:pagetop: are even more expensive!
Our hill does season long rental deals for the groms... it works out cheaper in the end for the family, and the kids get better gear.
It's also convenient as the parents can drop the kid off, and they go get their gear, and go skiing, no crap to lug from the parking lot and back.
Of course... if they are racers, then $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$