 Poster: A snowHead
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Both my husband and I own three pairs of skis, ranging from the long straight , to the early Carvers, to the newest pair which are used twice, . We leave these at home with our poles for the last few years. Why? because, we live a long distance from the airport so packing our skis require a roof box or some other silly looking bit of kit......... second we pay extra to transport them, third when we hire a car we have to hire a bit of kit to transport them to the resort,. then there is edging , waxing etc......
So a few years ago , even though hubby had his skis with him he wanted to try other skis so went to the shop , hire a pair, and had a blast.........
After that he left his skis at home, we go to the shop tell them what we want, get new skis, do our stuff, if not happy we go back in the evening and tell them, hey those skis are not what we wanted, we swap from one set to another while on holiday , always top quality. We use the same company so where ever we go we get brownie points, and we always book skis that suit us , .
My point is, why do so many of you worry about what skis you buy ? they will be old in two years even if you only use them twice? it really is a small thing tp own your skis if you don't live close enough to ski all season. We also love to stuff our boot bag with clothes , and just get on a plane and pick the resort, carrying skis make it akward.... we also don't have a fit if someone hits our skis in a que.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Skiing 5-6 weeks most years, the overall cost is considerably cheaper than hiring. Clothing also goes in the ski bag.
Travel isn't always on a plane, therefore no cost to transport, for others, skis are kept in their chalets.
Some people have ski in / ski out accommodation ( I rarely), therefore waiting in a shop for service is ski time.
For those who ski just once a year, your thinking is best IMO, even kids on their annual school ski trip get good quality equipment.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Well that is great for you, I am trying to tell folks owning skis is not always the best thing to do, as I said I have several pairs , and it is easier to leave them at home. I book advanced superior skis, and If they are not what we want we return them, its so simple. I would tell all newbies buy good boots, skis,,,,,, eh not so important unless you to TO type holidays all the time, then that makes it worth buying skis. However if you can pack a bootbag, stuff the boots, done a ski jacket and run for the mountains it's a big advantage. the price of transporting skis, can work out a little less than hiring, then add in the add on for your hire car to transport skis,,,,,,,,,,etc. Ok if you live in an area where you can drive you fit one car with a silly box, and off you go, not everyone lives near enough to drive to a ski resort in 24 hours.
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| biddpyat wrote: |
| Well that is great for you |
If you don't want to hear other people opinions don't post on a forum. You do make some great reasons but some people would rather have their own kit.
Also what is silly about a roof box? It helps transport skis if your car is not big enough or dose not have a ski hatch through the back seat into the boot.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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CBA to 'justify' why we have our own kit etc etc but what is so silly about a roof box? 
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Works out cheaper for me especially when you factor in selling them on ........
Plus I have very specific skis that I couldn't hire...
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Ermmm what's wrong with a roof box, perfect for skis, golf clubs and other clutter giving more room for comfort in the car.
It also depends on the resort you're staying in. I've rented the top level skis a few times from smaller resorts and they've been awful. I bought my own about 5 years ago and never regretted it, and I've travelled by plane, train and automobile to the Alps, never had an issue with doing that.
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For me transporting skis is pretty easy. They fit on the passenger seat/footwell of my car. Lufthansa carry them for free. I know them and they suit me perfectly.
I've had some horrors with hire skis in the past although I realise if you pay a bit extra or have a good relationship with your hire shop you can get some decent equipment. But it's an additional cost, my own skis have already paid for themselves several times over.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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you don't get the best skis when you rent, you might think you are but then that's probably due to lack of knowledge  and who only uses their skis twice in 2 years, live somewhere better then it wont be such a chore for you.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| Quote: |
why do so many of you worry about what skis you buy ? they will be old in two years even if you only use them twice?
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good skis don't become bad skis just by the progression of time, especially over a 2 year time frame (especially given that 2-3 years is about the typical refresh rate of a ski model)
depends how much you ski, where you ski, what you ski,... where you live
paid about €300 for my last years colours atomics. that's about 3-4 weeks rental. skied them 4 weeks. so it's just cost of wax and edge to re-coup still. the K2's with fluorescent orange bases have been more than recouped even at full price.
it is a minor faff taking them on trains, but a pair does fit on an ICE overhead luggage rack with boot bag and rucksack wedgng them in place.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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| 1969jma wrote: |
Skiing 5-6 weeks most years, the overall cost is considerably cheaper than hiring. Clothing also goes in the ski bag.
Travel isn't always on a plane, therefore no cost to transport, for others, skis are kept in their chalets.
Some people have ski in / ski out accommodation ( I rarely), therefore waiting in a shop for service is ski time.
For those who ski just once a year, your thinking is best IMO, even kids on their annual school ski trip get good quality equipment. |
Same but have never had to use a roofbox, we ski ~180cm skis and they fit just fine in a Ford Ka, Fiesta etc.
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| biddpyat wrote: |
My point is, why do so many of you worry about what skis you buy ? |
Depends on your circumstances, if you ski a more than an annual holiday, then it is far cheaper owning (even several pairs for differing conditions).
Also, some people will purchase skis for specific conditions/use, which may not be available to rent. Others just like owning kit.
I really doubt the economics of renting if you ski more than four/five weeks per year?
Everybody is different, you appear to be generalising a little too much.
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You know it makes sense.
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I like to own my own skis because with doing 3 trips a year, it works out cheaper in the long run, even with ski carriage and servicing. I also have a pair of skis I know and love to ski on, instead of having different pairs each time which I perhaps don't like and have to keep swapping.
I pre-booked supposedly 'premium' skis last month in Courchevel, but suspect the shop didn't want their new season's skis ruined in the patchy conditions. I was therefore given a succession of old and battered skis which I hated. One pair of Elans were so uncontrollable I was fighting them all day. A Google later revealed they were marketed as complete beginner's skis. You could argue that if I was a great skier it wouldn't have mattered, but I'm not. Another day they gave me a pair of Head men's skis which weighed an absolute ton and killed my legs.
The reason I hired was to not ruin my brand new skis, but it was not a good experience! I will be very glad to take my own to Ischgl (later this month, woo!).
The point I'm making is that hiring works for some people, but not for others and I wouldn't try to force an opinion on anyone either way.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Do you go to the airport on a moped?
I can get skis in a Ka without too much drama.
My arms work fine, so I can carry them and as I kick them along the floor through the check in queue; I'm not too precious about them.
Most hire skis I've seen are not great in quality or tune, the good ones cost a lot to hire too.
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Poster: A snowHead
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| Quote: |
they will be old in two years
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My skis are probably 10 years old, I used the skis supplied by UCPA last season, offpiste skis for the first week offpiste course and their carvers for the 2nd week as well as some other twin tips for the last day, all very recent skis, the previous time I did UCPA in 2012 we got skis still in the wrappers, in all cases I was glad to get back on my own skis.
It is horses for courses, if you ski one week a year and travel by air, then the economics of hiring are favourable but it still costs a lot to hire skis that are more than basic planks, with your own skis, you know how they will behave and handle from the moment you step onto them
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Agree. I have skied on my Missions for 6 years now so about 15 trips. I know exactly how they will behave and I hit the piste with confidence as a result. I also know they are waxed and edged to perfection every time I use them. I do it myself. On quite a few trips, I have been able to grab an extra hour or two, or even a half-day on arrival, rather than heading off to a hire shop. A wheeled bag holds skis, boots and gear and is no problem to manage.
I like to try other skis, but as often as not, I am glad to get back to my Missions.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Two weeks a year, flying, we always hire too and recommend it, used to own and it was a faff. 3 weekers\ drivers\ more advanced skiers and Americans - I'm sure buying makes more sense. But I also don't see folks pushing 'buy' on here? At least as many hire shop recommendations as sk i recommendations. Aj x
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I have never owned a pair of skis but am looking to buy some, not because of economics or anyhing else, just because for me (and I know some others) there is nothing like having your own things, that no one else has used/abused (what do you do when you have a hire car?)
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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You can often get decent skis if you hire, and the cost difference, if you have to fly with a budget airline is not decisive either way. But they are never as well prepped as I do myself, I can set the edge angles the way I want, rental bindings almost always suck, and I don't have to spend half a day getting used to different skis. Was away for 3 days at Xmas - had a decent pair of volkls ruined by the ski shop 'technician' sharpening the base edges on a belt by hand.
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@biddpyat, After many, many weeks of renting we have purchased for the first time this year. main driver is price- 1 week hire in tignes £80 and 2 weeks in states in march £360 thats a total of £440 in this season so it was an absolute no brainer for us. We are planning the same next season so next years ski cost is only maintenance ( i will do this myself) and transport. purchased soul 7's for the same price as the first years cost so wellhappy.
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After my accident in 2013 I hired some rocker skis rather than use my own when I went skiing in January 2014...as I was told they would be easier on my knee. Not a good experience .!!!! . Much prefer my own , as soon as I could I was back on my own at the chill factor.. Would always recommend having your own skis.. You get used to them!!!
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Never owned my own skis. I normally ski once a year for a week (past 8 years) I don't see the benefit in owning a pair as I'm not close to a snowzone or a piste. Scar-Vegas hasn't had a dry slope for over 30 years. If i had somewhere to ski all year round that was close I would definitely purchase a pair of skis. I personally don't see any benefit in lugging around skis at the airport and being charged extra for ski carriage. The money I save from this usually pays for a weeks ski hire in resort. I usually test out a few different pairs during the week as I like to get freshly waxed skis every 2 days. I normally find that after 2 days on snow the hire skis normally start to stick and become sluggish. Reading the comments above i feel its all about preference so don't loose sleep over it.
I think the most important point to make when deciding to hire or buy ski kit is to always make sure you buy ski boots rather then hire. The 1st year i went skiing my wife gave up after a day as the boots she hired didn't fit (too tight, very old and well used) put her off for life. This was a shame as I spent a lot on private lessons for both of us which she refused to undertake much to my frustration. Luckily the year after i decided to carry on and purchased a decent pair of boots. I was amazed at the difference it made. Planks are not essential kit to but modern moulded boots will make your skiing so much more enjoyable.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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| Quote: |
not everyone lives near enough to drive to a ski resort in 24 hours.
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While undoubtably true most people in Great Britain live within 24 hours drive from a Ski resort. I just drove back from Tignes to Birmingham. The conditions and traffic from Tignes to Albertville were bad and it took 1:45. It rained a lot of the way so speeds were kept down. There was an hours delay at the tunnel (the shortest I have every known) yet it still took 18 hours. Another 6 and Inverness is possible. On the way down with only 3 in the car the skis just went inside; on the way back with 4 of us they were strapped to the roof rack.
But I do hire skis on occaisions such as weekend trips.
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If you drive, buy out of season, and want specialist , well maintained skis, it makes sense to buy. The only downside for me is the folks in queues that walk on my skis with their hired rubbish, but even that has had a silver lining, as it lead me to find queue-less value quality places away from the mega resorts ! OOOH grrrr makes me angry just thinking about it.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@biddpyat, How much are you paying for your top quality hire skis? We used to rent the mid priced hire skis. However I hate all the faffing around in the hire shop trying to remember the size of skis and poles I need. On the last occasion I was really struggling with my hire skis and realised too late that they were way too short for me and also didn't seem well waxed which meant they kept sticking in the spring snow in the afternoons.
My husband and I bought our own skis after the bad hire shop experience and it is really liberating to have them. Even with four of us in the car there is still room to carry the skis within the car. We tend to drive or take the train so never have to pay carriage charges. This season we are skiing two weeks in separate resorts and will possibly ski in a third resort on changeover day between the two weeks. I would hate to have to go three times to the hire shop on a holiday to get skis.. It is also a lot easier with two kids in tow to only have to carry their kit back to the apartment from the shop rather than trying to stagger back with equipment for four.
We ski mainly on piste so only need one set of skis not three so I'm sure we will use the skis for long enough to cover the outgoing. I also like to have a set of skis in the cupboard just in case we ever have a decent snowfall again in southern England and I can ski then too!
As we tend to ski late season I have found it has made a massive difference having my own well waxed skis. Last Easter it was very mild in the afternoons and the snow was very soft but my legs did not get that tired as the waxed skis did not stick in the snow as much.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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| snowymum wrote: |
@biddpyat, How much are you paying for your top quality hire skis? We used to rent the mid priced hire skis. However I hate all the faffing around in the hire shop trying to remember the size of skis and poles I need. On the last occasion I was really struggling with my hire skis and realised too late that they were way too short for me and also didn't seem well waxed which meant they kept sticking in the spring snow in the afternoons.
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Que? - when you hire skis you just keep going back to the shop till you get skis you're happy with. Change again if there's a big dump of snow !
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@Scrumpy, because biddpyat says "hate all the faffing around in the hire shop" which I think is a fair argument.
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You know it makes sense.
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I think this is a completely personal decision and there are good arguments on both sides unless you ski a lot when economics of renting stop working.
I have had my own skis for years. For a lot of that time the economic case (after servicing, carriage) hasn't been great but I've done it because
a) you do get to know your skis, you build confidence on them, you can ski better
b) since the move to shorter, more shaped skis around 15-20 years ago the improvements have been real but incremental, there hasn't been a big disadvantage on using skis that were GOOD 5 years ago
c) I love not having to queue in hire shops. Particular when it makes the difference to whether I get to sneak a couple of hours in on the day of arrival. That is WONDERFUL
d) Unless you are testing skis to buy (pretty expensive unless you actually want to buy them) hire shops don't generally stock (many of) the kind of skis I want to ski on. And when they do they have heavy rental bindings on them (minor issue but a real one)
But if you look at the above, a lot of it doesn't make much sense unless you are a very enthusiastic, advanced/expert skier.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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@jedster, You speak much sense. It all depends how seriously you want to take your skiing.
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Poster: A snowHead
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| Renry wrote: |
| biddpyat wrote: |
| Well that is great for you |
If you don't want to hear other people opinions don't post on a forum. You do make some great reasons but some people would rather have their own kit.
Also what is silly about a roof box? It helps transport skis if your car is not big enough or dose not have a ski hatch through the back seat into the boot. |
That was intended as in that is great it works for you, sort of thing, not in a sarcastic way.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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We've only bought skis because we go every weekend, and sometimes during the week. Far more economical.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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I have pretty long skis and have yet to find a car that I can not get them into.
All been said above but theres a few reasons I definitely prefer to own-
-On the day of arrival whilst my fellow travellers are waiting around in a ski shop to pick up their gear, I am in the hot tub/bar with a beer in hand relaxing
-I know the skis I am on will be great, and well serviced, and exactly what I am expecting. Again those with hire gear may well be back waiting around in a ski shop to change their kit at the end of the first day while I am relaxing on my holiday.
-Even though you can change your hire kit, you will have spent a day skiing on skis you were unhappy with. So potentially 1/6th of your holiday uncomfortable on the snow. And their is no guarantee that you will be happy the second time around
-Cost of carriage is really minimal if theres two of you with a generous double bag with other kit packed in, then one big shared kit bag and two full carry ons. Easily enough for a week, and depending on your carrier anything from no extra than two check in bags to maybe £30 more
- Im off to Canada soon and even then it is costing £100 to carry our skis in a separate bag compared to £320 to hire equivalent, and thats taking them back via the carribean!
So for me its less hassle, I know Im on good kit and it is cheaper. A bit of a no brainer.
If you are skiing one week a year and not that particular about your skis then I would agree you should probably just rent.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@biddpyat, If I was only skiing a week or two on piste I would probably hire too. Then again, I got a great set of race slalom skis second hand for £75 plus a full set of tuning kit. Must have skied ten weeks on them by now, great value.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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| SkiG wrote: |
-Even though you can change your hire kit, you will have spent a day skiing on skis you were unhappy with. So potentially 1/6th of your holiday uncomfortable on the snow. And their is no guarantee that you will be happy the second time around |
Exactly what happened to me when renting last month, something I won't do again in a hurry.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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I think @biddpyat's point is that there are some equally good arguments for renting as there are for owning. For a great many people renting makes more sense. If you ski once a year then the cost benefit of owning vs renting is pretty marginal.
An equally good question is renting vs owning ski boots. I fully appreciate that to achieve the absiolute best result you need a pair of ski boots that fits perfectly and you are unlikely to find them when renting. However, 99% of skiers should be able to find a reasonable fit when renting. I fully appreciate many people would rather have their own boots than use those that have been filled with thousands of stinky foreign feet.
However, the number of boot owners who struggle to get their boots comfortable and who spend their lives clipping and unclipping the boots before/after chairlifts is truly astonishing. For many people I think the answer to finding a pair of boots that work well and are truly comfortable is just to rent them and keep changing if you need to.
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@foxtrotzulu I'm pretty certain that foreigners are not the only ones with stinky feet.
Last edited by Then you can post your own questions or snow reports... on Thu 8-01-15 11:53; edited 1 time in total
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@honved, I assume @foxtrotzulu, means any feet that are not their own. For example their brother's feet will be foreign. @foxtrotzulu, of course does not have stinky feet.
And of course the hire shops spray them with deodoriser when they are returned so we cannot test whether the previous user's feet skink or not.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Two words. Rental Bindings.
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@johnE,
| Quote: |
@honved, I assume @foxtrotzulu, means any feet that are not their own. For example their brother's feet will be foreign. @foxtrotzulu, of course does not have stinky feet.
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Johnny foreigner has particularly stinky feet I feel certain. My brother's feet are probably a bit stinky and slightly foreign. My own feet are as fragrant as fresh linen and newly mown grass and decidedly unforeign and unislamic.
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FAQ
) but I quite often go to smaller resorts and I have struggled to get specific ski's to rent 
