As recreational activities throughout the country have become increasingly popular, trends have formed, and gear has risen in price. This can make it difficult for college students, or anyone, to pick up new hobbies and have the necessary gear.
My friends and I have grown up in Utah and have seen firsthand how prices have continued to rise throughout our lives. Emily Moss is an online student at SLCC. She was born and raised in Utah and has had many hobbies throughout her life, including snowboarding, hiking, climbing, mountain biking, and more. Moss also works at the gear rental shop at Brighton Resort.
“Snowboarding-wise, ski resort-wise, prices on equipment have been skyrocketing. Even just to go for a day has been so expensive. I remember my dad telling me growing up, he was like, ‘I could literally just go up after school and get a ticket for like $25, $30 and could snowboard for the day for that cheap.’ Now today it’s like $200 for just a day pass. It’s insane,” Moss said.
I’ve noticed more than just the ticket prices rising. Before I started highschool I remember being able to park at most ski resorts for free; now, about 6 years later, I find I need to make reservations and/or pay to park at ski resorts like Snowbird and Brighton. While I’m sure the resorts have their reasons for these changes, it makes it more difficult for me to easily go ski one day.
According to Intel Market Research, with changes in making more eco-friendly gear and keeping up with high demand, gear may see an increase in price by about 10-30% depending on the gear. In 2024, about 52% of Americans participated in recreational activities, and there was a 220% increase in demand for recreational gear.
Along with an increase in demand for gear, social media trends are influencing purchases. Some find themselves pressured to buy the “newest, most expensive” gear to “fit in.”
“The snow pants have gotten kind of ridiculous. Like how baggy they are. I just feel like, social media and trend-wise, people obviously want to be included in all that. Some of the trends have just gotten kind of out of control. People want to be noticed, so they start wearing kind of funnier-looking outfits and things like that.” Moss said.
However, you don’t need new or trendy gear to participate. Buying gear secondhand can be just as beneficial if it’s in good condition.
“I don’t ever buy my own equipment firsthand. This is the first season that I’ve ever had my very own personal brand-new snowboard. I usually buy my clothing secondhand, and I’ve always gone to the Milo-Pro sale, where they have discounts on everything. People are just trying to get rid of their gear.”
Taking advantage of sites like Facebook Marketplace or searching for gear swaps is a good way to find affordable, secondhand gear. I’ve seen gear swaps at ski resorts, and campus clubs like One Love host gear swaps on campus as well.
I asked Moss if she ever feels pressured to buy more trendy or expensive gear.
“I kind of have felt like more pressure about it, just because I don’t want to be made fun of for my gear. I don’t want to be, you know, ‘that person,’ wearing gear that’s older, out of date or no longer considered ‘cool.’ So I feel like there is definitely more pressure, especially at my age; people’s opinions and considerations mean a lot. I’ll obviously take those into consideration. But I like to think I am my own person; I shouldn’t care about it.” Moss said.
Regardless, she doesn’t believe the newer gear is essential for recreational activities.
“I definitely think that more expensive gear, obviously, looks cooler, it’s gonna feel nicer, but it doesn’t really matter. A board that is like 10 years old is still going to perform basically the same as a board that you’re going to get today. I feel like most people who are buying more expensive gear are definitely more about status.” Moss said.
However, buying new gear firsthand when necessary isn’t a bad thing. There are pros and cons to everything. If secondhand gear isn’t warm enough, safe enough, or working properly, then buying new gear firsthand may be the way to go.
“People come in wanting to rent skis, or like boots, and they bring in their own skis. I’m like, ‘These are 500 years old; you cannot ski on these,” and then they have to pay for skis,” Moss said.
If the gear is too out of date, then this could be a good time to either buy gear firsthand or a newer secondhand version. Ensure the gear functions properly before using or purchasing it.
A con to new gear, however, is that trends in social media are encouraging overconsumption in recreational gear, for example, as stated before, the baggy snow pants. There’s no reason to buy snowpants if you already have a good pair and are only considering buying something for aesthetics. Overconsumption adds to the cycle of gear becoming more expensive.
In short, don’t let overconsumption, trends, and rising gear costs stop you from doing what you love. It doesn’t matter whether your skis are 10 years old or secondhand. It doesn’t matter if you don’t look as trendy as someone online. As long as the gear functions properly and keeps you safe, then it can keep you happy outdoors.
“People who are interested in getting into the sport should make an effort to get into it… Talk to the people around you, inform yourself, and do your research. Enjoy your time out there; it’s really just about, like, your attitude towards it,” Moss said.
