Choosing between renting, buying used, or buying new equipment can be confusing. It's often a good idea to start by renting equipment, especially if you're not sure if skiing holidays are for you. But when is it better to invest in your own equipment? And how much should you spend for it to make sense? We have developed a test that answers these questions and helps you get a clear overview of your options.
Procedure
To calculate whether it's best for you to rent, buy used, or buy new equipment, we need to consider your price range, how often you will replace your equipment, how many ski trips you take, and how often you service your skis.
Price Category
The cheaper the skis, the more they are often aimed at beginners. This is because more skilled skiers need stiffer and more expensive materials that can withstand greater stress. The price of your equipment therefore depends on your age, gender, level, and where you rent equipment. By answering three simple questions, we can give you a comparable price on what it will cost to rent, buy used, or buy new equipment.
Replacement of Ski Equipment
Ski equipment is generally very durable and can last for many years as it is made from strong, long-lasting materials. Although manufacturers release new models every year and claim improvements, noticeable progress typically occurs only every 5 years. We have three options so you can choose what suits your needs best:
Updating equipment every 2 years
Perfect for those who always want the latest, or for children and beginners who often need upgrades. After 2 years of use, the equipment can be expected to have a resale value of 40% of the purchase price.
Replacing equipment every 5 years
Suitable for those who don't need frequent upgrades but still want modern equipment. After 5 years of use, the equipment can be expected to have a resale value of 20% of the purchase price.
Replacing equipment every 10 years
This is for you who don't care much about the specifications of the equipment and use it until it can't be used anymore. If you take good care of your skis, they can easily last more than 10 years. However, the plastic on the boots can become soft and thus dangerous after many years of use. At this point, the equipment will have a resale value of 0%.
Number of Ski Holidays per Year
How often you go on a ski holiday greatly affects the rental price. If you only go every 2 years, it will often be most economical to rent equipment. But if you go on a ski holiday twice a year, it can quickly become expensive to rent equipment each time.
Servicing the Equipment
When you own ski equipment, it's important to have it serviced, whether it's new or used. Servicing involves sharpening the edges and applying wax to the base. It's optimal to have the skis serviced after each week of use, but it can also be done after 2-3 weeks of use. You can also choose to buy a service kit and do it yourself, especially if the whole family has skis, as it can become expensive to have it done in a shop. A service is estimated to cost about 250 kr.
Results
Let's say you have gone through all the questions now and have obtained these values:
Price Category:
Rental price per ski holiday: 2,000 kr.
Purchase of used equipment: 3,750 kr.
Purchase of new equipment: 11,000 kr.
Replacement of equipment: Every 5 years = 20% value back upon resale
Number of ski holidays over the next 5 years: 8 ski holidays
Servicing of equipment per ski holiday: Every time
To now calculate your key figures regarding how large your expense will be per year, and how long it takes for you to earn back the equipment compared to rental prices, it should be done as follows:
Annual Expenses:
Rental = Ski holidays per year * Rental price per ski holiday = ( 8 / 5 ) * 2000 = 3,200 kr.
Used = ( Purchase of used equipment + Service price - Resale price ) / Number of years in use = ( 3,750 + 8 * 250 - 3,750 * 0.2 ) / 5 = 1,000 kr.
New = ( Purchase of new equipment + Service price - Resale price ) / Number of years in use = ( 11,000 + 8 * 250 - 11,000 * 0.2 ) / 5 = 2,160 kr.
Years before the equipment pays for itself compared to rental price*
Used = Purchase of used equipment / Annual rental price = 3750 / 3200 = 1.17 years
New = Purchase of new equipment / Annual rental price = 11,000 / 3200 = 3.43 years
*The figures for the payback period do not include service costs and resale value.
Your annual expense gives you an overview of what you can expect the equipment to cost you per year. But the most interesting figure is the payback period, as this key figure can tell you whether it's best for you to buy or rent.
Significance of the Results
You will always be able to see from the annual expense calculation whether you would like to spend 3,200 kr. on rental, 1,000 kr. on used equipment, or 2,160 kr. on new equipment per year. This is up to you depending on what you want and how much you are willing to spend. Where it becomes interesting is with the payback period, as this can tell you whether you should buy used, new, or rent equipment. Use the following guideline to understand your results:
Guide to Buy or Rent (years before payback)
0 to 2 years: Very advantageous to buy
3 to 4 years: Buying can be worthwhile, depending on your setup
5+ years: Better to rent - purchased equipment becomes outdated before it pays for itself
If your equipment can pay for itself in less than 2 years, it is a clear advantage to buy. It doesn't take many ski holidays before it pays to have your own equipment, and you don't have to worry about how often you go.
When the period extends to 3-4 years, there may be more uncertainty about the number of ski holidays, and the decision to buy or rent becomes more complex. Additional costs such as flight fees for skis should also be considered. If you prefer to avoid rental shops, buying may be the right choice.
With a period of over 5 years, renting is often the best solution, as the equipment can become outdated before it has paid for itself. Although buying is cheapest in the long run, modern equipment can provide more joy on the slopes than older, inherited equipment.
Rent vs. Buy & Used vs. New
If we disregard the numbers and focus on the practical reasons for renting or buying equipment, we can get a more holistic perspective. Although the numbers may indicate that used equipment is best for you, there may be other factors at play.
Rent or Buy
Reasons to rent equipment:
- Uncertain about future ski holidays.
- Want the easiest solution.
- Unaware that buying can be cheaper.
- Have own ski boots but rent skis.
- Want to try new equipment often.
- Always want the latest equipment.
Reasons to buy equipment:
- Planning several ski holidays in the coming years.
- Have space for storage and transport of equipment.
- Prefer to ski on own familiar equipment.
- Cheapest in the long run.
Used or New Equipment
Reasons to buy used equipment:
- Cheaper than new equipment.
- Aware that new equipment quickly shows signs of use.
- Willing to compromise on quality.
Reasons to buy new equipment:
- Seeking the uncompromising.
- Love being the first to unpack something new.
- Unconcerned about the budget.
What Should I Choose?
The calculations can hopefully give you a clear picture of what it really costs to rent, buy used, or buy new equipment. This overview should help you make an informed decision. There are no right or wrong choices – it depends on how much you are willing to spend and how much you are prepared to compromise on the quality of the equipment.
