Is it Better to Rent or Own Skis?

There are a lot of factors that play into whether renting or buying skis is the better option for you, as there are pros and cons to both. Much depends on how often you ski, where you ski and your budget. To help you decide, let’s take a look at each option.

Should You Rent Skis?

Flexible and convenient, renting gear can be a great option for casual skiers. Whether you are a beginner just getting your feet wet or only ever hit the slopes once or twice a year, renting might seem like a no-brainer. But what about everyone else? Let’s consider the pros and cons.

Pros to Ski Rental

• Convenient: There’s no need to store, transport, or maintain your equipment. You don’t have to haul them around, get them on a plane or in your car. You don’t have to worry about storing them or maintaining them when you’re not using them.
• Budget-Friendly: Renting skis can be cost-effective for the casual skier. You avoid the upfront cost of buying as well as maintenance, storage and baggage fees if skiing out of state.
• Always Ready: Rental gear is typically well-maintained and regularly waxed providing you with freshly tuned edges for a better grip, more carving and faster turns every time you head out.
• Get a Feel for What You Like: Renting skis can give you a chance to try different styles and brands of skis before your buy, especially when you’re just starting out or ski at different resorts.

Cons to Ski Rental

• Might Not Be the Best Fit: You can’t always guarantee the right size or fit when it comes to rental boots and after a while they can really start to rub the wrong way, taking away from your enjoyment and experience.
• Limited Choices: You won’t always have access to the best skis and may have to sacrifice style and performance depending on what’s available.
• Cost Can Add Up: For frequent skiers, rental costs can add up fast and you may wind up spending more in rental fees than it would have cost you to buy your own equipment.
• Might Not Be the Best Equipment: Rental skis are prone to wear and tear just like any other skis, but sometimes users aren’t as careful with rental equipment as they would be their own. If the rental equipment you get isn’t in great condition, it could affect performance.

Should You Buy Skis?

Owning your own skis is a bit of an investment, but it can pay off down the line with freedom, comfort and savings for those who get enough use out of them. But how much is enough? Let’s take a look at the pros and cons.

Pros to Owning Skis

• Perfect Fit: Custom-fit, or even just having boots and skis that fit right, can make a big difference when it comes to comfort and performance.
• Save Time: You’ll have one less line to wait in. When you bring all your own equipment you can save time by skipping the rental line and get to the slopes right away.
• Personalized Equipment: When you buy it yourself you make sure it perfectly matches your ski level, style and preferences. You can even customize your equipment to make match your personal style and taste.
• Consistent performance: When you use the same skis every time, you’ll develop muscle memory that will help improve your technique over time.
• Potential Long-Term Savings: If you ski often enough, owning your gear can actually be less expensive then renting.

Cons to Owning Skis

• Upfront Cost: Buying skis, boots, bindings and accessories can be a big investment and the higher quality gear you want the more it’s going to cost you upfront.
• Maintenance: If you own the skis, all the tuning, waxing, edge sharpening and repairs are on you. You’ll either need to do them yourself or pay someone to do it for you.
• Storage & Transport: Owning skis means storing and transporting skis.

Is it worth it to buy skis?

Whether you rent or own your ski gear really comes down to how often you ski, your long-term plan for the sport and where you rank comfort, convenience, customization, performance and flexibility. If you do decide that the pros of owning skis outweigh the cons, you will need a place to store them and keep them safe while not in use.

Log Ski Rack offers a selection of high-quality and custom-built wooden ski, snowboard and longboard racks. They offer great protection and organization, keeping your property clean and your equipment in top condition. Shop our wall-mounted and free-standing ski storage racks online now or contact us for a custom design.