Or should that say "Cheapskate skiing". I did once own some decent skis (for the era) but when they became man-cave wall decorations I went back to to hiring for a couple of years. Soon got hacked off with that for 3 sets at a time. About 4 and a half years ago I took a punt on ebay, out of season, and bought 3 prs of skis for the grand total of £60. I then went on a one day course at the Piste Office near Nottingham and learnt all I needed to about skis and bindings and how to service and repair them. Enough to get me started anyway. That cost £150 and I spent about another £150 on stuff to do the servicing. Total cost £360. Cost of hire for 1 week for 3 sets of skis £360. I'm servicing the eBay skis for the 3rd time now, so it did pay off.
Apart from my coat,boots,mittens and helmet all my snowboard stuff is second hand or last season it's the benefit of enjoying a mostly uppeeclass sport they never want to be seen on the slopes in old gear. My wife's Burton cartel binding where 30 qiud of eBay due to them being the wrong colour according to the women I got them from as they made her boots look ugly.
Up on longslade when we get snow You can’t get a cheaper pass Toboganes - sheets of polythene - upturned Morris 1000 bonnets etc You fight your way up to the top Free fun for as long as you like or depending how much cold you can bear
Learning basic ski maintenance is necessary when you ski as much as I do. Although my skis go to Adi a couple of times a year to have the base ground. At best I usually only get two seasons out of a pair of skis and boots.
I think you love it or hate it I think I would be fed up with within a couple of days If you find you don’t like it after then what else can you do apart from go in the wooden shed place and get p155 Ed
Been doing my board myself, normally cos I run out of time to get it serviced! just got a nice iron for Xmas so the one I’ve been using can now become a dedicated veneer and crusty boxer short iron!
That's all the bases titivated and edges all done. Hot scrape in the morning followed by another wire brush to open the structure and a final wax.
i went over to snowboarding because of a motorbike accident but next week I am going to go back to skis for the day because a friends daughter needs some encouragement before a school trip...... I decided not to use my old skis as they are probably nackered 20yrs old marker race bindings probably seized and will hire a pair... how much have skis changed. using my old boots as they still feel comfy stomping around the house much to the dogs annoyance hope my knees can take it
I have the dubious pleasure of going skiing with half a dozen millenials this trip, I'm 61, I hope my liver can take it.