Buy vs. Lease for Kids Skis

[HD333]

Looking for some opinions on buy vs. lease

For the past 3 seasons we bought skis/boots for our twins, I was hoping to get 2 years out of last years gear but I don't think that is going to happen due to the fact that they are growing like weeds.

Anyone lease gear for their kids? If so any suggestions, in NH or MA of where to go to get good stuff? Looking at girls twin tips.

 

[hammer]

Looking for some opinions on buy vs. lease

For the past 3 seasons we bought skis/boots for our twins, I was hoping to get 2 years out of last years gear but I don't think that is going to happen due to the fact that they are growing like weeds.

Anyone lease gear for their kids? If so any suggestions, in NH or MA of where to go to get good stuff? Looking at girls twin tips.

I think Zimmerman's in Nashua NH has some decent lease deals but I don't remember if they offered twin tips. One other option is getting kids/junior skis on a buy-back program like they offer at Ken Jones of Nashua. Costs more up front but you get 50% back when you trade the skis.

That said, I'd still suggest looking at ski swaps as well since you should be able to get decent used stuff for about the same price as an annual lease.

 

[WWF-VT]

You'll likely get a lot of opinions on what is most cost effective. I have been leasing gear for the past 5 years for my son rather than buying. I don't have to worry about outgrowing boots in the middle of the season and have been able to outfit him with skis, boots and bindings that are "high performance" without high out of pocket costs. You will want to get the right gear for your kids skill level.

Do you go to the same mountain all the time ? If that's the case I would recommend getting gear at a ski shop at your home mountain. My other suggestion is to lease early for the best selection.

 

[SKIQUATTRO]

i have a 8yr and 5yr old....been sking since 2.5/3yrs old....we found it cheaper to rent the boots for the season and buy the skis. Our first got started skiing, she got 2 years out of them and then they were perfect for the next one....so every 2 years we buy new skis for the older one and pass them down to the next one...so we get 4 seasons out of a ski...hopefully they'll grow at the same rate and we can keep doing the pass me down thing.....

 

[andyaxa]

Have you checked out http://www.levelninesports.com/ ? Might be as cheap as leasing if they have what you need.

 

[HD333]

Have you checked out http://www.levelninesports.com/ ? Might be as cheap as leasing if they have what you need.

Big fan of Level Nine, got their first set there. Found some decent skis for them in the REI outlet section over the weekend and pulled the trigger, hoping that last years boots still fit(we bought them a little big).

I love the fact that we bought our kids skis in July

 

[tree_skier]

I bought the lease returns for my kids, cost less then the season lease of new gear and if you get there early enough you get your pick. I always found stuff that look like it wasn't even used.

 

[Angus]

I've never leased but considered seriously on several occasions - decided that it works for the novice-intermediate, younger skier with no siblings. If you have multiple kids who will utilize the package, buying is going to make sense IMO. Also, if you can - buy cheap prior model year skis, the cost argument is somewhat reduced. I always had my kids ski boots modified to get extra seasons too.

 

[2knees]

I went back and forth on it last year and ended up buying. The younger will get the older ones hand me downs and i'll sell the younger ones stuff after she out grows it. Used kids equiptment, if it isnt trashed, will still get you a few bucks when you want to unload it.

 

[mikestaple]

I went back and forth on it last year and ended up buying. The younger will get the older ones hand me downs and i'll sell the younger ones stuff after she out grows it. Used kids equiptment, if it isnt trashed, will still get you a few bucks when you want to unload it.

This is what we do too - once they are out of the little kid boots. Pre-real ski boots, we just leased.

 

[frozencorn]

I considered leasing boots at least this year for my 3-year-old getting out for the first time, but now that we have a newborn, I'll probably just buy everything and hope he can fit into them down the road depending on what point we are into the season.