Bulgaria Ski discussion board

Hi

We have been skiing for 6-7years on snow and in that time once a year most years with a couple being twice every time 6 days on the slopes.

We started as novices though as a child I had been on a dry slope for a while but that was primary school and for a few lessons and easily 20 years before hand so in essence total beginners.

I still consider us to be beginners - we have no desire to be piste gods in fact its more the fun aspect and we'd never be pushing or risking anything where if it goes wrong injury time.

We have our own boots and have had these from our second ski trip they are as new condition so will not be changing these.

However we don't have skis or posts. Now the Mrs doesn't want to buy any for herself but I am looking into it.
Every year we hire skis poles and then clearly buy the 6 day lift pass. The question is generally how many holidays does it take to pay off the purchase price of the skis? Also I'd consider these would be far superior to the well used hire ones and given the relatively light use they would get it might only need waxing every 3 years if that.

So thoughts please.

Also if someone from Bansko who knows the price for ski and poles hire cost who could post up - general rough price is all I'm after for 6 days


I have seen a nice adult set in Costco with bindings Head brand for £190 all in, I'd imagine 3 seasons or 18 ski days use and the hire costs equal the purchase price.


Lastly as we have a place in Bansko we wouldn't be carrying them back and forth in a plane so if we skied elsewhere for a season is hire there.

Hi Gareth, there are pros and cons to owning your own Skis, you are right to calculate the saving compared to renting annually, but you should also factor in ski carriage if you fly, this can be very expensive with some airlines and not with just a few, so it could be that you would need to have them for longer than you think to recoup the outlay. Also remember the cost of servicing and waxing, unless you can do this yourself.
However the advantage of owning your own is you can purchase a ski that is appropriate to both your current ability, and to a level to which you may wish to progress in the future. Also you have the advantage of knowing how your skis will feel from day one of your holiday, there are so many out there that the feel and turning ability can feel very different between one and another. On the other hand you will have the ability to use newer kit if you rent each year, unless the rental gear is dated of course.

Have seen the range of Wedze skis, they look ok but are nothing special, personally I purchase from the major retailers towards the end of season, I was able to get a set of Rossi Pursuit 16Tis for 60% saving, a £550 ski for £200, brand new and ready to ski, they were voted piste ski of the year for 2013 in Daily mail Ski and Snowboard Mag.

I have to admit I have had my own kit for many years and am now on my third set of skis, but I regularly drive to the alps and carry out my own servicing on the skis, waxing edging and repairs etc, therefore I see it as cost effective. However if I was taking my annual holiday as a package where competitive rental can be had as part of a package I may feel somewhat different.

Hope this gives you some info to help you make an informed decision.

Don.