From the internet to the slopes: Things to consider when buying second-hand skis

“First, you should ask the dealer if the skis have been serviced recently,” says Bardill. Otherwise, in addition to the price of the ski, a cost of approximately 80 francs may arise for professional maintenance of the sole and edges of the ski.

Experts say that to avoid paying too much for a pair of used skis, it makes sense to research the new price of the model. “A ski loses value quickly.” At the end of a season, a used ski is worth about 55 percent of its original sales price, depending on its condition. Bardill says: “If it is a very high-quality model, the price may be higher.”

After four to five years, a recreational athlete’s skis wear out, Bardill says. “You can still drive it, but it’s not much fun.” On the one hand, the ski no longer glides well, on the other hand, due to the loss of tension, the edges hold little grip on the snow. The expert recommends not buying a used ski that has been professionally and intensively used due to increased wear and tear.

If you hold two skis base side together, they essentially do not touch each other in the middle under the binding due to tension. Tension means the ski can withstand high speeds and has plenty of grip on the slopes. Bardill: “A used ski should have at least slight tension.”

The expert recommends asking for ski photos so you can evaluate the condition of the steel edge. “The ski must have a smooth steel edge at least one millimeter thick across its entire width.” This is important so that the edge can continue to be sharpened during a future ski service. According to experts, it makes little sense to buy a ski with large scratches along the steel edge, because it is very susceptible to repairs.

If you hold the skis base side together, the tips should open evenly. “If the bend in the ski starts further back or forward, it is probably compressed,” says the expert. A compressed ski no longer has any grip and no longer moves smoothly, so it flaps when skiing. Jamming may occur as a result of a hard impact or fall.

“Particularly with a used ski, it is important that the binding meets the latest safety standards,” says Bardill. The ski vignette is a guarantee of this. Sports shops are only allowed to stick them if they check the safety of the binding using a test device approved by the Accident Prevention Advisory Centre. According to experts, you should also make sure that the binding is compatible with your own ski boots. “If the bindings on used skis are around four years old, they may no longer fit new shoes with GripWalk soles.” GripWalk is the new standard for ski boots, allowing you to slip less and have better grip while running.