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Intro level skier, what stuff should I get?

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Thelaminater
Posts: 42 - Karma: 39
Alright so I'm trying to pick up skiing (switching from snowboarding) and have been researching some gear. I will focus on park for the most part. I kind of want to jump right into it and buy some decent/nice gear instead of incrementally getting better and better stuff as I progress. So far I have settled on the Dalbello Blenders for boots, Marker Griffons for bindings (160 lbs), and Salomon Threats for skis. What do you guys think? I'm a little iffy on the Threats since I seem to read a lot of bad reviews on them, but most of those reviews seemed to come from hardcore park skiers. Any advice, recommendations, etc?
Dec 17 2010 12:46AM
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damastax68
Posts: 150 - Karma: 11
don't get griffons get px 12 jibbs
Dec 17 2010 1:21AM
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LuminatX
Posts: 197 - Karma: 40
I haven't personally road salomons, but yeah I hear a lot of durability issues.
and if your just starting, your guaranteed to be banging your skis together, and off of shit.

check out some of the line or volkl park skis.
Dec 17 2010 1:21AM
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TaySwift
Posts: 3436 - Karma: 1,622
i shred suspects and i think they are perfect for everything, pipe jumps rails, fuckit skiing in general is awsome on them. noone really worries to much on boots and bindings, and no gorb gaps.
Dec 17 2010 1:24AM
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BerGNARdo
Posts: 406 - Karma: 44
you need to try on lots of boots and pick the ones that fit you best. a really high quality boot that doesnt fit you well will be uncomfortable or painful and not perform well.

also salomon seems to have pretty consistent durability issues. i destroyed my 08/09 suspects within less than 20 days riding.

that said if you're just starting out and not riding them real hard they might be fine for you.

but you definitely need to go to a bootfitter and buy the boot that fits you.
Dec 17 2010 5:27AM
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Hamster.
Posts: 1636 - Karma: 26
1. Go to a boot fitter
2. Get skis that will last and ski well (Atomic Punx, for one symmetrical too so easy to ski switch)
3. Get quality bindings its worth the money and they wont break
4. SHRED
Dec 17 2010 9:41AM
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yeahitsdave
Posts: 1315 - Karma: 10
hey, I like you, an intelligent response from a ns member with under a thousand posts, I feel like that's getting rare.

First step in the who ski shin-dig is always getting fitted for boots. you can make it down the hill on anything, but good luck doing it when your feet are getting thrashed. Go get fitted, find the right boot, and don't skimp doing it.

From there, K2, Line, Volkl, Armada, and Rossignol are all bigger brands (relatively, Armada is pretty small) that have consistently put out solid, durable and dependable skis. While I'm not a huge fan of the way K2 stuff skis, you can't knock the durability. Find a deal on something and run with it.

Lastly bindings. Bindings should outlast your skis if you're in something fairly quality. The Axial2/PX series from Rossi/Look have been staples in the industry for a long time. Durable, consistent releasing, over all solid bindings. You can usually find them super cheap, and it's a given they'll hold up. There's other stuff out there, but probably not as solid at the same price point.
Dec 17 2010 9:42AM
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andrew95
Posts: 2090 - Karma: 124
one of my buddys has threats and he likes them... although he does not hit rails they have held up good on 10-15 foot jumps. i would say get something like the the afterbangs or the press
as for bindings... you really dont need something like the griffon if your just starting... you could go after a binding like the jibbs
just my 2 cents
Dec 17 2010 11:13AM
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Hamster.
Posts: 1636 - Karma: 26
how would you know
Dec 17 2010 2:16PM
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.AR6rider.
Posts: 15976 - Karma: 8,799
Like others have said, boot fitter, boot fitter, BOOT FITTER.  I can't stress this enough.  You will have a bad time skiing if your boots are killing your feet...maybe even worse than if you french fry when you're supposed to pizza.

As for skis, I may be biased, since it's all I've really ridden, but I would go with Armada.  Get some of last year's AR6s for cheap or some AR7s.  I switched from snowboarding four years ago and got a pair of AR6s after demo-ing a pair of K2s and Salomons.  I found that they were easy to re-learn skiing on (I started skiing when I was 3, but switched to snowboarding when I was 7) performed well all over the mountain, and still were very solid in the park.  They've also held up really well.  I have them mounted back 2.5cm from center and they ski great forward and switch.

I don't know too much about bindings, so I would have someone else help you with that, but I rock Jesters and have had no problems with them at all.
Dec 17 2010 2:33PM
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andrew95
Posts: 2090 - Karma: 124
i lawled
Dec 17 2010 2:41PM
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Hamster.
Posts: 1636 - Karma: 26
cool story bro, i love my punx
Dec 17 2010 2:52PM
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dfortin13
Posts: 1186 - Karma: 194
id look into the masterminds from line. theyre super light, durable. and a good beginner ski. throw a pair of px10 or 12 and your good to go.
Dec 17 2010 2:53PM
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Hamster.
Posts: 1636 - Karma: 26
you think lines are light? have you owned a pair?
Dec 17 2010 2:59PM
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dfortin13
Posts: 1186 - Karma: 194
ya i ride lizzies. theyre pretty damn light for 110 under foot.
Dec 17 2010 3:13PM
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Hamster.
Posts: 1636 - Karma: 26
ive held my 182 punx in one hand and my 161 invaders in the other and the invaders feel like a brick, and considering theyre a lot shorter it speaks to their weight
Dec 17 2010 3:45PM
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dfortin13
Posts: 1186 - Karma: 194
Line and Atomic are two companies headed is much different directions. Most of the skis from Line are jib oriented. they are made to withstand alot of abuse. the 7ply technology they use now is making them heavier then the punx, but look at the price and what you want to do with them. if you like alot of rails, go with the masterminds because they will hold up
Dec 17 2010 4:11PM
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aj5474
Posts: 134 - Karma: 10
I might get hated on for this but I don't advise a fully symmetrical ski to start off on. Get a directional twin and learn how to ski first, lay down an edge etc. The directional twin can still hold its own in the park and its much easier to learn on. When you get good at skiing and want to dedicate most of your time to the park then get a symmetrical twin. Don't forget Dynastar as a brand to look into. there are always deals on troubles or the 6th sense series and they're bomb proof.
Dec 17 2010 5:39PM
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ROBOT
Posts: 453 - Karma: 219
you have to buy fulltilt boots, saga, and everything else that everyone has. thats how you get good at skiing and become awesome
Dec 17 2010 6:53PM
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dfortin13
Posts: 1186 - Karma: 194
haha this is great
Dec 17 2010 6:57PM
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Hamster.
Posts: 1636 - Karma: 26
well duh, but you said earlier theyre light, now your saying theyre heavier. I never said anything about durability only weight
Dec 17 2010 8:16PM
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Thelaminater
Posts: 42 - Karma: 39
Thanks for all the responses. I think I might go with the Masterminds. I'll demo them first though.
Dec 17 2010 9:28PM
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Thelaminater
Posts: 42 - Karma: 39
Hmmm actually I was just looking into K2 and found the Press. They seem like a pretty solid beginner ski. What do you guys think between the Masterminds and the Press?
Dec 18 2010 1:28AM
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Thelaminater
Posts: 42 - Karma: 39
How are they both on durability? I guess that is going to be one of the biggest deciding factors.
Dec 18 2010 1:41PM
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HiTz
Posts: 1467 - Karma: 11
the masterminds are just as light as the punx... just quit while your behind in the arguement.
Dec 18 2010 1:46PM
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nick3713
Posts: 147 - Karma: 10
they are both great on durability but i think you should go with the masterminds i think that they'll be better for entry level than the press's
Dec 18 2010 2:05PM
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Piste.Off
Posts: 11586 - Karma: 1,860
exactly what i was going to say.
starting off skiing a symmetrical ski will only help you develop bad habits and form outside the park. get a decent directional ski first, learn how to ski, then go to the park.
Dec 18 2010 2:39PM
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logange
Posts: 1428 - Karma: 159
go to a boot fitter for sure on boots. I have griffons and i love how light they are but they do break easily so if you can splurge a little get jesters. as for skis I havent heard the best of thigns for salomon skis but i never had a problem with my old salomon foils. I ride liberty skis now and love them so much.
Dec 18 2010 7:06PM
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