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Your teenager’s equipment needs might change yearly. The last thing you want is to spend a hefty sum on ski gear only to find out it no longer works for them the following season.
The Trade-Off Between Quality and Cost
One drawback of renting is the variance in equipment quality between shops. Gear that’s seen heavy use season after season can affect performance or comfort. Many ski rental shops have premium options with cutting-edge equipment available for hire. During peak weeks, rental gear prices may increase.
Balancing Longevity with Teen Growth
When deciding whether to buy or rent, consider how much longer your teen will be skiing with their current size and skill level. Buying their own gear may be a wise choice if they’re nearing adult sizes or skiing a lot during the season. Otherwise, sticking to rentals ensures you’re not replacing expensive equipment year after year.
Ski Helmets
Smith Glide Junior Helmet (Pictured above, available at Ellis Brigham)
Buying a helmet ensures your teen has one they love to wear, that meets current safety certifications, and fits snugly and comfortably. Helmets aren’t outgrown as quickly as some other equipment, as they’re adjustable, meaning you’ll likely get a few years of use out of them.
Helmets must be in excellent condition to be most effective. However, the helmet’s history is not always known when renting.
Kids’ helmets cost between £50 and £100 to buy. You can pick up an adult’s helmet from Ellis Brigham for between £80 and £450. On the other hand, rental helmets cost around €5 per day. If the helmet still fits after ten to twenty days of skiing, it will pay for itself in rental shop savings.
Our verdict: Buy
Whilst rental helmets are commonly available, we recommend buying your own. They’ll last a few years, and you’ll know it’s history.
Goggles
Bloc Small Fit Mercury Matte White / Orange Red Revo Goggles (Pictured above, available at Ellis Brigham)
Good visibility is essential for skiing, especially for teens still perfecting their technique. Most rental shops do not rent goggles, as they can easily be scratched. This means that you’ll have to buy them.
The good news is that goggles don’t need replacing each season unless they get damaged. Buying goggles with interchangeable light and dark lenses is key as it will give you the best chance at seeing the terrain in front of you in all light conditions, not to mention best protect your eyes.
Goggles can be found for sale from £35 at Ellis Brigham.
If interchangeable lenses are out of budget, you should pick goggles with a category three lens, which should work well in most light conditions.
Our Verdict: Buy
You won’t find any goggles available to rent, plus you can also buy them for pretty cheap, and they’ll last a few years.
Base Layers and Outerwear
The North Face Snowquest Plus Kids’ Insulated Jacket (Pictured above, available at Ellis Brigham)
A comfortable skiing experience starts with warm and functional clothing. Base layers, jackets, and ski pants are critical to keeping your teen warm and mobile.
Base layers are relatively inexpensive and are great to use at home during the winter. It’ll be hard to find any to rent in the Alps.
Ski gear can make for great hand-me-downs, reducing the need to purchase new ski gear for smaller children every two years.
Look for well-waterproofed options. If you’re working with a more constrained budget, buying previously owned salopettes and jackets may be a good idea.
Our Verdict: Buy
You could borrow from family or friends, but you’ll struggle to find anything available to rent in the resort.
Ski Socks and Gloves
The North Face DryVent Kids’ Gloves (Pictured above, available at Ellis Brigham)
Buying socks and gloves designed for skiing is always a good idea. It’s easy to use regular long winter socks or cotton gloves, but buying the right type will make all the difference.
Look for socks that are long enough to go just below the knee and are thin. Thin socks are warmer as they allow for better blood flow and better control of the skis.
Good-quality gloves are also necessary. Cold hands and painful feet will quickly ruin their day.
Ski socks are expensive compared to typical sock prices. They will cost you around £20 per pair. The good news is that they’ll last long and stretch slightly as feet grow.
Gloves are available for as little as £10 per pair. Lower-quality pairs will still do the job if an effort is made to keep them dry and the weather is warmer. Cheaper gloves may not last as long as more expensive pairs or be as warm or waterproof. High-quality pairs are typically priced closer to £100.
Our Verdict: Buy
Thin socks and decently waterproof gloves make a massive difference in keeping warm.
Skis
Atomic Redster J4 Youth Skis + L6 GW Bindings (Pictured above, available at Ellis Brigham)
Buying skis for growing teens is rarely worth the investment unless they’re skiing several weeks a year and have stopped growing. Most skis are designed with someone’s rough weight and height in mind. Skis can also be expensive, with many pairs costing over £400. Plus, it’s one more piece of gear to lug around if you’re flying.
Renting skis also allows your teens to try different types of skis before deciding which type of ski they prefer. If you’ve got skis and want to bring them on the plane, you’ll have to pay for a large bag to check in.
The prices below reflect a one-way trip.
Easyjet: £42 /£50 (20 kg /32 kg allowance)
Ryan Air: £45 (20 kg allowance)
A 20-kilo allowance should be sufficient for two pairs of skis and poles. However, this depends on the size and type of the skis and how they’re packed.
If you’re renting skis, be prepared to pay anywhere from €12 to €40 per day.
Make sure to opt for the additional insurance. It’s only a few euros per day, and could save you hundreds of euros if they get stolen or damaged.
Most rental companies will give you a discount for booking in advance. We’re partnered with Skiset in France, Hervis in Austria and Ski Service in Switzerland. Booking through the New Generation website will get you exclusive discounts.
Our Verdict: Rent, but they will last a few seasons if you buy.
The additional cost and hassle of transporting skis by plane pushes towards recommending rentals. Rental shops will also have a good selection of skis. That said, skis aren’t as quickly outgrown as boots. Your teen’s skis will last a few seasons.
Ski Boots
Head Raptor WCR 70 Kids’ Ski Boots (Pictured above, available at Ellis Brigham)
Teenagers’ feet grow approximately one size every year. Ski boots must be fitted snug but not too small. If you’re purchasing boots that are too big with the intention for your child to grow into them, this can harm their skiing in the short term. If fitted correctly, they will likely only have one season before they become too small.
It makes sense for most people to rent boots. Unless they’re skiing most days of the season, you’ll be best off renting. It is also relatively affordable to rent boots, with most pairs costing between €5 and €10 per day. Expect to pay £150 to £300 to buy boots.
Once your teen’s feet have stopped growing, investing in some boots of their own will be an excellent idea. They’ll be able to get custom-moulded boots, which will help their on-ski performance and comfort. These boots will also last a long time.
Our Verdict: Rent, they’ll likely need a new pair each trip.
Constantly growing feet and boots that require a close fit aren’t a good combination.
Poles
Atomic Redster Jr Kids’ Ski Poles (Pictured above, available at Ellis Brigham)
If your teen has progressed past their first few lessons, they may be ready to start using their poles. If you’re unsure if they’re there yet, then check out our handy level guide.
Pole length is personal preference but roughly corresponds to the skier’s height. Are you unsure about the correct height of poles for you? We also have a ski pole length guide to help you make the best choice. Unfortunately, as height directly corresponds to pole length, your teen won’t be able to keep the same pair of poles from 13 to 17 unless you purchase extendable poles.
If you plan on buying them, poles are available from £30. The only drawback is that they’re cumbersome to transport.
Our Verdict: Rent, only buy if you’ve already committed to buying skis.
Children grow, but not all poles get longer. Poles are also very cheap or free to rent.
