So, despite living in Colorado, I can't ski.
However, I'd like to. As it is now, I slowshoe everywhere and I get there but skis would make my life a lot easier. My setup would have to work in unbroken powder.
I know next to nothing about skis, or pricing, so was just looking to get an idea of cost for a beginner setup. I'm comfortable with buying used, I just have no knowledge of utter garbage vs good deal, for product features or quality or price.
I'd be using the skis to both access and descend winter routes in Colorado in the winter. I'm not aiming to do insane steeps really, and I'm already up on my avy info. I don't currently have plastics, but use my Scarpa Mantas for lots of stuff. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it sounds like folks lean towards just using plastics on the skis? How horrible would using Mantas be?
Help a total noob out with some pointers? I've read some of the threads, and have started reading over at WildSnow, but what sort of a basic budget can I expect for this?
ETA: I'm about 6 foot, 165
Thanks in advance.