Is it time to pull the trigger?
Some skiers spend most of their ski career renting. And no shame there. But renting skis and boots year over year starts to add up. Not to mention the time suck of rental lines and fees (and Ullr forbid, a late fee in case life happens). At the same time, what about the cost of buying gear you’ll only use a few times a season? Carrying them through the airport and paying bag fees? Keeping up with ski maintenance? It’s hard to know which makes the most sense. We break down when is a good time to make the move to own gear, and when it makes sense to stay in the rental department.
Buying vs Renting Skis
If you live close to a ski area or are spending more than five days or so on the slopes, it might make sense to have your own set. Ski rentals mid-winter average about $70 a day. That adds up pretty quickly for a vacation, especially when you consider the skis you purchase should last year several seasons. A five-day ski vacation with those rentals brings you to $350, while you can find used skis for close to $500, or maybe even less. With skis that last a few years, you’ll wind up saving a lot of cash.
You don’t need to ski at a certain skill level to buy your skis. It’s totally valid to buy your own set as a beginner. There are awesome packages out there for beginners that save money and keep the buying process easy.
That said, the more advanced your skill level or the more aggressive a rider you are, the more likely you’ll want your own set. Not only does that help make sure your skis are helping you perform the way you want, but you can find skis that are going to meet your style.
If you’re really playful and looking for jumps, a softer and more rockered ski will be better. Generic rentals at the shop may prevent you from fully exploring that style. And sure, some rental shops will offer performance demos, but during peak season they may be out of stock of certain sizes and styles.
Of course, there’s also the sentimentality of having your own gear too. While boots (more to discuss below) have less personal flair, skis feel like an extension of yourself and a way to express yourself on the slopes.
When is the best time to buy skis?
As for timing, the best time to buy skis depends on what you’re looking for. The early season and fall will give you the best selection, with plenty of inventory for new inline gear, along with leftover past-season inventory for deals. The spring offers the best pricing as retailers clear out as much inventory as possible before the summer. But, as a whole season has passed, available ski selection usually goes down. That ranges from the condition of used skis for sale, less selection for popular sizes, and popular skis sold out.
What about flying with skis?
Thankfully, a lot of airlines now classify all ski bags as regular checked bags. So airlines that offer free checked bags (looking at Southwest here) or if you have other loyatly rewards with airlines make checking ski bags pretty painless. With being able to stuff a lot of your outerwear in ski bags, you can get away with minimal luggage.
To make things even easier, consider just bringing your ski boots and renting skis at your location. That option allows you to rent skis that fit the terrain and conditions at your destination perfectly, and boot bags are a heck of a lot easier to travel with than ski bags. More on that below.
When to Buy Ski Boots
If you’re faced with buying one or the other, we’ll always recommend buying ski boots first. There are lot of reasons to do this, but here’s the quick and dirty: A well-fitted ski boot that matches your foot shape allows you to be much more comfortable and in control throughout a full day of skiing. You can learn more about why we feel like bootfitting matters here.
That being said, if you plan to make skiing a part of your life, owning boots is the single most important thing to do to level up your skiing. You’ll have a comfortable fit no matter what ski you wind up on, rental or not. They’re also easier to travel with. So if you’re traveling to go skiing, throwing boots in a boot bag is a lot easier to lug around in an airport and transit. It also lets you have something familiar if you plan to rent at your destination.
You also don’t need to be an expert skier to buy ski boots. No matter the skill level, boots are the best way to be comfortable and in control. Rentals are often packed out from extensive use, which don’t give you adequate support. Rental shops also typically size you up for a comfortable fit while you’re in the shop. Wiggle room inside a boot can cause a lot of hotspots from your foot sliding around. An appropriately fit boot will keep your foot secure and in place, increasing comfort and control.
In order to maximize your investment, always go see a local bootfitter to get you the best fit that matches your foot.
