Great Values on Skis - Buy Online

Some of the best values available at the online ski stores are in last year's and past year's models. Remember that skis today aren't going to warp up and get old any time soon. These skis are made to last using high tech construction and fusion of the best materials.

To see what's going to be the hot, in demand, 07-08 skis available online, I went to Lee Quaglia, who has been the owner of Aspen East Ski Shop, Killington, Vermont, for over thirty years. Aspen East Ski Shop has been awarded Ski Magazine’s Gold Medal Award as one of America’s Top 60 Ski Shops for 10 years running and was named the 2006 Best in the East ski shop.

Lee believes that there are not only good ski deals, but great deals, available buying skis online, if you know how to shop for them. According to the Pew Research Internet and American Life Project 80% of snow sports speciality stores have web sites and many of these, like Aspen East, have an e-commerce store. There are also a number of online winter sports outlets that offer skis.

I asked Lee for his best value picks off the 07-08 rack and here's what to look for. For the women – K2’s all mountain Lotta Luv and the frontside Burnin Luv are great deals selling at about 50% off - if you can find them. You should always search out and verify the correct length for you, but if your size is sold out, Lee says that with a good all mountain ski you can go a little shorter and still love it.

For the men, there are a ton of good 07-08's out there. Surf around for the best deals on K2's Recon, Atomic's Nomad Crimson and Blackeye. Lee says you know you'll have hit the jackpot if you find any Salomon Fury - a great all mountain ski or Salomon's Cyclone for that front side fall line rush. Look real hard and you can find these running $600-$650 with bindings!

Read all of Lee's Tips on buying skis online on how to be a smart shopper for the best value in last year's skis.

More: Skiing Buyer's Guide | Ski Equipment

_{K2 Burning Luv skis image Courtesy Pricegrabber}