Skis and snowboards: how to choose and buy a set well
Riding style first
Alpine skis, cross-country skis and a snowboard are different worlds. For groomed slopes people take skis with a narrower waist, for freeride wider ones, and for the park a twin-tip snowboard. Cross-country skis are divided into classic and skate. Your level also decides the stiffness: a beginner does well with softer gear, while an experienced rider takes something stiffer and faster. So say in your request where and how you ride. Do not forget a helmet and protection, especially for children: some sellers offer them together with the set.
Length and size
The length of skis or a board is chosen by height and weight: alpine skis usually reach somewhere between the chin and the nose, and a snowboard is a little shorter. It is best to give boot size in centimetres by the insole, because the standards differ. This is the most important point: in uncomfortable boots, skiing becomes a misery. Do not buy for a child to “grow into”: they cannot control the gear.
Bindings and compatibility
The binding must fit the boot, and for skis it must also be adjusted to the sole size. For a snowboard, pay attention to the mounting system and to whether the binding is compatible with the board. When buying used, ask to see how the binding is set and whether it has been serviced. This is critical for safety, so do not save money on checking the bindings. Ask separately about the condition of the edges and the base.
What to put in your request
- what exactly — alpine or cross-country skis, snowboard, boots, bindings, poles, a full set;
- size — length, boot size, rider’s height and weight;
- level — beginner, intermediate, experienced, child;
- style — groomed slopes, freeride, park, classic or skate;
- model, for example Burton Custom;
- condition, budget and delivery city.
Example: “Looking for a beginner’s set: snowboard 156 cm, bindings and boots size 43 (EU), for groomed slopes. Used but serviced. Courier delivery to Central, budget up to HK$2,400.”
How to buy better
On BlaBlaPrice you write one request, and sellers reply in the chat with prices, condition and delivery. The platform shows the offer that is best on the merits first, and you can see reviews next to each seller. Sellers can see where their offer stands and may improve their terms. Your phone number stays hidden, so you do not get calls from ten directions.
It is usually cheapest to buy at the end of the season or in summer, when the choice of used gear and sales is the biggest. Compare offers by year of manufacture, the condition of the edges and the base, and whether the gear has been serviced. Ask about exchange if the size does not fit. For winter trips to the hills you may also need ice skates and trekking gear. The principle of how the service works is on the “How it works” page.
