Every parent who skis with their kids faces the same question every fall: do we rent again, or is it time to buy? The answer depends on your kid's age, how often you go, how fast they're growing, and whether you have younger siblings coming up behind them. Here's how to think through it.
The Real Cost of Renting
Rental pricing varies depending on where you rent and whether you go seasonal or daily. Here are the ranges you'll see in the Portland–Mt. Hood area:
- Daily resort rental:$30–$50 per day for a kids' ski or snowboard package (skis/board, boots, poles if skiing). This adds up fast if you ski more than a few days.
- Seasonal rental from a shop:$150–$250 for the season. You pick up the gear in November, return it in April. Much better value if you ski 5+ days.
- PTO seasonal rental: $179 for a full kids' package. Includes skis or snowboard, boots, and poles. Swap sizes mid-season if your kid grows — no extra charge.
The hidden cost of daily resort rental isn't just the price — it's the time. You're standing in a rental line for 20–40 minutes on a Saturday morning when you could be skiing. With a seasonal rental, the gear is in your car when you leave the house.
The Real Cost of Buying
New kids' gear isn't cheap, and it has a built-in expiration date called growth. Here's what a full setup runs:
- New kids' ski package(skis, bindings, boots, poles): $250–$500 depending on brand and age group.
- New kids' snowboard package(board, bindings, boots): $250–$450.
- Helmet:$60–$120. Non-negotiable — every kid needs one.
The catch: kids need new gear every 1–2 years. Sometimes sooner. A kid who grows three shoe sizes between ages 8 and 10 will need new boots each season. Skis and boards are tied to height and weight, so those rotate too. Buying means committing to a cycle of replacement.
The Breakeven Math
Let's run the numbers for a realistic scenario: a kid skiing from age 5 to age 10 (six seasons).
Scenario A: Rent Every Season
- Seasonal rental at $179/year × 6 years = $1,074
- Helmet (buy once, replace once as head grows): $60 + $80 = $140
- Total: approximately $1,214
Scenario B: Buy New Each Time
- Initial package: $350
- Replacement boots (3 times as feet grow): 3 × $120 = $360
- Replacement skis/bindings (2 times as height increases): 2 × $250 = $500
- Helmet (same as above): $140
- Total: approximately $1,350
- Minus resale value if you sell used gear: subtract $200–$400
- Net: $950–$1,150
The numbers are closer than most people expect. Buying can come out slightly ahead if you resell or have siblings to hand down to. Renting wins on convenience and eliminates the hassle of selling used gear. The real savings from buying show up when you have two or three kids who can share the same equipment as they grow into it.
Growth Factor by Age
How fast your kid grows is the biggest variable in this decision. Here's a practical breakdown:
Ages 4–7: Rent
This is the fastest growth phase. Kids in this range can grow 2–3 shoe sizes in a single year. They're also still figuring out whether they like skiing. Buying gear for a 5-year-old who might decide they prefer ice skating by February is an expensive gamble. Seasonal rental is the clear winner here.
Ages 8–10: Either Way
Growth slows down slightly. Kids who've stuck with skiing to age 8 are likely committed. If you ski 15+ days a year and have a younger sibling who will inherit the gear, buying starts to make sense. If you ski 5–10 days, renting is still the easier path.
Ages 11–14: Buying Makes Sense
Growth is more predictable. Kids at this age are developing real skills and preferences. They might want specific gear for park, racing, or all-mountain riding. A bought setup that fits properly will perform better than a rental package, and they'll often get 1–2 full seasons from each size. This is when owning gear starts to pay off both financially and in terms of progression.
Ages 15+: Adult Gear Territory
Most teens have reached or nearly reached their adult foot size. At this point, treat the purchase like buying adult gear — invest in properly fitted boots and equipment they can use for several seasons. Read our ski boot selection guide or snowboard boot fit guide for the full process.
When Buying Clearly Wins
- Age 11 or older— growth has slowed enough that gear lasts 1–2+ seasons.
- Younger siblings— hand-me-downs turn one purchase into two or three seasons of use across multiple kids.
- Committed family (15+ days per season)— the per-day cost of owned gear drops well below rental rates.
- Racing or program participation— race programs usually require owned equipment, and kids in programs benefit from consistency in their setup.
Safety: The Non-Negotiable Stuff
Bindings and DIN Settings
Kids' ski bindings use low DIN settings — typically 0.75 to 4.5 — calibrated for lighter weights and developing bones. These settings must be set by a certified binding technician. An incorrectly set binding can fail to release during a fall (risking injury) or release too easily (causing unexpected falls). This is not a DIY task. Every season, bring boots and skis to a shop for a binding check and DIN adjustment based on current height, weight, and ability.
Helmets
Helmets are mandatory for kids — most resorts require them, and there's no good argument against one. A helmet should fit snugly without pressure points. It should not wobble when you shake your head. Replace a helmet after any significant impact, even if there's no visible damage. And never buy a used helmet— you have no way to verify its impact history. For sizing help, check our helmet fit guide.
Boot Fit for Growing Feet
The temptation to buy boots a size or two up so they'll last longer is strong. Don't do it.Oversized boots cause heel lift, reduce control, and can lead to falls. A kid in boots that are too big is a kid who's fighting their equipment instead of learning from it.
Buy boots that fit snugly now. The liner will pack out slightly over the first week of use, creating a little extra room. That's the built-in growth accommodation — don't add more by going up a size.
With our seasonal rental program, we swap sizes mid-season at no extra charge. If your kid's feet grow in January, bring the boots back and we'll put them in the right size that day. This is one of the strongest arguments for renting during peak growth years — you never have to choose between fit and budget.
Buying Used Gear: What's OK and What Isn't
Skis and Poles: Usually Fine
Used kids' skis are a solid value buy. Check the bases for deep gouges and the edges for excessive rust or rounding. Minor base scratches are normal and can be waxed over. Poles are poles — as long as they're the right length and not bent, used is fine.
Boots: Only If Lightly Used
Boot liners mold to the previous owner's foot. A heavily used boot will have a packed-out liner shaped to someone else's foot, which means a worse fit for your kid. Lightly used boots (one season or less) are usually OK. Check that the shell isn't cracked, the buckles or laces work, and the soles aren't excessively worn.
Helmets: Never
Helmets are designed to absorb one significant impact. After that, the foam structure is compromised even if the exterior looks fine. There is no way to inspect a used helmet and know whether it has been impacted. Buy helmets new, every time.
Bindings: Always Get Them Checked
If you buy used skis with bindings, take them to a shop for a function test and DIN adjustment before your kid uses them. Bindings age out — most manufacturers maintain an “indemnified” list, and shops cannot adjust bindings that have been removed from that list. Older bindings may not be serviceable even if they look fine. For more on how bindings work, see our binding mounting guide.
Mt. Hood Specific Notes
If you're skiing Mt. Hood — Meadows, Timberline, Skibowl — here are a few local considerations:
- Meadows kids' programs:If your kid is in a lesson program, they ski every weekend. That's 16–20 days minimum. At that frequency, seasonal rental or buying both make sense. Daily rental does not.
- Resort rental lines: Weekend mornings at any Mt. Hood resort mean rental lines. Having your own gear (rented seasonally or owned) means you skip that line and get to the lift 30 minutes sooner.
- PNW wet conditions:Pacific Northwest snow is wet and heavy. Cheap used gear with dull edges and dried-out bases will struggle. Whether you rent or buy, make sure the gear is properly tuned — sharp edges and fresh wax make a real difference in the conditions kids face on Hood.
Decision Framework
Rent If:
- Your kid is under 8 and still growing fast
- You ski fewer than 10 days per season
- Your kid is trying skiing or snowboarding for the first time
- You don't want to deal with storing, maintaining, and reselling gear
- You want the flexibility to swap sizes mid-season
Buy If:
- Your kid is 11 or older with predictable growth
- You ski 15+ days per season
- You have younger siblings who will inherit the gear
- Your kid is in a race program or committed lesson series
- Your kid has specific preferences (park setup, racing, etc.)
Next Steps
If you're leaning toward renting, check out our seasonal rental packages or read more about ski rentals in the Portland area.
If you're ready to buy, our kids' gear guide covers what to look for in skis, boards, boots, and helmets. The size chart guidewill help you match your kid's height and weight to the right ski or board length.
Either way, don't skip the boots. Whether rented or bought, boots that fit properly are the difference between a kid who loves skiing and a kid who wants to go home at lunch. Read our snowboard boot fit guide or helmet fit guide for more on getting the details right.