Tips When Shopping Used Skis

Let’s face it: ski boards are not at all easy to afford. A single brand new ski can cost a fortune and it’s not even all that one needs for an adventure at ski vacation destinations. Factor in the cost of travel, lift passes, apparel, boots and food plus souvenirs, and you might end up spending all your savings. Yes, trips to mountain resorts where you can try snow sports can be pricey for one, and it could get more financially challenging when an entire family is involved.

Fortunately, there are myriad of ways of save money on gears and equipment. For instance, would-be vacationers at ski areas can now buy used ski boards. Secondhand boards may not give you the skis with the latest technological design, but these are likely to feature what you really are looking for. As a matter of fact, if you only know how and what to look around shops selling used ski equipment shops, you might just be lucky to pick a board that’s good as new.

The thing is, heading to shops selling used items does not always mean saving a huge chunk of money. If anything, buying secondhand items that are of low quality and of no good use is just a waste of money and will not save you anything at all. Anyhow, here are tips that will help you pick the best boards from ski swap jungles:

Check the board’s origin. Go beyond knowing the brand and manufacturer of the equipment. Instead, be interested to know specific details about the board such as its previous owner and how long it was used. Take note that some people tends to outgrow their possessions in no time, they tend to replace stuffs so often. There are also skiers who buy stuffs only to realize after a few days that the newly-purchased items are not for them. There are also those who would rather cling to their boards for as long as they can before eventually letting go. With these in mind, consider getting a background of the board you are eyeing at ski shops.

Examine the ski. Inspect the board closely and watched out for signs of wear and tear. Take note that if it looks bad, it is more likely to be overused. Take note that several scratches on the top sheet are normal and should not be a big deal, but please skip those skis that are bent and marked with deep cuts as well as holes.

Check the camber. For those who are going on their first ski trip, the camber refers to the bend of the ski and is technically the part which allows skiers to make a turn. If you are looking for conventional ski boards, check its camber by placing it on leveled floor. Ideally, it should be able to stand on its tip and tail and must exhibit a slight lift or curve under the binding. In addition, see to it that the pair of boards has similar cambers.

Watch out for signs of delamination. Delamination or separation of layers on the board is a very common sign of wear and tear. When shopping for secondhand boards, make sure you stay away from those with delaminated ski caps or top plates. These markings are not only bad to look at but can also easily damage the core of the board.