Member of the Month

KilaTsunami
October, 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!

Beginner Park Skis for a not so Beginner

profile picture
TehJam
Posts: 26 - Karma: 10
Hey guys, just registered onto the site. I'm 15 years old and I've been skiing since I was 3 in the northeast. I'm an advanced skier, extremely difficult trails (ie: Double Black) are not really a problem for me. I've been skiing with friends a bit more lately, and I've started to get bored with going all mountain. I am much more interested in park now, and I would like to be able to progress on a new pair of skis, as I currently do not own twin tips.

So, to get started, I ski in northeastern mountains such as Okemo, Killington, Pico, and some small mountains. I'm 5'10 and 140 pounds at 15 years old. As I have said, I am a very capable piste skier, no problems with tough trails. I am only just getting started with park, and I mostly enjoy going off jumps, rails and boxes are pretty fun as well. I'm stuck with a budget of $350 for just skis (probably), and I would get new bindings as well, but that is for later. For now, I'm not too sure what type of ski I want, all I know is that I will be hitting up the park most often now, occasionally going on regular trails with the family.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Feb 13 2012 6:35PM
0 0
profile picture
skitheWest.
Posts: 2304 - Karma: 1,276
if you want a ski just for park with that budget I'd probably go with the afterbang. the problem is that there aren't many good park skis for that price... if you could find another $50 and spend somewhere around $400 then I think you could get a solid pair of park skis
Feb 13 2012 6:51PM
0 0
profile picture
TehJam
Posts: 26 - Karma: 10
So say I save another $50, what am I looking at here?
Feb 13 2012 7:11PM
0 0
profile picture
Flacko
Posts: 1495 - Karma: 788
buy last years
Feb 13 2012 7:17PM
0 0
profile picture
BrewskiJr
Posts: 5738 - Karma: 1,478
Take a look at the Line chronics. Mid size waste and all around great ski. o
Feb 13 2012 7:19PM
0 0
profile picture
TehJam
Posts: 26 - Karma: 10
This is what I was thinking, so, any recommendations besides the chronic?
Feb 13 2012 7:22PM
0 0
profile picture
TehJam
Posts: 26 - Karma: 10
What do you guys think of the K2 press,the mastermind, and afterbang?
Feb 13 2012 8:23PM
0 0
profile picture
skitheWest.
Posts: 2304 - Karma: 1,276
get the 2011 moment reno jib. I know a lot of people that have them and them all love them. They're even on sale at evo right now, here's the link: http://www.evo.com/outlet/skis/moment-reno-jib.aspx#image=34376.Size.LengthCM_166_Image.jpg
Feb 13 2012 8:28PM
0 0
profile picture
TehJam
Posts: 26 - Karma: 10
Thanks, I'll definitely look into them. Does it matter much what bindings I have or not?

Sorry for stupid questions.
Feb 13 2012 8:54PM
0 0
profile picture
skitheWest.
Posts: 2304 - Karma: 1,276
umm well as long as they fit on the skis (brake width) and have the right DIN setting than you should be good to go
Feb 13 2012 8:56PM
0 0
profile picture
7springsprod
Posts: 2661 - Karma: 3,181
If you aren't too worried about a little extra weight, go with any type of px-12 bindings. You can get a pair from 2010 or so for a great price and they are such a sturdy, reliable binding. I have never had a problem with my px-12s.
Feb 13 2012 8:56PM
0 0
profile picture
_Mac_n_Steez_
Posts: 259 - Karma: -6
Armada e-ray solid skis good all mountain and a fukin tank of a ski for the price also the marker m10 or squire binding are good choices for ur weight take a loo at the k2 sight it is also a great ski and you can't beat k2. Sorry for the one big sentence on mobil ns
Feb 13 2012 9:18PM
0 0
profile picture
613.
Posts: 827 - Karma: 164
This, the El Ray is a probably your best bet. You can probably find a pair for around 350 if you look, and you a quality ski.
Feb 13 2012 9:23PM
0 0
profile picture
BmoChop
Posts: 2071 - Karma: 96
the reno jibs would be much better than any of those if they are in your price range and the right size, as the Press, Mastermind, and afterbangs are all price-point skis and therefore not the greatest quality. Of those three though, I'd say go with the mastermind or the press, afterbangs are infamous for durability issues.

My 2 cents for someone getting into park: center mount your skis, it doesn't make that much of a difference on groomers but makes a significant difference in the park. I regret not center mounting sooo much.
Feb 13 2012 9:29PM
0 0
profile picture
holytoast
Posts: 683 - Karma: 301
Yeah get the el rey
Feb 13 2012 9:29PM
0 0
profile picture
SweatyBallShack
Posts: 2857 - Karma: 58
So basically you're looking for a relatively inexpensive ski that will help you get your feet wet in the park? The Line Masterminds would be a good ski to learn on because they have a pretty narrow waist and they're incredibly light, which makes learning the basics so much easier.

Also, I saw that you mentioned something about the K2 Press earlier in the thread. Those have to be one of the most fun skis I've ever ridden, but I don't think it would be something you would want to learn on. You really don't get the same edge hold that you get from a traditional cambered ski.
Feb 14 2012 3:06AM
0 0
profile picture
TehJam
Posts: 26 - Karma: 10
Thanks guys, I'll look into the El Rey's as well as the Renos.
Feb 14 2012 6:55AM
0 0
All times are Eastern (-5)