Whether to rent or buy your ski equipment

Whether it is your first time skiing or you have been skiing since you were a small child, ski equipment is extremely important and can be a big part of your skiing experience and ski level. The question many people ask themselves before heading on ski holiday is whether to rent ski equipment or buy. To give you a better feeling of what suits you best, we have created a little guide to both buying skis and ski rental.

Rental

Benefits

You won’t need to transport all your ski equipment from back home, which may cost extra with your airline.
The skis are usually recently sharpened and with ski rental, you have a good opportunity to try several kinds of skis while on vacation. In many ski destinations in Norway and Sweden, helmets are included in the ski rental but it is a good idea to rent one, if you do not have one. Rental ski boots have often been used before you and therefore will not be as hard as new ones. Some people prefer this.

Cons
The equipment you rent, can be a bit “worn out”, especially late in the season or during the peak season, where others have already rented most of the equipment. You need to spend some time in line waiting to get help to find the right pair of boots or skis. The ski boots available may not fit your feet perfectly, as there are only a few types and therefore there might not necessarily be a pair that works for your feet.

Buy

Benefits
You will buy skis that you know suits your level and that you have tried previously. You will most likely find boots that fit your feet perfectly and when you have all the equipment, it is much easier to go away for a short ski trip.

Disadvantages

Both skis and boots are expensive, so few people can afford to buy new ones every time new attractive models come on the market. Additionally, the skis lose value extremely fast.
You have to make sure to wax and sharpen your skis. You have transport the ski equipment with you from home, which could be expensive to check in on the plane but is most likely around €30-50.

Now unless you go skiing on a regular basis or you are dying to have your own equipment, then rental might be the best option for you. Prices for ski rental vary a lot between destinations. For example ski rental is more expensive in Switzerland then in Sweden, but you can be sure to spend a good amount of money for ski rental for the family. Yes, skiing can be expensive but it is such a fun sport and a great way to enjoy the outdoors and the beautiful views during the winter time. We wish you all a good winter and happy skiing!