on Hearn when he first visited Whistler mountain back in 1997. “I recognized a need for quality clothing rental when I noticed some skiers on the slopes wearing jeans and leather jackets -- or if they did rent it was old ski school suits all the same colour and style.” (The neon rearing its loud and numerous heads once again).

The first Whistler BC ski trip of the season is a sacred moment, especially for the infrequent skier who is able to hit the slopes only a handful of times a year. The date is likely circled on the kitchen calendar, and your neck is probably programmed to turn and glance at its slow approach with a mixture of longing and impatience. But then, suddenly it’s the night before and you’ve gathered the courage to dive into the garage or basement to haul out your trusty gear: skis or snowboard, jackets, pants, boots and all.

You pull out each item, dust it off, perhaps wonder if it will still fit properly (since you haven’t upgraded your attire for a number of years). You half-heartedly attempt to convince yourself that maybe neon pink and yellow are finally “in” again. After some deliberation, you briefly consider whether it’s time to actually purchase newer/better/hipper ski gear but remind yourself the top-of-the-line cost is pricey, and that is before dolling out hard-earned cash for your lift ticket, accommodation, transportation, meals, entertainment, and all the other activities that actually make a vacation worthwhile.

A conundrum emerges: how to afford quality ski and snowboard equipment and avoid spending wads of money. The solution: rent your ski gear.

This situation was recognized by vacationer Shannon Hearn when he first visited Whistler mountain back in 1997. “I recognized a need for quality clothing rental when I noticed some skiers on the slopes wearing jeans and leather jackets -- or if they did rent it was old ski school suits all the same colour and style.” (The neon rearing its loud and numerous heads once again).

ut then, suddenly it’s the night before and you’ve gathered the courage to dive into the garage or basement to haul out your trusty gear: skis or snowboard, jackets, pants, boots and all.

You pull out each item, dust it off, perhaps wonder if it will still fit properly (since you haven’t upgraded your attire for a number of years). You half-heartedly attempt to convince yourself that maybe neon pink and yellow are finally “in” again. After some deliberation, you briefly consider whether it’s time to actually purchase newer/better/hipper ski gear but remind yourself the top-of-the-line cost is pricey, and that is before dolling out hard-earned cash for your lift ticket, accommodation, transportation, meals, entertainment, and all the other activities that actually make a vacation worthwhile.

A conundrum emerges: how to afford quality ski and snowboard equipment and avoid spending wads of money. The solution: rent your ski gear.

This situation was recognized by vacationer Shannon Hearn when he first visited Whistler mountain back in 1997. “I recognized a need for quality clothing rental when I noticed some skiers on the slopes wearing jeans and leather jackets -- or if they did rent it was old ski school suits all the same colour and style.” (The neon rearing its loud and numerous heads once again).

). You half-heartedly attempt to convince yourself that maybe neon pink and yellow are finally “in” again. After some deliberation, you briefly consider whether it’s time to actually purchase newer/better/hipper ski gear but remind yourself the top-of-the-line cost is pricey, and that is before dolling out hard-earned cash for your lift ticket, accommodation, transportation, meals, entertainment, and all the other activities that actually make a vacation worthwhile.

A conundrum emerges: how to afford quality ski and snowboard equipment and avoid spending wads of money. The solution: rent your ski gear.

This situation was recognized by vacationer Shannon Hearn when he first visited Whistler mountain back in 1997. “I recognized a need for quality clothing rental when I noticed some skiers on the slopes wearing jeans and leather jackets -- or if they did rent it was old ski school suits all the same colour and style.” (The neon rearing its loud and numerous heads once again).

ift ticket, accommodation, transportation, meals, entertainment, and all the other activities that actually make a vacation worthwhile.

A conundrum emerges: how to afford quality ski and snowboard equipment and avoid spending wads of money. The solution: rent your ski gear.

This situation was recognized by vacationer Shannon Hearn when he first visited Whistler mountain back in 1997. “I recognized a need for quality clothing rental when I noticed some skiers on the slopes wearing jeans and leather jackets -- or if they did rent it was old ski school suits all the same colour and style.” (The neon rearing its loud and numerous heads once again).

on Hearn when he first visited Whistler mountain back in 1997. “I recognized a need for quality clothing rental when I noticed some skiers on the slopes wearing jeans and leather jackets -- or if they did rent it was old ski school suits all the same colour and style.” (The neon rearing its loud and numerous heads once again).

One year later, with a little determination and entrepreneurial spirit, Shannon opened his own business for ski clothing rental in Whistler Canada, Whistler Winter Wear, offering quality snowboard and ski clothing rental to Whistler Canada visitors. “I wanted people to have a great experience no matter what skill level…if you are cold you’re not having fun. If you are warm you can ski longer and better. And you will want to come back and do it again!”

Shannon believes there are a number of reasons why renting snow and ski gear is better than purchasing. If you’re on a budget, you may succumb to buying the “cheap stuff” simply because it’s cheap. The better alternative is renting gear that offers better looks and performance for a fraction of the cost. Plus, you don’t have to pack it in your luggage up and down the mountain, and you don’t have to store your ski jackets and pants in your basement or storage until the next season.

For parents with children, nothing is more frustrating then spending hundreds of dollars on quality outfits, only to have them outgrow their fit a year later. (True, many a parent has attempted to stuff their kids into old ski gear out of necessity, but the traumatic memories can be avoided along with wasted cash).

Worried about wearing the sweat of the person who rented the ski