Despite Utah being known for having the greatest snow on earth, skiing remains an unattainable dream for many residents. It is often an intimidating sport with overwhelming gear to be purchased. For seasoned skiers, the recent surge in industry costs is a deterrent.
Locals need access to the mountainous playgrounds, and the key lies within your local ski shop. Your shop is a library of skiing resources and must be utilized to give you an optimal and affordable experience on the slopes.
Skiing is Expensive
As winter approaches, skiers and riders decide whether to break the bank or hang up the skis. This is unfortunately not in the financial equation for many. According to POWDER Magazine, an adult lift ticket for one day in Utah can reach up to $300, which is only one item on the ski day receipt.
When accounting for the cost of necessary snowsport equipment, adult daily ski rentals can be as high as $60 a day at resorts. The totals add up, especially for families who must cover the costs of multiple lift tickets and equipment. When prices are as steep as black diamond trails, it closes the door for many. Luckily, a local company created initiatives to aid the community with these obstacles.
Cost-Effective Ski Rentals
Rooted in the Wasatch Front, Ski ‘N See makes strides in opening doors to the slopes by cutting costs on equipment. The company offers a season rental program, allowing customers to rent affordable gear for the entire winter.
CEO Roy Ostendorf said, “Over about 10 years, we’ve introduced what we call season rentals … you come in, you rent your skis, generally speaking, in the fall time: September, October, November. You pay one price for those skis and you keep them for the entire season. You know, we maintain that rental ski. We wax it, and will tune it for free while you hold it. You use it as many times as you’d like, and you bring it back at the end of the ski season, whether that is April, May or June if we’re lucky.”
To ensure that you have everything you need to go skiing, you may rent a helmet, ski jacket and pants for daily rates which creates ease as your one-stop shop. This is a great tool, especially for college students, and whether you are a Utah resident or a transplant, you belong in the mountains.
Purchase Skis on a Budget
When the time comes that you want to take the leap and purchase your own equipment, there are sustainable solutions offered at the shop. Throughout the ski season, take advantage of the demo rental initiative, where you try the gear before you buy. This lets you rent newly released skis and snowboards to see how it rides before you purchase your own pair.
You may purchase the product brand new during the season or wait until end of season when the demo gear is available at a discounted price. At this time, you can ask questions to ensure a curated purchase. This is a great opportunity to get used equipment that has been tuned, calibrated, quality assured and is the best fit for you.
Buying used over new is always a great sustainable option, but with extreme sports it is critical to have the gear assessed by professionals. Therefore, this initiative allows for the most accessible and user friendly way to purchase the newest gear in a sustainable way.
Shop Talk
Utilizing your local ski shop not only saves your wallet, but gives you the most information to ensure that you have an enjoyable ski day. You can skip out on a lot of frustrating rabbit holes of ski jargon by speaking face-to-face with local skiers. Conveniently, the best place to find skiers wanting to talk is at the shop.
“Well, I think the first thing is, come in and talk to us, communicate with us. Most of our employees are passionate skiers, and they’re very well trained, and we can give great advice on, you know, maybe the to-do’s or not-to-do’s, how gear should fit, how to stay warm,” Ostendorf said when asked about getting the most out of his ski shops. “You know, those are some of the basic principles that really allow someone to have a great day up on the mountain.”
It is valuable and also enjoyable to chat with ski shop employees about skiing. Ensuring you have the correct and affordable equipment is crucial when you are learning how to ski and ride. You may learn about a hidden gem at the resort or even tips on the best trails. You just have to ask.
What is most important, is to take advantage of resources around you to get into the great outdoors affordably. To know your local ski shop is to affordably ski in the greatest snow on earth. So, go outside and play this winter.
