Buy or rent skis?

If you are going on your first winter holiday, you will probably not be faced with the decision of whether to buy all of your ski equipment, but will instead resort to rental options. But once winter sports have cast their spell, the question becomes more pressing: When does it make sense to invest in your own skis, ski boots or other accessories? To answer this question for yourself, there are a few relevant aspects to consider:

• Age
• Frequency of use
• Skiing ability
• Individual requirements

Depending on how you weigh up these factors, you may decide to buy or rent. Let's take a look at the arguments below.

• You are flexible: Try a new model every day of your skiing holiday. Today the all-rounder, tomorrow the racer and the day after the sport carver. And how about a ski tour or a trip to the cross-country ski trail in between? As you can see, ski rental gives you maximum flexibility. And you can decide each day what winter sports adventure you feel most like.
• You avoid transportation problems: Not enough space in the car. Having to install a roof box. Checking in bulky luggage at the airport and paying extra fees. Lack of space on the train or bus. Carrying the whole family's things from the hotel to the ski lift. These are all situations you normally have to deal with on a skiing holiday – and which can be avoided by renting skis.
• You always have access to the latest equipment: ski rental shops usually provide you with top-quality gear and are always up to date with the latest trends in winter sports. What's more, you can choose from a wide range of different brands.
• Service included: We take care of your ski service without you having to do anything. As soon as you hand over your gear, we check it, repair any damage, wax the bases and sharpen the edges. When you rent skis, you can be sure they are freshly tuned.

Are you new to ski rental? You can change that quickly by reading our article on Ski rental: Costs, tips & equipment for beginners & families!

Let's take a look at the reasons why it pays to get your own equipment:

• The investment is especially worthwhile for frequent skiers, such as season ticket holders, or amateur athletes who hit the slopes often in the winter.
• Winter sports enthusiasts with special needs and requirements are also well advised to purchase.
• With your own gear, you don't have to compromise if the models you want are already rented out.
• A familiar skiing experience boosts your confidence, promotes learning and enables consistent performance.
• You can maintain and customise your own setup however you like.

Tip: You can also combine renting and buying. If you regularly go on winter holidays, it makes sense to invest in some things such as a ski helmet, ski goggles or ski boots after a certain amount of time to make sure they fit you properly.

Although you can rent ski boots, skis, ski jackets and ski trousers from our shops, you will need to buy ski underwear before your first day on the slopes. This ensures that moisture is absorbed from the skin and transferred to the next layers.

A mid layer is also recommended if you don't already have a suitable jacket made of fleece or other quick-drying fabrics in your wardrobe. However, avoid garments made of slow-drying materials such as cotton. You should also get ski gloves or mittens and a tube scarf in advance. Another advantage of functional clothing is that you can also wear it in everyday life.

If you're going on your first ski holiday, you don't have to buy everything right away. Beginners and occasional skiers can get a suitable ski helmet and ski goggles at an INTERSPORT RENT shop in the resort. The wide range ensures that no one is left without a helmet and goggles.

However, everyone's head shape is unique. Those who ski frequently and intensively will definitely benefit from purchasing their own ski helmet and matching ski goggles. This not only allows you to find the right fit, but also to decide which ventilation system or look you prefer. After all, nothing detracts from the fun more than a helmet that keeps wobbling or fogged-up ski goggles. These little details will increase your comfort on the slopes, and the cost is still manageable compared to the rest. Investing in a ski jacket and trousers is also well worth the money.

Ski Boots are the power transmission link between your body and your skis. If something is wrong, either your feet and thighs will hurt or your skis will not perform as they should.

As before, if you are a first time skier or an occasional skier, our rental options are still the best choice for you. The wide range of models offers a broad spectrum of uses: from carving on the slopes to freeriding in deep snow to cross-country skiing on the trails. The advantage for you is that you can test a variety of products and decide on a new one every day.

However, if you do a lot of skiing and have specific requirements for your equipment, buying boots is definitely worth considering. This way, you can be sure that the boots fit you perfectly. To have the model individually adjusted to your feet, you also have the option of a boot fitting. This makes sense even if you only ski occasionally but are ambitious. Travelling with your own ski boots is much easier than with a pair of skis, and you can be sure that you will always be comfortable.

Let's move on to the right set of wheels. In the beginning, few people need their own pair of skis. At this stage, you don't know enough about your preferences and the terrain you'll be skiing in the future - if you stick with the sport. Transportation can also be inconvenient and expensive.

Once you get to the point where you know which skis meet your requirements, you ski frequently and have individual preferences regarding equipment, you may want to consider purchasing your own pair. This will allow you to benefit from consistent performance without compromise and also increase your learning curve.

If you are not sure which product to choose, our RENTertainers will be happy to assist you. They are winter sports experts and have a wealth of experience with the gear and terrain in the area. Get advice at one of over 800 stores worldwide.

An equally interesting question is whether the decision regarding the purchase of suitable skis for children is a different one. Similar to adults, the following aspects play a role:

• Age
• Frequency of use
• Child's ability
• Individual requirements

The special thing about children is that they are still growing, which means that buying an own pair for occasional skiers is usually not worthwhile. Kids quickly outgrow the length of skis they have just bought and need the next size up. Renting is usually the cheaper option.

For frequent skiers, kids with special equipment needs and siblings, get their own gear may be a good option. Skis can be individually adjusted and used over time. Younger siblings also benefit from being able to use gear that has already been purchased. In general, renting is flexible and cost-effective for occasional use, while buying is more economical for frequent use.

When you rent your ski equipment from one of our shops, you get additional benefits:

Online reservation: Want to make sure that the setup you want is available during your holiday and avoid waiting times in the shop? Then book your equipment from the comfort of your own home – with our convenient online reservation system in just three steps! Simply select your location and desired gear and pick it up on site on the day of arrival.

Global availability: Our dealer network comprises more than 800 locations in 14 countries. This means we are always where you are on your skiing holiday. We offer expert advice and provide you with top-quality equipment in the most beautiful ski resorts in Europe and Canada. What's more, our shops are always located in close proximity to the local lifts and ski slopes!

High-quality equipment: We kit you out from head to toe – or, in other words, from helmet to skis or snowboard. In our shop you can rent the best and most up-to-date sports gear from leading international brands. We also offer clothing and accessories for the whole family – all from a single source. And the best thing is: you decide the price range!

First-class service: The equipment you receive is always optimally maintained – thanks to state-of-the-art electronic testing devices and service machines. Rental gear is carefully cleaned after each return. The RENTertainers, our highly trained winter sports experts, are responsible for the finishing touches. They ensure that your winter sports setup is perfectly tailored to you, your skills and the current slope conditions.

By the way: INTERSPORT Rent offers more than just skis and snowboards. Get all you need for ski touring and cross-country skiing, or fun gear such as monoskis, bigfoots, snowshoes, sledges and snow bikes! You can even get helmet cameras from us.

Depending on the country, location and season, we offer additional services related to winter sports and ski rentals. For example:

• Ski storage: Leave your equipment overnight in a dry and secure location next to the slopes without having to lug it back to your hotel.
• Test & Buy*: Love the test skis or snowboard you tried out? Then you can purchase the models you want – minus the rental fee for up to 2 days.
• Family benefits: Attractive offers, such as free equipment* for children up to 10 years of age when both parents rent skis or a snowboard.
• Ski and board service: Repair damaged bases, renew wax or sharpen edges.
• Boot fitting: Have your ski, cross-country or snowboard boots individually fitted to your feet.
• Safety first: In addition to the right skis, you can also get ski helmets in the right size, protectors and ski goggles in our shops.
• Loyalty benefits and more...

*This option is currently only available in shops in Austria.