The Powder House in Bend offers seasonlong rentals. This Rossignol snowboard (above) and these Atomic nordic skis (left and right) are part of the shop's seasonal rental fleet.

You might not be ready to hear it, but it must be said nonetheless: It’s time to outfit the family for winter sports season.

A Sept. 30 deadline already looms for early season pass prices at Mt. Bachelor. After that, passes shoot up by several hundred dollars.

There are also a number of other fast-approaching dates to circle on the calendar to get in on quality secondhand gear or seasonlong lease deals.

So even though the mountains are still wearing summer clothes, it’s best to make decisions now about getting the kids ready for snow.

Luckily, there are options available for finding boots and bindings, skis and boards. And they’re tailored to a range of ages and abilities, from toddlers making their first wobble on skis to preteens wanting to ride the terrain parks.

For winter sport newbies or fast-growing children, parents should check out renting gear.

Rental options range locally from daylong to seasonlong for various sports, including alpine and nordic skiing as well as snowboarding.

Day rentals are available at a variety of sports shops throughout Central Oregon, as well as at Mt. Bachelor.

These can be worthwhile for those only venturing out a few times a season. Think of that 4-year-old you want to expose to the snow.

“For a 4-year-old, you’re going to get about 20 minutes,” said Susan Bonacker, owner of Sunnyside Sports in Bend. “In terms of the economy of it, it doesn’t make sense to buy the stuff.”

Those seeking something between renting for a day and buying a package, however, can consider seasonlong gear leases. At least two shops in Bend offer such deals: Skjersaa’s and Powder House.

Jeremy Nelson, owner of Skjersaa’s, said he often recommends his seasonlong lease program to parents over buying a package. He offers gear for skiing and snowboarding at $150 for the season. The program kicks off Oct. 1.

“For most kids, unless they’re competing, then consider leasing,” he said.

The reason, Nelson said, is to ensure proper fit throughout the winter. Gear that fits helps children grow in the sport. They don’t feel frustrated by flopping around with skis too long or boots too large. If the boot is way too big, it can even be a question of safety when zooming down the mountain. And an added benefit is parents don’t have to pick up and drop off the gear at the shop with each outing.

The Skjersaa’s and Powder House programs allow those leasing to get refitted as often as needed. So the boy who grows two shoe sizes in a school year or the girl whose skill improves quickly can adjust as the season wears on.

“I grew up using gear from my brother who was three years older than me,” Nelson recalled. “But when the boot is too big, it’s harder to control the skis.”

The same holds true for nordic skiing, said Bonacker of Sunnyside Sports. She recommended that when introducing children to classic skiing — and later skate skiing — it’s best to rent and get a good fit.

Sunnyside offers daily rentals for children at $10 for classic and $12 for skate, although she advises waiting to introduce skate skiing until age 7 or 8.

“With skis, the ‘ol buying them with a bunch of growing room can really shoot parents in the foot,” she said. “Then the kids aren’t going to enjoy it.”

When Bonacker fits young beginners, she said she errs for skis on the short side. That helps them learn technique.

Shanda McGee, owner of Powder House, said her shop offers seasonlong rentals for nordic, snowshoeing, snowboarding and alpine, including regular and twin-tip skis. Twin tips, which are popular with terrain park riders, curl up on both ends and are for skiing backward or doing tricks.

The starting price for skiing and snowboarding season leases, McGee said, is $149, although twin-tips cost more. That price doesn’t include poles.

She added that the program is so popular that when it kicks off on Oct. 1, a line will extend out the door.

“It’s just great for families with growing kids, and you cannot beat it for beginners,” she said.

Opt to own

Sometimes, however, it’s time to get the kids their own setup.

Owning a gear package might be more attractive for those who want to zip straight to the snow, rather than stop by the shop for a daily rental. It also starts to make more sense when children’s growth slows, as it does for some by the time they hit high school.

Also, those involved in racing programs through organizations like the Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation or the Bend Endurance Academy will possibly need their own gear. It’s best to talk to the organization in those cases to get a sense of what will best suit the child’s needs.

Again, sporting goods stores throughout Central Oregon are now starting to get in their winter goods and are offering sales on packages. Between boots, bindings and skis or board, expect to spend several hundred dollars.

There are other options for owning, as well.

Those who do the season lease from Skjersaa’s can opt to keep the package. How it works is Skjersaa’s charges $299 at the lease outset. Those who return the gear get a refund, bringing the seasonlong price down to $150.

“They may want to take it into next season,” Nelson said.

Secondhand shops throughout Central Oregon also offer children’s sizes for snow sports. The Gear Peddler, which has locations in Bend and Redmond, advertised last week on its website youth ski packages starting at $50.

The granddaddy of secondhand gear opportunities is the Skyliners Winter Sports Swap, slated for this year on Oct. 15. Put on by the Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation, the swap packs Mt. Bachelor’s bus barn with winter gear and wear (see “Gear up for grabs,” see Page E1).

Needless to say, by the time you find the best gear and get it fitted and waxed, a coating of white will have dusted the mountains.

Mt. Bachelor deal

For parents seeking an economic way to introduce skiing or snowboarding, take a look at Mt. Bachelor’s Ski or Ride in 5 deal.

The program, launched in 2009, is geared toward beginners and available from age 6 to adult. For $199, it offers five lessons, gear rental and a beginner lift ticket, which covers the Carousel and Sunrise chairlifts. Once the lessons are complete, children and teens receive a free pass for the rest of the season.

Parents must find their children gear after graduation. But last season Mt. Bachelor offered graduates a chance to purchase a package at a discount.

In addition, Ski or Ride in 5 graduates 18 or younger are offered 50 percent off a season pass the following year, and 25 percent off a pass the year after that.

Andy Goggins, marketing director for Mt. Bachelor, said the program has proven popular.

“We’ve had a surprising number of parents take it with their children,” he said.

The start date for the program is Jan. 2.

Contact: www.mtbachelor.com.

Gear up for grabs

Lines form every year before the doors open to the Skyliners Winter Sports Swap, which will take place this year from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 15. The event is put on by the Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation and benefits its scholarship program. Inside is a plethora of winter gear and wear, from toddler to adult, at bargain prices.

Admission is $3 per individual or $6 for per family. It will take place at the Mt. Bachelor Bus Barn, 115 S.W. Columbia St., Bend.

Contact: www.mbsef.org or 541-388-0002.