When is the best time to buy ski equipment?

Question

I want to buy new ski stuff, I just wanted to know what time of year is best to get the most bang for your buck, thanks!

Answer 1

Best time?  If price is the sole criterion, near the end of the season, or after.  The available range may be restricted.

To get the best ski or board for you - at a resort where you can demo before you buy.  You may think there is not much difference between various brands and models, but there is.

Or you can demo, and look for the ski you like in the end of season sales.

Answer 2

Probably after ski places shut down stuff might go an sale. Its kind of like buying Christmas decorations in January.

Answer 3

Usually just after the season ends and places are looking to dump all their previous year's gear to make room for the new stuff.

Umbrellas are more expensive in a rain storm than when it's sunny. Ski gear is cheapest off-season.

Answer 4

Check to see if there are any ski swaps going on around your area.  Sometimes people are selling new ski stuff.  I bought my skis new at a ski swap last year for a pretty cheap price.

Answer 5

End of the season. Some places start marking stuff down right after Christmas...especially if they are a multi-sport retailer. Eastern Mountain Sports will usually start slashing ski and snowboard prices by mid-January to make way for new backpacks, tents, spring sports, etc. REI might do the same. So will ski shops that carry canoes and kayaks...sometimes.

Specialty ski shops might hold out until after President's Day. But shops in ski towns usually have sales those weekends in order to entice the tourists to drop mad cash.

Me personally, I wait until post-season...then I start to dicker with the shop owners. If I see a set of skis I like and they're $300...I'll offer $200. He'll say no. I'll go in the next day and offer $150...he'll say, "you were gonna pay $200 the day before."..I'd say, "you want me to come back tomorrow?" I usually then leave with a new set of planks for $150.

Pre-season Ski Swaps are also good places to pick up a killer deal. Sure, there is a lot of used stuff, but the better swaps have new stuff too...sometime a season or two old..but let's be honest...some companies only change their graphics from year-to-year unless there is a major overhaul in their stuff.

In November 2004 I bought an unused pair of K2 skis for $250 at a swap. Bindings for $130 at a local shop, and picked up a pair of boots...used like twice...on eBay for $75.

Answer 6

either right after the ski season has ended or right when the new stuff comes out last years is on sale