Saving Money for the 2011-2012 Ski Season

A first year student at Plymouth State University is looking to learn how to ski and walks into the local ski shop to buy her first pair of skis. The salesman walks over to her and quickly recognizes that she is a beginner and doesn't know much about the sport. He greets her and leads her straight to the latest models that are priced the highest in the store. With her lack of knowledge about ski equipment, she is easily persuaded by the salesman that those skis are perfect for her, all while cleaning out her bank account. Don't let this happen to you this winter.

The temperatures are getting lower, and the ski season will soon be upon us. With that comes the challenge of figuring out your equipment, and more importantly, how you are going to get it. Skiing and snowboarding, or any snow sport for that matter, can be pricy and harsh on your wallet, but there are many ways that you can find quality equipment at fair prices, rather than splurging on the season's latest duds.

Here at PSU, located in the heart of the White Mountains, skiing and snowboarding are popular activities that many of our students do in the wintertime. In towns like Plymouth, Campton, and Lincoln, are ski shops that have great discounts that a lot of students overlook. Some don't have any knowledge that they are there.

Mike Clark, an employee at Plymouth Ski and Sport (who is also a senior at PSU) recommends that beginners rent or demo skis before they purchase.

"Beginners will buy skis, and then a year later their skill level will outdo the quality and level that the ski has to offer. It's important that beginners rent or demo certain models to find out what they like so when they start to get better, they can purchase a product that will be well worth their money", Mike states. "Though, when you do want to purchase, spend the money necessary on a good pair of boots that will be comfortable and will last you a long time because you will generally have boots longer than you will have a pair of skis."

Plymouth Ski and Sport, located right downtown on Main Street, offers 10% discounts off any item with your student ID. They also currently have their annual orange tag deals where you can find equipment for up to 50% off.

Ski Fanatics in Campton, N.H. (Waterville Valley exit) currently has early season discounts from 20-50% off on jackets, pants, base layers, and ski accessories.

Rodgers Ski and Sport located in Lincoln, N.H. (exit 32, Loon Mtn. exit) also has early season discounts on last year's equipment.

Another way to save some big bucks is to find what are called Ski Swaps, where people will give local ski clubs used equipment to sell to the public. You may find some equipment for dirt cheap saving up to hundreds of dollars. Lots of students will overlook these opportunities solely based on the fact that they don't know they even exist or where to find them. Here are some of the ski swaps that are located close to Plymouth:

-Franconia Ski Club Ski Swap November 12th, 8am-1pm, Located at Lafayette Regional High School in Franconia, NH

Beginners Guide to Saving on Ski Equipment-Gunstock Ski Club Ski Swap November 6th, 9am-3pm, Located at Gunstock Ski Lodge in Guilford, N.H.

-Mount Sunapee Ski Swap November 20th, 9am-noon, Located in Spruce Lodge at Mount Sunapee

With all the different opportunities around the Plymouth area, it can be easy for students, or anyone for that matter, to find quality ski/board equipment that won't clean out your bank account.