It’s no secret skiing and snowboarding are expensive sports. But if you live here in Utah, these sports are a way of life. The towering peaks of the Wasatch, painted white more than half the year, are visible from everywhere. People come from all over the country and world to experience our unparalleled slopes. You’ve got to participate, but the price tag on that shiny new equipment is just too much to swallow.
It can be tempting to search for cheaper gear on KSL.com or Facebook Marketplace. Sometimes you can score great deals, however it is best for folks who are knowledgeable about equipment, can assess its condition, and know their size and style preference. Unfortunately, for anyone who isn’t a gear junkie, buying used gear from other individuals is full of pitfalls. Here are some things to consider if you’re thinking about this route:
Size: If you aren’t sure of your size you might not enjoy your ski experience and it will take longer for your skills to progress. Boot sizing in particular can be tricky for inexperienced skiers. Ski boots aren’t known for comfort and many people want to size up for comfort. But is that a good move and how big is too big? It is even trickier with kids, who can outgrow boots and skis quickly.
Style: There are a variety of styles of skis and snowboards with different shapes and characteristics. It is important you know which style is best for you and your abilities.
Condition: Can you tell what is cosmetic vs. damage that matters? Usually nicks, scratches and scrapes on the top sheet are just cosmetic, as long as everything is still sealed and water can’t creep in. Most scrapes and gouges on the base are repairable, as long as they didn’t go into the core. You should pass on equipment that has any cracks or signs of delamination. Look at the edges of the skis from different angles, including down their length. Compressed edges can sometimes be hard to spot and they are usually tough or not worth repairing.
Boot/binding compatibility: This is mostly a ski issue, but there are a handful of different boot standards out there and they don’t all work together. GripWalk, for example, is a more recent standard that won’t work with a lot of bindings floating around on the used market. Unless you’re well versed in ski bindings, you might not know whether your boots and bindings are compatible. An example on the snowboard side is step-on style bindings, which have been gaining popularity. Most snowboard boots out there are not compatible with these bindings.
Binding indemnification: This is a big pitfall that even some seasoned skiers aren’t aware of. Ski shops can only work on bindings that are on their manufacturer’s indemnified list. This list includes current models and some older models that manufacturers still stand behind for liability purposes. Once a binding falls off this list, no reputable shop will adjust or test it. We get a number of people each year who buy or get handed down some older equipment. They come in asking us to adjust the bindings for them, but we can’t because the bindings aren’t indemnified. At that point, they are unfortunately on their own or out the money they spent.
Hidden costs: Speaking of binding adjustments, qualified shops will typically charge $50+ to adjust and test bindings (highly recommended if you purchase your own skis). When you buy used skis and snowboards they usually aren’t tuned and ready to go. Often there is some base work needed or at least an edge sharpening and wax. Tuning services can often range from $25-$75 or more depending on what you need. Between the tune and binding adjustment, you should plan on spending an extra $75-150 to get your “good deal” ready for the slopes.
Hassle: If you don’t have all kinds of spare time to monitor the online listings, the process can be tedious. You have to wait until something in your size, style, and desired condition becomes available. Just because someone is selling a snowboard that is right for you, doesn’t mean the boots they are also selling are your size. You might have to do multiple transactions.
Alternative options
Luckily there are some good alternatives that might not be as cheap as scoring that diamond-in-the-rough deal on Facebook Marketplace, but are still quite a bit cheaper than buying new.
Season rentals: At Canyon Sports we offer great deals on skis and snowboard equipment that you can rent for the whole season. Kids’ packages start at $95 and adult packages at $145. We help you select equipment that is suited for you, size you up properly, and send you on your way with professionally tuned equipment ready for the slopes. If you are having trouble with anything during the season, we help get it straightened out or swapped out, and even include free edge and wax tunes throughout the season. With this option, you are also able to choose different equipment each year as your skills and preferences evolve over time. We have great options for a wide variety of skiers and riders, including demo level equipment. Season rentals are a great and affordable option for many, not just beginners and intermediates, and they are available to Utah residents. Learn more about season ski and snowboard rentals, or read our guide to renting vs. buying kids’ ski gear.
Purchase used from a shop: Some shops sell used or consignment gear. This won’t be as cheap as what you might get on an online marketplace, but you eliminate many of the pitfalls as you will have a qualified sales associate help you through the process.