twenty sixth March 2024
It’s one of many everlasting dilemmas for skiers. PlanetSKI reporters study the benefits and downsides of each. NEW
To Purchase or not To Purchase?
Hire is the Query.
Does one purchase a stunning new pair of skis and bindings within the UK and cart them round Europe (or additional) by planes, trains and cars with all the associated fee and injury danger that entails?
Or is it less complicated as of late to lease in resort and get entry to the newest must-have tools – even when in the long term it could value extra and contain some ready round in ski rent outlets?
When PlanetSKI’s Simon Wilson discovered his daughter Miriam was shopping for her first pair of skis this month, we determined to place every concept to the check.
Miriam is a medical pupil at Bristol College and on the scholar ski crew there.
Forward of an upcoming College ski week, father and daughter fitted in a fast advance journey to France to check out the shopping for vs renting arguments.
Listed below are their tales:
Miriam’s Story
Hire or purchase? Picture c/o PlanetSKI
Proudly owning my very own skis has been a dream for some time now, particularly since coming to school, becoming a member of the ski society and seeing everybody with their very own very cool skis.
My meagre UK pupil mortgage undoubtedly doesn’t cowl shopping for a brand-new pair, so for the previous 12 months and a bit I’ve been scouring Ebay and Fb market hoping to stumble throughout deal.
Alongside the way in which I’ve found the ruthless nature of Ebay bidding wars, had a number of failed bidding makes an attempt and a few barely dodgy encounters with on-line sellers.
Lastly, I discovered a pair of Nordica Santa Ana all-mountain skis in nice situation on Fb Market and by some means, utilizing my slightly poor negotiation abilities, managed to cut price them right down to £250 plus poles and a bag.
Thanks, Will from Fb!
Additionally, the topsheet design and hues match my ski outfit, which in my thoughts makes them even cheaper – lady math! (That’s a Gen Z reference for all you over 50s PlanetSKI readers).
All in all, a fairly whole lot I’ve to say – perhaps even meant to be.
By likelihood, the bindings have been even set to the proper size and dins already.
With ski rental on common about £100 per week I’m hoping these pays themselves again inside 3 journeys.
Flying with the skis was fairly aggravating I’ve to confess, many terrible and barely irrational eventualities have been going by means of my head: the skis getting misplaced, by some means getting snapped in half in transit, somebody stealing them off the luggage carousel…
Fortunately EasyJet pulled by means of and so they arrived in a single piece, bar some minor scratches on the poles.
On arrival in La Plagne it was a luxurious to not need to faff round myself within the rental outlets.
Although with my dad renting, as normal, I did nonetheless have to hold round and annoyingly anticipate him.
With some difficult snow circumstances over the weekend, a mixture of arduous pistes, ice, slush, crusty moguls – just about every little thing you’ll be able to consider, I actually put the skis to the check, and I’ve to say they carried out superbly.
I’m tremendous excited to take them on my subsequent journey to Tignes with Bristol College Snowsports Society and am praying they don’t get stolen at aprés…
Hire or purchase? Picture c/o PlanetSKI
Simon’s Story
Hire or purchase? Picture c/o PlanetSKI
Proudly owning a pair of skis?
Overlook it!
Seen that film and never going there once more.
That isn’t to say I didn’t love with a ardour the skis that I’ve owned over time.
My first pair of K2’s have been a triumph of 1980’s American design – the ski equal of John McEnroe’s Afro coiffure and pink headband at Wimbledon.
They lasted a couple of years – till in my youthful exuberance I did one daredevil piste soar too many and certainly one of them merely snapped in half.
Subsequent up for me within the Nineteen Nineties have been a pair of 207cm Dynamic VR 27 large slalom skis.
Sure you learn that appropriately – 207cm.
These have been the times after we have been inspired to purchase skis 10-15cm taller than us.
These skis lasted for years till a lazy airport baggage employee left them dragging behind his baggage cart and neatly filed off each suggestions once they arrived in Cologne the place I used to be residing on the time.
Nevertheless, with the insurance coverage cash I acquired from British Airways I purchased my favorite ever skis – a pair of first-generation Salomon X-Screams, the yellow ones with the little steel tubes on the highest supposed to assist damp out vibrations.
Man, I beloved these skis – however by this time we have been residing within the USA and the associated fee and problem of transport skis back and forth throughout the Atlantic, or on a four-hour flight from the East Coast to the Rockies, was prohibitive.
So ever since then I’ve been a ski rental man – and I like it.
Every journey brings a chance to check out one thing new, the newest measurement or form or only a cool new ski design that you just’ve seen in {a magazine}.
A few decade in the past, I first got here throughout Black Crows skis for rent round France and I turned a bit obsessed – attempting out every new mannequin on subsequent journeys lately.
So renting is the way in which ahead for me.
No extra worries about my very own planks snapping in half, or ski suggestions being filed off at German airports.
If Miriam needs to purchase her personal skis, that’s high-quality, however there might be no parental subsidies.
On this latest journey, all the advantages of renting have been on present.
The wonderful chaps at Intersport in Belle Plagne have been readily available on day one and confirmed me a few choices earlier than I settled on some Salomon Stance 84’s.
Now these are slightly dull-looking skis that I’d by no means consider shopping for.
However for the circumstances we had – as Miriam described – they have been best, reducing by means of crud and slush decrease down whereas gliding and carving properly on the tougher higher pistes.
And on the finish of the journey, I simply handed them again.
No lugging again to Geneva and combating by means of terminal crowds.
And add in the associated fee.
Miriam’s skis value practically £40 every method to fly out with EasyJet – that will virtually pay for the rental itself.
I do hope her skis survive the upcoming journey to Tignes, but when they don’t – effectively, as all the most effective dads say: “Don’t Say I Didn’t Inform You So.”
PlanetSKI Low cost Code for Ski Rent with Intersport
Intersport has over 700 ski rent outlets throughout the Alps.
With the particular “PlanetSKI” low cost code you’ll be able to lease award-winning skis & snowboards at knock-down costs.
Ebook through www.intersportrent.com
UPDATE:
There was some response from readers over on the PlanetSKI Fb web page.
Be at liberty so as to add your ideas.
Tracey Hill – We have now all the time owned our skis. I like ‘realizing ‘ my tools, they’re like good buddies. Have tried demo’s and rented within the US when transportation was a difficulty and was enjoyable to attempt others out however a lot want returning to the equipment I do know and love.
Stella Coton – I rented for the primary time in 30 years – fell on day one, ski’s didn’t come off and now have 6-9 months of rehab forward of me as a result of injuries- boy do I remorse not taking my skis with me – the £80 carriage was a small worth to pay as compared.
Andy Gorrie – Marry your boots, date your skis.
