When to buy ski gear: there is always one category in closeout
Prices move on a calendar, not at random. This page says whether to buy now or wait, by month and by category, and it is free for everyone. The calls are the editor's.
This month
Month by month
The editor's calls for the whole season. One line on what the month is for, then what to do about skis, boots, bindings and the rest.
- Buy
- The category is at or near its floor for the year. If it is on your list and in your size, this is the window.
- Watch
- Markdowns have started. Take a blue square or better in your size; the rest can wait.
- Wait
- Full price, or a sale the price history does not back. Wait is an answer.
Typical discount by month (illustrative)
Why the calls fall where they do. Skis and bindings bottom out in March and April. Boots discount later and shallower because sizes sell through unevenly; the deepest boot deals are odd sizes in April. Shells, helmets and goggles move at Black Friday.
- Skis and bindings
- Boots
Illustrative until the engine has a full season of its own data; the calls above are the editor's.