The Case for Buying Your Ski Gear In-Person

It’s hard to resist the appeal of shopping in your pajamas and making a purchase with just a few clicks, but we’re here to make the case that when it comes to buying your ski gear, bricks and mortar is still the way to go.

We’re not just saying that because we’re a bricks and mortar ski shop (although we will admit we’re a little biased). For most people, ski gear is a significant investment, so you don’t want to make your decisions lightly. Here’s why we think buying your gear in-person is still the way to go.

A Picture Isn’t Really Worth 1,000 Words

A picture of a product can tell you a lot, but it can’t tell you everything. It can’t tell you how that fabric will feel against your skin, and weather that button is going to rub up against you all day. It won’t always show you that there are hidden pockets inside a jacket, or it might forget to mention that those pants don’t come with a zippered vent.

In other words, there’s a lot you can discover by physically handling a piece of equipment. When you’re investing in new ski gear, you want to know what you’re getting before you drop your hard earned money on it. An in-person inspection is the best way to go.

You Can’t Fake Fit

You can take all the measurements you want and approximate your size as best as you can, but in the end, nothing compares to actually trying a piece on in real life. How else can you tell whether that new pair of goggles will fit snugly against your existing helmet? Or whether that jacket it long enough to cover your back when you lean over?

Compare and Contrast

If you’re not 100% sure you know what you want – say, you want a new pair of goggles but you aren’t sure what kind – it helps to be able to make in person comparisons. Holding a few different pairs in your hands and inspecting them up close will help you make sound, informed decisions about your purchase – and it’s easier than switched between tabs on your browser and trying to guess between features.

Save the Hassle

Making a purchase online seems easy, but it isn’t always the case. Say the piece you ordered doesn’t fit – now, you either have to trek to the post office (and Whistler only has one!) or you have to locate the nearest bricks and mortar version of the store you bought it from. If you pick up your new gear in a store and it doesn’t fit, no big deal: just put it down and try on another size.

Good Old Fashioned Social Interaction

The number one reason to stick to bricks and mortar is, without a doubt, the service. Whether you have questions about how something works, what a feature does, or what piece of gear best meats your style or goals, it helps to have a real, live person there to guide you through your purchase. Who knows – you might even learn about a new powder stash along the way.

McCoo’s has two great locations stocked to the nines with quality brands – come in for a visit and talk to our awesome staff!