mystery3This should be in gear talk for future reference.
Please describe how and where you like to ski, carving groomers? Skiing tight trees? Hitting natural features and side hits?
Do you have a budget in mind? Already have well fitting boots?
Have you read a lot of blistergearreview.com? That would be a great place to start. They love the Enforcer series and most things Blizzard.
The sell/trade forums here can be good. This place https://www.powder7.com/used-demo-skis-for-sale has some ok deals on high quality demo skis, pretty good selection, they come all tuned and waxed and ready to go.
https://www.powder7.com/4FRNT-MSP-Skis-181cm-Used-2018/for-sale
https://www.powder7.com/Black-Crows-Atris-Skis-189cm-Used-2018/for-sale
https://www.powder7.com/Black-Crows-Corvus-Skis-188cm-Used-2019/for-sale
https://www.powder7.com/Black-Crows-Daemon-Skis-188cm-Used-2018/for-sale
https://www.powder7.com/Black-Crows-Navis-Skis-185cm-Used-2017/for-sale
https://www.powder7.com/Icelantic-Pioneer-109-Skis-182cm-Used-2017/for-sale
https://www.powder7.com/Liberty-Origin-106-Skis-187cm-Used-2018/for-sale
https://www.powder7.com/Moment-Meridian-Skis-181cm-Used-2017/for-sale
https://www.powder7.com/Sego-Cleaver-102-Skis-187cm-Used-2018/for-sale
I'm not sure what size you're looking for 185-190? Those are all skis which intrigue me to some degree, both chargers and more playful and ranging from ~$450-$700ish.
If you'd provide more information on what kind of skiing you'd like to do the good people of NS will suggest a variety of skis to fit your needs.
Thanks for your helpful reply! I would say that 90% of my time on the mountain is spent on the trails. I seldom venture off into the trees or forge my own path places, but I would like a ski that could help me do each of those things in the future if I so desire. Most of the time, I'm on a groomed run, or one with a lot of crud or tracked out powder. I'd love a ski that can carve up groomers but can also handle lumpy choppy stuff or pure powder. The most well known mountain that I plan to ski is Whistler BC, if that helps at all in determining the kinds of snow I'll be skiing in.
I do have a pair of boots that I like, but I'm considering buying a new pair since they are more than 15 years old and I'd like to see if I can get something a little lighter with a walk feature as well.
I'd be looking for 185 to 190 cm skis, give or take. As far as budget goes, if I can find a used pair in good condition for $400 to $500 with bindings that would be awesome. But if there's an overwhelming recommendation on a particular ski that I can't get used I don't mind spending up to $900 or so on the ski/binding set. I'd just rather spend $400 to $500 if there's any way I can.
Not sure if it's helpful, but I've only owned two pairs of skis in my life. One was a K2 Escape series I think? Total noob ski. A few years ago I picked up some used K2 Apache Recons that I really like quite significantly more than my previous K2s. It was a lot stiffer, had a lot more grip, could plow though some of the lumpy crud, etc.
