Should You Lease Your Skis… Like You Lease a Car?
“SwapAnytime™ skis and exclusive mountain perks—for a monthly fee, Vermont's Renoun turns gear ownership into a membership lifestyle.”
When the leaves turn in Vermont, skiers begin to eye their gear closets. For some, pulling out the same skis each year feels like part of the ritual. For others, the itch to try something new leads to another big purchase. Burlington-based Renoun is asking a different question this season: why not treat skis the way drivers treat cars—lease instead of own?
A Vermont Company’s Big Swing
Renoun has built its reputation over the past decade on direct-to-consumer sales and its vibration-damping VibeStop™ technology, a design praised for making skis feel more stable and less chattery on firm snow. Now, with RenounPro, the company is testing a new model that blends gear, lifestyle, and community.
The program asks for a one-time enrollment fee of $395 and $30 in monthly dues. In return, members receive a pair of Renoun skis, with a fresh pair sent automatically every two years. If conditions change or a skier wants to try another style, the skis can be swapped at any time for $150. Perks include access to exclusive trips, discounts of up to 30% on partner gear, custom graphics, and a digital community for planning meet-ups. Donated skis from swaps are directed to nonprofits such as Vermont Adaptive and New England Disabled Sports.
What It Costs Compared to Owning
The economics are straightforward. RenounPro’s first-year cost is about $755, with recurring dues keeping the average annual cost near that level. That positions it between traditional ownership and seasonal leases.
How Renoun Skis Compare
The program works only if Renoun skis themselves can stand with the industry’s best. Independent testers often note that Renoun’s designs feel unusually damp and stable for their weight, a direct result of the VibeStop™ material that stiffens on impact. This gives the skis a reputation for excelling on Eastern hardpack and in mixed conditions, where chatter can wear down even seasoned legs.
Against the big brands—Nordica, Völkl, Blizzard, Rossignol, Atomic, Salomon, K2, Head—Renoun plays the role of the boutique innovator. Those established names dominate ski shops, rental fleets, and magazine test lists, offering dozens of specialized models across every category. Their breadth means skiers can find skis with more “pop” or playfulness in soft snow, while also having easier access to demos and a robust resale market.
Renoun’s strength lies less in variety and more in focus. Its models are designed to feel smooth, confidence-boosting, and less fatiguing—particularly appealing to skiers on Vermont’s icy mornings or long mixed-surface runs. The trade-off is a somewhat more muted ride compared to some livelier competitors.
The Vermont Skier’s Decision
For skiers in Vermont, the choice between leasing through RenounPro or sticking with tradition depends on a few simple questions:
How often will the skis be used? Infrequent skiers may find little financial sense in paying monthly dues.
Is variety worth a premium? The ability to swap skis for different conditions can appeal to adventurous skiers who don’t want multiple pairs in the garage.
Are perks part of the draw? Trips, discounts, and community events add lifestyle value but may not matter to everyone.
How important is ownership? For many, building trust with a single pair of skis remains a central part of the sport.
A Shift in How Gear Is Viewed
Renoun’s move reflects a broader trend in consumer behavior: shifting from possession to access. Leasing skis through a Vermont company may not be for everyone, but it offers an option that didn’t exist before—one that combines premium equipment with the flexibility of a subscription and the connection of a community.
For some, the certainty of pulling familiar skis from the closet each winter will always be part of the ritual. For others, the chance to swap skis as easily as changing a lift ticket could be the future.