Latest posts for the topic "Is it worth buying my own Equipment?"

Is it worth buying my own Equipment?

Sun, 2 Mar 2014 10:18:44 GMT

Hi.

I picked up the ski bug in a massive way this year and intend to ski/board as much as possible next season plus ill use the dry slopes and spend time in the Snowdome through the summer...so the question is to buy or not to buy!

I started out skiing but im going to try boarding before I buy anything, however I think I may end up boarding -) Im not looking at it as being more cost effective as im not sure it would be but are there any other pros to having your own?...I really want too! :D

Thank you!

Re:Is it worth buying my own Equipment?

Sun, 2 Mar 2014 10:34:33 GMT

Whether you decide to snowboard or ski, buy your own boots. Get them fitted properly and they will be the best purchase you will ever make.

Re:Is it worth buying my own Equipment?

Sun, 2 Mar 2014 10:40:37 GMT

I only started skiing a few years ago, and after two years bought my own equipment. I do not regret it in terms of cost or usage. First you need to decide wether you want to ski or board. My first investment would be boots and helmet, both relatively easy to transport and much better than hiring. Although there is a difference in quality of boards and skis and it's best to have your own hiring Is generally no problem especially when relatively new to the sport.
If you buy at the end of the season you can get some great deals. I got my first pair of skis , boots and ski bag for GBP150.
Only two problems with buying your own, one as you progress you will want to upgrade and ryanair if you use charge GBP50 one way for sports equipment.

Re:Is it worth buying my own Equipment?

Sun, 2 Mar 2014 11:05:10 GMT

Thanks both.

I bough a hat (just now) im bored and a woman so apparently spendthrift!

I ve sworn to never fly with Ryan Air again but I don't think Easy jet are much cheaper! Can you not stuff all your clothes ect into the bag with your board?..or not. I could not manage a case and a board.

Thanks again :)

Re:Is it worth buying my own Equipment?

Sun, 2 Mar 2014 19:36:38 GMT

Easy jet about GBP35 each way its recently gone up, Thomson charge GBP35 return. Never used Ryan Air and never intend to im not gonna give my hard earned cash to the Irish C U Next Tuesday.

Bought my K2 skis for GBP60 off Ebay got the bindings with them an paid for a service an binding fitment for another GBP60 so GBP120 in total. Used them 3 times so far and about to use them again in 2 weeks time in La Rosiere and La Thulle. Pity my knee is all swollen and jeopardising it all but working on the ice and ibuprophen

Re:Is it worth buying my own Equipment?

Mon, 3 Mar 2014 06:21:12 GMT

Yes it is! It will be all worth it! :)

Re:Is it worth buying my own Equipment?

Mon, 3 Mar 2014 08:17:19 GMT

Jimbobilini wrote:Whether you decide to snowboard or ski, buy your own boots. Get them fitted properly and they will be the best purchase you will ever make.

......is the correct answer

Re:Is it worth buying my own Equipment?

Mon, 3 Mar 2014 10:00:50 GMT

Comfy boots are good. I would not worry too much about skis. By renting you can always have the latest gear and swap skis if they do not suit you. And less of a worry if they are nicked.

My first 4-5 years were on a GBP30 skis + boots + poles + bag setup from Oxfam. I got the bindings checked & adjusted in the ski shop, just to be safe. I upgraded the boots when the linings got hard & I wanted to go touring. So-so skiiers who pretend to be aces secretly laugh at you if you have duff equipment. The locals secretly laugh at tourists who have thousands of quids worth of gear and are duff skiiers. I have friends of both types! When I started I was duff skiier with duff gear, and had loads of fun :-)

Summary: provided you are comfortable in ski boots when they are done up tight, it doesn't make much odds. Just do the arithmetic (remember to add in the cost of a ski service each year)!

Re:Is it worth buying my own Equipment?

Mon, 3 Mar 2014 14:08:50 GMT

Why use Easyjet or Ryanair is carrying Skies etc. Swiss Air and Brit Airways carry your skies for free (ish). Return for me LHR to Geneva rtn GBP167 over half term including 23kgs, skies etc and 8kg hand baggage. Loads for a week ....or two -)

Re:Is it worth buying my own Equipment?

Mon, 3 Mar 2014 15:41:18 GMT

Swiss - free ski carriage - brilliant! BA - will take ski bag as your allowance (stuff your bag with clothes) and use your hand luggage to carry the rest. Easy, no need to go near RyanAir or EasyJet.

Re:Is it worth buying my own Equipment?

Mon, 3 Mar 2014 18:35:14 GMT

I fly from Bristol so Easy jet are about the best option for me. A return flight to Geneva from Bristol in Jan cost me about GBP80 and that included luggage, if I dropped the luggage and took a board I may be paying close to GBP100 but that's still not bad?

Id rather eat my own fingers than fly with Ryan air.

I think ill invest in a good pair of boots as you all said and maybe look at a second hand board in the summer, then buy something nice when I improve. I don't want to be "all the gear no idea" Ill just stick to "no idea" for a while :) Ive never wished for the summer be over and done with so much in my life!

Thanks everyone

Re:Is it worth buying my own Equipment?

Mon, 3 Mar 2014 18:35:51 GMT

Oh no, not the ski carriage thread again.....

Innsbrucker comments about people who always make me laugh - "all the gear/no idea" we say.

I can't help cracking up at the people who parade about in their top branded gear, helmets on, shiny poles and skis, beautiful looking boots, GBP300 goggles.......and well you know the rest......

Anyway, I digress.

I think the OP needs to decide whether to ski or board, and then get some decent footwear before considering planks/board as I found I bought skis when I was a developing intermediate and soon out performed them, and had to replace them with something else a few ski weeks down the line. I'd say rent until you get good enough to warrant having your own skis/board, and even then I think you need to be going at least a couple of times a season to really get the benefit of your own skis. Otherwise renting can be well priced depending on where you go, and it gives you the chance to try different hardware out as well.