skiing -- how to start without resorts

Tips, tricks, workouts, injury advice.
User Avatar
catullus

 
Posts: 109
Joined: Mon Jul 10, 2006 11:04 pm
Thanked: 0 time in 0 post

skiing -- how to start without resorts

by catullus » Tue Feb 02, 2010 10:05 pm

Hi guys,

I'm a climber in Colorado, and I want to start skiing, and I'm looking for some advice for how to get into it.

I realize that I could probably learn fastest by going to resorts, but I'm poor, and I figure that skiing existed before resorts, so it must be possible to learn how to ski without paying for lift tickets. (Also, I just like the solitude of the backcountry).

As I'm already a climber who enjoys the mountains in the winter months, I'm looking more towards eventually getting into ski-mountaineering and alpine touring and not pure downhill / resort-style skiing.

What kind of (used) skis, boots, and bindings should I buy? Do I need ski boots or can I use my mountaineering boots? Where are some gentle areas in Colorado I can try out first?

(Yes, I've taken Avy 1, have shovel, probe, beacon, and am committed to continuing my avalanche education).

Thanks,
Chase

User Avatar
welle

 
Posts: 600
Joined: Wed May 14, 2008 9:08 pm
Thanked: 21 times in 17 posts

by welle » Tue Feb 02, 2010 11:10 pm

Get a part-time job at a ski resort. Teaching yourself to ski is a recipe for disaster. On East Coast, they have all sorts of beginner packages that include lift tix, rentals and lessons that are just over $100 for 3 days, some even throw in season passes at the end. Would you rather pay that or medical bills and impede your climbing? Usually, lower mountain (bunny slope) lift tix are cheaper or free if you want to hike up. I would still pay for lessons unless you have a friend that is willing to teach you, even then it does not compare to qualified instruction.

User Avatar
Autoxfil

 
Posts: 558
Joined: Thu Sep 17, 2009 5:40 pm
Thanked: 36 times in 29 posts

by Autoxfil » Tue Feb 02, 2010 11:53 pm

Used rental gear should be $150 or less (boots, skiis, bindings) for some gear with lots of life left. Call around, I'm sure that stuff is everywhere in CO. Heck, I bet you can find decent stuff for free if you look hard enough.

Shaped skiis are nice to start out on, but any downhill setup will work to start.

There are lots of cheap lift tickets if you shop around and go on odd hours, to less-popular resorts, etc.

User Avatar
oldandslow

 
Posts: 82
Joined: Thu May 24, 2007 6:35 pm
Thanked: 2 times in 2 posts

I tried it.

by oldandslow » Wed Feb 03, 2010 12:59 am

In 1947 I started skiing using the walk up-slide down-fall down technique. It was not at all satisfactory. The idea to get used rental gear is a very good one. By all means get short shaped skis. They will make learning very much easier. There are definitely some deals out there.. The ski biz has not been good the past several years and some resorts like Mt. Bachelor where I ski have cheap packages for new skiers.

User Avatar
catullus

 
Posts: 109
Joined: Mon Jul 10, 2006 11:04 pm
Thanked: 0 time in 0 post

by catullus » Wed Feb 03, 2010 3:18 am

Ok. You guys have convinced me that I should get my start on a resort.

But, I'd like to buy skis and bindings that I can use in the backcountry too (going uphill). Should I try to find used AT bindings or another kind of binding system? What about the ski width? I'm 6'4" and weight 178 lbs.

Also -- my mountaineering boots have a heel welt but not a toe welt. It seems from my googling that this means I'll have to get ski boots too -- is that the case and if so, do I really have to get AT-specific boots (they seem to be more expensive) or not?

Also, any recommendations on specific lift ticket deals for beginners in Colorado would be great.

Thanks,
Chase

User Avatar
Tim Stich

 
Posts: 99
Joined: Mon Nov 20, 2006 1:01 pm
Thanked: 0 time in 0 post

Learnign to ski

by Tim Stich » Wed Feb 03, 2010 3:59 am

Most ski resorts suck you in with cheap lessons and equipment rentals. I think I paid a whopping $45 at Winter Park for a lesson with skis and boots included. Definitely go do something like that. But be careful! I strained my MCL wrecking at the base at the end of the day when I was tired.

User Avatar
welle

 
Posts: 600
Joined: Wed May 14, 2008 9:08 pm
Thanked: 21 times in 17 posts

by welle » Wed Feb 03, 2010 5:36 pm

I would not rush into getting a backcountry equipment right away. By no means I'm an expert, since I snowboard, but I think similar rules apply. Like Dingus said you need to learn how to handle a variety of terrain and snow conditions from icy crust to deep powder first in a more controlled resort environment. For steeper terrain and icy conditions you will need more aggressive setup, however, this won't be as much fun to learn on. Rent first, then get some used middle of the road set up with more forgiving flex.

My understanding is the learning curve in skiing is a shape of a long flat plateau: you get to get up and go on bunny hills and easy blues pretty fast, but it takes a while to become an all-mountain expert. I would give myself at least 1-2 seasons at resorts (and that's very optimistic, IMO, assuming you spend a lot of days on the slopes and take a lot of instruction mid-way). Then you have to decide what rocks your world - bumps, trees, powder or icy steeps - and then get your BC setup.

Here is a good reference article on which skis to get for AT: http://www.telemarkski.com/html/how_AT_select_ski.html

no avatar
splattski

 
Posts: 429
Joined: Tue Dec 30, 2003 8:04 am
Thanked: 67 times in 55 posts

by splattski » Wed Feb 03, 2010 6:10 pm

Here's another great resource for learning about gear:

http://cascadeclimbers.com/ski-board/ski-intro

User Avatar
Autoxfil

 
Posts: 558
Joined: Thu Sep 17, 2009 5:40 pm
Thanked: 36 times in 29 posts

by Autoxfil » Wed Feb 03, 2010 7:00 pm

AT gear is crazy expensive compared to alpine stuff. You will also be skiing the resort for a while before you are ready for the backcountry anyway, so it's much more cost-effective to buy skiis for the resort now and kill them over the next couple seasons, then buy AT gear.

For resorts something like a 170 length and 75 underfoot will
be easy to use for someone of your size. Don't sweat the details, just err on the short side and buy cheap. Don't worry about boot features, just get something comfortable and cheap.

User Avatar
OJ Loenneker

 
Posts: 785
Joined: Mon Dec 19, 2005 10:40 pm
Thanked: 15 times in 11 posts

by OJ Loenneker » Wed Feb 03, 2010 7:58 pm

If you are inclined, sometimes used tele gear goes for much less than AT equipment. Probably because people want to tele, but then buy the stuff, and realize that they like their alpine ski better, and sell off the tele stuff.

I got my first tele set up for $75 off craigslist (Salomon Super Mountains, Rotafella Chili with TRP release, and a pair of Garmont Libero boots.) and that is what I learned on. So, keep an eye out for the used stuff.

User Avatar
OJ Loenneker

 
Posts: 785
Joined: Mon Dec 19, 2005 10:40 pm
Thanked: 15 times in 11 posts

by OJ Loenneker » Wed Feb 03, 2010 8:41 pm

DMT, you should go and check out some of the newer Tele stuff available these days. It's no longer on waxless skis with metal edges or three pin bindings.

Wed are talking serious four buckle plastic boots, step in bindings, tour/ski mode bindings and all that shazam.

I know what you are talking about the older gear from the 90's and stuff, I know my dad used to tour on that kind of stuff, and you are right. That stuff is not ment for big lines or such.

Plus, you know, you can still parallel turn tele skis too. :wink: All the same ski moves you do on AT can be done with free heel bindings.

Anyhow, I was suggesting that the OP would most likely save quite a bit of money starting out with a decent tele set up (and I am not talking about some old three pin deal eaither) than dropping a mountain of cash at some Dynafit set up.

But what do I know, I prefer to ride a Splitboard... :P :P

User Avatar
OJ Loenneker

 
Posts: 785
Joined: Mon Dec 19, 2005 10:40 pm
Thanked: 15 times in 11 posts

by OJ Loenneker » Wed Feb 03, 2010 9:24 pm

DMT, I get what you are saying, and I agree that Tele is not the end all of skiing. Perhaps that is too why I find my self spending more and more time on my Splitboard than on two planks for the decent.

But for a budget, and if you look at craigslist, there are way more deals on Tele stuff than AT. This is of course just me looking at it from a chap tight wads perspective.

I also have an AT set up, that I got for pretty cheap off Craigslist. But that was a recent aqusition, and really it's more for broke buddies that wanna come out into the BC, I still rock my split.

User Avatar
rlshattuck

 
Posts: 177
Joined: Sun Jan 20, 2008 2:23 am
Thanked: 5 times in 5 posts

by rlshattuck » Wed Feb 03, 2010 9:46 pm

"I shred the bunny" . . . still, after a few years of trying to get better I've really not made it past blues and as for the dream of getting into the backcountry with a pack, hello.

I can relate to the being very broke thing (but it does give one time for backpacking, this lack of work) gotta find a ride, drive four hours to tahoe . . . and then only get to ski for a day before you go home and wait another three weeks to go again.

BUT YOU LIVE IN COLORADO!!!! . . . move to Breckenridge. get a job washing dishes or waiting tables, no commute required, except the free bus, to some great slopes and buy all your gear (except, maybe boots) used.

i've gone a few times with people that said, "oh yeah, I'll give you a few pointers," but as soon as we hit the slopes, gone!!! if you can barely ski, beginning lessons aren't that expensive. Even I can do that. (and I'm almost out the door for some Tahoe snow!)

User Avatar
rlshattuck

 
Posts: 177
Joined: Sun Jan 20, 2008 2:23 am
Thanked: 5 times in 5 posts

by rlshattuck » Wed Feb 03, 2010 9:48 pm

OOPS . . . I think I was in fantasy land again, just thinking about, Breck . . . but you're in the TAHOE area––hit the cheap resorts––boreal, Diamond . . . mid-week/student deals.

Next

Return to Technique and Training

 


  • Related topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 0 guests