i have never skiied before and i am about to join my high schools skiing team, i need help on what kind of equipment i should buy without spending too much, and i know that skiiing is pretty expensive. i have no idea what i should do, just a few of my skiing friends have told me to go to the store and they would help me out. i live in se michigan, and im skiing at mount brighton.
2007-10-13 02:57:15 · 5 answers · asked by eric q 2 in Sports ➔ Winter Sports ➔ Snow Skiing
No XP and you're joining the HS Ski team? No offense, but before you try racing you should learn how to ski...it really helps.
Step #1: Go to the hill and rent a pair of skis and take a lesson. Before you commit to the ski team, you should find out if you even like skiing.
Step #2: Provided you liked it and didn't break anything on the way down the hill, look into getting season rentals for your first year. Your'e like what...14/15? If you haven't stopped growing yet there is no point in throwing down $1000 for brand new skis, poles, and boots. Some ski shops and most resorts have a seasonal rental program. It'll probably cost $300 for the whole season.
Step #3: If you find out you actually are good at skiing, and your feet and body stop growing then look into buying stuff. If you don't have a lot of $$$ try ski swaps, eBay, or closeout places on the web....there are lots of them. Do a search for "Closeout Skis" or "Clearance Skis" and you should get a bunch of hits.
If you were living in Vermont or Colorado and skiied every day after school then MAYBE you might want to buy ski boots right off. However, I can't see extremely competative ski racing in Michigan that would require you to have custom fitted boots your first year of racing. Maybe later on...but not now.
I started skiing when I was 12 and used the rentals until I hit 16. I raced 2 years in HS with rental boots and skis and did pretty well. HS skiing in Pennsylvania was just an excuse to waste a night out trying to pick up chics. My guess is it is pretty much the same in Michigan. If you get serious about skiing, you'll most likely want to move closer to bigger mountains. Once you do that you'll find lots of deals, you'll most likely have a job too, so you can buy some stuff.
2007-10-13 08:18:29 · answer #1 · answered by Willie D 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check out the local ski swaps. You will be able to get everything you need there. Skis, poles, boots, helmets, goggles, etc... There are lots of experienced skiers at swaps and they can help you find what you need. You can get some decent used equipment for half the price it would've cost new at ski swaps. Since you are a beginner you don't need world cup quality equipment of separate ski for GS and Slalom.
I am on a high school ski team, I have skied all my life, but have watched the progression of beginers who have never skied before turn into ok racers in a few years. You will pick it up pretty fast. Dont worry about the other skiers' times, just try to improve yours every run. Good Luck, ski fast.
2007-10-13 08:59:37 · answer #2 · answered by jkl;;khg 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are going to buy equipment and not rent dont buy it new! Go to the local stores in your area and find out when thier swap is going to be. At a ski swap you can get used skis at great prices, thats where i get all my stuff. I know Sun and Snow sports in Ann Arbor has 2 of them every fall. Definalty go check swaps!
2007-10-15 14:37:21 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
good advice from Willie D....... i was a ski instructor for 14 years at small local ski areas to start then eventulay Vail in CO
2007-10-13 08:40:36 · answer #4 · answered by newglassman 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
is it alpine skiing or cross country ski
2007-10-16 16:49:14 · answer #5 · answered by *()()() FurElise()()()* 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋