🎿💸 Rent vs buy: which is better for beginners?
If you're just starting out in downhill skiing, one of the exciting tasks ahead is choosing whether to invest in high-quality equipment right away or to rent it at the resort. Norway is the perfect place to make this decision! It offers excellent rental conditions, regular discounts on purchases and lots of tips from experienced skiers.
We've scoured the reviews on TripAdvisor and Reddit, compared prices, and gathered real advice to help you understand what is best for you.
🏷️ How much does it cost to rent equipment in Norway?
Renting equipment is a fantastic option for those who are just dipping their toes into the world of skiing and are not quite ready to splash out on a purchase.
Average rental prices (for the resorts of Geilo, Hemsedal, Trysil and Hafjell):
📦 Type of Equipment Rentals (per day)
| Type of Equipment | Cost per Day (NOK) |
|---|---|
| Ski set + boots | 250–400 |
| Snowboard + boots | 300–450 |
| Helmet | 50–100 |
| Ski clothing | 150–250 |
💳 How much does it cost to buy equipment?
Buying your own equipment is definitely something to consider if you're planning to ski regularly or are set on taking the plunge and trying mountain skiing!
| Type of Equipment | Average Price (NOK) |
|---|---|
| Skis (beginner/intermediate) | 3 000–6 000 |
| Ski boots | 2 000–4 000 |
| Snowboard | 2 500–5 500 |
| Helmet | 500–1 500 |
| Ski clothing (jacket + trousers) | 2 000–5 000 |
📊 When is renting better than buying?
👍 Renting is better if:
● You are trying skiing or snowboarding for the first time.
● You plan to ski or snowboard less than 1–2 weeks a year.
● You want to try different models of skis or snowboards.
● You are not ready to spend a significant amount of money (from 10,000 NOK) right away.
📌 Review from Reddit:
"I rented equipment for the first two years. This helped me figure out what works for me and saved me a lot of money."
📊 When should you consider buying?
👍 Buying is a good idea if:
● You plan to ski more than 2–3 weeks a year.
● You already know what type of skis or snowboard suits you.
● You want to have equipment that is perfectly suited to you.
● You are planning for the long term (more than 3–5 years).
🎯 Life hack:
The second-hand market (Finn.no, Facebook Marketplace) is a great alternative that can save you 50–70%.
📌 Tip from Reddit:
"I bought almost new gear on Finn.no for half the price. It's perfect for beginners."
📌 Seasonal sale life hacks: where and when to buy?
📅 When:
● Spring sale (April–June): discounts of up to 50% on last year's collections.
● Autumn sale (September–October): discounts of up to 30–40%.
🛍️ Where to look:
● XXL (sports store chain)
● Anton Sport
● Intersport
● G-Sport
● Online stores: Outnorth.no, Fjellsport.no
🎯 Tip
Subscribe to the stores' newsletters so you don't miss out on big sales and special discounts.
🔍 What to consider when choosing between renting and buying?
● Frequency of use: The more often you will use it, the more cost-effective it is to buy.
● Financial capabilities: Compare the cost of renting for the entire period with the cost of purchasing and the possibility of resale.
● Convenience of travel: If you travel a lot, renting will save you the hassle of transporting your equipment.
🎒 Beginner's checklist: renting vs buying
● Count the number of days you will ride per season.
● Compare the costs of renting and buying (taking into account sales)
● Consider how easy it is to transport and store your equipment.
● Try out different models of skis or snowboards before buying.
● Consider buying used equipment as a budget option.
The best solution for most beginners is to get started by renting! This will help you figure out what you like, avoid unnecessary expenses, and get the best deals on equipment! For example, you can find incredible deals during seasonal sales or on the second-hand market.
💬 Share your experience!
Have you already decided whether to rent or buy? What tips helped you make your decision? We would absolutely love to hear from you, so please share your life hacks and links to useful resources!
We can't wait to share the most useful tips from our readers with you in the next articles in our Norway catalogue!
