My whole family is going to be skiing several times a year and l think it would make sense to buy our own skis.Whenever we go we usually fill out a form and talk to the guys at the rental place and they fit us and we go on our way.

l noticed that skis have gotten better in the past 10+ years, but l do not really understand how they work or what you look for when you shop for them.l also know that you have to buy the boots and the binding.

My dad and l are both intermediate skiers, my brother is a intermediate/advanced and my mom is a novice.What are some good ways to research skis and figure out which ones to get?

Rentals = $25 (about)

Purchase = $300 (skis) + $300 (bindings) + $500 (boots) + $25 (poles)

divided by (several) -- say 4 times used each year.

About $280 each time u go skiing.

Are u sure it is worth it?

Equipment only really lasts 4-5 years. It is not worth it to buy unless u plan on skiing a heck of a lot more than ''several'' times a season.

Well, if u have some extra cash to waste, the best research that can be done is to go to a ski shop & tell them exactly what type of skier u r & how much money u can spend. It is just like buying a car.

Except for ur mom, u guys would be ok with a mid-performance ''All Mountain'' ski.probably. All skis r fairly well made. There r high performance skis, but u end up paying quite a bit more. Your mom would want a beginners package. It would be quite a bit cheaper.

Boots: must fit like a glove, no matter the price (cheaper or more expensive). Do not get rear entry boots.except again, maybe ur mom. They r more comfortable, but not made for anything more than a blue groomer. You just do not get the support u need with those.

Before u go down to the ski shop, u may want to go to the library & read a few issues of Skiing magazine, or whatever is available. Try to find an issue that has a ski review in it. The reviews themselves r quite pointless, but u get an idea of market price & graphics & such. The reason l say the reviews r pointless is that each ski is unique to the person riding it.

One more thing: l suggest trying a pair of demo skis to see if u like them first. If u find a shop that rents out equipment, & if they sell the same models they rent, they will often refund the rental cost if u decide to purchase a new pair.

Buy the boots.good fitting boots designed to run the slopes with the style you ski. Read all the boot reviews and, if you only ski a couple times a year, continue to rent. Go to the websites and read about the skis. Manufacturers are changing designs, styles, specs, etc every year. You can rent the best Volkls, Atomic Metrons, Nordicas & K2s, and change up every day. Go ski..!!!