Can you rent snow jackets for skiing/snowboarding?

Posted by bibou on Friday, December 28, 2012

Q. I am planning to visit my friend in Reno and want to try skiing/snowboarding. I am not sure I want to purchase a snow jacket if I will not use it often, so can they be rented? Thanks in advance.

A. Generally not at US resorts. People from the UK ask this all the time, so maybe it's something that is common outside the US.

In all honesty you can get by with a $50 jacket and $50 pair of snow pants if you are just learning...maybe even cheaper if you hit up Walmart or Kmart. Most 1st timers don't even bother with getting snow clothing. Track pants, fleece jackets, hoodies under windbreakers, bomber jackets, jeans, fatigue pants, Carhartt bibs, hunting clothes...you name it, I've seen it on the beginner slopes.

Another thing you could do is ask your friends if they have anything they can loan you. Anyone who skis often more than likely has a closet full of stuff just sitting around. (or maybe I'm just strange because I have four pairs of ski pants and half-a-dozen jackets suitable for winter sports?)

What are the rented equipments for Skiing?
Q. I am going to go to the Poconos soon and I am going to rent ski equipments. What do they usually provide so that I can go out and buy the other things they don't give out in the rent. And where can I buy the ski items that are not given to me for rent?

A. Don't spend too much especially if you don't plan on taking up skiing, you're just doing it for this winter because it sounds like fun but you don't think you'll go again next year.
Or if you do think you will take it up then:

First if you rent at a shop outside of the ski resort, (they have a lot in the poconos, stand alone ski shops that rent as well) It will be a lot cheaper to rent from them than to rent from a ski resort.
Also most ski resorts require you to bring the equipment back at the end of the day, where as at stand alone shops will let you rent them for 1 day, 3 days, a week etc. and you can bring them back to your house over night so you're ready to go the next morning.

The equipment that you will rent will be:
Ski's, Ski Boots, and optionally ski poles.
Poles aren't entirely neccesary, I never used them but once but they only cost an extra few dollars to rent.
(DONT drop them off the ski lift by accident! Once you do that unless you're right over a trail, they're gone for good and you'll have to pay the deposit on them)

As for things you need to provide while skiing:
Some sort of snow pants, please please please don't wear jeans everyone will laugh at you and also when you fall (which you will) you will find out just how much extra water weight you can carry that collects on the jeans.

I imagine you already have some sort of snow pants and water proof winter snow jacket that maybe you use while sledding back at home?
If not, try to borrow them from someone you know because they tend to be expensive.

Gloves! you will need water PROOF winter gloves. You should be able to find a pair at walmart or any store for less than $20, just make sure they are pretty water proof.

Socks, the longer and thicker/warmer...the better. Double up on them too, wear those socks when you go to rent your equipment so you can make sure the boot fits right. Ask an employee to help you with everything and that you've never ski'd before.

Other things you will need: Warm hat (not a baseball cap, a beanie type hat), Something to cover your face whether it be a balaclava or a scarf or you can easily get wind burn, goggles...goggles are really optional, but if it's snowing outside while you're skiing you won't be able to see anything! You'll be squinting the whole time plus all the white is extremely bright. So try to borrow some or buy a cheap pair at walmart.

That all you should need, just remember to dress in layers, just a winter coat isn't enough you should wear a hoody under that as well.
I also highly suggest you take a lesson, they're usually an hour and a half long. If you take it on a weekday it will be cheaper as well, but it will really make your trip funner if you learn to ski correctly.
Remember, if all else fails...pizza pie!
(You'll learn that in class)
Good luck.

How much do I need to invest to start skiing???
Q. I llive only 30 minutes from Mt. Hood and I want to learn how to ski, I only have gloves and that's it! I have Levis but don't want to get laughed off the hill. How much sould I expect to pay and where should I start?..Thank you

A. Well now is a good time to go shopping, because a lot of places will have end of season sales.
Skis and bindings: $300 and up
Boots:$100+ (make sure they feel good)
Snow Pants: $30+
Jacket: $50 for a cheap one, $100+ for a better one
Goggles: $20+ (important)

So you are looking at over $500 for gear at the least. You can easily spend twice that depending on the gear you choose. Then you also need to get the pass to the mountain.
Just start sopping around some ski shops and comparing prices.

Any Disadvantages for using a Ski suit as on outfit?
Q. Im looking to buy a ski suit since it would save be from buying jacket and a pants since i found one used for cheaper. Are there any disadvantages for using them?

A. Let's just say that growing up on a number of ski teams, we had a whole variety of names for people who wore the one pieces. None of them were nice.

Besides, a one piece will always be more limited in your mobility than a separate pant / jacket combo. I tried skiing bumps once in a one piece and gave myself the wedgie from hell.

What is a nice pair of ski pants?
Q. I'm looking for a nice pair of ski pants, but without going over my budget! $60 at MOST. I'm being cheap because my spyders ripped. Any good brands or ideas?

A. You could easily spend a few hundred dollars on good ski pants. If you want to keep it under $60, you should probably go with columbia. They usually offer pretty good quality for the price. I've been using columbia pants for a while cause i do a lot of tree skiing so I don't want to spend a lot of money on pants that are going to get shredded by the end of the season.




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