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Disposable park skis

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RudyGarmisch
Posts: 25443 - Karma: 13,844
Hey guys,

Idea I've been mulling over the last few days. What would you guys think about a park ski that retails for so cheap that its practically replaceable? No edge underfoot (pre-removed), made to be cheap and available to buy in singles. Buy em, break em, replace them as needed.

Or, what about a very expensive but very complete two year warranty that covers impact damage. You break a ski, it gets replaced for a small premium (shipping costs), but the idea is, you get the ski and replacements when its beaten to a certain point, rail damage included, for like 2 years.

And I know, if you want a replaceable and cheap park ski, just buy used, but I'm thinking of some other options for those who may want them.
Feb 5 2011 8:42PM
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GayWolf420
Posts: 36687 - Karma: 110,611
I really like the 2 year warranty that includes park damage a lot. I wish companies did that sort of thing althought I have been very lucky when it comes to warranties.
Feb 5 2011 8:49PM
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jca
Posts: 4162 - Karma: 6,261
yes! something jibby.
Feb 5 2011 8:51PM
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ted.d
Posts: 976 - Karma: 53
I don't think that disposable park skis make much sense. They would have to be extremely cheap and if they were they would perform very poorly because you wouldn't be able to spend any money making them. Also it would suck to be in the middle of the season and break a ski, it would take at least a week to replace it most likely more. Also you would have to remount your skis which costs money and a trip to the ski shop.
Feb 5 2011 8:53PM
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RiddleMeThis
Posts: 749 - Karma: 117
well the problem is is you would have to wait for a replacement ski.. meanwhile i would enjoy skiing
Feb 5 2011 8:54PM
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.cam.
Posts: 1852 - Karma: 48
i am liking the expensive ski that lasts too years
Feb 5 2011 9:01PM
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.cam.
Posts: 1852 - Karma: 48
two*
Feb 5 2011 9:02PM
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BWalmer
Posts: 9141 - Karma: 12,883
Asian Allen??? (I think he had the idea of the super cheap ski that you can buy singles of - it's a good idea though).

I like the two year warrantee...I'd easily buy an $800 park ski (or maybe even more) if I knew that for the next two years I'd be set.
Feb 5 2011 9:09PM
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ganja_enthusiast
Posts: 1119 - Karma: 34
i reallly like the expensive two year thing but i i didnt really like them or if if i wanted a newer better ski then id be screwed
Feb 5 2011 9:22PM
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joshua
Posts: 5046 - Karma: 1,280
^This
Feb 5 2011 9:26PM
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Kangbang
Posts: 14211 - Karma: 423
I'd probably go with the cheap ski since I don't break skis. But if i knew that I could break skis by skiing harder then I'd probably go with the expensive option.
Feb 5 2011 9:26PM
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TOAST.
Posts: 7265 - Karma: 33,275
Nooooo trying to ski without edge sucks even if is just park. Especially om the EC. But on slushy days its not bad.
Feb 5 2011 9:55PM
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Common_Cents
Posts: 455 - Karma: 13
I really like 2 year idea with warranty

As for the other idea i just feel like it would be a little bit of a hassle because of bindings.
Would they come with their own cheap bindings aswell? If not i feel as though just the hassle/price of getting them mounted at ur local shop would make it not worth the trouble. Also if a ski breaks it increases the chance of the binding breaking too so that might also be another issue.
Feb 5 2011 10:05PM
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teleak
Posts: 2251 - Karma: 105
couldn't have said it any better myself
Feb 5 2011 10:25PM
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jca
Posts: 4162 - Karma: 6,261
perfect for me! i only ski park when it's slushy.
Feb 5 2011 10:39PM
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Aaaron.
Posts: 11817 - Karma: 903
cost $90 to mount skis around here../thread
Feb 5 2011 10:55PM
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Chompo.
Posts: 4952 - Karma: 88
i like the two year expensive ski idea..
Feb 5 2011 11:02PM
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KyleA
Posts: 865 - Karma: 510
In theory, I like the cheap ski idea.  In my eyes, every ski is disposable.  In practice however, I don't think making cheap skis would be very effective.  It's not really possible to make a less expensive ski than say an afterbang.  Also removing edges would only save you a few dollars per ski and unless you are hitting aluminum rails all day, have some edge in the tip and tail is necessary.  I can see how removing edges from the ski could save a substantial amount of money in terms of labor cost, so I guess that is where you are coming from.  Having no edges would also solve most warranty issues, since I'm sure most warranty disputes involve cracked edges.

As far as the two year warranty goes, I don't think it is a good idea to mark up all of your skis and have an extended warranty on them.  It may be reasonable to offer an extended warranty at the time of purchase for an additional cost.  But I don't know many people that would be willing to spend $800 on park skis.  I also don't know a single person who would not have any rail damage after two years of riding.  It seems to me like you would be giving away a ridiculous amount of warrantied skis.
   
Also, to all the people complaining about expensive mounting costs, drills are pretty cheap.  It's not exactly rocket science. 


Feb 6 2011 12:17AM
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binturong-qwerty
Posts: 1506 - Karma: 146
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Feb 6 2011 12:18AM
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monkatizer
Posts: 4704 - Karma: 1,518
i saw at a local shop some beginner skis (not twins) that were fuckin 15 bucks, only prob, bindings are 5x as much as the ski, but seriously 15$?
Feb 6 2011 12:21AM
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RudyGarmisch
Posts: 25443 - Karma: 13,844
The thing about most park skis is that they're pretty damn durable, as long as you avoid rail damage. That kills a ski like none other. I think that most companies could put together a good cheap ski that is durable off kickers and all.

But yeah, the mounting stuff would add up - part of the cost.
Feb 6 2011 1:07AM
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BerGNARdo
Posts: 406 - Karma: 44
I really like the expensive ski idea. I think it would work better if it was done similarly to "Apple Care", where you pay say $500 for the skis, and have the 2 year or whatever protection for an additional amount as an option. People buying skis and knowing they arent going to use them alot and expecting them to last for several years probably dont want to pay for that small amount of extra security.

I'm not sure I would ever be interested in the disposable ski idea because, like someone said already, all skis (especially park) are essentially disposable, and then they're just really cheap skis. Perhaps I'm wrong, but it would seem that materials and construction directly relate to how well the ski's going to perform, and personally I dont think sacrificing performance for cost is the right way to make ski equipment.
Feb 6 2011 2:04AM
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Anti_Steeze
Posts: 1465 - Karma: 81
Atomic did that a few years ago with the triplet

Feb 6 2011 11:11AM
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c4t_l0ver
Posts: 5485 - Karma: 810
I really like both ideas
Feb 6 2011 11:54AM
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Mr_pretzel
Posts: 4616 - Karma: 1,289
Make it so you can buy a warranty for an extended period of time.

I already break enough skis, i dont think making a even less durable ski will help me.
Feb 6 2011 12:06PM
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tbayskier
Posts: 1136 - Karma: 1,639
if you just want cheap skis, buy old ones from friends.  they don't ski the best.....but neither would skis without edges
Feb 6 2011 12:51PM
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TMiller
Posts: 444 - Karma: 7
2 year warranty is such a good idea ;)
Feb 6 2011 1:28PM
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*TURBONERD*
Posts: 15078 - Karma: 9,136
What he said...
Feb 6 2011 1:31PM
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powderhound100
Posts: 2510 - Karma: 144
The problem with the expensive, fully warrantied ski is people would probably take advantage of it. Like throw them around and just trash them because they know they will get warrantied. Or towards the end hit rails really hard to purposely break them so you can get e new pair before the warranty expires.

HOpefully it wouldn't happen to much and people would be honest/respectful. But you know it will happen at least some and people would probably not take care of their skis as well as they normally would.


I know you've probably thought of that, but just saying.

Feb 6 2011 1:55PM
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dstriebs
Posts: 396 - Karma: 77
I dont break skis so the only damage i do to my skis is edge damage. I guess its just hard for me to imagine what the quality of the ski would be like and what it would be like to ski with no edges. And the warranty idea seems really good but I feel like tons of kids would abuse it.
Feb 6 2011 4:36PM
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ThaLorax
Posts: 21061 - Karma: 8,366
WHAT?!?! I've never paid more than $45 for a mount and i verbally told the guy he was ripping me off.


Why not combine the two? Make a rail/urban ski for dirt cheap and an expensive durable everything else ski? Personally, after having my Volkl Karmas finally break on me after 5 years and 350-400 days of riding on them, I want another ski like that which I can count on lasting me as long as the Karmas did. It's a good idea personally, especially since I ski mountain first and park second, I'd never buy a disposable ski.
Feb 6 2011 5:29PM
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ThaLorax
Posts: 21061 - Karma: 8,366
well i've never skied on on3p so i can't say anything about them and i live in CO so I never talk to anybody who rides them.
Feb 6 2011 5:38PM
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Evilchris
Posts: 2090 - Karma: 43
what about using an alternate edge material in the cheap park skis? some snowboards use brass edges. think, and they would be a WORLD better than jay skis with no edges
Feb 6 2011 6:36PM
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Lemuel
Posts: 14477 - Karma: 10,515
I'm on my 3rd season with my chronics, and I swear today I thought my edges would be gone. Still only 2 edge cracks, one is sticking out a little bit, but its been like that all this season. I guess I am just not as hard on skis as some of you guys.
Feb 6 2011 7:26PM
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twsnow22
Posts: 1285 - Karma: 485
a few years ago forum snowboards made an edgeless snowboard for super cheap.. i think like 129..it was called the street dweller.. it seems like nobody bought it...but I like the concept...maybe it could work for skiing..
Feb 6 2011 7:42PM
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belden...
Posts: 2914 - Karma: 1,273
Ive always thought about the first idea except more of just urban so no edges at all
Feb 6 2011 8:04PM
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RudyGarmisch
Posts: 25443 - Karma: 13,844
Basically the summary here:

1. Steel and brass are both alloys.

2. Brass is an excellent thermal and electrical conductor.

3. Steel structures have more fatigue life and strength.



Read more: Difference Between Steel and Brass | Difference Between | Steel vs Brass http://www.differencebetween.net/object/difference-between-steel-and-brass/#ixzz1DF7GHX3i

I'd really like to go do a few prototypes with alternative edge ideas and really REALLY thrash them, but the quick of it is, its usually already been done and tried.
Feb 6 2011 11:12PM
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RudyGarmisch
Posts: 25443 - Karma: 13,844
But keep the feedback coming guys!
Feb 6 2011 11:12PM
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Caucasian_Asian
Posts: 2447 - Karma: 1,665
Atomic Triplets?
Feb 6 2011 11:15PM
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Milksteak
Posts: 9948 - Karma: 842
I like the idea of a super cheap park ski that's replaceable. For instance, I really liked the nine lifes....but they broke on me so fast. If I could have another pair for really cheap I totally would. Tons of cheap skis!
Feb 6 2011 11:17PM
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skijunkiedtm
Posts: 9229 - Karma: 61
A friend had that and only could stand to use it a handful of times. It was just worthless on the east coast ice.
Feb 6 2011 11:31PM
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NWPA
Posts: 2309 - Karma: 165
I would definitely pay more for a 2 year warranty that would cover rail damage
Feb 7 2011 12:00AM
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Hansel.
Posts: 4583 - Karma: 112
If you had a ski with no underfoot edge and normal camber contact point edge present, then I see a disposable park ski being made.
Feb 7 2011 1:00AM
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wesley.
Posts: 6483 - Karma: 1,049
my dad has this idea once. i could see this happening
Feb 7 2011 11:22AM
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Dustin.
Posts: 13839 - Karma: 7,704
You can ride anything I have if we can make it fit.  I'm always down to share.
Feb 7 2011 12:50PM
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TheFonz
Posts: 2 - Karma: 10
What about a ski recycling program where you pay an initial fee per season and you receive premounted skis in the mail. They would have a adjustable center mounted demo style binding so you can adjust to your boot. With this style ski no matter what you brake whether it be the binding or the ski you just send it back for a fresh one. The company would replace whatever is broken and then put it back in the rotation so you may not receive a brand new setup each time but at least a working one.I think this would be a fast way to keep you on the mountain.The only problem i see is coming up with a less clunky demo binding.
Feb 7 2011 2:42PM
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RudyGarmisch
Posts: 25443 - Karma: 13,844
That'll be a simple matter of a few million dollars and years of research and development.
Feb 7 2011 5:32PM
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zbphoto
Posts: 7789 - Karma: 12,037
Griffon or Jester demo bindings.
Feb 7 2011 5:39PM
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.jon
Posts: 2121 - Karma: 345
I feel like these products are already available, but to a lesser extent. Take a look at Afterbangs. They're damn cheap and really only made to last a season or so. However, I really like the idea of being able to buy one ski.

Armada somewhat services the 2+ year park ski market. Although they don't state it officially in their warranty, they'll back their product for a very long time seeing as it's made to last.

It sounds like you're just thinking about taking both these concepts to the next level, which I actually think could work out well. Having a company that actually officially covers rail damage would be a huge step in the industry, even though some companies will already warranty rail-damaged skis.
Feb 7 2011 6:08PM
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RudyGarmisch
Posts: 25443 - Karma: 13,844
I dont know of any that do come to think of it...
Feb 7 2011 7:52PM
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.jon
Posts: 2121 - Karma: 345
Volkl and Armada have done it for me. Just gotta sweet talk them haha.
Feb 7 2011 8:14PM
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