Buying Used Skis And Bindings

Katie Marvasti is the service shop manager at The Gear Fix, in Bend, Oregon, one of the largest outdoor gear consignment shops on the west coast. She really knows used skis. She spends countless hours each season helping customers get the right kits, and she personally oversaw the repair and subsequent sale of 588 pairs of used skis last year alone. The following are her tips to buy skis, bindings, boots, and poles secondhand.

buying used skis and bindings

Buying used skis and boots is a great way to save a little bit of money. If you are looking to buy used ski equipment then there are a few things you should consider in order to avoid future obstacles or complications.

If you are buying used skis online then it is likely that it will come with a binding already mounted. It is important to look at the size range for the current binding mount as remounting a binding can be a hassle and will raise the investment price of the ski. Typically a binding has the ability to move about a size either way, but it is best to ask the seller about the size range of the binding.

Ski and binding manufactures come out with a list of bindings every year that they no longer are supporting. Once a binding is no longer supported by the manufacturer, it is called non-indemnified. If a binding is considered non- indemnified then most shops will not be able to adjust the bindings. This is because they would be taking full liability for the binding instead of the manufacturer. Bindings generally become non-indemnified after about 10 years, but it is dependent on both the manufacturer and the individual binding. This is a frequently overlooked aspect of buying used skis, but it is very important.

If a ski has been tuned a lot then you will notice that the edge on it looks a little thinner. You may also notice that one side of the ski has a thinner edge than the other; this is a sign that one side has been edged more than the other. When buying used skis this can be a sign that the seller has taken good care of their skis, it can also mean that they have used the skis a lot. Depending on the amount of edge left, it may also determine the number of times that you are able to sharpen your edges.

A fresh tune on a pair of skis is a good sign that the seller has taken care of their equipment. It also means that the skis are ready to be used and do not need to be worked on prior to skiing. At Utah Ski Gear, we provide a 'Silver' tune on all of our skis before they are sold. Our Silver Tune includes a machine buff wax, sharpening, and belt sand base.

Getting my first non-rental set of equipment and will probably go used/demo to save some money. I think I have a pretty decent idea on what to look for/avoid when it comes to the skis but what should I be on the lookout for when it comes to the bindings. How old is too old for bindings to still be safe and so that skis shops will still service them?

In the world of ski buying, second-hand purchases can take hundreds of dollars off of standard prices, but there are some typical pitfalls to avoid. Below, we take a look at some things to look out for when buying used skis, without sacrificing quality and safety.

First, inspect the edges (the metallic sides of the ski). Wear and tear on skis is normal, and edges are ground down over time to stay sharp; however, some used skis may have noticeable damage or too little edge to represent a useful investment. Next, flip the skis over and check the base. Even if there was previous damage, any reputable seller should have taken care of the skis.

1. Stand on the bindings of the skis with weight equally distributed. Slide a piece of paper underneath the skis (they need to be clean for this) until it "bites" at each end of the kick zone. This zone should reach from approximately your heel to about a binding length in front of your toe, and you can mark it on your skis with a crayon/marker so you know where to apply your kick wax.

Keep in mind that a brand new quality recreational ski package will set you back about $300. That includes current boots and bindings, skis, and poles. Plus mounting and waxing included. This will get you the latest in ski and binding technology and a warm, comfortable boot. So before you hand over money for used equipment, make sure it's worth it!

This category includes your primary ski gear: skis, bindings, and boots. All retailers on this list carry the popular all-mountain skis from top brands, but moving outside of those items reveals some variation. In ranking the retailers, we placed an emphasis on consistency of stock as well as carrying a good assortment of products. Backcountry excels in the high-end market, including ski equipment for alpine touring and deep powder, while REI has a large stock of resort gear. Specialized snowsports retailers like Evo have the widest selection covering nearly every category, including skis for youngsters and park and pipe.

This means that each time you remount your skis you have less room to put your bindings, which means there is a technical upper limit for remounting your skis (depending on the ski length and the size of the bindings.

Beginner bindings will cost anywhere from $100 to $200 on average. Expert level bindings can be over $500. Depending on the shop you buy from, you may need to pay a bit extra to have your bindings mounted to your skis.

Most shops and online retailers offer packages that will include some variation of skis, boots, bindings, and even poles, premade for each ability level. Whether or not they are a good deal is 100% dependent on the retailer and the gear used in the package.

The shipping was super fast. I ordered a set, you can definitely see the tear and use on the skis and boots, but it's comparable to used equipment in any used skis shops.My only complaint is that the binding wasn't adjusted to the boot. Galactic Sport doesn't do this, so you have to do it yourself. I talked to the customer service about it. I was also thinking returning the boots and ordering one size larger, and better ones, they gentleman on the phone was super friendly and accomodating. They even let me to try the boots ones on the slopes to make a decision. I think I will be back for my next equipment purchase, however I will probably go for the more expensive skis and boots.

The board and bindings arrived on time in one package and in good condition. They are definitely used but in the condition as advertised being fair/good with normal wear and tear. I haven't used it yet but it'll be a good starter board and set of bindings.

I purchased three ski packages from them (two kid's packages and one women's package) and am pleased with the service and the ski packages themselves. Prior to purchasing the skis I wrote a message asking for advice on one of which package to get for one of my kids, and I was given a quick and helpful reply. The ski packages arrived quickly and were ex-rental equipment from a large ski resort in California. Everything was well worn but functionally totally fine and not very old (the bindings are still indemnified), and were what I expected for the price. The only thing I wish was that it was easier to exchange boots or that there were a way for people who are local to Galactic Sports to try to them on before purchasing - my wife is thinking that she should have gotten a larger size (she has wide feed) but the shipping and restocking fees are prohibitive.

Tired of leasing or renting your kid's skis every season? Hate the idea of buying new gear just so your little one can grow out of it before next season? Well we have a solution! Our USED KIDS SKIS offer the best alternative to renting, and at a price often cheaper than a seasonal lease. We offer the best deals on high quality used kids skis, with options to fit any budget and skier.

Regardless of your skis' age, make sure you're storing them correctly in the off-season to avoid unnecessary wear and tear. And it's always a great idea to bring them in for a tune-up at the beginning of each season. That way, a technician can confirm that your bindings are still safe to use, and make sure everything else is in working order, and adjusted to your current size and ability.

Hi Dean!Are the bindings super old? No longer safe to use? Sometimes bindings will last longer than skis, but I'm guessing these are outdated, unsafe bindings we're talking about.It's a little more challenging to repurpose ski bindings, but I've seen some interesting things. Toe pieces can make good door or cabinet handles, especially for a waxing shed, ski condo, etc. I've actually also seen bindings repurposed into ski boot racks, which I thought was kind of cool. Toe pieces can also make for good coat racks, bottle openers, etc. Depending on the type of binding there is a good chance you could bring it to a metal dealer as most older bindings are made from mostly metal.SE

REPLACE: While the average lifespan of skis is between 80-100 days, younger children rarely get this much use on their skis. This makes used skis an option for kids. Trade with friends and visit ski swaps.

Alpine bindings are the most common and traditional style of binding. Primarily used for resort skiing, they hold your boot in place via lips on the toe and heel of your boot sole. Alpine Touring bindings can be split into three categories. First are tech bindings, which use pins to hold your boot in place and are primarily meant to be skied out of bounds, though plenty of people use them in-bounds as well. Second are Hybrid AT bindings, like the Marker Duke PT, Salomon Shift and Cast Freetour, which utilize pins in the toe piece for uphill travel and a traditional toe/heel mechanism for skiing down. Finally, frame bindings are the most economical option and consist of a traditional-style binding with a frame that connects the toe and heel. When traveling uphill, the heel releases from the ski and the toe piece pivots to allow a walking motion. 041b061a72