Ray

I would agree to a certain point and depending on where you are going for the standard of the hire equipment.

Having your own boots is a great help, but having your own board is a personal things about knowing how it reacts etc. I have seen some great and some crap hire gear in different resorts at different times of the season.

It also depends on how often you want to go as the whether its vfm.

Good boots should last you a good few years, the same with a board if its looked after. If you are going for 2 - 4 weeks a year hire would probably be 150 for each trip (2 weeks), so over three years you could spend up to 900 quid, thats more than double buying your own gear! Even if you only went once a year its still pretty good value.

I agree that you keep up with technology, but over three years how much does technology change and how much of that will affect an intermediate boarder?

If anyone reading this wants to buy themselves a new Oakley snowboarding coat ( feather and down filled and totally waterproof etc etc etc ) cost £ 300 new , drop dave w a u2u

He has a lovely one sitting in a wardrobe doing absolutely nothing !!

Desmondo,

Boots as has been said by me and others, it's a personal choice, remember boots are for life not just for Christmas :D

Seriously, it all depends on the fit, obviously the more you spend the more technology etc would have gone into the boot, flex, comfort, waterproofing etc.

Get good gloves too!!

They will get wet and they will get caught on edges etc when carrying board, so reinforced fingers and waterproof is a good plan. If you are a complete newbie you might want to consider one's with a wrist gaurd in, or big enough for you to wear wrist gaurds underneath.

Yeah depending on your ability get wrist guards, I still use mine, admittedly I'm not mega mega on a board, but stay upright most of the time...can't remember who makes mine, but they were about 60-70 quid, with the guards, they are removeable also. also get some cocyx (SP?) protection, that hurts ! if you want to be all singing and dancing check out Dainese's website, as they do loads of snowboard protective gear.

Not a complete noob in that I've been once before :D Does that make me a semi-pro? :lol:
I think I'll take a look around this weekend and see what's on offer compared to the cost of hiring. I might still take the plunge and buy all the gear but I think I'll defo buy my own boots no matter what. I've already got some decent gloves from last time so should be fine there.

so where you going then mister???

Haven't a bloody clue :D No, seriously. I just leave all the details up to the others who organise it and book it all. Then I give them some money. I find it's a much easier and hassle free way of going on holiday.

hmmmm, sounds like a good plan. Have a great time then and don't forget to bring some pictures back :)

true!

All you need to know is how much it's going to cost you, and the flight times.

Just turn up with your gear and enjoy