The best stock and the best prices rarely land at the moment you actually want to buy. By December, the popular lengths in the popular models are long gone and what's left has been picked over by everyone who thought about it before you. Buying in August and September flips that round in your favour.
Why buy skis and boots off-season rather than in December?
There are a few reasons this consistently pays off, and none of them are complicated.
- Full size runs are still available, popular lengths sell out by December
- Last season's models are often discounted with only a marginal performance difference to this season's
- More time for proper boot fitting and adjustments before you travel
What should I prioritise buying first?
If you're working through a list, start here.
- Boots first, they make more difference to your skiing than the skis themselves
- Skis and bindings next, matched to your ability and the terrain you actually ski
Is last season's model worth buying over this season's?
Honestly, more often than people assume.
- Usually yes, skis and boards don't change dramatically year to year
- The price difference is often bigger than the performance difference
Want first pick before the popular sizes go?
We can match skis to how you ski and fit your boots in the Boot Lab at our shop in Dry Drayton, near Cambridge. Browse skis