Member of the Month

PartyBullshiit
March, 2024

Online

Welcome to the Newschoolers forums! You may read the forums as a guest, however you must be a registered member to post. Register to become a member today!

Do u buy cheap or expensive skis?

profile picture
triss
Posts: 1293 - Karma: 2,916
I'm having trouble deciding to buy an expensive or cheap pair of park skis. Cheap ones are not as durable and of course built cheaper in more cases. But if I buy cheap I can get a new pair every year or mayb half way thru the season.

Buying expensive park skis means better quality and nicer overall (in most cases) but spending 400 is a lot for new park skis considering they will get beat to shit and last longer. Also if I buy expensive I won't have to spend money to remount every year.

What do u guys do? Go cheap or get a very quality pair? (Deciding on spending a lot to get Batalla park reapers or get some joysticks)
Nov 15 2013 8:10AM
69 11
profile picture
triss
Posts: 1293 - Karma: 2,916
Also I ski about 20 + days east coast
Nov 15 2013 8:11AM
0 0
profile picture
triss
Posts: 1293 - Karma: 2,916
Up
Nov 15 2013 11:26AM
0 0
profile picture
SteezyEvok
Posts: 290 - Karma: 109
400 is not expensive
Nov 15 2013 12:04PM
16 2
profile picture
TotalNan
Posts: 147 - Karma: 339
Well considering I just spent $659 on new ON3Ps... I guess I like expensive skis. I also live east coast but they're totally worth it
Nov 15 2013 12:08PM
0 0
profile picture
Bertrand
Posts: 423 - Karma: 457
If you're having to remount every year, does this mean you buy new boots in a different size every year? If you are still growing, I would go cheap. You'll grow out of the skis.

If you aren't growing, you'll only need to mount once. In that case, I'd buy a better ski. But, for better skis, you are looking upwards of $600, not $400. $400 is VERY price point ski range. But if they work for you, do it!

Cheap=/=A bad ski.

Hope this helps.

Nov 15 2013 2:26PM
3 1
profile picture
-SnowSnoli-
Posts: 756 - Karma: 1,703
Depends on your preference, I used to get expensive pow skis (as they last a couple of seasons) expensive all mountain and then some cheap park skis that i didnt care about.

But if you only ski park there obviously is more reason to spend a bit more skrilla on something you really like.
Nov 15 2013 2:44PM
0 0
profile picture
Twinjibber77
Posts: 6239 - Karma: 2,356
I know this doesn't sound like it helps but I always go for expensive skis that are cheap. It used to be a hard one but in the last couple years it's been easier than ever. Deals are all over the place if you just know where to look and i've seen a shit ton of these deals in B/S/T on here, the only downside to buying here is you never know EXACTLY what condition they are in. A lot of decent to good but not excellent brands drop awesome deals and some even during the season. Going for last years always takes a couple hundred buck off but for some reason i found countless one model year old skis on the web last year (sticks from two years ago) never skied for absolute steals.

On another note I feel it used to be almost impossible to find wider skis (trees, pow, chargers) for cheap but there have been countless brands selling skis just like that in the wrapping still. It's awesome because I can get a pair, charge into the woods without giving a fuck and if they don't make it over a season so be it, put the expensive bindings that were worth the money on a new pair. Put those bad boys on your wall as a fuck trophy, make a chair, or better yet if you're in college make a shot ski and sell it to dumb asses for a decent return. If you make a shot ski the right way and you know it will last I can guarentee there are frat bros or houses as a whole willing to drop at least $50 on one. That's a couple weekend of beer drinkin' bod.
Nov 15 2013 2:55PM
3 0
profile picture
rememberscott
Posts: 1291 - Karma: 5,199
^ exactly. You buy quality skis that are on sale ( like last years model). Evo.com is having a killer sale right now you can get some sick skis or bindings or both for very cheap.... lots of last year skis
Nov 15 2013 3:02PM
3 0
profile picture
triss
Posts: 1293 - Karma: 2,916
Yeh I'm probably going to get the batallas then and use them for a couple seasons.
Nov 15 2013 3:15PM
0 0
profile picture
BLADEE
Posts: 1017 - Karma: 778
I buy expensive skis :(
Nov 15 2013 3:18PM
0 0
profile picture
-SnowSnoli-
Posts: 756 - Karma: 1,703
TJ is a super sound guy, be supporting a dope company for sure!
Nov 15 2013 3:52PM
0 0
profile picture
Ski.Ballet
Posts: 2860 - Karma: 200
Cheap doesn't necessarily mean poor quality. I love Surface, which makes some of the cheapest skis on the market.
Nov 15 2013 4:33PM
0 0
profile picture
.lencon
Posts: 6753 - Karma: 17,178
Surface is having a sale on all last years skis on their website.
Go pick out a pair of last years park skis which are probably just as good as some new ones this year.
Probably costs about $200-250 a pair.
Nov 15 2013 5:25PM
0 0
profile picture
.Duncan.
Posts: 1375 - Karma: 459
Quality...
Click for larger image
Nov 15 2013 6:10PM
17 1
profile picture
caderobinson
Posts: 1193 - Karma: 4,770
.
Nov 15 2013 8:43PM
0 2
profile picture
Sags
Posts: 448 - Karma: 178
dude i literally bought a pair of ninthwards off levelninesports.com for 225 bucks. ninthwards for 225 and they are the illest skis. they are bomb proof
Nov 15 2013 8:49PM
1 0
profile picture
radish
Posts: 405 - Karma: 351
The most I have spent on a pair in the last few years is $350, and I own 3 pairs. I have had no issues with quality but I am not a big fan of the surface double times I got for $200, they are just not fun to ski.

So you really get what you pay for. I'm sure the higher end Armada park skis are gonna be way better on snow than anything I own, but I wont drop that much money on a ski. I'm cheap
Nov 15 2013 9:36PM
0 0
profile picture
bieberhole69.
Posts: 654 - Karma: 1,387
Yeah I always look for a pair of skis from the season before that were demos...get skis and bindings in pretty good condition for $400
Nov 15 2013 10:07PM
0 0
profile picture
Lemuel
Posts: 14477 - Karma: 10,515
That's just 3 stage dude.
Nov 15 2013 10:07PM
10 0
profile picture
Perogies
Posts: 65 - Karma: 371
It's called three stage rocker..... Gosh....
Nov 15 2013 11:02PM
0 6
profile picture
last_tango
Posts: 2635 - Karma: 2,665
Go with the middle ground of quality and price and you got yourself a atomic infamous, they even got a race base.
Nov 15 2013 11:47PM
0 0
profile picture
caucasian_chad
Posts: 4078 - Karma: 3,625
I buy expensive skis on clearance. I got a pair of 2010 Motherships for $200 last season, I was super stoked on that.

I wouldn't recommend breaking the bank on park skis. It's pointless because you just beat the shit out of them anyways. You can still get great skis for cheap though, just never buy this year's model. I don't know why anyone would ever buy current model year skis. It's the same as cars it's just a huge waste of money for a product with negligible differences from last year's.
Nov 16 2013 12:42AM
1 0
profile picture
ZeechMcHuck
Posts: 455 - Karma: 569

I usually pay around 150-200 for my skis, always used. don't think ive ever had a new pair. 

but for various reasons

a) im broke

b) I don't want to drop a ton of cash on a set of skis that im probably gonna scratch up by the end of the season

c) im still broke

Nov 16 2013 1:14AM
3 0
profile picture
triss
Posts: 1293 - Karma: 2,916
Word. I'm just looking into the long run now meaning like if I spend 400 this year the skis will last me a couple seasons ( I will use them for a couple seasons) rather than buying a cheap pair and getting a new pair ever season. Also if I get a new cheap pair every year I have to spend the $$$ to get bindings put on them
Nov 16 2013 7:52AM
0 0
profile picture
triss
Posts: 1293 - Karma: 2,916
i have joysticks now but some kid is going to buy them off me. Are ninth wards any good as like a cheap new ski. These skis are most likely gonna get beat to shit
Nov 16 2013 8:41AM
0 0
profile picture
maximiliaan
Posts: 7710 - Karma: 2,849
same, i dont mind a few scratches if it will safe me 200 dollar...
Nov 16 2013 9:04AM
0 0
profile picture
BWalmer
Posts: 9141 - Karma: 12,883
I'm a firm believer in "you get what you pay for." I've done my time buying $200 skis, throwing $100 bindings on them, skiing them into the ground and having everything explode before the end of the season so I have to buy another pair of everything or call it quits for the season, I'm over it. You end up spending way more money that way.

For example, PX12 bindings are roughly $100-$150 depending on where you get them, I went through 3 pairs over the course of 2 seasons, that's $300-$450, meanwhile FKS 180s are $400, I've had mine for 4 seasons now...do the math. You spend the money upfront, but it'll last longer in the end. An example for skis, K2 Domain, a good, mid-level ski, has a reputation for being "durable," roughly $400...I went through 2 pairs in 1 season...that's $800, meanwhile I got a pair of ON3P Filthy Richs, paid I think $500 (back when they did a presale), rode them all season, decided they were too small, sold them for $200 (guy I sold them to is still riding them), bought a bigger pair and they're still kicking...so for the same $800 I got two pairs of premium park skis, both of which are still going strong (virtually zero damage) and can be used for at least another season if not more, while the Domains couldn't even make it one season. You get what you pay for, and even though it's more money up front, it'll last longer and be a better investment in the long run.
Nov 16 2013 9:32AM
4 0
profile picture
TimRiley
Posts: 1873 - Karma: 1,327
I buy expensive skis, but in the cheapest way possible. When I have decided on a ski I want, I'll research if anything on the ski has changed besides the graphics from past years models. If not, I'll shop around to see if anyone has the older model in their remaining stock.
Nov 16 2013 10:32AM
1 0
profile picture
GayWolf420
Posts: 36654 - Karma: 110,331
Good gear at a cheap price preferably. I got my new lifes in a surface summer sale like two years ago, and I copped my step ups brand new still in the plastic wrap for $115. All my bindings are STH drivers ive been using on several skis over the past two years and still work great. The "you get what you pay for" statement is true, but not when you find great shit for dirt cheap.
Nov 16 2013 10:35AM
0 0
profile picture
.cam.
Posts: 1852 - Karma: 48
Its all about expensive gear for cheap prices. I bought a pair of px18s for $95 brand new, a pair of sth 16 steels for $160, a pair of helldorados for $400 when they came out, and $200 for a pair of liberty hazmats. Not sure how great of a ski those liberties are but I like them and they are doing great after a season of abuse. Just need to keep an eye out for a deal
Nov 16 2013 10:46AM
0 0
profile picture
JKrebs1
Posts: 711 - Karma: 813
I've been looking at the Atomic Infamous skis. They come out to be around $350 which I guess is comparatively cheap? Although i've heard nothing but positive feedback about them
Nov 16 2013 11:14AM
0 0
profile picture
Twinjibber77
Posts: 6239 - Karma: 2,356
hahahaha

This is extra funny because i saw my buddies, same model..... snapped justtttt like that
Nov 16 2013 3:25PM
1 0
profile picture
shred.stickz
Posts: 279 - Karma: 1,715
Always buy last years or the year before's model skis. I got K2 domains from 2012 for less about 250 and there were a lot of others like that.
Nov 16 2013 5:11PM
0 0
profile picture
Paul.
Posts: 1555 - Karma: 10,521
Just gotta find some fat deals, I just bought 2014 chronics for $150 barely used
Nov 16 2013 5:42PM
1 0
profile picture
Dustin.
Posts: 13839 - Karma: 7,704
For a pow or all mountain ski, I'll pay whatever I can afford if it means I get the exact kind of ski I want. But I've never paid more than $350 for a park ski, they are semi-disposable considering what we do to them these days.
Nov 16 2013 6:58PM
0 0
profile picture
d.mcknight
Posts: 778 - Karma: 1,539
Well I just bought my first pair of On3p's and I'm pretty sure im going to be buying many other pairs. So I guess I buy expensive skis and its worth every penny.
Nov 16 2013 7:13PM
0 0
profile picture
.squirrely.
Posts: 7563 - Karma: 7,540
being 6'3", 200lbs and skiing park nearly everyday, i beat the shit out of any skis so i just buy whatever i can get for the cheapest. currently riding 2010 double times with pivots, setup costed $230 total and im loving them so far
Nov 16 2013 7:13PM
0 0
profile picture
EvanMeyer
Posts: 3803 - Karma: 3,232
best skis money can buy in my opinion, but I also just like knowing my sticks were hand built by someone who loves skiing as much as I do.
Nov 16 2013 8:21PM
0 0
profile picture
eddy9
Posts: 383 - Karma: 216
I ski about the same amount as you. I'm not a very agresive skier in the park, but I still try to progress.
Get a new pair a season or so old and slightly too long. They will last even when you grow. Trust me I've been on the same pair of townships for 2-3 seasons. Once you do grow a bit much they will still be the urban/rails ski.
Having said that I just droped a ton of money on them pow skis (but then again I don't use those on rails and shit).
Nov 17 2013 1:40PM
0 0
profile picture
Anathema
Posts: 21048 - Karma: 5,061
expensive skis for cheap
Nov 17 2013 2:18PM
0 0
profile picture
BROLF
Posts: 1598 - Karma: 5,098
Get the Batallas, there's no point in buying multiple pairs a year and switching your bindings over.
Nov 17 2013 4:14PM
0 0
profile picture
cyberginger
Posts: 574 - Karma: 7,082
Icelantic Da'Nollies.
$600, 2 year warranty.
I will write a full review on them soon, best skis ive ever ridden.
Nov 17 2013 6:55PM
0 0
profile picture
SkiTheYeast
Posts: 2310 - Karma: 392
Expensive doesn't always mean durable i got a pair of filthy riches last season put 20 days on them and the top sheet cracked i dnot know how but it did now the ski is unridable, pretty dissaointed seeing as i was expecting to get at least two season out of them
Nov 17 2013 7:47PM
0 0
profile picture
.Duncan.
Posts: 1375 - Karma: 459
Hook us up with some pics! I bet Scott and Rowen will hook you up if it was a manufacturing defect.
Nov 17 2013 8:11PM
0 0
profile picture
radish
Posts: 405 - Karma: 351
Speaking of cheap skis

http://www.ebay.com/itm/380746091780?var=650153976004&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

I'm tempted
Nov 17 2013 9:13PM
0 0
profile picture
cyberginger
Posts: 574 - Karma: 7,082
But to be honest even a nice ski will break. Look for warranty.
Here are my Armada's
Click for larger image
Nov 17 2013 11:43PM
0 0
profile picture
SkiTheYeast
Posts: 2310 - Karma: 392
Already sent a picture to on3p i doubt they will seeing as it happened under the binding
Nov 17 2013 11:48PM
0 0
profile picture
SkiTheYeast
Posts: 2310 - Karma: 392
if they don't I'm gonna be kinda pissed cuz that mean its the shops fault but they won't take responsibility and I'm out of a sick ass pair of skis
Nov 17 2013 11:51PM
0 0
profile picture
Amplid
Posts: 138 - Karma: 909
Yeah there's plenty of retailers and brands selling last year's premium gear at lower prices in their sale and outlet stores. Many put together killer packages too. \/
Nov 20 2013 8:54AM
0 0
All times are Eastern (-4)