Downhill skis (also known as alpine skis) are one of the most popular winter sports in the world. They are used for both sport and tourism in the winter, and can be used for all sorts of activities in the summer too. If you’re thinking about getting into the winter sport, this article is for you; it will explain everything you need to know about costs and value for money.
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Key Facts About Downhill Skiing
Downhill skiing is a competitive sport, with the winner of a race receiving twenty points (and a ski fanatic receiving one hundred points) and the winners of a tournament receiving fifty points. The field is small but highly selective; only the best snow racers in the world can compete in it. Each sport has its own specialty ski (e.g., one for steep descents, one for narrow trails, etc.).
How Much Does It Cost to Buy New Skis?
The cost of new skis varies by size and shape, but it’s typically between $500 and $700 per pair. That’s a bit more than a pair of competition racer skis, but not by much (e.g., one of the top-rated alpine ski salopettes on our site sells for $599.99 and comes with a free shipping offer).
How Much Do They Cost To Rent?
The cost of the rental of a set of skis varies by location and the type of ski rental (e.g., full or part of the day, multi-day, weekend pass, etc.), but it’s typically between $50 and $75 per weekend (plus local taxes).
How Do I Get Them Prepared For Skiing?
The cost of getting new skis ready for skiing is between $30 and $60 per pair, plus local taxes. That’s less than half of what you’d pay for a pair of ready-to-ski skis if you were to buy them new. The good news is that the preparation process is pretty much done for you (at least for the racing kind).
How Much Does It Cost To Repair Skis?
Repairs on skis vary by location and the type of repair (e.g., mending, stretching, cleaning, etc.), but it’s typically between $20 and $50 per pair, plus local taxes. So, in theory, it would cost you less to have your skis mended than to buy new ones.
The Final Cost Of Downhill Skiing
So, all in all, the total cost of downhill skiing is between $600 and $850 per pair, but that includes all expenses, from the initial cost of the skis to the cost of dressing in winter (warm suits, warm pants, warm jackets, ski boots, and fleece-lined jackets) to the cost of rental of ski equipment, food and drink, and travel (if needed).
Also keep in mind that this is a sport that you have to train for; it is not a wonderful idea to try and do it just once and forget about it. You’ll have to spend a lot of time at the trailhead before you can even think about completing a run, especially if you want to do it correctly.
If you are a full-time student, you can get a part-time job working for a ski rental company during the winter months. This will help you with funding your life during the off-season, while still being able to indulge your sport habits during the winter months. (You can also apply for a Student Railcard if you’re a full-time student and live in a rural area where the school season ends late. This railcard entitles you to discounted or free passes on the railways, so it’s a great deal for skiers and snowboarders).