In general, Iâd say itâs more cost-effective for beginner skiers to rent equipmentÂmaybe $30 a day for boots and skis. It also gives you a chance to hone your skills without bashing up your own gear. Plus, once youâve mastered the basics, you can rent upscale ski gear and get a real feel for different lengths, styles, and makes of skis. So when you do buy your own stuff, itâll be an informed decision.
Volant Vertex
Plus, by renting while you learn, youâll get a good idea of what kind of skier you want to be. Maybe youâll be happy cruising groomed slopes. If so, an easy-turning ski that also tracks well will be the ticket. On the other hand, perhaps you really want to get good on moguls, or on ungroomed stuff, or some other type of terrain. In that case, a ski tailored to those conditions, or a true âall-mountainâ ski, would be right for you.
Once you decide to buy, I think in most cases itâs best to purchase a ski tailored for intermediates, but one that has enough slope-handling design to let you advance. That can be a tough callÂone ski I recommended a few weeks ago was dissed by a reader. So ask around and get some opinions. Heck, ask people on the ski lift about their skis. Myself, Iâm a Volant userÂa shaped ski with a steel skin. A little heavy, but very smooth and they turn like frightened cats. The Volant Vertex ($499; www.volantski.com) is a newer version of my Super S skis and is a good all-mountain ski. But maybe a little much for a beginner.
Of course, boots are as important as skis. Here, too, some experience with different boots will pay off, as youâll learn what brands fit you best. I wear a Tecnica boot thatâs a de-tuned racing model. A little stiff, but lots of control. The Rival X9 ($399; www.tecnicausa.com) is roughly equal to my four-year-old boots.
So there you go. I hope to get to Hood myself this winter. Maybe weâll share a lift ride!