Are you getting ready for an awesome snowboarding trip? Before you hit the mountain, you have a big decision to make: should you bring your own snowboard or rent one when you arrive?
It’s a tough choice. Will there be extra fees to bring your board on the plane? What if the board gets damaged or lost? Or imagine getting to the resort and finding only old, beat-up rental boards that don’t fit right. That could really put a damper on your trip!
On the other hand, if you’re going to be traveling around as well as snowboarding, lugging your board around the country can be a hassle.
Let’s break it down and figure out the best option for you, weighing the pros and cons of each.
See also:
How to plan a snowboard trip
How To Live The Snowboarding Life
Marmot Basin, Jasper: My Experience
Pros of traveling with your own snowboard
Let’s first talk about the cool aspects of traveling with your own snowboard.
1. Personal comfort
Riding with your own snowboard feels like slipping into your favorite pair of jeans. It’s familiar, comfortable, and customized to your preferences. It gives you confidence and control on the slopes.
2. Customized snowboard
With your own board, you have the freedom to customize it to your liking. Whether it’s adjusting the bindings, tweaking the angles, or waxing it for optimal performance. You can tailor your setup to suit your riding style and preferences.
3. Cost savings
Renting snowboard equipment can add up, especially if you’re hitting the slopes frequently during your trip. By bringing your own board, you avoid rental fees and save money for other stuff like snacks or souvenirs.
4. Good performance
Your own snowboard is a trusted companion that matches your specs and of a quality you’re familiar with. You can rely on its performance and know that it’s well-maintained and suited to your riding skills.
5. No waits
With your own board, you skip the hassle of waiting in rental lines or searching for the right size and type of equipment. Your board is always ready to go so you can maximize your time on the mountain and simply enjoy the ride.
Cons of traveling with your own snowboard
Now for the cons:
1. Travel hassles
Carrying your snowboard through airports, train stations, or other transportation is cumbersome and exhausting. The board adds extra weight and bulk to your luggage, making your travel more of a drag.
2. Risk of damage or loss
Traveling with your own snowboard means there are risks of damage or loss during transit. Airlines mishandle luggage which often leads to dings, scratches, or more severe damage to your board.
There’s also always a chance that your board may get lost or sent to the wrong destination.
3. Not suitable for everything
While your own snowboard is familiar and comfortable, it may not be the best for all conditions and terrain. If you come across different snow conditions or you want to experiment with different riding styles, you’ll be limited to the capabilities of your own board.
4. Maintenance chores
Bringing your own snowboard means you’re responsible for your own maintenance. You need to check that your board is properly waxed and tuned yourself before hitting the slopes. This means extra time and effort for your trip preparations.
5. Storage and security
When you’re not on the mountain, your snowboard needs to be stowed securely, which is sometimes challenging in public spaces or crowded accommodations. If you leave it unattended for a while, there’s always a risk of theft or damage.
Now that we’ve covered the upsides and downsides of bringing your own snowboard, let’s look at the pros & cons of renting one at the resort.
Pros of renting a board at the resort
1. Convenience (rental version)
Renting a snowboard at the resort is super easy. You don’t have to worry about lugging your gear around or dealing with extra baggage fees at the airport. Just show up, grab your rental, and hit the slopes.
2. Board variety
Most resorts have a wide selection of rental boards to choose from, with different brands, styles, and sizes. This lets you to try out new equipment or switch to a board better suited to the current snow conditions.
3. NO maintenance!
Renting means you don’t have to deal with the hassle of maintaining your own board. No waxing, tuning, or repairs required, just return the rental at the end of your trip and you’re done.
4. Latest gear
Rental shops often stock the latest snowboard models and technology, so you can ride with cutting-edge gear without having to make a hefty investment. If you want to try out different snowboards, look for rental shops that offer demo options.
5. Easy replacement
If something goes wrong with your rental equipment, like a binding breaks or a board gets damaged, or you get unexpected issues on the mountain, the rental shop will usually replace it quickly and at no extra cost. This peace of mind is valuable.
6. Travel light
Renting frees you from the burden of transporting bulky snowboard equipment during your travels, especially if you’re flying and taking public transportation. No worrying about extra baggage or storage space.
Cons of renting a board at the resort
Now for the downsides of renting:
1. Limited board choice
Resorts may not always have the exact board you want or need. Most stock a variety of boards, but if you have specific preferences or requirements, you might not find the perfect fit among the available rental options.
2. Quality concerns
Rental boards are typically not as well-maintained or high-quality as your own board. They are used by tons of different riders, so they can suffer from wear and tear more quickly, which can affect your riding experience.
3. Size and fit
Finding the right size and fit for rental equipment can be challenging. Gear that’s poorly fitting can cause you discomfort or performance issues on the slopes.
Finding the right size and fit for rental equipment can be a challenge. While rental shops typically offer a range of sizes, getting the right fit for your body type and riding style is often hit or miss. This can lead to a less comfortable ride or performance issues on the slopes.
4. Extra cost
Rental fees can add up, especially if you plan to snowboard multiple days during your trip. Also, some resorts may charge extra for premium or high-performance rental equipment.
Renting a snowboard at the resort can sometimes be cheaper than flying with your own snowboard, due to baggage fees and the risk of damage during transit.
However, if you’re a frequent snowboarder with high-quality gear, it may be more effective in the long run to bring your own snowboard – you save on rental fees over multiple trips.
It all depends on the baggage cost for your airline, the rental rates, and your frequency of snowboarding.
5. Waiting time
Having to visit the rental shop each time you want to hit the slopes is a pain. You have to allocate time in your schedule for equipment pickup and return. Most riders would prefer the flexibility of having their own gear available
Also, during peak seasons or busy periods, there may be long lines and delays at the rental shop. Spending time waiting in line means less time actually snowboarding and enjoying the mountain.
Final words
To recap, whether you should bring your own snowboard or rent at the resort depends on things like convenience, cost, and personal preferences. Bringing your own board gives you comfort and potentially saves you money in the long run, especially if you’re a frequent traveler.
On the other hand, renting at the resort gives you a lot of flexibility, and saves you the cost of extra baggage and the hassle of lugging gear around airports and/or ground transport. It also gives you the opportunity to try out different and newer boards, if available at the resort.