Kids grow fast, and ski gear doesn’t stretch. If your child is headed to the slopes this winter, you have three realistic ways to gear them up: buy new, buy used, or rent for the season. Here is how each one works out for a Utah family.
Buying new
A full setup of new kids’ gear (skis or a snowboard, boots and bindings) runs about $350 to $800. Younger kids and beginners sit at the low end; older kids and more advanced equipment cost more.
Buying new makes sense if you know your child will ski or ride a lot and you can pass the gear to a younger sibling. The catch is that kids are not a safe bet. A beginner who loves it can outgrow boots and skis in a season or two, and one who isn’t sure about skiing leaves you with gear you paid full price for.
Buying used
Used gear on KSL or Facebook Marketplace can be a bargain, but it works best if you know equipment well. Kids’ sizes and styles change quickly, so it is easy to end up with the wrong boot size or skis that are too advanced.
There are extra costs too. Plan on roughly $75 to $150 to tune the gear and have the bindings adjusted and tested, and some older bindings can’t be adjusted at all because the manufacturer no longer stands behind them. We cover the full list of pitfalls in our guide to buying used skis and snowboards.
Season rentals
A season rental gives your child fitted, tuned equipment for the whole winter at a fraction of the cost of buying. At Canyon Sports, kids’ season rentals start at $95:
- Skis: $95 for the basic package, $125 for performance and $175 for demo level. Every ski package includes skis, boots and poles.
- Snowboards: $95, including the board, boots and bindings.
We fit by size, not age, so a tall seven-year-old gets the right equipment. Wax and edge sharpening throughout the season are included at no additional charge, and if your child outgrows their gear, we gladly swap sizes. If you rent in the fall, we suggest checking boot fit around Thanksgiving or early December and coming back in right away if a switch is needed, because the selection is best early in the season.
A damage waiver is available for $20 and helmets rent for $30. You bring the equipment back in the spring, with no gear to store or sell.
How the three options compare
| Typical cost | If they outgrow it | Extras to budget | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buy new | About $350–800 | You keep it, and resell or pass it on | Tuning over time |
| Buy used | Varies | You are stuck with it, same as new | $75–150 for a tune and binding check; some bindings can’t be serviced |
| Season rental | $95–175 | Free size swaps | Optional $20 damage waiver; $30 helmet |
How many days until renting pays off?
A daily kids’ ski package at Canyon Sports is $24 a day, so the $95 basic season rental pays for itself after about four days on the snow. If your child will ski more than that, a season rental is the cheaper way to go. If you aren’t sure they will like it, try a couple of days first.
When to get fitted
Season rentals start on September 5, 2026 and run all fall while supplies last. Come in early for the best selection. Season rentals are for Utah residents, and there is no appointment needed: just walk in to get fitted and take the gear home the same day.
Common questions
What if my child’s boots get too small? We will swap sizes. It doesn’t happen often when boots are fitted in the fall, but kids do shoot up, so check fit early in the season.
Can my child try different skis during the season? Season rentals aren’t designed for frequent swapping, but if something isn’t working, come in and we will swap what we can.
Are there kids’ snowboard season rentals? Yes, one package at $95 with the board, boots and bindings.
Ready to get your kids set up? Learn more about season rentals for kids and adults or stop by the shop.