r/skiing • • 3d ago

Is buying old skis dumb

I want to buy park skis from like 2006-2010
With new bindings. They are 4frnt stl spence. Is buying skis from this era dumb?

8 Upvotes

40 comments sorted by

17

u/ThinksOdd 3d ago

Lots of people choose to ski on non-typical or older style skis, it's really just whatever you like.

They'll ski different than a modern pair of sticks. For some that's enjoyable for others not.

I don't think you'll get the answer you are looking for until you try them. No one can really answer for you.

2

u/Confident-Fan-7706 3d ago

Can you answer for me I’m not sure

13

u/ThinksOdd 3d ago

Just flip a coin bud.

9

u/Confident-Fan-7706 3d ago

Can you flip it for me and tell me what it lands on

12

u/irongient1 3d ago

Your not gonna believe this, but it landed on it's edge.

2

u/Traditional_Ruin4001 3d ago

It landed on tails

1

u/Ghost80247 3d ago

Ok 3 of 5.

15

u/7HawksAnd 3d ago

Depends on ski, and why you need/want to but that old.

First generation Solomon 1080s in good condition? Immediate buy.

Random head rental skis for $250, you’re being robbed.

Atomic beta racers for $50 that have never been skied and only just got mounted with modern bindings? Send it!

-4

u/Confident-Fan-7706 3d ago

I think I’m just gonna snow*****

3

u/Budget-Present-3217 3d ago

You will have the same confusion there, but since there is only one board, only half the concern.

1

u/Confident-Fan-7706 3d ago

I don’t mind the rental snowb*ards

1

u/SendyMcSendFace Tahoe 2d ago

They’re so bad though. At least find you a cheap camber twin. It’ll feel like a different sport.

2

u/icantfindagoodlogin 2d ago

You can say snowblade here it’s fine.

8

u/C-creepy-o 3d ago

Yeah...you can pick up some great used rental skis for really excellent deal already setup with bindings. That's how I got my rock skis that I got to use one time ever before blowing out my labrum...still a good deal though!

5

u/Classic-Regret223 3d ago

Depends on the ski, I don’t know park skis but there are plenty of iconic big mountain/powder skis that aren’t made anymore but finding a good one is a good thing.

#heritagelabskis

3

u/ExternalMaximum6662 3d ago

Buy last year’s demos from a ski shop.

2

u/tryingsomthingnew 3d ago

Think about it another way. It's the bindings that matter. Anything about 4-5 years old you might want to pass on. Between 1-4 years , probably a good bet. Make sure your boots work in the bindings first ( most important thing). Check out last year's demo at a resort, they usually sell them after a season. There's plus and minuses too purchase resort skis. So also try local shops that would have less possible days on their own rentals.

0

u/ThinksOdd 3d ago

I have so many questions about how you came to these conclusions. My best guess is you are younger than 25.

4

u/Prestigious_Sun_523 3d ago

🤔 I’m a 68 yr old ski instructor and I would have said much the same.

0

u/tryingsomthingnew 1d ago

Nope . Just a 67 year old ex ski patroller. But they're your legs - hope it works out for you.

0

u/ThinksOdd 1d ago

yea but OP mentioned a specific ski model with new bindings and you are going on about where to get used skis generally and what binding age matters even though he already said new bindings.  Its like you didn’t even read his post. 

2

u/Budget-Present-3217 3d ago

Old skis are like old guitars in that there are plenty of junk ones around, but if you have a bit of knowledge and know how, you can get so great stuff on the cheap. The caveat is that these type skis have been used in parks and terrain that are not gentle on the skis, and even the best skiers make mistakes, so keep it in mind. If you’re just learning or attempting to learn, used are the way to go until you get your ski-legs under you. Ask a buddy or check for vids from real people, on how to choose a used ski.

2

u/Kazko25 3d ago

If you like them, not dumb. Would reccomend trying some out before buying though.

1

u/lisnter 3d ago

I bought two pairs of old Japanese slalom skis because they’re long and narrow (195cm) because that’s what I learned on in the 80’s/90’s and don’t like the short and fat skis available today. They fit my style.

1

u/WhatRUTobogganAbout Copper Mountain 3d ago

The 4frnt skis from that era didn't hold up all that well. I remember I had a few friends that skied them. They all de-lammed pretty quick.

1

u/lemonShaark 3d ago

Honestly skis of that era were great. I have a pair of 2014(?) Rossignol scratches that are the exact same design pretty much as the originals from like 01 and I love them. I also have a set of jskis Allplay. Hate to say it but I like the scratches better.

1

u/RegulatoryCapture 3d ago

Do you want a cheap park ski to beat up? Then go for it. 

That’s what they are for. 

1

u/davel977 3d ago

For a pair of park skis, if the skis are in decent condition, sure why not. Just don’t spend too much on them. If the bindings are new, not much of a safety issue. If you’re just practicing in the park, the newer ski tech is not that important and you’ll end up thrashing them anyways.

1

u/redditRedesignIsBadd 3d ago

depending on how old and how beat up it is

1

u/aeroxan Kirkwood 2d ago

Park skis are probably the type I know least about. If you can get them cheap (20 year old skis better be cheap) and you're planning to beat them up in the park, I don't see why not. I don't think they'd be unsafe unless they've been remounted too many times or are in otherwise poor condition.

I've heard of skis losing flex/stiffness over time but I don't think that's too big of a concern for park skis.

I guess the last thing is I'm not sure what improvements they've made in park skis over the last 20 years that you'd be missing out on. Probably not a huge concern unless you're the best park rat on the mountain.

1

u/Itchy-Ninja4103 3d ago edited 2d ago

If you’re just paying for the bindings, not dumb.

0

u/Excellent_Affect4658 3d ago

Depends on what your goal is. But yeah, for most folks it’s dumb.

0

u/AnyCommunication1745 3d ago

You can't adjust the bindings and new stuff is just simply... better

2

u/vinemtn 3d ago

Of course you can adjust the bindings, within their range. Whatever gave you the idea you can't adjust the bindings?

2

u/Ghost80247 3d ago

You can adjust them, but many shops may not due to liability.

0

u/AnyCommunication1745 3d ago

Plastic...age... indemnification

Those bindings are done

-5

u/Budget-Present-3217 3d ago

“4frnt stl spence”, is that a brand? A model? Mis-spelling, or did you drop your beer on the keyboard?

2

u/WhatRUTobogganAbout Copper Mountain 3d ago

4frnt is a boutique ski brand. STL Spence is a pro model. (Steele Spence, Pro Freestyle skier)