It is no lie that skiing is one of the most pricey hobbies to have, but there are ways to do it “cheaply”. A full new ski set with boots, skis, and bindings will cost you around $2,000, while a used set of boots, skis, and bindings will cost you at least half, if not more than half, of that price. So, let’s say you want to buy a set of skis and boots, but those manufacturer prices are looking a bit too scary for you to bite the bullet. Well, it is your lucky day because post-season deals and used-gear sales are coming back.Â
As a disclaimer, before we dive into where and when these great sales are happening, I will say that your ski boot is THE most important piece of ski equipment you will buy. Making sure you have a properly fitting ski boot not only ensures your success on the slopes but also your safety. Used and rental gear boots do not have the same performance-driven fit as a new, fitted ski boot. A properly fitted ski boot allows for better turn initiation and power transfer to your skis, making you feel like a pro. So, if you are willing to splurge a little, I highly recommend making your first splurge a brand-new pair of ski boots. To be completely honest, your skis do not matter nearly as much as your boots do.Â
Buying used ski gear is also environmentally friendly, which doesn’t sound like that! New skis require a lot of wood, plastics, and metals to produce, so buying used gear or even trading in skis helps reduce mass production.Â
But as promised, here are a few places that will have post-season and used ski gear sales this summer and into early fall.Â
Powder7Â
If you live in Colorado, you have probably heard of the infamous Powder7. Powder7 is a ski gear shop that prides itself on offering affordable gear for EVERYONE. The company also has a ski trade-in and recycling program that offers an instant online trade-in estimate. The best part is this isn’t just for Coloradans; anyone in the U.S. can participate: they can ship their old skis to them, and they’ll ship your new ones to you. You don’t even have to worry about not having the proper shipping equipment, as they can send you a box and a full kit. Powder7 also offers multiple sales and deals throughout the year. One of their biggest sales is their annual Sweaty Yeti Labor Day Sale. This sale is huge with deals of up to 70% off. Other deals, such as pop-up parking lot sales, occur throughout the year. To make sure you don’t miss out on any of these awesome sales and deals, follow Powder7 on Instagram and keep up with announcements.Â
Other sales, deals, and tips for buying onlineÂ
Other sales are happening at major ski stores like Christy Sports, which also has a Powder Daze sale around Labor Day with deals of up to 60% off last season's equipment, and other brands like Patagonia. Some more specific special sales and deals include the Jackson Hole Ski and Snowboard swap in October. Then, of course, always check your local Facebook Marketplace feed, as late summer and early fall are popular times when people try to sell their ski equipment. Unless you know a lot about skis, I would recommend buying skis without bindings or at least making sure you can replace the bindings, as many bindings sold on Facebook Marketplace are unindemnified. An unindemnified binding is one that the manufacturer has marked as unsafe to use. This also means that no certified ski shop can work on them. A ski has up to 3 holes for bindings. So if the ski has only been drilled once, you should be good. Also, always make sure your binding and boots are compatible. A GripWalk boot HAS to be with a GripWalk binding (the boot sole should say whether it is GripWalk, and the binding should also tell you). A non-grip walk boot can have BOTH GripWalk and regular alpine bindings.Â
