Is it better to buy in the USA before leaving? Looking at buying some used skis/bindings but new fitted boots.
Thanks for any insights!
Moving to CH in March, and would like to be well equipped for skiing, which means I'm in the market for some boots, and skis + bindings.
I would buy in CH rather than USA or EU.
Tom
If you going to get new boots in the US then make sure you go to somebody from Americas best boot fitters - no idea why but the site seems to be geo locked so to access from europe you'll need a VPN - bizarre as they have a few european fitters as well
clothes: US.
equipment: CH
OP, do you already know how to ski well and know exactly what kind of geometry/stiffness that you want? Or are you just getting started?
If the latter, I would highly recommend renting from the shops here before buying. You can also rent here for the entire ski season, but one of the advantages of renting from the local ski shops for the day is that you can try out a variety of ski equipment before you buy. Shops here tend to have a more varied and better quality selection than those in the US.
Interesting. Yeah I'm in the market for new ski's and should be arriving in March so I think that will be a good time to buy equipment. I'll try to stock up on apparel here in US first and maybe get a price check on boots here.
I hope to get a good deal on a ski model from a couple of years back. TBD if I can buy these new or if only used are available. I was recommended Volkl.
I've ski'd most of my life (in my 30's), so I am experienced but I only ski 1-2 times a year until my move to CH. My favorite kind of runs are the long intermediate runs (challenging "Blues" in US) and I occasionally do some tree skiing (here in the US as well).
In March there should be some good deals, but on this year's models. They really don't do the put-it-in-storage-and-wait-for-next-year thing here as the cost of storage is high.
Volkl is a good brand, as are some others (including the Swiss Stoeckli brand that you've probably never seen before). Different shops in the US tend to specialize in different brands, so I would be careful to view the advice you have been given through the appropriate lens. Personally, I am very picky about my skis, and I still would not focus on the brand so much as the specific line within that brand. Do you want a Freeride/Touring ski, a FIS racing type of ski, or All Mountain skis? How fast do you ski and how stiff does the ski need to be to compensate? (Be aware that it may be icier and more crowded here in the alps than you are used to, especially if you are used to the Rockies.)
My advice is still very much that you should try before you buy. Figure out what you want in geometry and stiffness from the above questions. Then you should demo skis for a day or 2 to try out the appropriate lines from different brands. This is different from renting from the ski area, the skis are often from better and more varied ski lines specifically for the purpose of giving customers a chance to try out the skis before buying.
Good luck!
Thanks Tox_Rat. I like a simple all mountain ski. I usually like to ski the moderately difficult "Blue" runs (e.g Vail, Beaver Creek) where I can go a pretty steady speed or turn as much as I want. I like rockers but not sure if they are right for the alps.
What is the best way to demo? Demo rentals thru the ski mountain? Demo from the manufacturer? I've usually just rented so it isn't clear to me how to arrange for demos and decide which ones to go for.
"Blue" runs in North America are called "Red" runs here. And the ones you are used to thinking of as "Green" are "Blue" in Europe.
The resorts here are less 'planned' than you are used to. There is usually more than 1 village, multiple ski shops which may be independent or part of a chain and little centralized resort management. In addition, just about every sporting goods shop in Swiss cities, towns and villages has a ski theme this time of year. Lots of those places that rent skis also have demo pairs, particularly in the large ones. Whether at the resort, or in your new hometown, your best bet is to just go into the one of the shops. Talk to the employees in the rental area to see what they have. Go midweek when it is slower for better service.
Sounds great! Yes that appears to be a more favorable setup for the buyer. Here in Colorado the resort will ding you on pricing... so if you demo they know you are going to buy and they keep the prices up....
As far as boots... should i get those here in the states or are they about the same price over there? I was thinking about trying to get some Dalbello's and Volkl skis.
Well Colorado is Colorado. Personally I prefer Utah.
It's not necessarily cheaper to buy your equipment here, but everything is equally expensive, so it will fit better with your new appreciation of "what things should cost" and you won't feel so much like you are being gouged by the resort.
IMHO, wait and get boots when you get your skis. There are additional brands and lines available here that you have probably never heard of. And if you really want to go all out, you can get the boots custom-fitted to your feet.
My advice, buy the ski equipment here and bring the (dual voltage) electronics (eg computers/tablets/unlocked smartphones) with you from the US. Those items are really overpriced here .