of batch production.

A simple way to understand it is, to make 3 identical sandwiches it doesn't take 3 times as long as making a single sandwich as you don't have to get out the ingredients every time and you can spread them on the bread in batches etc.

Full custom eliminates that efficiency and semi-custom mostly eliminates it too. There are tricks and ways of making semi-custom skis more efficiently, but you can't get away from the fact the team building the skis have to stop their main production program and focus solely on organising and putting together your combination of materials and shape.

 

[PartyBullshiit]

A full custom ski designed to your spec is likely to be $2000+ from the likes of Wagner Custom.

Changing top sheet graphics, sidewall or base colours is more disruptive to production than you would think, a high proportion of the cost of making skis is labor and you keep skis affordable with the efficiency of batch production.

A simple way to understand it is, to make 3 identical sandwiches it doesn't take 3 times as long as making a single sandwich as you don't have to get out the ingredients every time and you can spread them on the bread in batches etc.

Full custom eliminates that efficiency and semi-custom mostly eliminates it too. There are tricks and ways of making semi-custom skis more efficiently, but you can't get away from the fact the team building the skis have to stop their main production program and focus solely on organising and putting together your combination of materials and shape.

On a full custom ski I completely understand the extra hassles and time spent.

it’s when you’re just talking about a different top sheet or base pattern when those options are already standard options. You’re printing the graphic and laying it on top. It’s really not that huge of an extra step. Again I’m not talking about adding a full custom graphic that isn’t a normal option like a custom picture etc. but if I’m just using one of your standard TS from one ski and putting it on another is it really that huge of a disruption? Not really.

as I said above I’m not knocking any company for charging more for custom or semi custom. I get it. It’s their company and they get to set the prices, and if people are buying them and willing to pay then all is fair in love and war.

 

[LOOK_at_me]

I think the most I have ever spent on park skis was a pair of neon wides 2 seasons back. I believe they were about $650 shipped. I try to set $600 as the most I will pay. Also I will never spend more than $250 on bindings. Race wise, I was the best on the high school mens team and everyone had new skis but I chose to get used pairs at ski swaps for about $100. They were already broken in and they still had tons of life left in them.

 

[PartyBullshiit]

I think the most I have ever spent on park skis was a pair of neon wides 2 seasons back. I believe they were about $650 shipped. I try to set $600 as the most I will pay. Also I will never spend more than $250 on bindings. Race wise, I was the best on the high school mens team and everyone had new skis but I chose to get used pairs at ski swaps for about $100. They were already broken in and they still had tons of life left in them.

Ya nowadays there really is no reason to spend a lot on bindings. They all go onsale so fast and so many places.

**This post was edited on Aug 7th 2024 at 4:11:41pm

 

[weatcoast]

Just get tyrolia attack 14’s and you have the best binding on the market without having to worry about price.

I think the most I have ever spent on park skis was a pair of neon wides 2 seasons back. I believe they were about $650 shipped. I try to set $600 as the most I will pay. Also I will never spend more than $250 on bindings. Race wise, I was the best on the high school mens team and everyone had new skis but I chose to get used pairs at ski swaps for about $100. They were already broken in and they still had tons of life left in them.

 

[PartyBullshiit]

Just get tyrolia attack 14’s and you have the best binding on the market without having to worry about price.

That’s funny this guy claimed pivots are the best.



And this guy claimed pivots are better than attacks. Weird.

 

[Non_State_Actor]

View attachment 1095619

That’s funny this guy claimed pivots are the best.

View attachment 1095620

And this guy claimed pivots are better than attacks. Weird.

This is stalking behavior. You have an archive of this dudes posts or what. It's creepy.

 

[PartyBullshiit]

This is stalking behavior. You have an archive of this dudes posts or what. It's creepy.

Na it’s calling out a troll who’s just here to argue with people for fun and make burner accounts to try and make himself look right. He’s a walking contradiction.

 

[hot.pocket]

You’re printing the graphic and laying it on top. It’s really not that huge of an extra step. Again I’m not talking about adding a full custom graphic that isn’t a normal option like a custom picture etc. but if I’m just using one of your standard TS from one ski and putting it on another is it really that huge of a disruption? Not really.

Oh, it absolutely is, at least in my manufacturing process.

Our topsheets are produced in batches, so unless I'm already producing the graphic that you want on a different model, I have to produce an individual graphic, which is honestly a pain in the ass.

Plus all the post layup procedures, if I have a production ski that makes it all the way to the end and then an issue is found, no problem, I've got another hundred coming through the pipeline. If your custom ski makes it all the way to the end and then I find an issue, it's back to square one.

 

[PartyBullshiit]

Oh, it absolutely is, at least in my manufacturing process.

Our topsheets are produced in batches, so unless I'm already producing the graphic that you want on a different model, I have to produce an individual graphic, which is honestly a pain in the ass.

Plus all the post layup procedures, if I have a production ski that makes it all the way to the end and then an issue is found, no problem, I've got another hundred coming through the pipeline. If your custom ski makes it all the way to the end and then I find an issue, it's back to square one.

Well that’s why I specifically stated using a graphic that’s already in the current lineup. Taking the current blue f14 and using it on the 100.

like I said something custom and one off I completely understand the hassle.

 

[weatcoast]

Facts. This guy is a straight stalker. Went to a mod to get my address and saves screenshots of all my comments.

champ, if you really wanna stalk me come meet me since you have my address. Only thing you’ll be meeting is a glock to your face

This is stalking behavior. You have an archive of this dudes posts or what. It's creepy.

Na it’s calling out a troll who’s just here to argue with people for fun and make burner accounts to try and make himself look right. He’s a walking contradiction.

**This post was edited on Aug 8th 2024 at 5:43:16pm

 

[Vzx]

Facts. This guy is a straight stalker. Went to a mod to get my address and saves screenshots of all my comments.

Acting like you don’t do the same ?

 

[weatcoast]

When did I go to a mod and ask for someone’s address, and when did I save a folder of screenshots? Let me know champ

Acting like you don’t do the same ?

 

[hot.pocket]

Well that’s why I specifically stated using a graphic that’s already in the current lineup. Taking the current blue f14 and using it on the 100.

like I said something custom and one off I completely understand the hassle.

My statement was in regards to taking a graphic from production model X and putting it on production model Y. It's a huge hassle to do even if it's not a custom graphic.

 

[PartyBullshiit]

My statement was in regards to taking a graphic from production model X and putting it on production model Y. It's a huge hassle to do even if it's not a custom graphic.

Completely understand now. I misread. That was my mistake. Is it just the fact that changing say a wildcat 108 graphic for a wildcat 101 (same graphic different colors) a pain because you have to print a custom sheet with the new dimensions?

 

[NSMostWanted]

Yea I’d say so since the 101 is thinner than the 108. Also the machine might not be set up for that specific graphic

Completely understand now. I misread. That was my mistake. Is it just the fact that changing say a wildcat 108 graphic for a wildcat 101 (same graphic different colors) a pain because you have to print a custom sheet with the new dimensions?

 

[PartyBullshiit]

Yea I’d say so since the 101 is thinner than the 108. Also the machine might not be set up for that specific graphic

Go away. You’re not fooling anyone.

 

[deac]

Yea I’d say so since the 101 is thinner than the 108. Also the machine might not be set up for that specific graphic

weatcoast burner

 

[deac]

Yea I’d say so since the 101 is thinner than the 108. Also the machine might not be set up for that specific graphic

weatcoast burner

 

[PartyBullshiit]

weatcoast burner

Burner #2 for him.

 

[deac]

Burner #2 for him.

what a poor and neglected child.

 

[hot.pocket]

Completely understand now. I misread. That was my mistake. Is it just the fact that changing say a wildcat 108 graphic for a wildcat 101 (same graphic different colors) a pain because you have to print a custom sheet with the new dimensions?

No, it's mostly because I don't have a stack of graphics always ready to go, and when we decide to produce X amount of model Y, we then start producing X amount of that graphic to go along with it.

We can rush produce graphics in about a day and a half, but in regular production they take 2-3 days to fully produce, even if it's just a single, ready to go, graphic.

 

[PartyBullshiit]

No, it's mostly because I don't have a stack of graphics always ready to go, and when we decide to produce X amount of model Y, we then start producing X amount of that graphic to go along with it.

We can rush produce graphics in about a day and a half, but in regular production they take 2-3 days to fully produce, even if it's just a single, ready to go, graphic.

Appreciate the explanation. Thanks

 

[michael_bc]

Great question. What is the point of new season skis?

As an old fart, I can tell you that FOMO and other people's approval are poor guides in life. "Limited" means nothing, nobody cares.

Buy the skis of 3 seasons prior with the ugly top sheet and invest the money saved in a trip to Argentina or Japan.

It doesn't matter which ski, it matters which memories and friendships you made on those skis.

 

[Rparr]

I dropped 1100 on a pair of custom on3p wood veneers lmao. Always wanted a pair. And yes, I hit rails with them all the time.

 

[NSMostWanted]

nobody gives a shit

I dropped 1100 on a pair of custom on3p wood veneers lmao. Always wanted a pair. And yes, I hit rails with them all the time.

 

[-eREKTion-]

Having been to the Moment factory and seen the whole process, I understand why they don’t want to dabble in the custom ski game. There’s so many moving parts in a well oiled manufacturing machine.

As for ON3P, I think iggy did a blister podcast a couple of years ago talking about their transition to more and more custom work. It sounds like a massive logistical effort and investment for them to do like 20-30% of their volume as custom (or whatever the actual number is). Find that podcast and it will become super apparent why they charge more. It’s hard to complain, I’ve never bought custom ON3P’s but the more options they add the more tempted I become. They’re offering 2 rocker profiles and 3 layups in addition to thousands (millions?) of permutations of base/topsheet graphics. Hard to knock their pricing, especially if you get in on the custom sale.

 

[PartyBullshiit]

Having been to the Moment factory and seen the whole process, I understand why they don’t want to dabble in the custom ski game. There’s so many moving parts in a well oiled manufacturing machine.

As for ON3P, I think iggy did a blister podcast a couple of years ago talking about their transition to more and more custom work. It sounds like a massive logistical effort and investment for them to do like 20-30% of their volume as custom (or whatever the actual number is). Find that podcast and it will become super apparent why they charge more. It’s hard to complain, I’ve never bought custom ON3P’s but the more options they add the more tempted I become. They’re offering 2 rocker profiles and 3 layups in addition to thousands (millions?) of permutations of base/topsheet graphics. Hard to knock their pricing, especially if you get in on the custom sale.

Moment use to offer custom graphics years ago. I don’t remember exactly but I recall some posts about them charging like $50 bucks more or something around that for the custom options.

 

[-eREKTion-]

Moment use to offer custom graphics years ago. I don’t remember exactly but I recall some posts about them charging like $50 bucks more or something around that for the custom options.

I don’t know how much they charged but I definitely asked them about custom graphics at some point. They also used to entertain full-custom commissions as well, there was some guy on TGR with full maple PB&J’s. I think they were close to 2300g per ski for a 101 waist which is beefy as hell. I’m going to go out on a limb and assume that they stopped because it was no longer worth the extra effort.

Moment is also much bigger now than they were ~10 years ago when I bought my first pair off them. And even then, they were getting rid of the really niche skis in their lineup (rip Reno Rocker and Garbones). As they’ve scaled up, they’ve had to scale back the custom options.

I think we kind of take companies like Moment and ON3P for granted. Both are designing and building skis without compromising performance or quality and they’re doing it in the USA. They’re both active in the community and on forums but I think it adds some perspective to remember that none of us would even think to ask Volkl or Rossignol for custom options.

… and I like both Volkl and Rossi but I’ll keep buying from Moment and ON3P not just to support the brands but because I like the shit they’re making.

sorry for the off-topic rant.

 

[PartyBullshiit]

I don’t know how much they charged but I definitely asked them about custom graphics at some point. They also used to entertain full-custom commissions as well, there was some guy on TGR with full maple PB&J’s. I think they were close to 2300g per ski for a 101 waist which is beefy as hell. I’m going to go out on a limb and assume that they stopped because it was no longer worth the extra effort.

Moment is also much bigger now than they were ~10 years ago when I bought my first pair off them. And even then, they were getting rid of the really niche skis in their lineup (rip Reno Rocker and Garbones). As they’ve scaled up, they’ve had to scale back the custom options.

I think we kind of take companies like Moment and ON3P for granted. Both are designing and building skis without compromising performance or quality and they’re doing it in the USA. They’re both active in the community and on forums but I think it adds some perspective to remember that none of us would even think to ask Volkl or Rossignol for custom options.

… and I like both Volkl and Rossi but I’ll keep buying from Moment and ON3P not just to support the brands but because I like the shit they’re making.

sorry for the off-topic rant.

Ya no doubt about the growth changing things with moment. For the better of course. A couple years back when I was asking about custom TS for a wildcat they basically said just that. They’ve gotten too big to be able to viably keep offering the custom stuff at this point. Which was understandable for sure. All the reasons you mentioned is exactly why my quiver is all moments.

 

[NSMostWanted]

Buying more skis ain’t gonna make you a better skier, champ. Spend that money on lessons.

Ya no doubt about the growth changing things with moment. For the better of course. A couple years back when I was asking about custom TS for a wildcat they basically said just that. They’ve gotten too big to be able to viably keep offering the custom stuff at this point. Which was understandable for sure. All the reasons you mentioned is exactly why my quiver is all moments.