Background:
I just started skiing last year, as a 53-year-old. I have a total of 8 days on the slopes. I took the family up to Vermont (Smugglers Notch) this year over the holidays; we took lessons every day and by the end I was "level 3". Virtually all of my skiing so far is on green trails, but I am committed to mastering this sport. My kids, 7 and 13, love skiing. My 13-year-old son started skiing three years ago and gets to ski more than I with various groups during the season. In Vermont he was doing blues, blacks, moguls, and off-trail. My 7-year-old daughter is a natural, and she will soon catch up with my son. I want to go with them. We are probably likely to do mostly East Coast skiing for the next couple years.
Questions:
Should I buy skis now? I already own a helmet and boots (Tehnica Diablo Spark). My thought is that if I have my own skis, I will have some continuity each time I ski and thus improve more rapidly.
If I do buy skis, which ones? I went to the local ski store last weekend, and the sales person's recommendations, based on what they had in stock, were to either: (a) buy skis that are at my current level, or (b) buy skis for the next level up (he thought I should do the latter). In the first category, he suggested:
K2 Commanche 3
Head XRC 500
Atomic Sativa
In the second category (higher level), he suggested:
K2 Stryker
Dynastar Legend 4800
Atomic High Noon
Rossignal B78
In addition, by kicking around websites, reviews, etc., I (non-expert) thought the following skis might fit in the second category:
Fischer RX Fire 8
Head Xenon Xi 9.0
Volke AC 30
So, I would be grateful for any thoughts on whether I should buy now and, if so, which one. If you have views on which of the categories above I should be looking in (at my current level, or my next level), which of the above skis I should take off the list, any skis I haven't mentioned that I should consider, etc., I would be very grateful.
Thanks for reading through such a long-winded message.