Should I buy or hire a Snowboard on holiday? That is the question. Given the cost and hassle of taking a Snowboard on holiday, combined with the initial costs of buying one versus hiring one every year, here’s our take.
Personally, I’ve always been torn between buying a snowboard and hiring one. I was typically a relatively late starter to Snowboarding, having had my first lesson at 20 and now just turning 31 during my 20’s the cost of one was far more than I could afford, thinking that Snowboards start at around £350.
But, there are many pros and cons of deciding if you should buy or hire a snowboard on holiday. Several considerations must be taken into account and if buying a Snowboard is worth it. They are:
- Do you enjoy Snowboarding?
- The upfront cost of buying a Snowboard
- The ongoing costs of buying a Snowboard
- The cost of hiring a Snowboard in Europe
- Skill level
1. Do you enjoy Snowboarding?
This is a really simple question in fact. Do you enjoy snowboarding enough to warrant buying a Snowboard? Will you keep going on holidays to the Alps, or having lessons in Snowdomes to keep up your ability.
If you can already Snowboard and enjoy Snowboarding then I’m sure you will keep on Snowboarding. So the question may not be entirely relevant for you.
However, if you’re learning and just come back from your first holiday. This is definitely a question worth considering.
The cost of winter holidays are increasing so this factor will definitely come into play. Particularly when there are many options where you can spend your hard earned cash.
2. The upfront cost of buying a Snowboard
Naturally, if you’re considering buying a Snowboard then you have to accept there will be an upfront cost to buying the board.
Snowboards can range in price from £250, all the way up to near £1,000. Not cheap by any stretch of the imagination.
But, end of season Snowboard sales around April time and beyond mean you can pay a lot less than the RRP. Grabbing yourself a snowboard bargain. Or, if you’re just starting out Decathlon has some great value Snowboards if you’re dipping your toes in the water, check out their full Snowboard range here.
Now don’t forget the other costs that are associated with buying a Snowboard. No, no, no, we don’t stop at the board.
You will need buy Snowboard bindings, which aren’t cheap. Bindings can set you back around £200. Again, not cheap.
You may also want to buy Snowboard boots. Similarly, these aren’t cheap either and can set you back around £200. Similarly to Snowboards, Decathlon have some great value boots, which you can view here.
Don’t forget a Snowboard bag too, that’s another few hundred pound.
So this, £400 snowboard is now looking a lot more expensive.
This cost needs to be compared to the cost of hiring when deciding should I buy or hire a Snowboard on holiday. Snowboard hiring costs are below within point 4.
3. The ongoing costs of buying a Snowboard
Owning a snowboard means taking responsibility for its maintenance and storage.
This includes waxing, edge tuning, and ensuring proper storage during the offseason. If you are not willing to invest time and effort into maintaining your equipment, renting can be a hassle-free alternative.
Equipment for waxing isn’t monumental and you can’t definitely do this yourself.
- Ski / Snowboard waxing iron: £50
- Wax: £20
- Wax removed: £10
- Brush: £25
One final cost to consider is that if you are going on holiday you will need to pay for snowboard carriage. Airlines typically charge extra for this, around £50 each way. Unless you’re flying with Swiss Air, who happen to have free carriage.
4. The cost of hiring a Snowboard in Europe
There are plenty of ski and snowboard hire shops in Europe. Including SkiSet, Intersport, Sport 2000 and more.
Lets assume you are going on holiday for 7 days and will need your equipment for 6 days of snowboarding.
- The snowboard rental for 6 days: £70-£100
- The helmet for 6 days: Free
- Snowboard boots for 6 days: £40-£60
Total cost approximately £110 – £160
5. Skill Level
This point is similar, but different to that of do you like Snowboarding? Here, we’re focusing on assuming you can snowboard to some extent.
Are you happy enough Snowboarding once a year with some friends? Then it may not be worth buying a snowboard.
Or, you may be intent on getting better and using every opportunity to do so. Even if you only manage to focus on Snowboarding for a few weeks of the year. then it may be worth buying a Snowboard over renting a Snowboard.
Rental shops often have a range of snowboards suitable for different skill levels, allowing you to experiment and find the right fit. Once you gain more experience and have a better understanding of your preferences, you can consider buying a snowboard that matches your riding style.
So the question remains, should I buy or hire a Snowboard on holiday?
As you may have guessed, this comes down to your preference. Whatever you think is best for your own circumstances. Ultimately, the decision depends on various factors including budget, and commitment to the sport. Assess your needs, consider the factors mentioned above, and make a choice that aligns with your situation.
One final top tip is to think about buying the different elements in stages. Why not first buy a Snowboard helmet – which can be used for other sports too, cycling and climbing for example. Next up, consider buying Snowboarding goggles. Then, you may want to move onto Snowboard boots – wearing Snowboard boots having been worn by someone else isn’t fun. Lastly, then you may want to consider buying the Snowboard and bindings together. By this point you probably know whether you enjoy Snowboarding and will continue doing the sport for years to come – so best to save the largest expense until last.