purchase my own skis?

Question
"In addition to the boots (which I am 100% set on buying a pair), I was wondering if it is worth the investment to purchase my own skis. As mentioned, I currently ski ~5x per season. Perhaps I would ski more often if I had my own gear. I am just wondering if it would be worthwhile to go ahead and try to find skis to purchase. I have seen some on sale now for the end of the season. Do you have any thoughts on the Salomon Crystal skis? I am 5'4" and 130#. I have skiied with 145's in the past. I am wondering if these skis would be the appropriate level for me. Again, I believe I am an intermediate level skier (hopefully to increase with some formal training). I would consider myself pretty comfortable with most blue runs and have starting exploring a number of diamonds this year. I don't have any real intentions of doing much off trail skiing, moguls, etc."

Answer
Dear Liz --

My short answer -- if you can afford it, get your own skis too.

I generally like the Salomon skis.  They perform well and are quite responsive.  For you I would actually lean toward the Topaz rather than the Crystal.  I say this because the Topaz will give you more tools for more different turns and more terrain.  The Crystal wants you to go fast on groomed slopes.  

However, don't feel compelled to stay with a particular brand.  I am on Volkl skis with Rossignol boots myself right now.

Back to buying skis -- see if you can rent a demo model of the skis you are interested in before you buy.  This time of year should be a great time to rent a few different demo skis, and see which ones work best for you.

I recommend buying skis that will perform where you want to be in a few months, not where you are skiing now.  If you buy skis that are too low performing you will not feel the response you should.  If you buy skis that are too high performing, you will not be able to control them as you should.

To illustrate -- I bought my athletic, but never-skied-before husband an intermediate ski package, so I would know that if he hated skiing it was because he hated skiing not because he started skiing on bad rental equipment.  (He loves skiing, now, thank heavens.)

So if you are a low intermediate skier, get advanced intermediate, or good all-mountain skis.  Use them initially only on runs were you are very comfortable, then as you get a feeling for how they allow you to ski faster, but with more control, take them to more challenging terrain.

Also, you should consider getting a performance rental and ski coach package for a day at one of your favorite hills.  That will let you try the various top rental skis (have your own boots already) and get some instruction on your skills and style.  The ski coach might even be able to recommend a ski from the shop that would work well with your style of skiing.

I still hire a coach when I want to work on a skill, or am unfamiliar with a mountain, and want to get to know it better fast.

Again, please write back, if you have additional questions.