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Buying New Skis, Need Some Help

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LoathesRaisins
Posts: 3612 - Karma: 4,735
Location - Southern California

Weight/Age/Height - 160 lbs. / 18 / 5'7''

Ability Level - Intermediate - Advanced (I think?) I've been skiing for 3 years. How do you really tell?

Budget - I'm trying to get Skis, Bindings and Boots for about $1000

Type of Ski - I've had Line Invaders since I started skiing with rental bindings and rental boots. They were demos and I got them for a good deal at the end of a season.
I'm kind of looking for a ski that does good in the park, but will also do good outside of it on groomers and such. Maybe a ski that will do good in slushy conditions as well since we get those a lot here. We do get a few powder days, but I don't know if I should factor that into my purchase.

Any more info you guys need? Thanks.
Oct 14 2013 12:35AM
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NinetyFour
Posts: 8650 - Karma: 13,409
I'd probably look for a ski in the 90-105 waist range. I know a lot of people love their ON3P Jeronimos for shredding the entire mountain. They're maybe a tad expensive for your budget, but worth every dollar. Anything else of comparable specs like Line Blends, K2 Annex 98s, Moment PB&Js, are all of comparable price, often more expensive than Jmos. Surface One Times might be a good, cheaper option as well.

Hope that helps, good luck with it!
Oct 14 2013 1:11AM
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LoathesRaisins
Posts: 3612 - Karma: 4,735
Thanks man, I appreciate it.
Oct 14 2013 1:15AM
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VD.
Posts: 4054 - Karma: 4,564
If you're getting a completely new set up, boots should be your first priority. They will increase your rate of progression/skiing ability more than any other item of new gear.
Oct 14 2013 2:25AM
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cannaguts666
Posts: 504 - Karma: 256
Lib Tech NAS Freeride son
Oct 14 2013 2:42AM
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NinetyFour
Posts: 8650 - Karma: 13,409
Yeah I'd definitely agree with this. If money is to be spent, spend it on getting boot fitted into the perfect pair. Then go from there.
Oct 14 2013 3:06AM
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BirtDike
Posts: 1258 - Karma: 514
only you can tell what your skill level is. youll know if you're an advanced skier. most skiers that wonder this are intermediates.

if youre an advanced skier, youll probably like something stiffer. if thats your case, than in your situation id go with moment pbj or on3p jmo.
if your an intermediate, in your situation go with line blend.
Oct 14 2013 3:18AM
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LoathesRaisins
Posts: 3612 - Karma: 4,735
What type of boot should I be looking at?
Oct 14 2013 1:16PM
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jstorrs
Posts: 53 - Karma: 233
Go check out RAMP Sports. They have great package deals where if you add binders and poles you actually save more money. They can get you fully kitted out for under a grand and it is all american made. What more could you want? www.rampsports.com
Oct 14 2013 6:57PM
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apc.fr
Posts: 293 - Karma: 878
My feet haven't grown since I was 16, so take what I say with a grain of salt. If your feet are still growing, I'm sorry.

Just get boots. Get fitted, get footbeds if you think/the fitter thinks you need them. Be upfront about not wanting to spend a ton, but understand that you'll probably be out at least $500.

If you have any money left over, try to find a deal on skis from last season. Also, don't be above buying shit from ebay or used, as long as things are in decent condition.
Oct 14 2013 7:06PM
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Icon
Posts: 56 - Karma: 223
K2 revivals, line blends and chronics
Oct 14 2013 8:11PM
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LoathesRaisins
Posts: 3612 - Karma: 4,735
Would a 178cm Line Chronic be too tall?
Oct 20 2013 4:34PM
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LoathesRaisins
Posts: 3612 - Karma: 4,735
Bump
Oct 20 2013 6:05PM
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7098 - Karma: 17,031
Boots will set you back a minimum of 600 if not more. They are the most inportant piece of kit so spend the money there. Good custom footbeds are a must so set aside 150-200 for those they really are essential for a good fit. After that the boot fitter can properly advise on the right shape and performance boot for you. Spend what you have left on skis. Make sure though you get good boots before skis.
Oct 20 2013 7:14PM
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At0micski
Posts: 256 - Karma: 169
Nah but it may take some getting used to if you are used to shorter skis. They will hold up better on jumps, but they could feel a tad sluggish on rails until you get used to it.
Oct 20 2013 7:22PM
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Montana_Hoodrat
Posts: 1953 - Karma: 1,481
APO Hutches do it all.

slushy park, rockered park skis are awesome. and APO's are so durable. Mine fell out of the back of a truck at 60mph, and only the binding brakes broke. The tips and tails were just a little scuffed up.

plus 2nd wind in Hood River has them for CHEAP

Oct 20 2013 7:47PM
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skidemon22
Posts: 4417 - Karma: 1,935
thats not entirely true. while i agree that boots are the most crucial component to skiing, 600 is overkill as a price point. that being said, don't expect to get into anything for less than 350, unless it's left over stock. Foot beds are a good idea, though not required. Ive used the stock ones in my spk's for 6 years to great effect.

go to a decent ski shop, and they can put you on a decent set up. always support your local shops when you can!!
Oct 23 2013 11:13PM
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7098 - Karma: 17,031
Footbeds are I would argue essential to getting a good fit. You can not properly fit a boot unless the foot is in a neutral postion and to achieve this a custom footbed is needed. So even if you find a boot for 350 which is very cheap, when you add the footbed your looking at at least 500. Yes you could go cheaper but you will be sacrificing comfort and performance.
Oct 24 2013 3:31AM
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Muggydude
Posts: 701 - Karma: 383
In all honesty boots depend on your feet- some people can pop into some boots off the rack, go out and ski with them pain free for the next few years. Others can go and get a decent fit at a ski shop, and have a little pain, and ski fine. And yet others literally cannot ski without fitted boots (from a ski boot fitter)- myself included. Unfortunately I have shortish, very wide feet and a really big lower calf- so I dealt with a lot of pain for a long ass time. My feet are done growing, so I finally ponied up and spent $900 getting boots- with custom foot beds, zip fit liners (custom molded, they're sweet), and the shell of the boot had to be molded a bit to fit my feet. So now I have boots with a 103 last- which fit my feet perfect, and are a performance fit for me.

Totally worth it- I can now actually ski without being in pain all day. Now getting fitted doesn't always cost that much- but it also costs more too depending on who and what boot. You cannot ski well or happily with poor fitting boots, especially if they hurt you. More important out of the park than in, but even there...

If you were sking fine in demo boots without pain then you probably shouldn't have too many issues like I did- but still go to a shop and try to get a good pair for you- and check online how boots should fit you. It's possible to get a stock pair for $400 and they'll be a great fit. But obviously, not for some people.
Oct 24 2013 6:03PM
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penguiin
Posts: 1444 - Karma: 561
This is the best ski boot response I have read on this site.

I have a super "normal" and generic foot and all I have needed for my boots to fit perfect was custom foot soles.

My dad on the other hand, total opposite. He had to do the custom boot fitting and it cost a ton and I know I (or most teenagers) could never afford that.

As for skis, I'm going to say ON3P Jeronimos. I ride them and absolutely love them.

A good way to save money is also to buy bindings on the forum instead of online. All my bindings have either been new and just sitting in peoples closets or barely used.
Oct 24 2013 8:46PM
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JayMobilia
Posts: 108 - Karma: 571
500-600 on boots is a lot of money. I just spent 470 on a pair of full tilts but my friend just bought last years Booters for about 250 New. This years Booters are only 400. I also looked at Dalbello boss's that were very very nice and comfortable and they're 400. If you're Int-Adv then take a step down from the priciest boot as I did. If you can get a good sale or get a year model older that a ski shop may carry, then you could end up saving serious money. Also check out SPK's. they're a great boot for park and the top one (SPK 100) are only 400
Oct 24 2013 9:13PM
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LoathesRaisins
Posts: 3612 - Karma: 4,735
How about bindings? I'm looking for something that will fit a 100mm waist. What mm brake would work for that?
Oct 25 2013 12:08AM
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JayMobilia
Posts: 108 - Karma: 571
Marker griffons are good and you get get some for about 150. They come in a 110mm brakes too
Oct 25 2013 8:18AM
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Muggydude
Posts: 701 - Karma: 383
You can go with 110 or 90 brakes. I have 90s on my 112mm skis- they work fine, but don't "lock" together perfect. If you can get 110, others 90s can be bent out
Oct 25 2013 12:24PM
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