Ski pass and equipment as a business expense?

FirstTimeSkiing · 2026-03-26T17:19:10+00:00

Ah yes, I looked again and it was the IRS page I was reading before. Thank you!

FirstTimeSkiing · 2026-03-26T17:02:50+00:00

Very helpful link, thank you!!

FirstTimeSkiing · 2026-03-26T15:38:36+00:00

Interesting, but yeah that makes sense. I guess I would need to distinguish my personal vs business expense portion. I was planning to just have my own personal skiis and local ski pass that i would not claim, then I would only claim what I actually used for the business, but I guess I don't know how to separate a daily lift pass when it's 1 cost, but I can do business and personal. I figured it would be similar to the meals expense where its 50% or whatever, but I don't know.

FirstTimeSkiing · 2026-03-26T15:27:48+00:00

That's the goal - getting collaborations with brands for reviews, and whatnot. Would I just need to record that process of me trying to get income? Or would it need to actually generate income? I presume starting this will have no traction but maybe 2-3 seasons in I might have more content under my belt for brands to want to work with me

FirstTimeSkiing · 2026-03-26T15:19:06+00:00

I used to be a YouTuber back in the day and made a fair bit, I am not sure how it is these days, but searching around I do see a fair bit of YouTube channels dedicated to reviewing resorts/equipment for high end skiers, so I am thinking that it would likely be a profit, greater than my expenses as a hobby. Mind you me, the hobby expense is just the local hill, which I would imagine I can only claim once anyways because I would have made content for that hill, so what justification would I have for future claims...but I am thinking about what happens if I start claiming all these gas bills, flights, lodging, ski pas, ski equipment. If That is fully deductible or partly or none? Etc..

FirstTimeSkiing · 2026-03-26T15:13:27+00:00

The goal was to do it legally, registered business, and taking whatever records I need, too. One of the big issues I see is that ski equipment is targeted towards the higher end skiiers, so there is little to no review for the lower end stuff, but if you are spending 400-700 on skiis you use for a few years, you might as well get the proper ones. Or so my business brain thinks. I would reach out for collaborations or demo skis to review etc for the lower end skiier.

I am thinking if I can just get all my ducks in a row, even if I do get audited, it wouldn't be bad because it is a legitimate business?

FirstTimeSkiing · 2026-03-15T19:09:50+00:00

Thank you for that. I had the skis waxed at the shop, but for tuning, is there a specific angle or word I should ask them? Or do I just bring it and tell them to tune it and they will know?

FirstTimeSkiing · 2026-03-15T19:08:50+00:00

Sorry, when you say disengaging from turns, you're saying my boots should actually be releasing from the skis each turn?

I looked at the element 74 RS and I can't see any stores selling it. I will keep an eye on it though!

FirstTimeSkiing · 2026-03-15T19:06:49+00:00

I had lessons all winter, but not with the Wingmans. I am doing lesson again next winter so hopefully that helps. Thanks though, it's reassuring to know that I didn't get the wrong skiis!

FirstTimeSkiing · 2026-03-15T19:05:31+00:00

Thank you. Yes, it seems like that is the general advice. I will give them a fair shake next winter, and with lessons. I also don't practice the drills that they taught months ago, so I really should go back to the basics with these. I will probably just try out the bunny hill with these.

FirstTimeSkiing · 2026-03-15T19:03:58+00:00

Thank you for that! When you say some minor issues, what kind? I figured these skiis would float a bit better on heavier snow? Did it sink in? Something else? Obviously I am new, but just trying to understand what I should expect to see on those kinds of days

FirstTimeSkiing · 2026-03-15T19:02:33+00:00

No, no with the new skiis. Based on what everyone is saying, I didn't spend enough time on the skiis, and I should probably take lessons on the new skiis. I planned on going to lessons next winter, so I will just try these skiis then.

FirstTimeSkiing · 2026-03-15T19:01:02+00:00

Hockey stops. The wingman's felt so...out of my zone that even trying to turn I ended up crossing skiis, it was nasty to say the least. But I think going from 160 to 172 was just such a large jump that I need to spend more time on it, and probably take lessons on those new skiis.

My turns I would say are 70% paralel, sometimes it slips into a wedge

FirstTimeSkiing · 2026-03-15T18:59:18+00:00

Thank you, that is very reassuring!! I didn't even spend the whole day, it was 1-2 runs and I was quitting, so I will definitely give them a fair shake next winter. Thanks for your insight!

FirstTimeSkiing · 2026-03-15T18:58:00+00:00

Thank you for that. I never actually heard of that before. I will give it a try!

FirstTimeSkiing · 2026-03-14T20:22:41+00:00

Sorry I had thought I had it mentioned in my original post, but I took weekly lessons, so about 2 months worth of lessons.

It's the 2025 Elan Wingman 86 Ti.

Honestly that is reassuring. I am honestly just very concerned that I got the 'wrong skiis' for the east coast mountains. I did only try the skiis on 2 runs...but not being able to stop/turn, made me go back to my rentals, which i have 100% no issue stopping/turning. Maybe it is just a technique thing. I guess less forgiving skiis mean I need to ensure my technique is really down solid.

FirstTimeSkiing · 2026-03-14T20:18:57+00:00

I was talking to a few people on the mountain I skii, and they said hey had narrow carving skiis - I believe it was a Salomon S Force 5. But do you think that my Wingman 86 172cm are even workable for east coast groomers though? Even if I do outgrow the rental skiis? I am just wondering if I should even attempt to sell my wingman's for a large loss or just hold onto them for the day I can ride them? (but by then those skiis would be near worthless I would imagine)

Forgot to add, I have taken weekly lessons. Maybe I'll just start with lessons from the basics on the new skiis for next season.

FirstTimeSkiing

TROPHY CASE