Should I buy or rent skis?

Rental means you are able to try out the latest skis, but you are going to pay for this privilege. Many rental rates in France and the USA are over £100 per week. Not cheap! Buying means the skis will probably last you about 15 to 20 weeks. You are soon able to work out why a busy ski rental shop owner, even after paying commission to the tour operator, is the wealthiest man in town.
The cost of new skis has fallen in recent years due to new discounters, like skiwear4less.com and Ski Warehouse retail shops. They now sell both Rossignol and Blizzard skis from £89.99 including bindings. It makes you wonder how the old boys like Snow and Rock and Ellis Brigham can charge over £600 for a sophisticated lump of wood!
If you have your own skis the two biggest enemies of them are rocks and rust. Rocks mean that the skis will need servicing, cost about £18 from The Ski Warehouse (branches in Tamworth, Castleford, Newcastle and Carlisle) or £25+ from Snow & Rock. Rust, or if your posh oxidisation, of the edges takes place for the simple reason that people leave wet skis in a nylon bag. After your holiday the best thing to do is thoroughly dry your skis, leaving them in an airing cupboard overnight even. Once dry, seal the edges using a cheap candle so no moisture can penetrate the edge and put them in a dry environment.
Before you go to ski again, simply rub off the excess wax and hey presto your whizzing down the slopes whilst others are queuing in the hire shop!