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Recommendations for beginner/intermediate skis

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BrendenSox12
Posts: 2 - Karma: 16
Hi,

I'm from the northeast and have been skiing 8-10 times over the last few years, I'm not great but I'm a lot better than I was when I started. Competent might be the right word. I'm interested in buying myself my first pair of skis instead of renting for the few times I go a year, but I'm a bit overwhelmed with the amount of options. I'm 5'9 and around 155 pounds and have done some research with what skis specifications would work best for me (it seems rocker-camber-rocker is the way to go with 160-170cm length and 80-90mm width). So far I'm just a strictly on-terrain skier and not venturing off into the woods. Any specific ski recommendations would be greatly appreciated because there's so many options it seems. Only thing is I'm a broke college student so I'm trying to work on a budget here (really don't want to spend more than $350 and am happy to go with a used pair). Thanks.

**This thread was edited on Sep 11th 2020 at 12:48:05am
5 years ago
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broken_skier0
Posts: 132 - Karma: 288
Everything involves tradeoffs and personal preference. If you expect to be spending a lot of time in the terrain park, I would go with something closer to 160. Shorter skis will have less swing weight when you start trying to spin.
5 years ago
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r00kie
Posts: 5238 - Karma: 59,591
Where do you ski? Also, what are you hoping to do more of as you get better? Park? Bumps? Going mach 5 while railing turns on a groomer? All this will help when determining what to get.
5 years ago
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BrendenSox12
Posts: 2 - Karma: 16
r00kieWhere do you ski? Also, what are you hoping to do more of as you get better? Park? Bumps? Going mach 5 while railing turns on a groomer? All this will help when determining what to get.


Right now, I ski exclusively on the main downhill trails. As I get better I'd like to be able to do moguls and venture off into the narrow trails in the woods. Don't have much interest in the park.
5 years ago
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skiingskis
Posts: 19 - Karma: 57
Just buy an all-mountain ski between 80-95 waist. Anything wider is probably overkill for you on the northeast.

Whatever you do just don't spend a lot. In a year you'll probably want a different ski since you'll know more about what you actually like to ski. I learned over time that I like a ski with a little more weight/stiffness. I got rid of the first ski I bought within a year.
BrendenSox12Right now, I ski exclusively on the main downhill trails. As I get better I'd like to be able to do moguls and venture off into the narrow trails in the woods. Don't have much interest in the park.
5 years ago
3 1
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colorado_frenchy
Posts: 199 - Karma: 1,355
Agree with trying to not spend a lot, following up on this maybe you should look into demo skis sales. You can find good deals usually, comes with bindings and very easy to resales as is.
Powder7 as a ton of demo skis for sale, I found this one pretty interesting:
Rossignol Blackops 98 with Tyrolia Attack 13, super fun all mountain ski with room for you to progress (looks like it’s in excellent condition especially the base) and the Attack 13 are great bindings, probably the best demo bindings out there.
https://www.powder7.com/Rossignol-Black-Ops-98-Skis-162cm-Used-2020/for-sale

**This post was edited on Sep 11th 2020 at 8:11:51pm
5 years ago
2 0
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r00kie
Posts: 5238 - Karma: 59,591
BrendenSox12Right now, I ski exclusively on the main downhill trails. As I get better I'd like to be able to do moguls and venture off into the narrow trails in the woods. Don't have much interest in the park.

Some members of this site won't recommend this ski cause its labeled as "boring" or "basic" but the Blizzard Brahma. Skis all conditions pretty well, rewards good technique, and allows room to grow as they can be skied hard and aggressive if you want. As an instructor, I recommend this to many adult and teenage skiers as a first ski.
5 years ago
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patagonialuke
Posts: 1627 - Karma: 8,688
r00kieSome members of this site won't recommend this ski cause its labeled as "boring" or "basic" but the Blizzard Brahma. Skis all conditions pretty well, rewards good technique, and allows room to grow as they can be skied hard and aggressive if you want. As an instructor, I recommend this to many adult and teenage skiers as a first ski.


100%. Surprisingly easy for how hard you can ski it eventually, and it doesn't suck off piste. And it's been constructionally unchanged for several years now so you could likely find an old or used pair for cheap. Bummed they changed it for 20/21
5 years ago
2 0
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r00kie
Posts: 5238 - Karma: 59,591
patagonialuke100%. Surprisingly easy for how hard you can ski it eventually, and it doesn't suck off piste. And it's been constructionally unchanged for several years now so you could likely find an old or used pair for cheap. Bummed they changed it for 20/21


For context OP, this guy reviews skis for a living. Just fyi.
5 years ago
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Hellblazer_23
Posts: 526 - Karma: 1,925
buy full tilts
5 years ago
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BrendenSox12
Posts: 2 - Karma: 16
Thanks for all the responses!

I'm looking at the Blizzard Brahma and I came across this one (https://www.ebay.com/i/223635622813?chn=ps&mkevt=1&mkcid=28&var=522366870151) at a good price, would the modification with the carbon instead of the metal be a significant or desirable difference?
5 years ago
0 0
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r00kie
Posts: 5238 - Karma: 59,591
BrendenSox12Thanks for all the responses!

I'm looking at the Blizzard Brahma and I came across this one (https://www.ebay.com/i/223635622813?chn=ps&mkevt=1&mkcid=28&var=522366870151) at a good price, would the modification with the carbon instead of the metal be a significant or desirable difference?


I'm not familiar with the carbon version of the brahma but I would keep looking for a pair on a different binding. While the demo binding is great since you won't have to remount, I would buy something with a higher DIN range such as a 13 as the material quality is typically better. I think someone mentioned it earlier but check powder7.com.
5 years ago
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