It's that time of year when all of the local ski shops are having big time sales. I haven't bought new boards or boots in years. Does anyone have any input on some all around mountain alpine skiis, boots and bindings. Maybe last years model bang for the buck stuff or something. Thanks.
 
Rocky

Where's Batsbrew when you need him?

jamesg1213
Where's Batsbrew when you need him?

That's what I'm talking about!!!
 
Rocky

LOL, here i am.....
 
you know, trying to pick skis from someone you don't really know, is like trying to order take out from a vietnamese restaurant for your grandmother-in-law......
 
hehehe
 
impossible.
BOOTS:
NUMERO UNO.
 
there is no more important element to enjoying skiing,
than having boots that work and fit.
in fact, you could just spend an entire season trying out demo boots, or at least researching by trying on 
EVERY SINGLE BOOT you can find in your size.
 
you have been warned.
 
 
 
SKIS:
ok, so there are some basic questions you gotta know first...
 
1. skill level
2. height, weight
3. what kind of terrain do you want to ski on; off-piste, deep powder, moguls, groomers, flats, steeps, boilerplate, that kind of stuff. basically, i boil it down to 'western skiing', or 'eastern skiing'
4. one ski quiver, or multiple sets to handle multiple conditions.
 
 
that all said, there are some basic rules to selecting a ski....
 
you got some specific alpine skis, and some generic all around skis..
 
powder, all mountain, race, twin tip, and they ALL feel different, and ALL ski different.
 
in fact, i'll butt in right here, and say this:
 
if you do not know what you want,
 
DEMO> 
 
 
spend a few choice days, and Demo different style skis.
 
that
 
 
is the ONLY WAY
 
you are going to find out what works for you.
 
 
IF
 
 
you have cash just BURNING a hole in your wallet....
 
try this:
 
look at last years best models (research, homework)
 
here are some links:
 
http://www.skis.com/Buying-Guide-for-Skis/buying-guide-1-12-2012,default,pg.html
http://www.snowlink.com/ski/introtoski/skiequipmentbasics.aspx
http://www.evo.com/how-to-choose-skis-size-chart-and-guide.aspx
http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/downhill-skis.html
http://www.frostyrider.com/tips/size-guide-skis.htm
http://skiing.about.com/od/downhillskiing/a/chooseskis.htm
 
\etc
etc
 
 
last years models, that might be on closeout or for sale at the local demo shops
(i NEVER buy new skis. i always buy a set 2-3 years old, usually with DEMO bindings on them so i don't have to re-mount the bindings, typically i never spend more than about $250-300 on a set.)
 
http://www.onthesnow.com/news/p/830/2012-2013-onthesnow-editors--choice-skis
http://www.ski-review.com/
http://www.skinet.com/skiing/photo-gallery/14-best-mens-skis-2013
http://freeskier.com/stories/top-10-skis-the-best-all-mountain-skis-of-2012-2013
http://gearpatrol.com/2013/04/02/10-best-skis-2012-2013/
 
http://www.powder.com/gear/15-best-all-mountain-skis/
 
some new stuff that is older and reduced price can be found here:
http://www.backcountry.com/
https://www.ski-depot.com/
http://www.skis.com/
 

I knew you would pull through Bat!!!! I will digest all of the info you provided and thanks for taking the time to do so.
 
Rocky

Skis try to make me into a tree hugger so I avoid using them.

bluz,
fill in some of the questions,
i can make some suggestions?

1) According to links provided I'm classified as advanced.
2) 5’6” 150ish.
3) I like to ski bumps but I don’t blast down the tops of them. I don’t usually ski double black diamonds but I like to get in some of the back bowls around here. I pretty much stay out of the glades because I have never worn a helmet but I just got one . It’s rare that I get to ski on a powder day so it’s usually packed powder when I get there. 
4) Just one all around set. I'll keep my old 180 K2 Merlin IV's for crud.
 
Thanks for the help Gonzo.
 
Rocky

sounds like you are in the 'all mountain ski' range..."mixed west" is a common term...
you've got really light powder near the front range, but if you like groomers and moguls, then pure powder does not make sense.
 

i would guess, length at anywhere from forehead to just above the head (165-177)
the wider underfoot, the more powder....
but, if you want tighter radius turns, you have to consider width AND sidecut....
the new skis are really different...i've skied those merlins, really nice skis for 'old school', but the new ones feel completely different.
again, i highly suggest demo'ing first, and unless you are planning a LOT of ski days, it may make sense to dedicate a whole season to demos, and at the end of the season, buy some leftovers or better yet, one-season DEMO's they always let go of at end of season.
boots first, skis second.
 

here are some year-old choices.... best bet of finding at reduced price, closeout, demo, or used local

http://www.evo.com/shop/s.../w-width_90-99-mm.aspx
http://www.onthesnow.com/...en-s-all-mountain-skis
http://freeskier.com/stor...all-mountain-skis-2014
http://www.skinet.com/ski/best-all-mountain-skis

On a ski lift ride a few years ago.... a bearded younger fellow was sharing the lift ride with me.... he looks down at my skis and says... Dude, those are some seriously old skool skis.
 
Yup, they are. My father in law found them in the trash and gave them to me. They had broken binders so I picked up a pair on Ebay for $20 or something. No ski shop techs would even talk with me about putting them on for me so I broke out the black and decker and did it myself.
 
So far, I have skied on them for several years, including several black diamond runs (east coast frozen granular and worse) and have yet to kill myself or break anything. Binders set loose for easy release. I'm no pro, but certainly can handle the advanced trails....old skool styling.