Skiing holidays are known to be a lot of fun, particularly if you are going away with your family, as teaching your child to ski can be the ultimate bonding experience and provide everlasting memories. However, skiing has its costs, besides the price of the actual holiday; you can, though, find great deals on family ski resort packages to make the experience more affordable, as the cost of ski gear can be particularly hard on the wallet.
With these costs in mind, it makes the renting versus buying dilemma even more of an issue, particularly where children are concerned. As their skills - as well as their height and shoe size - develop, it is particularly important to consider your options wisely when thinking about the best way to provide them with ski equipment.
Buying pros and cons
The advantages of buying your own gear will depend on how often you ski. If you are an avid skier and intend to take your family every year, this can work out as the more viable option. Not only is it more convenient but children also love to have their own skis that are personal to them.
For adults, it can also be the more sensible choice to have your own ski equipment unless, that is, you are a beginner and know you have the capacity to improve your skills, with investing in more professional skis potentially an option in the future.
The main advice here is that, unless you are already performing to the best of your ability, it might be worth putting off buying your skis for the time being, and the same can be said for your children's equipment.
Boots, however, are another story. While you can rent these, it is recommended that you buy your own. This is because they can be fitted to your exact specifications, which should help to make you feel more comfortable and improve your ski ability.
This is also true when it comes to buying your child's ski boots - while it may be tempting to rent, as their shoe size can change quickly, buying can provide extra comfort and safety, which should always be the top consideration.
Renting pros and cons
Renting ski equipment is definitely the more purse-friendly option; unless you are skiing for more than three weeks every year, you can save yourself hefty expenditure by opting for this choice instead of buying your own. It also saves you having to keep up the challenging task of ski maintenance, as your own skis will need regular tuning.
A season-long lease is definitely the more viable option compared to renting, though, as it can save you having to queue, which can eat into your time on the slopes and playing in the snow with the kids, and is often better value for money. Many ski resorts offer this facility for both children and adults, so be sure to ring ahead to check before the off. Some resorts even offer deals and free rental for kids at family ski chalets, so it is always worth asking.
