The next question is often how to outfit a family with ski gear on a budget. There are many ways to find excellent deals on new and used ski and snowboard equipment, from hitting the clearance sections and the ski swaps, to taking advantage of ski shop lease and rental programs. Try these tips for getting your whole family set up with the perfect gear to match their size and ability level this season and saving a ton of money in the process.

Local Shop Lease & Trade-Up Programs

Taking advantage of shop lease or trade-up programs can be a huge savings over having to buy frequent new equipment as your kids grow out of boots, skis and boards, and it can be a smart move for you too, especially if you’re not sure how often you will make it to the mountain or if you want to ski on the latest technology each season.

The Alpine Haus on Spokane’s South Hill offers used ski and snowboard lease packages starting at $119 used and $199-299 new depending on the size. The packages include everything (including a mid-season tune). Pick gear up now and return equipment by May 1 with the option to buy at the end of the season. Details: 509-534-4554 Facebook.com/SpokaneAlpineHaus.

For the first year ever, the Ski Shack in Hayden is offering a limited number of $100-$130 ski lease packages, with exact pricing size dependent. Packages include everything. Call for details and availability (208-772-3112). Haydenskishack.com.

While Sports Creel out on Sprague in the Spokane Valley doesn’t have a season lease program, they do offer a similar “trade-up” program. Anyone (adults or kids) can bring in a package that they have purchased at the Creel in recent years and get a value back on trading it in towards a new package (trade-ins need to be in good enough shape to re-sell and the value depends on the condition of the gear). Call 509-924-2330 for more info. Facebook.com/pages/The-Sports-Creel/312711075603.

Wintersport on the Division Street hill near downtown Spokane offers new, used, and performance ski and board lease packages for kids and adults. Kid’s packages range from $129-229 (boots only for $49), while adult packages range from ski only packages starting at $99, to standard ($179) and performance ($229-$349) and boot only ($69) packages. Gear can be picked up now and returned in May, with a buy option at the end of the season.

Rent on the Mountain

If you only plan to ski a couple times this season, renting ski or snowboard gear for you and your family up at whatever ski resort you go to can be more affordable than leasing from a shop. Call the resort ahead of time to make sure they have what you need and to confirm pricing.

Ski Swaps

For outfitting a family with inexpensive ski and snowboard equipment and clothing, nothing beats the bargain pricing you can find on great gear at a ski swap. There are still a couple ski swaps happening in November, in addition to the ones that usually happen in October. For tips on how to make the most of your time at a ski swap with your kids, visit Out There Monthly online at: Outtheremonthly.com/surviving-the-ski-swap-experience-with-your-kids.

Also, mark these November Ski swaps on your calendar:

Winter Swap: Saturday, November 1, Kootenai County Fairgrounds (9 a.m. – 3 p.m.). Coeur d’Alene plays host to the combined ski swap efforts of the Lookout Pass and Silver Mountain volunteer ski patrols. The 16^th annual Winter Swap is an excellent place to pick up new and used ski gear and clothing for the coming season at a serious discount. Admission is $5 and children under 12 accompanied by an adult get in free. Winterswap.org.

Schweitzer Alpine Racing School (SARS) Ski Swap: November 8, Sandpoint. This annual ski swap features thousands of new and used winter sports items being sold by both individuals and regional vendors. The annual event benefits the SARSs ski racing and freeride programs for over 150 local and regional athletes ages 5 and up. For more information about the swap, visit www.sars.net.

Bargain & Borrow

Even if you’re on a really tight budget, there are still ways to get you and your family up enjoying the slopes together. Here are a few ideas that could work for you. Check out clearance deals at local ski shops like Sports Outlet, Fitness Fanatics, and other shops. No luck there? Try Craigslist and eBay for used gear often at a big discount. It’s also worth putting the word out to friends and family or on Facebook to see if someone you know has ski gear gathering dust down in the basement that might work for or your kids that you could borrow or even buy. //

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Like camping or biking, skiing is a lifelong and generational pastime. In these early years, as we work together to teach our preschoolers to ski, the synergy bonds us, and our ski memories sustain us. Being a “ski family” also teaches us how to love each other better – practicing patience, kindness, sacrifice.

Of course, when I ask my kids what they like best about skiing, they say it’s the chairlift rides. But I’ve seen their smiles after a good run; they feel proud of their hard work and best efforts.

During our eldest child’s first ski season, we kept our expectations simple. He was not yet three years old – the only skier with a pacifier. Each time we were on the mountain, our goals were for him to have fun and try his best. To ensure that, he was asked after each run and before getting on the chairlift again: “Are you warm enough? Are you still having fun?”

To increase his motivation, we shamelessly offered fruit snacks on the chairlift, after each run, and even during descents. Après-ski hot chocolate was also a routine reward. Yet, my husband and I didn’t underestimate what our son could accomplish. Rather than say “let’s just see what he can do,” we expressed clear, progressive goals for each new attempt – from working on speed control and stopping to making S-turns where we descended the bunny hill like a train: “Follow Daddy and all his turns.”

Last season, while teaching two kids, if we completed three to five runs together before lunchtime, we considered that a success – and if we had a few more runs after lunch, it was a great day. Here are some key lessons my family has learned so far.

1. Get a child on skis as early as possible pre-season – if there is snow on the ground where you live, suit up and go outside. If you plan to use a ski training system, such as the CoPilot, now’s the time to start using it. Find a short slope and do some test “runs” to simply help her get the feel of it – balancing with bent knees and weight forward while moving. Children have a lower center of gravity, so the shorter they are, the less they struggle to learn ski balance. Once on the hill, they learn progressively how to slow down, stop and turn.

2. Increase excitement and anticipation by monitoring weather and snow forecasts, viewing ski mountain webcams, and watching ski videos together.

3. Exemplify how much fun it is to ski – from the beautiful views to the camaraderie with other mountain lovers. Express gratitude for nature and strong, healthy bodies to enjoy the sport.

4. Warm kids are happy kids. Invest in good clothing and gear, especially ski helmets and goggles. (Tip: put mittens on before the jacket so the wrist cuffs remain snug.)

5. Not every outing is blissful. A cranky child who’s done after only a few runs, or worse – who suits up but only wants to play in the snow – is inevitable. Laugh about it, and try again another day.

6. It’s never too late to teach a child to ski. I’m proof of that. I didn’t grow up in a skiing family, but my sister’s husband did; he taught me some basic skills when I was a teenager. This inspired me to join my school’s ski club and take lessons. I never imagined that I would someday be a season pass holder.

Admittedly, it is time-consuming and challenging to teach children how to ski. I don’t get to my favorite runs as often as I would like, and I’m on a first-name basis with the bunny hill chairlift operators.

But it’s worth it. My kids have fun while learning about hard work, perseverance and responsibility. And someday, we’ll all swoosh down blue square and black diamond runs together – my kids proud to be skiing faster and better than me. //

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