Chosing Used Ski's?

Question

12 years ago, I was on top of the line190 olin's, and I wasn't too bad. After a long time off, I started skiing again. I have rented parabolic's and want to buy a pair but I'm not ready to shell out the cash for a brand new pair. The ski's I rent are ok, (160 length) but I want to find a pair that are faster.

1)What make/model ski should I start to look for on ebay or at a ski swap?

2) What other things make a good ski these days besides length (stiffness, shape, how cool they look, etc.)

Answer 1

Let me give you some advice. Never get skis online. THey may not fit you right or may not be as good as they look. Try going to a ski store and trade there. Maybe you can sell yours there and get a better pair there.

Answer 2

The cosmetics change every year, the names also will change from model to model.  Olin is now a discontinued line from K2,  I also had a pair of 190 Olin DTSL, that I just sold. I currently use a pair of K2 Axis XT for teaching and have enjoyed them for 4 years.  I'm leaning towards a pair of Nordica in a 170 cm, all mountain ski that will last me another 5 years or so.  No matter what ski you buy, the performance can be modified by a proper tune, or lack thereof.  If you can go to a demo day try various brands and models for a run or two and try to make a decision afterward.

Answer 3

Hmmm, very personal question.  The things that make a ski "good" are the things that please you.  Here's an idea: either go to the next "demo" day when you can try skis for free or shell out $40 at your nearest destination resort to demo a number of different pairs in one day.  Tell the guy behind the counter how and where you like to ski.  He'll put you on three pair or so.  Pick the ones you like best and go to the nearest outlet (online is fine, too, there are plenty of reputable dealers) and buy LAST YEAR's version of the ski you like.  It is rare, indeed, for a truly new thing to come out and last year's color will ski just as good as the new one.  You'll get about 50% off and no worries about suspicious repairs.

BTW - choice of skis is VERY dependant on your size, strength, skiing style, the places you like to ski, and so on.  With those details you'd probably get some more specific answers.

Answer 4

geezer is right on about getting older models. you can find older versions for about what you'd expect to pay for used ones

you're on the heavier side so those rentals were probably to soft for you to go fast comfortably

skiing in michigan you will want something with a tight sidecut(this will be marked by turning radius...a pair of skis marked 15-16ft will suit your needs) but need to be stiff enough to eliminate high speed chatter

try looking for a pair of head xrc(the higher the # the better...600 or up) or atomic izors. both those models were replaced and can be found really cheap but are made for the type of skiing you described. check some of your local shops they probably have a pair or two of these skis in their basement and would love to unload them

I picked up a brand new set of izor 9.7's177cm for my nephew for christmas mounted with neox bindings for $350.. he hasn't skied in a couple of years and mentioned that he wanted to start up again. his size and weight were about the same as yours and conditions in ontario are the same as Mi so something similar might be what you should be looking for

both models I mentioned are useless in big powder conditions but will handle anything a michigan winter can throw at them...ice/groomers and even fresh snow just not 3 or 4 feet of powder but let me know when you find that around here.