Anyone here know much about skis?

I am fed up with high rental costs so I am tempted to get myself a set of skis.

I guess I am intermediate, just tend to go ski the mountain rather than stay on the baby slope and learn the perfect technique.


Thinking about getting the Rossi SC80 but cant decide what length I should be getting.... Anyone know about this sort of all mountain ski care to suggest what length?

I am a 6'2" skinny bugger (75Kg)

Doesn't ski size have something to do with your height?

Traditionally yes, it would have been from the ground to your chin/top of your head....which in my case is either 160 or 175..... but with the clever technology used in skis these days it does not seem to be that clear cut :s

depends on your experience, you can go for a longer pair as you get better, shorter are easier to turn but not as stable when tramming on a bit, mine are about nose height on me and are the new " all mountain type " pretty much go anywhere skis, spend some time reading reviews on the likes of " fall line " different skis suit lighter / heavier people so don't get your leg in with a pair that look ok but dont suit your weight. if you can manage a day out up north ellis brigham have a shop in xscape at castleford and will let you demo skis on the indoor slope there. You may already have some but if not a pair of your own well fitted boots are the best investment you will ever make for skiing, you can put up with shite skis but comfy boots are a must ( i've been skiing 25 years now and have learnt by my mistakes !! ) .

P.S http://snowheads.com/ski-forum/ is a good source for info / advice, a bit like this site but for skiers !!

Boots were last seasons purchase, soo much better than rentals.

I think 160s would be too short as that is under the chin... maybe 170 is the way forward. Who knows...

What all mountain ski did you get? At the moment I am 50/50 piste/off but want to move more off...


I can rent a good ski for about £120. But I can buy a second hand (1 year old) pair of SC80's for £200.... should last me a fair few years.....

Mine are K2 apache explorers, i had a pair of K2 crossfires before i find they suit me well as they are a stiff ski and im 16st 7 and 6 foot 4 . I would agree on 160 been too short, my brother is 6 foot 2 and had a pair of 160 s , he was forever on his arse !!, this site always has some good deals on http://www.sport-conrad.com/?sid=33890b5c396c551d54b627034d01863d. Buying a good pair would be my advice, i paid just over 350 quid for mine but tend to keep em about 4 years and ski 2 to 3 weeks a year so they are good value copmpared to renting. All mountain skis are the way forward if your not a dedicated piste basher !!

Just remember to factor in the increased luggage charge that the budget airlines impose on you.
I do more shorter, long weekend trips and the extra charges put me off. I'm going to keep on hiring.

BMI baby are doing ski gear transport for free this season :-)

IMO for an intermediate, 180cm carvers will do the job nicely, (may as well buy sticks too).
Remember to have 'em sharpened and waxed when you're done for the season and don't leave them on the damp when not in use. Look after them and buying is a good idea. Whizz 'em in the shed/unheatred garage for 11 months and you're better off hiring.
Own boots are a must too. No.1 priority. Skis/sticks no.2.

I've just bought Salomon lx800 - supposed to be the dogs dangly bits, got them in 161cms for just over £300.

Remember skis don't know how tall you are, just how heavy & how big your feet are! You need something like 165/170 I would say.

Last years design Salomon X wings can be bought for £199 brand new complete with bindings, that's the same ski as I've bought, but slightly softer & without the rocker technology. Personally, I'd say it's worth paying a 50% premium for brand new - prob with second hand is you never know where they've been & what's been done to them!