I am going to Vail skiing in a couple of weeks. My present skis are 10 years old and pretty beat up. Should I buy a new pair before I leave? Are there better deals in Vail? I am also confused as to what length I need for the shaped skis. I currently ski on 180's. Do I go shorter in the shaped skis. Thanks.

In my opinion skis will be a LOT more expensive in Vail. Everything is expensive in Vail! You might try renting once or twice to see what you like. Lots of ski rental places in the area besides resort rentals. If you're there for a few days and have a car, rent them slightly out of the way for better rates and not having to return them every day.

Bring your own broken in ski boots and rent skis the whole time your there.This way you can try all kinds skis plus one of your ski days you may want powder skis.Good skis are from $250 to $1200 plus bindings at some of the lastes gizmos.Figure in how many actual ski days you will have.You will have easier time in the airport without them.

I was in your exact dilema a few years ago. After pricing new skis, boots, etc. I decided to rent skis for my ski Trip when I got to the resort. Its the best skiing desision I have ever made. I always get the latest skis and boots. They always fit perfectly because they are fitted by a professional. I am always expremely satisfied.

And you don't have to drag your skis and boots thru airports, and never have to do maintanence. When you are done with your rented skis you just turn them in and you never have to deal with them again. All this for about $40 for a weekend.

DON'T EVER BUY SKIS AND BOOTS AGAIN!!!

Hi Stacey,

Buying skis at Christmas in Vail will probably be about the same as in any major city. However, if you were to buy skis in April or thru the summer, there're generally much cheaper (change out stock in a resort every year).

If you only ski a few times per year 10-15 days, I would probably rent b/c the technology has changed so much recently.
If you're a beginner-mid intermediate and you have a good boot, bring it and just rent skis. If you're a higher level skier and haven't bought boots in 10 yrs either I'd rent the whole set up. Most ski shops will demo skis (rent) so you can try out different ones and some shops will apply rental costs to purchase. But you need to ask FIRST. Some do, Some don't. You can expect to pay $35+/day for demos. Beginner setups are much less.

I have relatives who ski about 10 days a year, and although they own skis, they never bring them if they're flying in, as opposed to driving. Like other posters have mentioned, they like trying out new demos each time, and prefer to avoid the hassle of bringing their own skis on a plane. They do bring their own boots.

You'll go for shorter shaped skis than regular, but I'd definitely want an experienced salesman helping me decide on the proper size. You'll be amazed at the control you get with shaped versus regular.

Have a great time!

been there I spent the last three years renting. I wasted a lot of time not all rentals are a like. Different resorts offer different brands. Easier to just have the skis that work for you and head to the slopes. Boots are the main problem I would not fuss with any that were not mine. Too many trips on and off the slope at more than one resort on the east coast. One day it is cutting off my circulation at another resort they might be giving me something that is too loose by the end of the day.

I do think it is good to rent for the season if you have the chance. You can keep the skis when you are done in most ski shops just leaving your deposit. Of course this will usually not involve the high end demos many vetran skiers will want.

Stacey where are you?

epicski.com is a skiers forum if you want more opinions from serious skiers.

travelyn I never feel like I am getting an honest answer from a ski rep. I have asked and asked. They all tell me that such and such brand that they carry is the best option for my "narrow foot", "wide foot", "long foot", "short foot".

Sarah -

Most ski shops only carry a couple brands with a couple different lines within those brands - so, say a shop carries Technica and Nordica boots. They then might have a beg, int, racing boot within that brand and MAYBE a womens and mens version. So in order to get you (customer) into a boot he'll tell you that this is the boot for you when really he only has maybe 2 boots that'll work for you anyways. When buying boots, I would go to a shop near a resort that specializes in ski boots that carries many different lines.

Regarding renting when you're at the resort, I implied that you should rent boots for the week(not different ones each day) and try different skis.

Stacey - where are you staying? Kenny's in Lionshead specializes in skis/boots (no snowboarding) and is consistently ranked the top shop in the country by Ski & Skiing Mags. Rightfit in the Village specialezes in boots. Depending on where you're staying I can give you recs near your hotel.

Yes, shaped skis are shorter than your old straight skis. A reputable shop will know what to put you in.

Bly if you are sampling different resorts in one weekend you can't help but use different rentals. I belong to couple of ski clubs in NYC and I do pop around N.E. I think it is important to tell this problem to those looking to rent from the mountain. The ski clubs I belong to here tell you it is better to rent from NYC than many resorts in Vermont for quality. I have also been stuck on long lines when other groups arive with ours. That alone is reason enough for ownership.

BY What you are were talking about with the shops pushing in stock items was my point entirely about ski shops. Just who wants to shop when they find themselves at a ski Resort? I never want to take the time off a slope. You are right though best deals and selection on the Mountain.

As far as reputable ski shops I still find people pushing taller skis at Paragon and Princeton ski shops in Manhattan. Shopping for skis is very much like buying a computer or used car these days. You need to read, demo and find out what works for you on your own. Most ski shop personnel are going to push the stock on hand. They either want to squeeze you into a boot that is really meant for a speed skier or they want to unload tall tall skis. This has been my experience. I see the tall ski dump with rentals also. Last year I was told that the only boots that would work for my strange foot at Scandanavian Ski shops was a $500. The had some kind of heat reactive substance that would mold around my foot (rosingal). I had to purchase it without trying on though. Would not help to try them on as they were heat sensitive shaping. 3 salesman told me this in an empty ski shop last season. I have been renting so it is rediculous to assume that their high end boots is all that work on my foot. High high pressure sales alienating this shopper.
I have yet to see those boots anywhere. Most likely they were pushing a model that did not do well.

I wanted to know where you were Stacey because Princeton is having there big sale out at Giants stadium. I went for a jacket the selection was poor but plenty of people were leaving with skis. I saw last years model of the boots I bought, Salomon Permormas $100 cheaper. You can easily go on line & find out how your boots are suppose to fit.

Thanks for the advice so far. Sarah, I am in the midwest and the closest ski shop to me is about 2 hours away. I think I will bring my boots and try demo skis or rent. I really don't want to sink a lot of money into skis this year...

Sarah,
I can see your point of renting different skis at each resort when switching between resorts - However, Stacey's question was regarding renting in Vail. As the largest single mountain in N. America, I doubt she'll be skiing different resorts every day. Also, there's a shop on every corner as well as most hotels, not just rentals from the ski resort itself.

While some shops do push stock items, there are many reputable shops. Just like any high end product, you need to do research. That said - while a magazine may say "ABC" ski or boot is the best - it depends on the individual skier. If the boot doesn't fit or the ski is too stiff, who cares what the mag said! You need to try them out.

I've found that shops in Colorado resorts are much more knowledgeable than those in the city (Denver). Mainly because the employees are skiers or boarders - not just some high school kid in a sports store that sells bikes, guns, etc...

The shaped skis are shorter than the original straight skis. I dropped about 12cm when switching. Ability, height/weight also determine ski length.