Help shopping for skis | GTAMotorcycle.com

Help shopping for skis

Relax

Relax

Well-known member
My daughter wants new skis. Last time I bought for her was probably 15 years ago and just went with whatever they recommended at Skiis & Biikes. Are they still considered one of the best value-oriented shops that know what they're recommending, or is there somewhere better we should go? She's almost exclusively skiing in Ontario at Blue Mountain and is an intermediate, but slow skier. She's only owned 2 pairs of skis (if you count her beginner pair), and her only comment was that she wants something in white and sent me pics of the Atomic Cloud C7 and Rossignol Nova 8, but probably has no idea if those are suitable for Blue (and neither do I). Any comments or suggestions?
 
Not sure of your budget but regardless if it is high or low I would still recommend looking for used online.
If you know what you are looking for it will make it that much easier.

There will be many skis hitting the market shortly (if they haven't already) as the season is upon us.

By the sounds of it, she is not a competitive skier and will probably not notice the difference between brand new pair vs a pair that is 1-2 seasons old.

As with bikes, many people buy new and after a season or two realize that the sport is not for them and try to sell quickly to them our of their house and not necessarily make back their money.

On that note, I need to look for some new (to them) skis and boots for my kids. 10 and 13 year olds.
 
Skis and bikes , sporting life , Corbetts , are all good shops where you can get good advice . For an intermediate, skiing blue , you can also get a nice package at Sport Check . She has a specific look in mind so that may limit what you can look at .
The are about a million people buying skiis that are ‘ over thier head’ in performance and need to be worked . A nice mid level ski will make her better and be easier to ski which makes them more fun.
I’m shocked at where prices have gone , but it’s everywhere not just skiis


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Try and buy used if you can! Comfortable, properly sized boots are very important as well! Like mentioned, sportchek has some good deals, look for sales. Best skiing at Blue is during the week or first tracks!
 
I say look for sales at retailers, while "buying used" is always an option I'd keep it on the back burner until required (might be to much hassle dealing with people) Also by reading your post, your daughter is going through a pair a year, so regardless of new or used you'll get good value for your money. I'd follow @crankcall 's advise for retailers.
 
What is her height and foot size? I might have a set from my daughter. I should dig out all my kids gear, always love surprises the day before a trip! If you buy used, keep in mind you will most likely need them tuned, which costs a couple of bucks. Blue is always icy, sharp tuned edges help there!
 
Unfortunately you just missed the Ski and Snowboard show.

What size? My wife may have a set of old ones she no longer uses, and I know for a fact her mom won't be using them anymore. But they're about a decade old or so so it may not be the flashiest type.

Some shops actually have a program that as kids get older, you trade the skis from the last season in and get 50% off the next season. Keeps you shopping at THAT particular store, but it works.

I can't remember the name but there was such a shop near Speers and Kerr (Corbett's I believe). They always had a second section opened up on the north side of the street for used / older gear.
 
I just bought a pair new. I used google shopping search as it let me cross-shop all the vendors. There are still great deals on clearance at may places for last years models but finding the right size can be difficult. Again with google shopping search I was able to quickly check the sizes available at multiple shops quickly.
 
If you are buying used, they need a tune up (often a substantial one as most people don't take great care of their equipment) and bindings adjusted. If bindings are old enough to be off the indemnity list (no hard line but normally 7-12 years old) no shop will touch them. You can find the 21-22 indemnity list and check if the bindings you are considering buying are on there. Afaik, you can't find a 23-24 indemnity list online right now. A nearby auction is trying to sell brand new skiis with never mounted bindings that listed for $800 and they can't get offers over $100 as they are too old and no shop will touch them.

Fwiw, I still use some skiis and boots from 25 years ago and they still work well. They can't hold quite as well as my newer skiis but that may be design based as they are a lazier and more flexible ski.

I buy all skiis used because I'm cheap and can get them ready myself. Decent kids skis can be found for $100 or less, adult skis at 25-50% of msrp.

New skis are convenient but you pay dearly for the experience.

As with all things, buying based on appearance is normally not a great idea. Buy the geometry that fits your skill, terrain and size and then hope for colours you like.

In Ontario, I really like short radius skis. They make skiing super fun even at lower speeds. My fun skiis are 11m radius. I am still looking for ones a little longer as my unicorn. Radius of 17m or more in Ontario you are really ripping before you can lean on the edges.
 
There is usually the ski swap that happens right after the ski show in Toronto, it moves around to different places. Might be run by Ski Patrol association. Been awhile since I've kept on top of such things, with motorcycling getting in the way of that ;) :LOL:
 
The shorter ski's are generally what you want these days. Carver style ski or however they are marketing them these days. They are shorter but wider at the tips and tail, which make up the difference in length. They almost will turn themselves with a little pressure. Someone with more skills can really rip up the slopes.
 
Wow, nice to wake up to a ton of input! After posting, I started researching the ones she sent. The 2024 Atomic Cloud C7 was $550 at Skiis and Biikes. The Rossignols were 50% more, but no compelling reason (that I could tell) for the additional cost. Then I tried Sportchek and found the 2023 C8 on clearance for $419.97, and adding it to my cart dropped the price again to $356.97. At that point, since I couldn't figure out any major differences between them other than the colour scheme, and I couldn't get in touch with my daughter for approval, I said F-it and checked out figuring I could always return them. They're on clearance, but their fine print says final sale if the price ends in .88, which these don't. So hopefully not a problem, but even more hopefully she'll like them. On top of all that, I should be getting a 1% Rakuten rebate, plus whatever I get from using my Triangle World MC, but forgot to "activate" (total BS) my Triangle Rewards for another $5 in CT money.

So in the sprit of all the people who buy things and then ask if they got a good deal :rolleyes:, what do you think? As for suitability, she's just a recreational skier with around 10 15 years of experience who gets out maybe a handful of times per year. She prefers Blue and Green runs, and her style is fairly average, as in she wouldn't stand out if you were watching everyone make their way down the hill (no short/quick turns, and no high speed turns). She's 5' tall around 100 lbs, and I ordered the 143.

General PDP Template

www.sportchek.ca www.sportchek.ca

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sburns said:
There is usually the ski swap that happens right after the ski show in Toronto, it moves around to different places. Might be run by Ski Patrol association. Been awhile since I've kept on top of such things, with motorcycling getting in the way of that ;) :LOL:
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Lots of ski swaps run by ski patrol right now. Normally one near barrie and one near collingwood too.
 
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I think that's a good deal @Relax especially if she uses it for more than 1 or 2 seasons.

Congrats! I'm going to dig out my wife's skiis this week and my FILs old ones. Hopefully the critters didn't get into the boots.

Hoping to get back into snowboarding, and potentially get on some skiis this season. Been a decade.
 
Relax said:
Wow, nice to wake up to a ton of input! After posting, I started researching the ones she sent. The 2024 Atomic Cloud C7 was $550 at Skiis and Biikes. The Rossignols were 50% more, but no compelling reason (that I could tell) for the additional cost. Then I tried Sportchek and found the 2023 C8 on clearance for $419.97, and adding it to my cart dropped the price again to $356.97. At that point, since I couldn't figure out any major differences between them other than the colour scheme, and I couldn't get in touch with my daughter for approval, I said F-it and checked out figuring I could always return them. They're on clearance, but their fine print says final sale if the price ends in .88, which these don't. So hopefully not a problem, but even more hopefully she'll like them. On top of all that, I should be getting a 1% Rakuten rebate, plus whatever I get from using my Triangle World MC, but forgot to "activate" (total BS) my Triangle Rewards for another $5 in CT money.

So in the sprit of all the people who buy things and then ask if they got a good deal :rolleyes:, what do you think? As for suitability, she's just a recreational skier with around 10 years of experience who gets out maybe a handful of times per year. She prefers Blue and Green runs, and her style is fairly average, as in she wouldn't stand out if you were watching everyone make their way down the hill (no short/quick turns, and no high speed turns). She's 5' tall around 100 lbs, and I ordered the 143.

General PDP Template

www.sportchek.ca www.sportchek.ca

View attachment 64188
Click to expand...
143 seems short to me but that doesn't really matter if she isn't pushing them.

I would add straps that keep foam between the bases. That keeps the ptex from wearing on each other and gives some room for air so they don't rust much.

Great deal on new skiis. Avoid the hassles of used for not much different money.

Are these getting delivered or pickup at the store with setup? As with all department store setups, I would confirm setup after they are done to ensure they didn't screw it up (as a minimum, check mounting screws are snug, binding release setting makes sense, and forward pressure is correct).
 
Relax said:
Wow, nice to wake up to a ton of input! After posting, I started researching the ones she sent. The 2024 Atomic Cloud C7 was $550 at Skiis and Biikes. The Rossignols were 50% more, but no compelling reason (that I could tell) for the additional cost. Then I tried Sportchek and found the 2023 C8 on clearance for $419.97, and adding it to my cart dropped the price again to $356.97. At that point, since I couldn't figure out any major differences between them other than the colour scheme, and I couldn't get in touch with my daughter for approval, I said F-it and checked out figuring I could always return them. They're on clearance, but their fine print says final sale if the price ends in .88, which these don't. So hopefully not a problem, but even more hopefully she'll like them. On top of all that, I should be getting a 1% Rakuten rebate, plus whatever I get from using my Triangle World MC, but forgot to "activate" (total BS) my Triangle Rewards for another $5 in CT money.

So in the sprit of all the people who buy things and then ask if they got a good deal :rolleyes:, what do you think? As for suitability, she's just a recreational skier with around 10 years of experience who gets out maybe a handful of times per year. She prefers Blue and Green runs, and her style is fairly average, as in she wouldn't stand out if you were watching everyone make their way down the hill (no short/quick turns, and no high speed turns). She's 5' tall around 100 lbs, and I ordered the 143.

General PDP Template

www.sportchek.ca www.sportchek.ca

View attachment 64188
Click to expand...
Lol sometime that is the way to do it.

Ski's like most other things there is no simple answer. But it comes down to materials, stiffness, shape and length, all provide different benefits depending on the level of skiier the person is. If she is a just a intermediate skiier these should be good (y)
 
Atomic Cloud 8 is a great intermidiate ski , it has the Densolite core so its not hard to push around and light enough to be easy to ski all day . Nice radius in design and I think a really good choice.
I skied Fisher /Marker/Dynafit boots for years since that was the go to packge provided to instructors , Once I had to start paying close to retail I went back to Atomic skiis and have been happy for years .

For what its worth , boots are WAY more important than your skis and fit is everything, if she ever needs boot upgardes its worth it to visit a dedicated ski shop. Boots are one of those things that you may love Lange boots but they dont fit your feet, you may not like K2 boots but if thats what fits you'll ski better.

Most shops wont touch anything over 7yrs , its an insurance thing. They may be/ probably are fine, but litigation these days

@Relax, you made a great choice IMO
 
GreyGhost said:
Are these getting delivered or pickup at the store with setup? As with all department store setups, I would confirm setup after they are done to ensure they didn't screw it up (as a minimum, check mounting screws are snug, binding release setting makes sense, and forward pressure is correct).
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They're out of stock instore, so delivery. Nothing stopping me from taking them in for setup, as far as I know. But I can also set them up myself if I had to (and have done in the past when I borrow my son's skis and need to reset the size and DIN).
 
GreyGhost said:
Are these getting delivered or pickup at the store with setup? As with all department store setups, I would confirm setup after they are done to ensure they didn't screw it up (as a minimum, check mounting screws are snug, binding release setting makes sense, and forward pressure is correct).
Click to expand...

Actually, what do you mean by forward pressure?
 
Not to threadjack... but what length of ski would you put a male, 5'10" advanced FAST skier on these days.
The last skis I had were 239cm... Nishizawa's, with "ICE IS NICE" written on the left ski. Fastest ski I ever met.
I miss Blackcombe.
 
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