If you are interested in skiing, one of the most essential equipment you’ll need is a good pair of skis. But aren’t skis expensive?
Well, skis can be quite expensive, but there are several ways to cut down the cost. All you need is a few tips and knowing what to look for.
Should you buy new skis, used ones, or simply rent them from a ski shop? And exactly how much do skis cost?
Read on to find out the cost of skis and discover the best option for your skiing needs.
In general, the price of a new set of skis ranges from $400 to $1000. But this isn’t all. You need to invest in other skiing equipment like bindings and boots for the skis to serve you.
When you add the cost of boots and bindings to the initial skis’ price, the total amount will range between $600 and $1500.
Now, with this wide gap, you might be dying to know how to get a good deal and exactly what to look for when buying skis.
So, before you head to the ski shop, it’s important to keep in mind that a number of variables will affect the price.
To help you make the best decision, we’ll talk about what you should look for when buying a pair of skis.
How to Choose the Best Set of Skis
When it comes to choosing the best set of skis, there are several factors you need to keep in mind to ensure that you buy the right ones.
Here are the essential things to consider when buying skis:
Your Experience Level
Your experience level is a crucial factor to consider when buying skis. This is because there are different types of skis in the market, and not all are suitable for both beginners and seasoned skiers.
When making skiing equipment, manufacturers have the user’s needs and abilities in mind. They know that not everyone who starts skiing will actually love the sport and carry on with it.
So, you’ll find skis of different quality levels in the market. If you are a beginner, you can always find some affordable set of skis designed to help you master your balancing skis.
Such skis may not be of the best quality in the market, but they are inexpensive and will definitely serve the purpose they are meant to.
If you buy skis not designed for your ability level, you’ll find it less enjoyable and quite difficult to learn.
Buying costly skis won’t guarantee faster learning or better skiing. There is no need to invest in a pricey pair of skis when training, only to end up hating the sport.
On the other hand, well-seasoned skiers or skiers who are competitive should look for high-quality skis designed for advanced levels.
Skis made for professional skiers are ideal for faster skiing and aggressive turning on the snowy slopes. They provide great stability and can comfortably withstand intense use.
Now, with such resilience, durability, and performance, advanced-level skis are quite expensive. The cost of high-performance skis usually ranges from $700 to $1000.
Size
Like other ski equipment, skis come in different sizes. Some skis are longer, wider, or thicker than others.
The best skis’ size for you will depend on your weight, ability level, and riding style. For example, if you are a heavy skier, you’ll need a set of wider skis.
This is because heavy skiers need more space for balanced weight distribution when skiing.
With a higher surface area, you’ll be able to spread your weight evenly around and have a great skiing experience.
However, if you buy small, narrow skis, you will struggle to gain balance and glide across the snowy surface.
It will also be quite challenging for you to turn correctly and stop with precision.
Similarly, if you invest in skis that are too long for your level, you’ll find it hard to turn. Intermediate skiers should go for medium-sized skis as they can easily fall with long skis.
Skiers who weigh less than 105 pounds should stick to small or medium-sized skis even if they are more experienced. Otherwise, they may not flex or bend as required since they can’t exert enough pressure.
Buying medium-sized skis is not only beneficial for the lighter ski’s ability to flex but also helps in cutting down the cost even if you are an advanced skier.
Design
When buying skis, you will realize that there is a wide array of graphic designs and colors to choose from.
If you are looking for some cool graphics on your skis, then you are likely to pay more. Making skis with some fascinating graphics costs a bit more.
It will be even pricier if you want to hire a designer to make graphics for your new skis.
But if you can forego the fancy designs and settle for generic and solid colors, it will save you some money.
Sure, a great design can help in starting conversations on your skiing trips, but you need to consider whether the cool graphics fits your budget or not.
Type of Skis
Another essential aspect you don’t want to overlook when buying the best skis is the type.
Skis come in different types, and each style caters to a specific riding style. If you are a professional skier who intends to participate in competitive races, you may consider investing in some professional skis.
Other types of skis include trick skis, cross-country skis, downhill skis, and more. Each type works best when used in the appropriate type of skiing.
For example, if you are interested in cross-country skiing, you’ll need to get cross-country skis, which are usually longer and wider than other skis.
On the flip side, trick skis are normally narrow and smaller since they focus on the speed and agility needed to perform various skiing tricks.
New or Used Skis
Your budget is key in determining whether you should get new or used skis. For a low budget, used skis come at a decent discount compared to a new pair of skis.
If you are lucky enough to find pre-owned skis that are as good as brand new ones, you’ll buy them at a highly discounted price.
Pre-owned skis are usually a good deal for new skiers since they are able to learn and enjoy skiing without investing heavily in ski equipment.
It is always a safe alternative since you can buy new skis later when you decide you love skiing and want to do it more often.
Used skis are also a perfect option for passive skiers. This is because they may be reluctant to invest a lot of money on ski equipment, knowing they will only use them a handful of times.
When buying used skis, it is essential to check their condition thoroughly to know if they are worth investing in. If the skis have a lot of damage, I suggest you go for new ones.
There is always a benefit in buying a new set of your own skis. You will get them while they are fresh without any damage.
The Cost of Other Ski Equipment
No matter how great your skis are, they won’t be of any use to you if you don’t have ski bindings, ski boots, and poles.
If you haven’t purchased these items, you can expect to pay around $300 to $600 for them after buying your skis.
But the good thing is that poles and ski bindings are quite universal, making it easy to shop for them around.
There are no significant differences in sets of poles. So, as long as you find an ideal set at a decent price, you are good to go.
The average price of ski poles is about 30 dollars, but you can pay way less than this if you can find a pre-owned pair.
On the other hand, ski boots matter considerably more. The type of ski boots you invest in can make all the difference when it comes to your skiing experience.
If you buy quality boots that fit you well, they will provide you with a great skiing experience. Ski boots should also be comfortable and warm enough, so they don’t obstruct you when skiing.
There are different types of ski boots, including cross country ski boots, alpine skiing boots, and alpine touring ski boots, among others, and they all come at different prices.
So, when budgeting for your skiing gear, you want to allocate a suitable amount that will let you acquire high-quality boots. You will definitely not regret it.
How Can I Save Money on Skis and Ski Boots?
Now that you have learned the essential things to consider when purchasing skis, a few more tips will help you save money and get everything you need without breaking a bank.
From buying last year’s skis to finding package deals, there are many ways to cut down the cost of ski equipment as a beginner or experienced skier.
You can follow these five tips to save money when buying skis:
Buy Your Skis and Boots Out of Season
During the ski season, both beginner skis and high-performance skis are expensive. This is because they are in high demand since every skier wants to buy their own gear.
So, if you are working on a low budget, don’t buy skis and ski boots in the winter season. You can save some money by buying your skis out of the ski season.
You’ll always find the cheapest skis in the spring since this is when suppliers are trying to clear stock and put new skis on sale.
Skis tend to be affordable out of season because sellers want to create space for new models for the upcoming season.
There may be some slight changes to the design of the new models, but you can always forego the trendy style to save some money. The difference may not be very noticeable after all.
Find Some Gently Used Gear
Another clever way to save a few bucks when buying skis is finding ones that are slightly used. You can search for second-hand skis on platforms like Craigslist or swap to cut costs.
Some skiers have all the luck to find a set of gently used skis at $100 or even less.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that not all second-hand skis are always a good idea.
Some pre-owned skis may be terribly damaged, and they won’t be of any use to you. Skis are not repairable, and so a pair with too many damages is definitely not worth the investment.
So, I’d suggest you check their condition keenly before closing the deal to ensure that you don’t end up with an overworked pair of skis.
Don’t Be Sold on the Pretty Graphics
Ski manufacturers are very strategic. They know that awesome designs and graphics attract many skiers.
That’s why you’ll find that skis with stunning colors and graphics are highly priced, whether they are advanced skis or beginner skis.
If you want to save money when buying skis, I recommend sticking to standard colors and foregoing the pretty designs.
Keep in mind that graphic designs and colors of a set of skis do not affect their performance in any way.
Sure, you might be tempted to match your new set of ski boots, ski jackets, and ski pants, but always remember that the attractive designs come with a cost.
This is especially for beginner skiers looking for entry-level skis. And if you love the artwork, it is always possible to build your style as you move from one ability level to another.
So, start with regular colors, and you build your style as you commit yourself to skiing. You don’t have to spend more than you need to when getting started.
Look for a Bundle Package
When buying a new pair of skis, you’ll find that most ski shops offer ski packages at a fair price.
If you are a beginner skier or are used to renting skis but now want to ditch rental equipment, you are going to need a lot of equipment to complete the ski setup.
You’ll need to invest in a pair of skis, bindings, poles, and a pair of boots. Now buying each of these items can be extremely expensive, especially when buying from different shops.
To reduce the ski equipment cost, you can find a ski package that provides the best value for your money.
Most shops sell bundles of ski equipment for both beginners and those who have experience skiing. And when you get everything together, you will likely enjoy a discounted price.
Nonetheless, you need to consider the price of each included equipment and know how much it costs separately. It’s simply the only way to find out if the ski package is your best deal or not.
Research Beforehand
As with buying any other item, going to the ski shops close to you to get your own skis without a plan will result in exploitation.
It’s crucial to research online or ask around in the shops close to you. You can also seek help from a more advanced skier since they know more about the cost of ski gear.
Researching beforehand will help you know exactly what you need and how to get the best deals.
Otherwise, the sellers will recommend the expensive options if they realize you aren’t sure what you are looking for.
Rent Skis
Renting skis is also a good way to cut down the ski equipment cost. This is a viable option, especially for a starter or recreational skier who is unsure of whether they want to continue building their skiing ability or not.
It ensures that you don’t buy expensive skis and expert boots only to end up hating skiing.
Renting skis is also an ideal option for skiers who ski less often. It’s a cheap option since such skiers only have to spend some money on ski equipment once or twice during the ski season.
Should I Buy or Rent Skis from Rental Ski Shops?
Well, the right answer here depends on several factors. First, you need to consider your budget.
If you are a beginner and don’t have enough money to invest in everything needed to complete the ski setup, the best option is to rent them from ski equipment rental shops.
Renting skis will help you get everything you need to get started at a reasonable price.
Another factor you may want to keep in mind is storage space. Skiing equipment needs to be stored in a dry environment free of salt, grime, and dirt for longevity.
If you don’t have enough storage space with such conditions for your skiing equipment, then it can only be wise to rent them.
Renting skis can also benefit skiers who don’t ski regularly since it allows them to enjoy the sport once every few years without spending too much.
Even so, buying your own skis has many benefits as it will save money and time in the long run. So, you need to do your math well and find out which option works best for you.
FAQs
Q: What is the Average Price of Skis?
A: The average price of skis is around $400 to $1000. Depending on your ski level, you can find a decent pair of skis for about $600.
This price range does not include other ski equipment needed like bindings, poles, and ski boots. If you add these items to the package, the price can range from $600 to $1500.
Q: Is Going Skiing Expensive?
A: Yes, skiing can be quite expensive since you need to purchase or rent the skis and other required equipment.
Of course, other sports are way more expensive than skiing, such as plane acrobatics and race horses.
But the good thing about skiing is that you can always cut down the ski equipment cost by buying pre-owned skis or looking for affordable packages.
Buying skis out of season will also help in reducing the cost of acquiring the ski equipment.
Q: Do Skis Cost More Than Snowboards?
A: Yes, skis cost more than snowboards. Luckily, several types of affordable skis are coming out on the market, reducing the considerable difference between snowboards and skis cost.
Skiing is generally considered more expensive than snowboarding since skiers need to purchase other pricey gear like bindings, poles, and ski boots.
Q: Why Are Skis So Expensive?
A: Skiers are expensive because they need a premium combination of materials like wood, fiberglass, and metal. The design features or the geometry incorporated also contribute to the high cost.
When buying a new pair of skis, you need to consider your ability level since the cost of a beginner ski is not the same as that of skiers with a higher skill level.
Wrap Up
The cost of skis varies widely based on factors like ability level, designs featured, and more. Hopefully, this article has helped you know what to look for and narrow down your choices.
If you keep the factors explained in this guide in mind, you should have no problem enjoying skiing within your budget.
