Hey all... This will be my first full year skiing, and my second year on the snow. I am 6 feet tall and 165 pounds, and 19 years of age. Last year I rode Line Five-Os and Line Weapons with Kniessel Rail boots and I had a blast, but a bunch of my friends have convinced me that I need to make the change to skis. I went once and rented some crappy Rossignol CUT 165s that were torn up and that's my only experience on skis, but it seemed pretty fun. I'm going to be selling the Five-Os and holding on to the Weapons for goofing around in the park at times. I'm looking for something that I can take to the park on occasion, but I'll probably be spending the majority of my time just carving down the slopes since a large percentage of my friends are not the park-type. They are, however, very good alpine skiers and will hit any type of terrain on the mountain, though they prefer a good bowl. I found a couple good deals (I think) online, and I'd like some input as to what would be a good ski for me.
I've heard a lot both positive and negative about the 01 Candides that are selling on ebay and I am very much interested in them since they are so cheap to get into skiing with. Other than those, I am looking at 02 Skogan Sprangs or 04 Darksides as I can get those for about $250 shipped at most and most people seem to have positive experiences with them... Also, what bindings should I go with? Look P10 and P12 are mentioned a lot, I am aware, but has anyone had experience with Look Nova 10 Maxplate bindings? Sport Chalet has them for $90 and they seem pretty similar to the Loop P10s. I am really trying to pick everything up at a good price as I don't get to go altogether too often, maybe 15 times at best. Anyway, thanks for any help you New Schoolers can extend to a lowly skiboarder aspiring to join your ranks ;-)
Regards,
-Alakath