Fist thing you want to think about is when to buy, Ever year winter sports become popular and then die off aroud mar-april  This is the time to buy. Right now I go to thrift stores garge sales and sales at stores finding the cheepest winter stuff. I'll keep it untell next season. When all the mountains are up and running again I start to sell. and the money I make lets me buy some nice new gear for my self.