It seems funny to be blogging aboout kid's skis now but, honestly, it doesn't even really feel like the season has started.
Perhaps, ski lovers still have a lot to look forward to...early forecasts are showing that the cold could return in the middle of next week...making February vacation the perfect time to hit the slopes with the family.
I love to ski with my boys. Our trips, near or far, have become real adventures for us, as we giddily glide down the hills and share some quiet conversation during the chair lift rides to the top of the green trails.
Last year, we took the plunge and bought Sam and Ben used skis. We got a pretty good deal...it was about $100 apiece, boots included, and we will get some sort of rebate when/if we trade them in for a bigger pair. With the rate that kids grow, we weren't sure how long they would last...but, surprisingly, they still fit this year. So, all in all, I'm pretty pleased with our decision.
But, Eric Barber of Alpine Haus in Wethersfield thinks a season rental is a "no brainer". He believes it is the way to go. "The biggest thing is convenience," he says. "You don't have to store anything during the off season." Also, who wants to spend the first part of an expensive ski vacation sitting in a rental shop? "You always have to put time into it. When you go to an area and rent, it eats up valuable time," says Barber.
It's not too late to invest in a season rental of new skis for your child which costs $159.99 until the end of "your season", usually around April 30th. Just return them and get a bigger pair the next year...no fuss, no muss.
For future reference, you can embark on a season rental of used skis for much less money -- $99.00 per season -- but you have to make this decision very early in the season. The "used" invesntory usually runs out around "Black Friday" at the end of November.
How do you supply your son or daughter with sports equipment when they grow so fast? Do you buy or rent?
