There’s no doubt that ski or snowboarding holidays need a lot more STUFF than, say strolling through an art gallery in Paris, lying on the beach in the Maldives, or (at least it feels that way sometimes) trekking through the rainforests of Borneo. You need warm base layers, a proper jacket and trousers, gloves, a hat and goggles, all before you even think about equipment.
Ok let’s think about the equipment. It can seem at first to be a strange netherworld where people talk performance specifications as if they are trying to beat the world record, and use all sorts of complicated words, probably just to confuse newcomers like you. When it comes down to it you need a ski or snowboard, then bindings (the bit that attaches you) and boots, both of which must be specific for ski or snowboarding. Skiers often also like poles, snowboarders, especially beginners, would be advised to get a helmet.
I can see you mentally adding up the costs, and mentally packing your suitcase – not looking so big now, is it? Do you really need all this stuff? And more importantly: should you buy it or rent it. We decided to do this the old fashioned way, with a pros and cons list!
Renting
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Buying
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So after all that, what have we decided? Probably that if you’re a first timer it’s best to rent, but that if you’re starting to get serious and skiing or snowboarding for more than a week or two a year, it’s probably better to buy. I say, err on the side of caution, live a life with less clutter, and rent until it really makes no sense not to buy! Some places even rent out goggles, gloves and outerwear too if you really fancy pushing the rental boat out, although don’t count on it – do your research before you go.
Now you’ve got the gear sorted – get your holiday without spending a penny too much.
