Pre-season ski swaps/store sales

[mtbfree]

OK, I know it's super early to be thinking about this, but...

I'm looking to get back into skiing this winter (I've been snowboard-only for the last 7 years, but I used to ski-race in high school, and I figure it's about time to strap the skinny sticks back on), and I'm in need of a full set-up. I'm fairly comfortable with purchasing skis and bindings sight-unseen over the internet if that's what it takes to get a good deal. However, I will absolutely not buy boots without trying them on first. I've been looking around online (just to get an idea of prices and models to look at) and holy *beep* boots have gotten expensive since I last bought a pair. I want something mid-to-high end geared toward big-mountain and freeskiing but would like to avoid paying some outrageous price for them.

Just wondering if anyone knows of some pre-season swaps or any shops in Metro Detroit that are having pre-season blowouts of last year's goods. Thanks for any info you can provide!

[Ecruz]

Alpine Valley has a ski swap the first weekend of November. Lots of used stuff, as well as new. I'm on the ski patrol there and work it every year.

Roughly what size boots/shoes do you wear? I have a very nice pair of boots that I used about 10 times, that I'd sell for real cheap.

[alec]

Never too early to start thinking about skiing. Mt. Holly has a huge ski swap and Shumakers, the best ski shop in Michigan, has lots of stuff there. I've gotten a couple of amazing deals there.

http://mthollyskipatrol.wordpress.com/ski-swap/

[mtbfree]

Alpine Valley has a ski swap the first weekend of November. Lots of used stuff, as well as new. I'm on the ski patrol there and work it every year.

Roughly what size boots/shoes do you wear? I have a very nice pair of boots that I used about 10 times, that I'd sell for real cheap.

Can't remember my metric boot size, but I wear anything from a 10 to 11 in US shoe sizes and my feet are on the narrow side of average. What kind of boots are they? I'm looking for something that's going to be comfortable but still give me plenty of power, probably in the ~100 flex rating range as I only weigh 150lbs.

[Bcar]

its neeever too early
you're not going to have much luck finding big mtn/freeride gear around here, in stores or at swaps... "HUGE/FAT/Freeride" skis around here are 90mm under foot... you'll be able to find bindings though. boots fo-sho have to try them on. Id look at AT boots, I'll never go back to alpine. AT gives you rubber soles that you can replace, lighter, walk-mode, and are just as stiff (other than plug-race boots), tons of options in the 100-120flex. I always spend more on boots than anything else, but they'll also last a ton of seasons.

do you plan to ski out west/east at all? if you're getting back into the game, go for something 95mm or wider underfoot (105mm-ish if you plan to ski west/east a lot) and its allll about the funny shapes now. Im a huge fan of early rise tips at a min, with traditional camber under foot, early rise tails can be nice. I can rail my 125mm underfoot skis as hard as my old GS/SG race skis on hardpack. 105ish seems to be the sweet spot for a do it all ski, try to find a Volkl Gotoma or something like that.

[Ecruz]

Can't remember my metric boot size, but I wear anything from a 10 to 11 in US shoe sizes and my feet are on the narrow side of average. What kind of boots are they? I'm looking for something that's going to be comfortable but still give me plenty of power, probably in the ~100 flex rating range as I only weigh 150lbs.

These are Atomics, size 27 or 27.5, which is pretty close to what you're looking for. I think they're in the 80-90 flex range. They were a $450 boot, I got a deal on them. I think I paid $250, brand new. I'd sell them for $50. Just need them out of my basement.

[mtbfree]

its neeever too early
you're not going to have much luck finding big mtn/freeride gear around here, in stores or at swaps... "HUGE/FAT/Freeride" skis around here are 90mm under foot... you'll be able to find bindings though. boots fo-sho have to try them on. Id look at AT boots, I'll never go back to alpine. AT gives you rubber soles that you can replace, lighter, walk-mode, and are just as stiff (other than plug-race boots), tons of options in the 100-120flex. I always spend more on boots than anything else, but they'll also last a ton of seasons.

do you plan to ski out west/east at all? if you're getting back into the game, go for something 95mm or wider underfoot (105mm-ish if you plan to ski west/east a lot) and its allll about the funny shapes now. Im a huge fan of early rise tips at a min, with traditional camber under foot, early rise tails can be nice. I can rail my 125mm underfoot skis as hard as my old GS/SG race skis on hardpack. 105ish seems to be the sweet spot for a do it all ski, try to find a Volkl Gotoma or something like that.

I hear everything you're saying, man. That's pretty much exactly what I'm looking for, and probably 70% of my snow time is out west. Right around 100mm under foot (don't need it to be too wide since I'm a light-weight) and I think I want something with tip rocker, but probably not a full rocker since I can't guarantee that every trip out west is going to provide me with sweet, sweet powder. The gotamas are definitely a good option from what I can tell. I just got my buyer's guide issue of SKI magazine, so I've been reading up I'll definitely look into AT boots, but not sure what kind of selection I'll be able to find around here.

Can't remember my metric boot size, but I wear anything from a 10 to 11 in US shoe sizes and my feet are on the narrow side of average. What kind of boots are they? I'm looking for something that's going to be comfortable but still give me plenty of power, probably in the ~100 flex rating range as I only weigh 150lbs.

These are Atomics, size 27 or 27.5, which is pretty close to what you're looking for. I think they're in the 80-90 flex range. They were a $450 boot, I got a deal on them. I think I paid $250, brand new. I'd sell them for $50. Just need them out of my basement.

I appreciate the offer, but I'm probably going to want something in the 100 to 110 flex range, as I consider myself an aggressive skier. The only reason I'm probably not going to go stiffer than that is that I don't weigh enough to make use of it.

[Bcar]

its neeever too early
you're not going to have much luck finding big mtn/freeride gear around here, in stores or at swaps... "HUGE/FAT/Freeride" skis around here are 90mm under foot... you'll be able to find bindings though. boots fo-sho have to try them on. Id look at AT boots, I'll never go back to alpine. AT gives you rubber soles that you can replace, lighter, walk-mode, and are just as stiff (other than plug-race boots), tons of options in the 100-120flex. I always spend more on boots than anything else, but they'll also last a ton of seasons.

do you plan to ski out west/east at all? if you're getting back into the game, go for something 95mm or wider underfoot (105mm-ish if you plan to ski west/east a lot) and its allll about the funny shapes now. Im a huge fan of early rise tips at a min, with traditional camber under foot, early rise tails can be nice. I can rail my 125mm underfoot skis as hard as my old GS/SG race skis on hardpack. 105ish seems to be the sweet spot for a do it all ski, try to find a Volkl Gotoma or something like that.

I hear everything you're saying, man. That's pretty much exactly what I'm looking for, and probably 70% of my snow time is out west. Right around 100mm under foot (don't need it to be too wide since I'm a light-weight) and I think I want something with tip rocker, but probably not a full rocker since I can't guarantee that every trip out west is going to provide me with sweet, sweet powder. The gotamas are definitely a good option from what I can tell. I just got my buyer's guide issue of SKI magazine, so I've been reading up I'll definitely look into AT boots, but not sure what kind of selection I'll be able to find around here.

ha ha, I also just read my SKI mag gear review, and I must say, I was very disapointed... There are a TON of ski brands they didnt test, SKI has fallen big time, they're a year behind. Ive got some 1st gen Volkl Mantras at 95mm and they are fine in MI, and just ok out west, every time im on them out west I wish I was on my Megawatts (unless the snow is total $#@%#). even when im on my huge skis, only in tight/hard bumps do I ever wish I had my other skis on, or on a super icy run (but then everything blows other than race skis).
Try Sun-and-Snow in Ann Arbor, they had some Line profit 100s I think that didnt sell from last season, sweet ski if they're the ones with tip rocker.

you wont have any luck around here finding AT boots to try, REI would be your best bet as you could order them to the store and then return (a PITA, but best way to find some you like). Ive got some BlackDiamond Factor boots you could try on if you like, 27.5 or 28, I cant remember, they say 130flex, but its more like a 120, they rip... if they fit/you like em Id consider selling and getting a new pair.
Im also a AT binding fan as well, but we do a bit of backcountry skiing, again lighter than apline, slap on some skins and you're off and running.

[mtbfree]

you wont have any luck around here finding AT boots to try, REI would be your best bet as you could order them to the store and then return (a PITA, but best way to find some you like). Ive got some BlackDiamond Factor boots you could try on if you like, 27.5 or 28, I cant remember, they say 130flex, but its more like a 120, they rip... if they fit/you like em Id consider selling and getting a new pair.
Im also a AT binding fan as well, but we do a bit of backcountry skiing, again lighter than apline, slap on some skins and you're off and running.

Thanks for the offer, but even 120 flex is more than I really need or want. I ski very aggressively wherever I am on the mountain, but I'm not a world-cup racer and I'm only 150lbs. I made the mistake of buying boots in high school (when I raced) that were way above my need stiffness-wise, and I don't want to do that again... Part of the reason I stuck to snowboarding for so long was ski boot issues (I felt like my boots were trying to break my shins in half every time I jumped on skis, haha). I might check out REI. We'll see what I can find at the ski shops first.

[skieur]

Sun & Snow in Ann Arbor does 2 every year. One near the end of October or mid-November, and another around January/February. They usually do special buys for new gear at a discounted rate for entry-level gear. It's worth checking out.

[mtbfree]

Well, my ski set-up is starting to come together. Got killer deals on Steep and cheap for a set of Rossi axial bindings (with wide brakes already included... score!) and a pair of 4FRNT Turbos, 182cm length. They're twin-tip, 104mm at the waist with a slight tip rocker. Combine that with making early plans for a trip to Big-sky in January and I'm reeeeaally looking forward to skiing my first pair of fat, rockered skis, haha.

[Bcar]

Well, my ski set-up is starting to come together. Got killer deals on Steep and cheap for a set of Rossi axial bindings (with wide brakes already included... score!) and a pair of 4FRNT Turbos, 182cm length. They're twin-tip, 104mm at the waist with a slight tip rocker. Combine that with making early plans for a trip to Big-sky in January and I'm reeeeaally looking forward to skiing my first pair of fat, rockered skis, haha.

!!WIN!!

[mtbfree]

Well, my ski set-up is starting to come together. Got killer deals on Steep and cheap for a set of Rossi axial bindings (with wide brakes already included... score!) and a pair of 4FRNT Turbos, 182cm length. They're twin-tip, 104mm at the waist with a slight tip rocker. Combine that with making early plans for a trip to Big-sky in January and I'm reeeeaally looking forward to skiing my first pair of fat, rockered skis, haha.

!!WIN!!

Haha, for sure... The skis should be here on Friday. Can't wait!