It's time, I've finally decided to purchase some Ski equipment (Just the boots for now).
I ski about 3-4 times a year, so I've been renting to now to save cash.
But I want to get my own boots.
SO -- Is there a better time to buy the ski equipment
I want to keep my costs down.
I can continue to rent -- but I'm really motivated to getting some boots.
My skill level: I'm only skiing 3-4 times a year, so let's say I'm intermediate
My ski location preference: don't have one, I'm testing out a new place each time I've ski'd
My budget: Not sure I can answer that, I'd like to be frugal here but if the fit is right I'm happy to get the better stuff.
Model year: I don't really care if my stuff is 2021 or 2020 or 2019 or.....
Used gear: probably not, I just don't want to spend all the time required to finding the right boot, in the right size, for the right price, in the right condition. So I'm going to stick with NEW for now.
Sales are normally now, at the end of the season. But is it the best time to buy? No. Because you have less choice, so if you have slightly tricky feet you might not be able to get the best boot for you - also you actually want to get up on the mountain and try them out and iron out any problems, not have them sit in a cupboard for the next 6 months.
Best time to buy, beginning of your first ski trip of the season, where you are skiing so you can go back to the boot fitter for alterations. Is that the cheapest option? Obviously not!
Next year - Feb/March I'd say. Or this October, they might have some older models to get rid off.
Maybe ZH has different timing, though.
I saved money on skis and poles, got good ones lightly used because there are a lot of expat enthusiasts here who buy all new and ski a bit and then sell and leave. There were important things I wanted to get new, though, a helmet, a spine shield and a pair of well fitted boots.
OP - you drop your questions and requirements here and people get mostly no thank yous.. Members take time to help you with your missions, do let us know how you get on and if the advice was of any use. It may help other people
I got mine at the beginning of the season in Ski Rental Zürich. They spend time finding the right boots for you (I have shin pains) and then I rented for the season with option to buy.
This gave me possibility to try for extended time, also when you ski consecutive days etc. I could have also changed the model throughout the season.
It was not cheap but I will keep the boots for the next 10+ year just like my last pair.
Personally I try to buy all the clothes on sale and I found August/Sept to be the best time as online retailers try to get rid of last year stock.
With boots I would not save too much as a good pair is vital and will last a long time.
OH is a professional (ex-instructor, avalanche rescue). He advises going to a ski resort and find an experienced boot store/technician to fit you. Boots are indeed an investment when built to last (pun intended).
I've found bargains during most of the year. Got a great pair of last year's skis for half price most recently. (And not from an expensive shop). Boots - you can get lucky, but I really want ones that are comfortable and will last, so if I have to pay full price, then so be it.
Tangential to the question of where and when to buy I have found that in a large proportion of cases where people have boot problems, and particularly so if they're rubbing the shins and/or bruising the calf muscles, an even better investment is to take a couple of private lessons, where we can teach you better techniques that will help avoid this, as well as becoming much more efficient in your skiing.
Not _always_, of course, but I have some considerable experience of folks who've struggled for years, believing it to be the boots that were the issue, who have overcome their problems by doing so (myself, for starters).
All the comments about the boots are right on point. You can save a lot if you buy the skis or the clothing on Oschner outlet or something like that. But don't skimp on the properly sizing of the boots.
I bought my first boots on Dosenbach. Real cheap but two seasons later I was sure the boots were too wide and 1 size too long. I was comfortable while wearing the boot but my feet had a lot of freedom inside, thus not much control. With next boots I learned that being a bit more uncomfortable while walking translates into much more comfortable skiing.
Ski boots are a nightmare unless you are really lucky with your feet. I have spent a fortune on boots and boot fitting and alterations throughout my ski teaching career - and was never totally pain free. Then I found a pair of Salomons, that fit me perfectly straight from the box with only a custom footbed added - but that took about 25 years of skiing (15 years of teaching) before I found my perfect boot (I'm on my second pair, if Salomon stop making them I'll cry).
The best boots I have are expertly fitted & foamed, the fitter takes a shell at least 1 size smaller than I would choose, then stretches it where needed. Boot fitting is an art, my last pair with custom insoles was €850 to put things in perspective.
For boots , I strongly suggest starting with a season-long rental (e.g. with the likes of Karrer , or a flavor near you).
The reason being you do need a comfortable long-stint fit, and you will not be able to assess that by trying them out a bit in a shop.
You can get a pair starting from 60 (used/lesser model) upwards, for the whole season.
I got mine, which were brand new and not previously worn (I guess important, if you intend that they mold to your feet), for around 120.
Another advantage is that you can come back and swap them for another pair, if they didn't work well for you (e.g. after a weekend or two).
At the end of the rental season you can decide to buy them if they fit well (the rented amount is deducted from the full price + depreciation), or return them if not.
I‘ve had good experiences with Stöckli, got to know the staff and they were really helpful. Ended up with some really good Technica boots that have really been great. I‘m always obsessed with price, but quality within reason is worth far more.