fenderfour Posted September 17, 2004 Share Posted September 17, 2004 I have never skied or snowboarded before, but I would like to get into it this year. My focus is AT so that a future skiing addiction can assist my current climbing addiction. Should I buy or rent? Any recommended equipment? I saw the Dynafit Comforts being recommended on another thread, are they suitable for a beginner? What kind of costs am I going to incur? I'm a big guy, I know some gear won't work as well as others. ME: 6'3" 250lbs size 15 feet I know that these questions don't encompass everything I will need to consider. i'm just trying to get an idea right now. Thanks y'all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b-rock Posted September 17, 2004 Share Posted September 17, 2004 If you've never skied before, I'd recomend picking up some cheap downhill gear (ski swaps or used rentals from a shop) and spending some time inbounds. Tough to get good in the backcountry unless you have perfect conditions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billygoat Posted September 17, 2004 Share Posted September 17, 2004 Rent, Beg, Borrow, or Steal....then plop down $800 - $1,200 for what you need...unless of course you choose the "Steal" option... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skykilo Posted September 17, 2004 Share Posted September 17, 2004 Dynafit Comforts good. You'll hear stuff about being a big guy, and you can't ski them aggressively, and yadda yadda yadda, but it's BS. They are super light, and they work. Get 'em with brakes. Fritschis are also good for no-brainer entry and exit, and a classic binding feel. Maybe wait to buy until you know what you want to do. Will you want to approach climbs and not really care about ski performance? Will you want to approach climbs sometimes, and rip it up on the same gear at other times? Will you want to ski Thermogenesis? (Who doesn't? ) Learn what kind of skiing you want to do. Don't buy skis until you can make turns and have some idea of what kind of turns interest you. If you'll want to ski resorts on this hypothetical AT setup, I highly recommend some high performance, 4-buckle boots. I have really enjoyed Garmonts. Scarpa makes high performance AT boots, too, but Garmont makes the only high performance, Dynafit-compatible AT boots of which I know. AT skis can be rented, and sometimes borrowed. I actually have a pair of skis I could loan you that have Fritschis which would work for your gargantuan feet, but you might have to buy me some pitchers for the wear a heavy n00b would put on the beloved Big Stix. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shapp Posted September 17, 2004 Share Posted September 17, 2004 My wife recently learned to ski in the last 4 years. I highly recommend taking a couple private lessons. Within two season she became a competent black diamond skier and is working on backcountry skills with good results. She had her lessons at Mt. Baker. I think a couple of private lessons will slingshot you up the learning curve very fast, at least it did for my wife. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iain Posted September 17, 2004 Share Posted September 17, 2004 I second the cheap alpine setup (or a cheap alpine ski with your intended bindings)...and a deal on a season pass to a ski area + 1 beginner lesson. The latter two will put you in black diamond terrain very quickly, perhaps within a week or two if you put some time in. By the end of the season you will be bored with lift skiing (if you took advantage of your pass) and the skiing ability will be there to enjoy the b.c. Have fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dryad Posted September 17, 2004 Share Posted September 17, 2004 For cheap used alpine gear check the sporting goods section of craigslist.com. People are selling off skis there all the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cj001f Posted September 17, 2004 Share Posted September 17, 2004 If you've never skiied before, buy cheap used alpine equipment. You should be able to get something for much less than you'd pay for AT gear, and you'd probably shred the AT gear before you'd be good enough to really enjoy it. Iain's plan sounded about right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thelawgoddess Posted September 17, 2004 Share Posted September 17, 2004 i don't know, b-rock. i know guys who learned on teles in the bc. sure, it may sound like a painful way to learn, but once they get it down they are miles ahead of the guy who started out at the same time as an inbound skier. and just think of all the money he'd save on paying for lift tickets! an at setup can be an expensive way to go, but if you're not picky about gear you can probably throw together something usable for cheap. especially since you're a guy - lots of those around with used at gear. higher end new at stuff will run you approx. ... $400-500 plastic at boots $400-800 at skis $300 bindings then there's skins, poles, ski crampons, pack, avy gear ... get used gear if you can. shop sierra trading post and evogear and other sites for deals and closeouts on new stuff. i got my at boots for half price directly from bd's site. if you work in the outdoor industry, you can get pro deals from some manufacturers for some things. if you want it, you will find a way. and ... it's totally worth it!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cracked Posted September 17, 2004 Share Posted September 17, 2004 I learned to ski in the backcountry. I've skied lifts about seven times in my life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b-rock Posted September 17, 2004 Share Posted September 17, 2004 Of course it can be done. But you can get more vertical in a day of lift skiing than a week in the backcountry. And unless you have great conditions it's going to be very hard to learn good technique outside of a resort. My 2 cents. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cj001f Posted September 17, 2004 Share Posted September 17, 2004 i don't know, b-rock. i know guys who learned on teles in the bc. sure, it may sound like a painful way to learn, but once they get it down they are miles ahead of the guy who started out at the same time as an inbound skier. and just think of all the money he'd save on paying for lift tickets! I haven't met a very strong skiier who hasn't spent a good deal of time on the lifts at some time in their life. Learning in the backcountry will get you better at BC conditions where you live; it won't necessarily make you a better skiier. You my also end up with some serious technique flaws that will hold you back later. It's also much easier to hangout with friends at a resort than in the BC (unless they are extremely patient waiting for the slowpoke). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rad Posted September 17, 2004 Share Posted September 17, 2004 You might consider renting gear a few times to try it out to see if you like the sport. In the process you can test out different gear and get some knowledgeable folks to advise you in gear selections. Have fun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cracked Posted September 17, 2004 Share Posted September 17, 2004 I've always wondered if there are people who don't like skiing. Do they exist? I suspect there are two groups of people, those who love skiing, and those who haven't tried it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cj001f Posted September 17, 2004 Share Posted September 17, 2004 I've always wondered if there are people who don't like skiing. Do they exist? Yes they do exist. For the most part they aren't worth knowing. Definitely do not make the mistake of dating one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sobo Posted September 17, 2004 Share Posted September 17, 2004 I've always wondered if there are people who don't like skiing. Do they exist? Yes. They're called "snowmobilers". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thelawgoddess Posted September 17, 2004 Share Posted September 17, 2004 I've always wondered if there are people who don't like skiing. Do they exist? Yes they do exist. For the most part they aren't worth knowing. Definitely do not make the mistake of dating one not saying it's better not to take your time learning, just saying you don't have to spend lots of money at a resort to do so. if you really want to do it right, you will take time to learn the right way - which means taking real lessons from real instructors. you can tell who's had some good instruction and who hasn't. do you just want to do it ... or do you want to do it with style? when i first started skiing, i went out and bought. you can get a really cheap downhill setup if you shop around - closeout boots, cheap-ass skis, inexpensive bindings. probably spend just as much on that as you would renting gear for a season and that way you can use it whenever you want and don't have to worry about skiing over rocks. (which is really fun, by the way! ) mmm ... snow ... mmm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rbw1966 Posted September 17, 2004 Share Posted September 17, 2004 I spent three years trying to learn tele in the backcountry without ever going on a lift or taking a lesson. I don't recommend this as a way of learning. Period. The frustration curve is very high. I'm the same height as you but considerably thinner (200lbs) and I think in this sport, height is a disadvantage. I've broken three ski poles, ripped out bindings, etc. Don't try to teach yourself in the BC. Anyone who goes out with you will quickly grow tired of your sorry ass and leave you playing catch-up. Save yourself some time, effort and pain: borrow/rent the shit and spend your days on the groomers with an instructor. After my third year of trying to learn on my own I finally started hitting the groomers and my skills improved. Taking a lesson helped tremendously. In fact, I plan on taking more lessons. Or swith to AT. Thats my $.02. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thelawgoddess Posted September 17, 2004 Share Posted September 17, 2004 tele'ing is a whole different ball game ... honestly, i think you could be "learning to tele" [the bc] for the rest of your life - no matter how good of a downhill skier you are. lessons are definitely the way to go. really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dru Posted September 17, 2004 Share Posted September 17, 2004 I've always wondered if there are people who don't like skiing. Do they exist? Skiing sux Skiing is for those who are too weak or fat to ice-climb. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iain Posted September 17, 2004 Share Posted September 17, 2004 You can pick up tele really easily if you are good at alpine skiing. Or you can start with tele. Either way, I really think laps at a resort will get you on track faster than dealing with wind-blown sastrugi in the b.c. It can be a pain to get that muscle memory working for you when you're faceplanting every 10 feet in crust. It's quite possible to learn just in the backcountry but I think you'll improve faster and have a better time doing it inbounds. Just don't get stuck inbounds. One of the most important bc skiing skills is survival skiing, not the pretty carving you see the racers doing up at Timberline. Being able to ski rolling hills in brush, and carting weight along with you are both things you won't learn at the resort. Some of those hotshot racers are miserable in the bc! (Most pick it up pretty damn fast though, and are quickly kicking your ass) The key to learning any kind of skiing is to have someone along who not only is a good skier, but is also very good at explaining what you are doing wrong or right. There's always that little something in technique or mental attitude that is holding you back. The goal is to find that person who can observe your skiing and explain to you that key to unlocking the door to the next level. Often times, that is a paid instructor. If you're fortunate, it's a friend of yours. There are really good skiers out there who can't teach at all. I would go with some cheap gear at first, and make sure you get a ski with a solid topsheet! Tuas are out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cracked Posted September 17, 2004 Share Posted September 17, 2004 Why would anyone want to tele? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J_Fisher Posted September 17, 2004 Share Posted September 17, 2004 Skiing is for those who are too weak or fat to ice-climb. That's funny. I'm weak and fat and ice climbing is the only kind of climbing I'm any good at. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dru Posted September 17, 2004 Share Posted September 17, 2004 Anybody can be good at WI2. Even skiers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philfort Posted September 17, 2004 Share Posted September 17, 2004 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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