Skiing is one of the oldest and certainly one of the most fun winter activities out there. However, not everyone is familiar with all the gear needed to go skiing and how much it can cost!
So if you’ve ever found yourself interested in skiing and wondered how much does ski equipment cost, keep reading this guide to find out more!
Average Cost of Ski Gear
The first step in understanding how much ski equipment costs is to look at the price of a beginner ski package. Sure, you could spend more on advanced gear but there’s simply no need in the beginning!
Beginner ski packages cost $700 on average and include boots, skis, poles, and bindings. Many ski shops will also include the binding fitting and installation as part of the package purchase.
Breaking it down further, this amounts to an average cost of each item of:
- Skis – $400
- Boots – $238
- Poles – $70
However, it’s worth pointing out that most experts do not recommend buying your own gear right away. If you’ve never gone skiing before and aren’t certain how often you’ll go in the future, it’s probably not worth making the investment right away.
After all, it’d be a shame to invest all that money into buying personal gear if you don’t end up enjoying skiing after all!
However, if you do end up loving skiing, perhaps that’s something you can consider down the road! Focus on getting used to the feeling of skiing before you worry about trying to buy your own gear.
That way, you don’t waste money on a set of ski equipment that ends up collecting dust in the closet.
If you’re going to purchase anything, get your own pair of boots first! Custom-fitted boots are far more comfortable than rented boots and may help you perform better on the slopes.
Buying a personal pair of boots is, more often than not, cheaper than buying a personal set of skis, and they’re far easier to travel with than skis are.
Average Cost of Ski Accessories
When you’re deciding whether to rent ski clothing, goggles, and a helmet or buy your own, it ultimately depends on what works best for you. If it’s your first time skiing, you might be better off renting some of the accessory gear.
Ski rental shops have a wide variety you can choose from, without having to worry about making final purchases of products you aren’t familiar with.
The average starting rate for renting ski pants and jackets is about $30 per day, the average starting rate for renting goggles is about $8 per day, and the average starting rate for renting a helmet is about $15 per day.
Perhaps you’re looking to buy your own ski gear, though! If that’s the case, knowing how much ski equipment costs will help you budget accordingly.
Buying your ski clothing, goggles, and helmet certainly has its advantages. For one thing, rental gear doesn’t always fit as well as your own properly-fitted gear could.
Rental equipment might not be in the best shape either. Plus, rental costs can add up, especially if you’re skiing regularly. If that’s the case, you should know the average starting rates for buying ski clothing, goggles, and helmets.
Keep in mind that the price will vary depending on the gear’s quality, but the starting rate for ski jackets and pants is about $200, the starting rate for goggles is about $50, and the starting rate for a helmet is about $60.
Tips for Saving Money on Ski Gear
If you’re trying to buy ski equipment and gear without breaking the bank, consider the following tips to bring down the overall cost.
Tip #1: Look For Package Deals
Some ski shops will offer a flat rate if you buy your boots, poles, bindings, and skis in a bundle.
Be sure to check on the individual prices for all the items before buying a bundle, though, to make sure you’re actually saving money.
Tip #2: Buy Out of Season
Every year, new models of skis and new versions of equipment come out.
So long as you’re not concerned about having the latest and greatest (and you shouldn’t be), you can find last season’s equipment and gear that’s just as great as the newest versions.
When you’re trying to shop on a budget, the clearance section is always your friend!
Late spring and summer time are often excellent times of the year to purchase gear leftover from the prior ski season that stores are trying to clear out to make room for the upcoming season’s latest gear.
The further you get from the end of ski season (but before the next one starts), the better the deals you can find! However, keep in mind that you’re going to have fewer and fewer choices the longer that you wait.
Retailers are working hard to clear out their previous years inventory – so common sizes and popular models will become harder to find the longer you wait.
If you’re willing to be flexible, this is a great way to find a screaming deal!
Tip #3: Research Before You Shop
Before you buy anything, make sure you shop around!
Check out online reviews, maybe sneak a peek at some skiing message boards, and look for suggestions from others on what products are worth spending your money on.
You can even visit a ski shop to talk with an expert to see what they recommend. Most shops know they’re competing with internet prices, and will gladly offer valuable information to encourage a purchase from their store.
Tip #4: Shop Secondhand
Secondhand shopping is a riskier option, but you might get lucky and find gently used gear online or in a secondhand store.
If you decide to opt for used equipment, just make sure it’s of decent quality before making your final purchase.
To Rent or to Buy, That Is the Question!
According to the experts, buying your own skis instead of renting can actually save you money depending on how often you go.
On average, after you’ve gone skiing about 19 times, your skis will have paid for themselves!
So if you’re going to be a frequent skier, you might want to spend more now so you can save more later.
Advantages of Buying
Besides saving you money, buying your own skis can also benefit you in a few other ways. First of all, buying your own skis will help you hone your craft. If you’re able to practice on the same skis over and over again, you’ll never have to worry about adjusting to or warming up with a rental pair.
Secondly, owning your own skis also guarantees a better fit. Renting skis can help you get by for a while, but of course, you’ll be more comfortable in your own skis if you get them.
Third of all, you won’t get stuck waiting in line to rent some skis if you have your own! That means you’ll be able to hit the slopes sooner and spend more time on the mountain.
Advantages of Renting
That being said, renting has its advantages too. Renting skis for a short period instead of buying them outright is cheaper, so you save money. You also don’t have to worry about storing or maintaining skis if you rent them.
Secondly, renting skis means you can pick and choose ones to fit your ski level without having to buy multiple pairs. So when you’re ready to advance and try a new pair of skis, you can just rent them for a fraction of the cost you’d pay if you had to buy a new pair.
Renting skis may also save you money on travel expenses. If you’re going on a skiing trip and bringing your own skis, you have to worry about paying extra to have them travel with you.
Skis have to travel in unique bags, and most airlines charge extra fees for additional bags. If you just rent skis, you save yourself the trouble.
The cost to rent skis will vary depending on your location, but on average, you can rent skis, poles, boots, and bindings for the day for about $40. Also, if you rent your skis for more than one day at a time, you can save about $10 per day.
Conclusion
So, how much does ski equipment cost? The answer to this question varies, but hopefully, this guide has helped you start your skiing preparation.
As long as you crunch the numbers before you make any decision, you should have no problem skiing without breaking the bank.
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