Families turn to second-hand ski gear to cut costs

Families in Lower Austria are turning to second-hand equipment at ski markets to reduce the cost of winter sports, ORF reports, as the ski season is due to begin in early December.

At a ski market in Scheibbs last Saturday, visitors searched among skis, poles and helmets for bargains. Families were particularly interested in used equipment for children, who quickly outgrow their gear.

One parent, Sabine Rieschanek, said buying used boots for her son was a good way to find quality equipment at a lower price, especially when children may need more than one pair in a season. Other visitors cited sustainability, saying used items could be passed on rather than thrown away.

The market is organised by the parents’ association of Scheibbs Primary School. Its chair, Bettina Gamsjäger, said the aim was to help keep skiing affordable for families, including those with several children. Harald Ebner, also from the association, said interest in the event had grown in recent years as new equipment and clothing became more expensive.

New children’s ski boots cost between 90 and 160 euros, depending on shoe size, while children’s skis cost between 130 and 200 euros, according to Richard Pemsel, who owns a sports shop in Scheibbs. Used items with little wear generally cost about half the new price, or less depending on their condition.

Pemsel advised buyers to check used equipment carefully. Ski-boot buckles should all work, and the inner lining and outer shell should be free of holes and cracks. Ski bases should not be heavily scratched or punctured, and the edges should be undamaged.