Season worker...to buy or not to buy

So I'm planning on working a season in the 3 valleys area, so that's roughly 5-6 months. Currently I can do red and blue runs comfortably but will obviously improve dramatically while I'm out in France. So my question is basically should I purchase a set of ski's for a medium range budget or use the free ski hire, although the ski's are likely to be sh*t. I'm buying boots for sure, so any feedback would be great! :)

Thanks for any replies in advance
Charlie :)

Charlie,
No question. Buy skis.

Try getting some top level demo skis from last season rather than med level skis. Price will be same. Performance will be best.

If you do look for used demo skis, look at;

edges out from sidewall at least 4-9 mm.
bases have no serious grooves, cuts, holes
top ski is uniform ( no de-lamination)
binding rails solid

Good luck.

Ahh okay thanks! That's a great idea, never considered that before! You've sort of confirmed what I considered to be the best course of action!

Thank you for the speedy reply!

Yup I would get something piste orientated if I were you and when ou get a decent dump of snow use the free hire to get some fat powder planks

The season workers that I've met mostly take a season long rental from a local ski shop. For them it worked out financially, as they hand back a knackered pair of skis at the end of the season, and don't have to pay to get them serviced, it's included in the shop pricing.

In general I would say buy, main issue is your skiing will evolve over that period. Ideally everyone needs at least 2 pairs of skiis.

1) piste skiis, something like Atomic or Salomon slalom ski. These will make piste skiing a lot of fun and bring on your carving.

2) something nice and versatile 98-105mm under foot with touring binding. Am sure by end of season you will be sick of pistes or just to side of them.

Then you can have a great season but also means that renting starts to make a lot of sense unless you are feeling flush with money. Maybe can rent option 1 for month or so and then buy 2 later in season, when weather improves for touring.

You said that you get free rental.
If you are allowed to switch skis as much as you want then I would go for the rentals.

1 - Having the choice of an average pair of narrow carvers & average pair of wide powder skis is much better than a great pair of 'all mountain skis'
2 - As bandit says, you effectively get free servicing.
3 - Rental shops can be a bit of a hub for the local working skiing community. It may help you to build a network of contacts. Send some business their way and they may have the inside track on all sorts of things; guided off-piste, lessons, work, advice...

With free ski hire included in your job/stay I would take advantage of this at the start of the season for sure.
"Rockhoppers" to get you out and about and find your feet.
Even with artificial snow you are bound to find some inconvenient rocks at the start of the season.

I would save my cash and buy out there if it were me.

As Steve says getting in with the hire shop can be hugely advantageous and you may find that you get offered some really good skis not three year old rubbish.

Also - who knows which way your skiing may go.
You could become a park freak and need some twin tips or whatever.
A powder hound - only going out in powder or a confirmed piste speeder.

Free hire skis could give you a reasonable something for pottering around and your own skis of whatever vasriation for those special days?