GET THE RIGHT GEAR FOR THE MOST FUN
The top key to success as a skier or rider? Equipment. A correctly fit pair of boots and the right size (and waxed) skis or board may be even more vital for the newbie to the sport than the long-timer.
What’s the best way to get equipment when you’re starting out or rejoining the sport and how will that work this season?
Believe it or not, buying first isn’t always the best idea, and it isn’t about the risk of investment before you know if you love the sport (because you will love it).
Skis and boards (and boots too) are subjective. What feels good on you or turns well for you is often quite different than the next person, even if they look at lot like you. We’re all unique when it comes to skiing and riding, and equipment is diverse enough for us each to find what works for our unique style.
It’s a good idea for those new to skiing and riding to rent or lease, get a feel for the sport and then, when they can ride the lift and link turns together relatively well, demo skis or boards until they find the one that feels good on them.
So, for those without gear yet, renting and leasing are your options.
Renting at the resort or at a rental shop is still a viable option, but like most things, it will work a bit different this year, with even never-before skiers and riders reserving and sharing the details for their rentals ahead of time and online.
For the most part, resorts will require advanced reservations for rentals.
You’ll fill out forms online, eliminating the need to do paperwork (and cut down on face-to-face interaction) prior to your visit.
While each resort has its own vibe for this, they are pretty straightforward. Take your time before choosing and read all.
For instance, the Mount Sunapee (www.mountsunapee. com) resort’s online reservation system (which offers some great discounts, by the way) first asks you for your pick-up and drop-off dates, then lets you choose your pick-up location. You can pick up rentals after 3 p.m. on any day and not be charged for that day — nice for time management.
Once you’ve secured that, they explain the three types of skis available and what kind of skier they suit best. The “sports” level is for learners and mellow skiers, “performance” for intermediates and higher, and “demos” are highlevel new gear that you may be testing out to buy.
You can choose if you need all the gear (boots, skis or board, poles, helmet) or just some of it.
Once you’ve made those selections you’ll be asked for height, weight, shoe size (if getting boots) address and other information.
From that, your order is placed and reserved for you for social distanced pick-up.
It takes all of five minutes, an easy lift.
Some ski resorts are offering walk-up windows to pick up your gear, delivery to outside benches or a time set for you to visit the rental shop crowd-free. A rental pro will be sure your gear is properly fit to you before you head out for your fun.
Renting is a wise choice for first-timers, but if you think you want to ski or ride more often (and you will), leasing for the season is a great option.
Leasing for the season has long been a value win. Particularly for growing children, when you can lease sparkling new or like-new gear for the season for less than the price of renting for three days or so at most spots, you can see why it
works well.
This year, for all ages, add this: leasing will mean only one rental spot stop for the entire season, streamlining your ski/ ride day arrival and departure and also settling you into gear you get comfortable with.
At Buckles & Boards in Marshfield, Massachusetts (www.bbskis.com), leasing packages are hot every season, and are this season as well. Having been in business since the late 1970s, the shop (which also happens to have one of the widest selections of ski wear in all of New England, perhaps) is keyed in on how to build lease packages for each customer each season.
“There are so many options,” said shop owner Eileen Byrne. “We suggest people come in, get fitted, talk to us about how and where they ski and ride and then let us help them find the perfect gear for this season.”
Leasing prices are remarkably affordable both there and in most shops. At Buckles & Boards, adults get a full setup for $299, toddler and little kids just $99 and teens start at $149 and go up depending on shoe size.
Best of all? You turn it in at the end of the season and can choose to purchase for good or lease again with new gear the following season.
For growing kids, it’s long been a great value.
Byrne said her shop practices COVID-19 rules and fits you in a safe setting.
Other ski shops across the region offer packages as well. Whether you are new to the sport or just need gear, this is the season to plan ahead.