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Urmas
Social climber
Sierra Eastside
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Dec 16, 2014 - 07:49pm PT
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Nut Again, you mentioned the possibility of skiing June Mountain instead of Badger. June is ten times the mountain Badger is. Might not be more expensive either - kids under 12 ski free. Season passes are reasonable too. The Gear Exchange in Bishop has good deals on used ski gear. Buy new boots however.
Happy skiing!
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jbaker
Trad climber
Redwood City, CA
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Dec 16, 2014 - 07:55pm PT
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When I was living in SoCal and getting in to skiing, I found it very worthwhile to make a trip down to Norpine in San Diego County. The guy there set me up with a really good AT setup (used skis and bindings, new boots because he felt none of the used boots in stock was the right fit and refused to sell me something that didn't fit). It took me some time on the slopes to realize how right he was about the boots. More recently, I got a nice AT setup at the Gear Exchange in Tahoe for 1/3 of what my wife spent for new gear (hers was, admittedly, much nicer, but mine has served me well).
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Flip Flop
Trad climber
Truckee, CA
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Dec 16, 2014 - 08:23pm PT
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1. Used AT gear. (Alpine Touring)
Fine for comfortable skiing at the hill and hiking is free-ish.
Think short, light and kinda wide (not fat). Soft and turny.
Now, skiing is bliss, and you need an e-ticket.
Your hands are like on the steering wheel. (Keep 'em forward, don't 'open the door')
Sit your seat down. (Bend legs)
Your knees are the headlights.
At its most refined, skiing is done with relaxed feet. Stand barefoot and assume the position. Turn the headlights(knees) in gentle infinity signs. Point the headlights at the pinky toes (outside edge) then front and back along imaginary edges. Feel it. Dig it.
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Daphne
Trad climber
Northern California
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Dec 16, 2014 - 08:43pm PT
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You can get a great pair of skis that will work perfectly for your beginner needs on ebay. Keep them waxed (a quick hot wax is only good for a weekend) and keep the edges sharp.
For the boots, go to a good boot fitter. When I went in, they wanted to put me in a larger shell, and at the time, that seemed like the way to go. But I found that I was used to a tighter fit because of my years in climbing shoes. So the larger size/shell ended up not working out at all for me and I had to go down 1.5 in size. I don't know if you climb in tighter shoes, but I offer my experience to help you make your decisions.
But buy a really inexpensive pair to begin with, knowing that if this really catches on with you, you will want a higher end boot relatively quickly, if you ski more than a few weekends a year.
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Todd Eastman
climber
Bellingham, WA
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Dec 16, 2014 - 08:59pm PT
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Take Steve Shea's advice, best on the board...
... try before ya buy, but keep a season's consistency underfoot.
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Todd Eastman
climber
Bellingham, WA
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Dec 16, 2014 - 09:43pm PT
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Brennan also speaks truth, if yer feet aren't happy, skiing sucks.
And he is no wimp, as I witnessed several years ago!
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kunlun_shan
Mountain climber
SF, CA
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Dec 16, 2014 - 10:42pm PT
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Chim-Chim, I buy my boots at Mammoth Mountaineering, and get them fitted by Cosmo in Truckee, who does custom footbeds and has lots of boot stretching equipment.
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John Duffield
Mountain climber
New York
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Dec 17, 2014 - 08:00am PT
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There are ski shops locally, that rent out kids stuff for the season at $139. Renting stuff by the day, often eats up time better spent elsewhere.
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johntp
Trad climber
socal
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Dec 17, 2014 - 09:43am PT
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First, buy the cheapest crap you can find. Then do what I do, strap on the two sicks of death and go downhill wildly out of control screaming "GET THE F*#K OUT OF MY WAY" and hope your bodies bone count doesn't triple by the time you reach the bottom.
Too funny. That is how I learned.
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christoph benells
Trad climber
Tahoma, Ca
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Dec 17, 2014 - 09:49am PT
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i can help you find everything you need.
Email me a tahoemobileskirental@gmail.com
or http://www.tahoemobileskirentals.com
If you come up to lake tahoe, I have lots of extra gear at good prices.
I can get you in a package (skis, boots, poles) for $180. I do season rentals for $140.
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StefanS
Trad climber
Leavenworth WA
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Dec 17, 2014 - 09:52am PT
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Hey Nut
I forgot to mention. When you are getting your kids suited up, I would check out the local clothing thrift stores. We have found some unbelievable deals, its hit or miss though.
A healthy dose of self preservation is good for skiing.
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Alpamayo
Trad climber
Davis, CA
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Dec 17, 2014 - 11:25am PT
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i can help you find everything you need.
Email me a tahoemobileskirental@gmail.com
or http://www.tahoemobileskirentals.com
If you come up to lake tahoe, I have lots of extra gear at good prices.
I can get you in a package (skis, boots, poles) for $180. I do season rentals for $140.
Do you do AT setups?
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the Fet
climber
Tu-Tok-A-Nu-La
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Dec 17, 2014 - 11:36am PT
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Some of the best skiers I've skied with and even some Olympic skiers learned their craft at small local hills. If you son is into parks look for an ok to good one. Some people would be happy with a half pipe on a tiny hill for therest of their lives
Add: as long as there is a terrain park I would be happy at a small hill for years. People typically get bored when they are not pushing themselves and you can find challenges at most areas. Sure big long runs down a steep mountain are great but as mentioned I'd rather get many days at a small resort than one at a big resort. I remember people saying they took up snowboarding because they got bored skiing. But they never left the groomed slopes, so that was their fault not skiings. I snowboard too and love it almost as much as skiing but I learned it to have fun with people that skied slower than me or to have fun on small hills. For your son it could be the same, learn to ski as well as snowboard so he could do approaches with you later.
If you get 8 or more days a season pass usually is the way to go. Make it affirdable and convenient, You can always pay for a day(s) at a big mountain for a ski vacation too. The better you get the more fun it is and the more terrain and conditions you can enjoy.
Skiing is like climbing, many disciplines. Alpine slalom, gs, superG, downhill racing, bumps, aerials, powder, backcountry touring or steep downhills, halfpipe, rails, etc. I say start on a local affordable hil and put in a few seasons getting your chops down having your turns dialed will help with most disciplines. Then you'll learn what you like and get gear for that.
I'd say find a season lease for gear. It sucks wasting time every ski day getting rentals. Or check out gear exchange places or craiglist.
I've always had good luck with off the shelf boots, it all depends on your foot shape. Try on as many as yu can find, some might fit great but if you have a weird foot be prepared to spend lots of money and find a good fitter. They should feel like a medium grip hand shake gently holding your foot and most importantly no pain in the store because it will be ten times worse on the hill after beating on them all day. Wear them for about 1/2 hour if you are going to buy to make sure they are good. Bots will shape to your foot so as mentioned only buy used if pretty new and the chance of finding the boot that fits in your size is tough even at shops with lots of boots.
You can usually buy boots and rent skis because their insurance covers their bindings, but you usually can't rent boots for your skis without paying the lots of money to adjust and test you bindings. If you buy used gear you should check if the way the binding are mounted will fit your boots. They usually have a limited adjustment range. If they need to be remounted plan on about $50 for alpine more for AT. Someone who knows what they are doing can show you how to adjust bindings to fit a little bigger or smaller boot and to set the release tension. I can mount and remount skis at home but I used to be a ski tech
An exercise I did years ago was to ski thru a course with my boots completely unbuckled. It teaches you that if you are correctly balanced you stay flat on your feet. And don't need boots cranked down tight to ski well.
I'd say use alpine gear for a season or two and get your turns down then decide what backcountry gear you'd want. Probably AT.
Good advice above on technique ill add if your hands drop ut of you peripheral vision they are too low, think a tight rope walker holding a pole. Probably the biggest key to good skiing. And yes bend your knees but in doing so you should be pressing your shins against the tongues of your boots or you'll end up too far back, like 90% of all skiers, and your legs will burn out and it will be hard to turn.
Take lessons. You'll improve more in 1 day than 5 of trying to pick it up on your won. Even the best skiers in the world continue to learn thru coaches. Take a lesson then take a few days to practice what you learned then repeat.
Also the best time to ski in CA is usually January to April. Everyone wants to ski at Christmas but usually there's not much base, snow cover, and its crowded. In late winter the snow is the best. In the spring the weather is great and most people move on to other sports but there's still plenty of snow and less people. CA conditions are what I call feast or famine. We often get tons of snow at once then weeks with nothing. So if you can be flexible and go soon after it snows its best. Compared to places like CO where they get snow more often but smaller amounts and its colder so the snow holds up better longer.
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John M
climber
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Dec 17, 2014 - 11:55am PT
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Nutagain
Also.. if you live near Yosemite, then the Yosemite Winter club can be a good deal.
http://www.yosemitewinterclub.com
Family membership
Free admission to the Membership Dinner at Yosemite Lodge, Nov. 14 2014
Free admission to the Ancient Jocks Race (fun giant-slalom race for members who are 30 or older!)
Membership privileges for each member of your family.
Insurance coverage for Winter Club Programs and events (ice-skating, ski team, hockey, and cross-country ski club)
Option to participate in fun winter events such as the YWC Snowball (formal dinner/dance), cross- country ski group-trips to Ostrander Ski Hut, Glacier Point Ski Hut, or the famous trans-Sierra.
Price:
Family of Four Benefit Package Membership $75
I believe it also comes with the same benefits as the youth or adult memberships, which is one free lift ticket for each person, plus 1/2 off rentals and all future lift tickets.
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ADULT MEMBERSHIP $25
WHAT IS INCLUDED?
Joining the Yosemite Winter Club is a great idea for many reasons. You will not only support winter sports in Yosemite, but you will also receive the following membership benefits:
Free admission to the Pray for Snow Party and Gear Swap which includes a delicious burrito bar dinner, a chance to win one of 30 transferable lift ticket to Badger Pass, a chance to win a pair of skis (valued at $400!), Warren Miller ski films to inspire you for the season, and of course, the company of fellow winter sports enthusiasts like you!
1 free lift ticket
Unlimited 50% off Badger Pass lift tickets, rentals (including XC), and group lessons (does NOT include private lessons) -- NO BLACKOUT DATES!! HOORAY!
Unlimited Curry Village Ice Rink Tickets and 50% off rentals
Badger Pass Season Pass for $129 adults and $99 children 13-17, $69 children under 12
Participate with the Downhill or Freestyle Ski Teams, Hockey Team, or Ice Skating program
Participate in winter adventures such as cross-country ski group-trips to Ostrander Ski Hut, Glacier Point Ski Hut, or the famous trans-Sierra.
Special invites and reduced prices for some serious snowy socials: Pray for Snow Party, Snow Ball, Ancient Jocks Race, Foresta Fall Hill Climb, and many more.
Free admission to the Ancient Jocks Race (fun giant-slalom race for members who are 30 or older!
Ability to support youth scholarships - including sponsoring school ski days, ski camps, and awards for art that supports the spirit of Yosemite in winter!
Insurance coverage for all Winter Club Programs (ice-skating, ski team, hockey, and cross-country ski club)
And our favorite - you're helping to keep the rich history of the YWC alive...since 1928!
….
If you meet people there, then you can find the parents and they often have equipment they would sell.
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NutAgain!
Trad climber
South Pasadena, CA
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Topic Author's Reply - Dec 17, 2014 - 12:53pm PT
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Thanks for all the advice folks, and kind offer Gorgeous. The boots did not fit, but I'm glad I came and look forward to future adventures with you!
Thanks to Nita's posting, I bought season tix for Badger Pass... which also includes FREE lodging at unheated tent cabins in Curry Village!!! That sealed the deal for me. I was prepared for bandit camping near whatever lift area I picked, but unsure of logistics with a Toyota Prius and side-roads that may not get plowed. Not I can kick back and enjoy the views with the kids while we shuttle on up.
Anyone know a good place in SF Bay area or LA for season rentals of AT gear? I've been on the phone with Sports Basement in Sunnyvale, season rental of AT gear for $300. I'd also consider anywhere on the path from SF Bay to Yosemite.
They also have a program for "demo" rental for a period of time, and then can apply that to purchase. I'm assuming the purchase options are pretty inflated so you don't actually save much if anything, but it might turn out to be a viable option.
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KabalaArch
Trad climber
Starlite, California
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Dec 17, 2014 - 03:57pm PT
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If you're on the Eastside hit up the thrift stores in Mammoth. If that doesn't pan out go to the gear exchange in Bishop.
This.
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NutAgain!
Trad climber
South Pasadena, CA
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Topic Author's Reply - Dec 24, 2014 - 12:47am PT
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I was very short on time and needed gear by the weekend, or facing on-site rental for 3-4 days. I rented AT gear for the season from Sports Basement. Works like a charm for regular alpine.
Ho man, I've been trying to mold the kids into climbers, but I think they turned me into a skier instead. Winter climbing is in jeopardy for me. Man, I feel like a little kid carving it up with the kids on intermediate runs, did my first blacks (but ego-booster ones at Badger Pass) and felt in control (read going slow) in pretty icy conditions. I can't wait to try it when there is good snow!
It's has the element of carving and skidding like surfing or boogie boarding, but you have this huge pallette to work with, freedom to roam all over. I love it. I passed from survival to really enjoying myself, and look forward to a new major hobby. And even better, the kids and I are at the same level so I can honestly enjoy what we're doing in addition to enjoying it because it's an activity with them.
Anyone looking for a partner for easy/moderate backcountry stuff near SoCal or southern Sierra, hit me up! My best availability is 2nd and 4th weekends of each month.
Wifey will be busy with grant deadlines and paper resubmission, so I should have some legit free time available in the next few months.
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Todd Eastman
climber
Bellingham, WA
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Dec 24, 2014 - 07:54am PT
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Welcome to the white room!
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rincon
Trad climber
Coarsegold
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Dec 24, 2014 - 08:28am PT
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Nutagain, you should check out Winston Peak next time the San Gabriels get some snow. It's got exactly what you're looking for in easy to moderate terrain and it's super close to Pasadena. Just head up ACH and park at Cloudburst summit. It's south facing so the snow doesn't last long, but it's good for a few days after a storm, or when it corns up, if there's enough snow. I wish I was skinning up there right now! There's some other really good spots up there when the snows good. Kratka Ridge is the most north facing, and has the most reliable snow conditions in the San Gabs.
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