Used Ski Equipment

Joined
May 18, 2019
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Went skiing this weekend after 20 some years away. Was alot of fun and I want to get my own setup to avoid the rental lines. Just need a set to get down the mountain in one piece, no high performance stuff.

Back in the day, Play It Again Sports was where I got my first set. Where is the goto for used/demo setups online these day?
 
The Gear Exchange (Burlington) is pretty good. Maybe Next Adventure (PDX). Both have online shops. I'm sure there are more. That said, used ski gear is kind of a minefield. Pricing is all over the place and unless you know what you are looking for it's hard to figure out what's a good deal. Once bindings get to a certain age, no shop will work on them (they aren't indemnified by the manufacturer). Unless you can see the ski in person, hard to know what shape it's in. If you own your own set, no need for demo bindings.

There is a strong annual cycle to ski gear and each model-year older something gets it gets marked down more. Meaning, you can buy new gear that's 1 or 2 seasons old for deep discounts, especially over the next six months or so. You'll still pay some money for a setup, but that is the cost of doing business (I'm starting to think skiing might be cheaper than hunting, frankly).
 
You can also buy some demo skis from a ski shop that does rentals, that used to be a good way to go to get lightly used skis. Some resorts will firesale their demo skis after the season ends.
 
The most important thing to get right is your boots. Go to a reputable boot fitter and spend 90% of your budget on custom footbeds in the right boots. Everything else is negotiable.
 
I’ve used play it again (it’s a tad expensive) and FB marketplace. We have young kids so we get different stuff every year or so for them.

Where we live have a few annual used ski mega events each year. We swing by there on occasion too.

We don’t pay more than $100 for a setup each time.
 
Thanks for the input. I would like to keep it under 150, but I know thats wishful thinking and I do appreciate good gear.

For the cost of a nonresident elk deer combo in Montana, I could get new gear and seasons passes and some other stuff. Hopefully the knees hold up as I get more miles on them. Really just seems like a great way to spend time with my daughter where there is no cell service.
 
I’m in the same boat haven’t skied in 15 years and went for the first time this season and I’m ready to get back into it.

I got a hand me down set that I’ve skied on 4 times so far and it honestly sucked. I went to Bob Wards and tried on new boots and there night and day difference then they were even 10 years ago. Lot more comfortable

I bought the Boots at Bob wards and found some skis online from evo.com on deep discount. I think you’ll have an easy time finding new equipment that will work if you shop around. Scheels in store to me had some skis on sale too and it’s only going to get better as time wears on


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Frame of reference: $150 is roughly the minimum budget for a decent pair goggles or (not "and") a helmet.
New and retail.

Sierra storefront yesterday had new (discounted) Smith goggles with a good lens for $20. Helmet for $30.

If you shop you can save.
 
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