It’s a dilemma for many of us whether to buy our skis or snowboard or rent when we arrive. The answer of course depends on a number of factors, primarily these are:

• Ski level
• Frequency and length of time you ski or snowboard annually
• Financial situation – disposable income
• Aspirations in terms of ski or snowboard control and experience

So, following on from our ski boots article earlier this week, lets have a look at the pros and cons of the buy or rent a ski or snowboard debate.

Rental Skis and Snowboards

Rental skis can be hit and miss, but if you select carefully they can also be very good. If you are paying a fair price they should they be properly waxed and edges sharpened. We are not advocating race prepared, just fit for recreational skiing. They should also be in a reasonable condition. The best shops will be changing skis every two or three years (ideally most after two unless low usage). The ski or snowboard itself may have one or two nicks on the wood but the metal edges should be sharp and complete.

Top tip here at Chalet Ski Holidays, if you don’t like what one rental shop is offering, then walk into another, it is after all your money that your spending and you’ll have these skis or snowboard for the whole duration of your holiday.

Is It Therefore Better To Buy Skis or a Snowboard 

The benefit of buying a set of skis or snowboard is that you can firstly select a pair that suits your ability and style. Well that is the theory at least! From a straw poll survey in the Chalet Ski Holidays office it seems many buy their equipment based on how cool the brand is, and / or in even more cases, by the graphic on the skis or snowboard! Whilst we understand the pull of the graphic in particular, we would strongly advise against this being the criteria for your actual buying choice. Whilst it may look great and cool on the ski or snowboard rack, you will look far cooler in resort skiing or snowboarding better / well. For those new to the sport, the wrong board or skis will make skiing or snowboarding harder, restricting your progress as a consequence. Too soft a ski or board and your ability to carve precisely will be reduced. On the other hand, too stiff so you end up continuously catching the edge and being flipped out, and not only having your confidence knocked, possibly being injured by a fall in the process. Hence buy one that suits your level (or slightly above) as it is really important!

Assuming you have selected well, certainly in the first year they are going to be in tiptop condition. This coupled with the fact that if they are ideal for your ability you will be blown away by how much they will help you build confidence and improve carving (carving is the ability to progressively turn a ski or snowboard and contrary to what some believe, the skill is needed in all terrains and conditions).

Does It Matter How Often I Go 

Of course new skis mean you have the latest specs, but if you only goes once a year, by year 5 they may start to look a little out of date. Look is ok, assuming it is just look. Skis and snowboards however seem to go through step changes, so you could be skiing a 2013 ski or snowboard that changes little in four or five seasons, graphics aside, whereas another time there maybe a real breakthrough in the way they are designed or made. Obsolescence can therefore be an issue but if you are going two or three weeks a year this risk diminishes.

Ski and Snowboard Hidden Costs 

The above said, skis and snowboard are not low cost purchasers for most and there are also some on-going costs that sometimes people forget about. If you fly to your ski resort, many low cost airlines in particular now charge for carrying them. Also, it is important to have them serviced regularly (waxed and edged), at least annually. Waxing ensures they glide well and then there are the edges that get ‘dulled’ (loose the sharp edge) after a few days of hard-pack (and won’t turn so well). Also in snow the metal edges get wet which if not serviced leads to minor corrosion (best therefore to service on your return before any corrosion occurs). 

In terms of servicing, you can does this yourself but like any trade, practice makes perfect, and there is the cost of the servicing equipment. We generally don’t recommend self-servicing as in most case people make a bit of a hash of it and have damaged their edges in the process.

Conclusion

So the should I buy or rent my skis is not probably as simple a question and answer as the ski boots one. This said, if we take the general view, and put to one side Chalet Ski Holidays clients who are in the enviable position that ‘money is no object’ (who will typically buy regardless), there are probably a couple of key driver in terms of decision making. The first is one’s financial position. Buying skis or a snowboard is expensive and there are annual costs to consider that go on top too. Buying skis or a snowboard then becomes generally down to a question of, am I going regularly enough to ensure they get used before they are ‘out of date’ and does the quality, and the subsequent benefit to my skiing or snowboarding justify the costs of owning (which may of course be paid back eventually over time)?

Here at Chalet Ski Holidays we all own, but we do ski regularly. For others, either way, it is a case of you pay your money you take your chance we guess!