Where to Buy and How to Choose Ski and Snowboard Equipment - The Best Guide

Mountain sports are very popular in Slovenia. Skiing has traditionally been a popular winter pastime, helped by the fact that the country has many ski resorts that attract many locals and tourists every year.

At the same time, snowboarding is becoming increasingly popular, especially among young people and freestyle skiers. Many modern resorts offer dedicated snowboarding slopes and parks, making this sport increasingly popular.

Why is it important to choose the right ski equipment?

Choosing the right ski and snowboard equipment is important because it has a direct impact on safety, comfort and enjoyment. If the equipment is not the right size, stiffness or skiing style, the risk of injury increases and control becomes more difficult.

Beginners need softer and more forgiving models, while experienced riders choose stiffer and more precise options for dynamic riding. It's also important to consider your riding style: there are different models for piste, freeride and freestyle, and the wrong choice can make things much more difficult.

High quality, correctly selected equipment will help you progress faster, last longer and make skiing as enjoyable as possible.

How do I choose the right skis?

Your choice will depend on a number of factors, including your level of fitness, your skiing style and the conditions you will be skiing in.

The length of the equipment is crucial: beginners should opt for models that reach the chin, while more experienced riders can choose ones extending to the forehead or beyond. Similarly, width matters – slim options offer high speed and precision on groomed runs, whereas broader choices provide enhanced stability in deeper snow.

The type of alpine activity you plan also plays a key role. All-mountain variants work best on maintained pistes, while wider, stiffer freeride models excel in powder and off-piste conditions. For cross-country pursuits, lightweight and narrow designs are ideal for on-track gliding.

Moreover, ensure your bindings are correctly adjusted for your weight and on-slope ability. Beginners tend to benefit from softer, shorter, and wider pairs; intermediate enthusiasts may prefer medium stiffness and length, while expert users often select rigid, extended models that deliver high speed and stability on challenging terrain.

If you don't have a particular favourite model, it's worth trying several options before buying to find the most comfortable and suitable one.

Popular brands

Popular brands in Slovenia include Atomic, Salomon, Rossignol, Head, Fischer and Blizzard. These manufacturers have gained the trust of both local and international skiers by offering a wide range of models suitable for different skiing styles and levels of expertise.

How do I choose the right snowboard?

Choosing a snowboard depends on several key factors, including riding level, style, trail conditions and physical parameters. Beginners may prefer a soft and short snowboard for easier control and turning, while more experienced riders may opt for a medium stiffness and length for better speed and manoeuvrability. For pros, stiff and long snowboards are best for maximum stability and control on difficult slopes. The width of the board is also important - those with large feet should choose wide models to avoid the toes of their boots getting stuck in the snow.

Your riding style is also important. Versatile all-mountain models are good for both on-piste and off-piste skiing. For freestyle, where manoeuvrability is important, a short and light board with medium flex is best. And for freeride, stiffer and wider models are preferred, which help to cope with deep snow and difficult terrain.

The shape of the board is also important: symmetrical twin-tip boards are great for freestyle and allround riding, while asymmetrical models are more suitable for freeride and allround riding and offer better control.

To make the right choice, it's best to get expert advice to ensure your safety and enjoyment on every run.

Popular brands

In Slovenia, popular snowboard brands include Burton, known for its innovative technology and versatility, Salomon, offering models for different levels of training, Nitro, with a wide range of boards for different riding styles, as well as Rossignol and Lib Tech, which have earned the trust of local riders.

These brands are available in specialised shops and at ski resorts, where it can be rented and all its advantages and disadvantages can be appreciated.

When is the best time to buy skis and snowboards?

The best time to buy skis and snowboards is out of season, i.e. late winter and early spring, when shops are trying to sell off their remaining models, and summer, when demand is lower and discounts are available on previous years' equipment.

It's also worth keeping an eye out for promotions and sales, such as Black Friday and Christmas sales, so that you can buy equipment at significant savings.

Where to buy skis and equipment at bargain prices?

There are several reliable places to buy skis and snowboards in Slovenia. In major cities such as Ljubljana, for example, there are well-known retail chains such as Hervis Ljubljana, Intersport Ljubljana and Decathlon Ljubljana, which offer a wide range of winter equipment and professional advice, while the famous Ljubljana ski and snowboard shop Elan offers significant discounts to fans of its products.

If you are closer to the ski resorts, look out for specialist shops and outlets such as Ski Shop Krvavec, where you can not only buy equipment but also try it out.

Online shops such as Skishop.si are also worth checking out, where you can always find great deals and the latest novelties, as well as shop from anywhere.

The best deals on equipment

If you're looking for discounts on skis, snowboards and equipment, check out the shops of major retailers.

Hervis: discounts of up to 50 %

Hervis often offers seasonal promotions on Hervis skis, ski jacket sale and winter gear from December to February. Discounts can reach 30-50% on past collections, snowboards and equipment. In addition, the site has a lot of useful tips on the subject of alpine sports and a convenient system of filtering and searching for products.

In some cases, the company runs promotions when equipment is available for hire. This is particularly useful for those who are trying out a new hobby and do not want to buy equipment yet.

Intersport: discounts and bargain bundles

Intersport holds sales during the winter sports season, particularly in January and February. You can often find offers of up to 50% off on gear, including discounts on equipment for snow gliding along with specialized apparel and footwear.

Sometimes there are promotions on pecialised kit including skis, poles, boots and suits at a reduced price, which can be a bargain especially for beginners.

Decathlon: affordable ski equipment and additional benefits

Decathlon is known for its democratic prices and during the winter sales season you can find products with very good discounts, usually from 15% to 65% on ski clothes, snowboard jackets, ski boots, ski goggles and equipment, especially on last season's models and special clothing.

The retailer also offers various coupons and special offers, which may include an additional discount on an already reduced price, especially during major promotions.

Benefits of outlet shops for buying ski equipment

An outlet is a great place to buy ski equipment as they offer heavily discounted items. Here you can find last season's models at a reduced price, which is especially beneficial when buying expensive equipment.

Although the equipment may be from last year's collection, it will still be of high quality, as ski equipment should be reliable and durable. Many shops offer a return and exchange policy, so you can be sure that the equipment is suitable in terms of size and comfort. There are often additional promotions and ski discount to make your purchase even more affordable.

Some stores are conveniently located near alpine resorts, allowing you to combine a purchase with a holiday. In many cases, you can even test the gear before buying, which is especially helpful if you're new to the sport.

Where to look for discounts and catalogues?

To make sure you don't miss out on the best deals on ski equipment and to keep up to date with all the retailers' events, it's worth using a number of channels:

• Official websites, which regularly update their promotions and sales sections, as well as publishing promo codes and the latest product catalogues.
• Subscribing to mailing lists allows you to receive notifications of offers directly to your email or messenger.
• Official store accounts, where sales announcements and news are published.
• Mobile applications. These are often linked to a loyalty programme and offer additional rewards to their users.
• Specialised portals, such as geobuyer.si, where you can browse the Hervis catalog, the Intersport catalog, the Decathlon catalog, the Elan skis outlet and other shops and shopping centres.
• Our Blog with up-to-date information on the shopping industry and useful tips on saving money and budgeting.

With these channels, you will always be aware of the best promotions and be able to buy the best without overpaying.