Even if you are prepared to make the big initial outlay on the gear shown in the graphic (above) - thereby avoiding the cost of hiring it - an adult's day pass is well north of $100.
The trick, said Wakatipu Ski Club treasurer Kris Vermeir, was to spend your money wisely.
If you are making a long-term commitment to the sport, good-quality new clothing is the way to go.
"You've got to look at how long it will last.
"Inferior-quality clothing will not keep you warm and dry, but if you buy a good ski jacket, it will last you for years and years."
Savings could be made by buying used equipment, especially for beginners, who needed to upgrade as their ability improved.
However, there were a couple of items that people should not be scrimping on, Mr Vermeir said.
Although helmets were not compulsory on skifields, he strongly recommended everyone wear one, and to buy a used helmet was to take a risk.
"You cannot tell whether it has had a big impact.
"A lot of helmets have a construction with a crumple effect inside that absorbs some of that impact."
Once that happened, its absorptive capacity was greatly reduced, he said.
"And it's very hard to tell if a helmet's been through that just by looking at it."
For skiers, he strongly recommended buying new boots that had been fitted by an expert.
Although some people got lucky with used boots, "if you're going to make a long-term commitment, they would be the first area where I'd spend my money".
Well-fitted boots were not only important for control, but vital for a pleasant day on the mountain.
"You should not put up with painful feet - they should be like a slipper."
Buying new equipment also made sense for larger families.
"If you're lucky enough to have lots of kids, you buy new for the first one, make it gender-neutral and then just pass it down the line."
Otherwise, the Wakatipu Ski Club's annual May sale was the best opportunity to get into the sport, particularly for young families living in the Wakatipu, he said.
A set of skis, boots and poles cost about $250 - a snowboard and boots were about the same - while children's gear was cheaper still.
"You can flick it off for almost the same price the next season."
One of the sale's advantages over other cheaper outlets, such as second-hand stores or online trading, was that everything was assessed for quality by experienced snowsports retail staff.
Mr Vermeir said joining the Wakatipu Ski Club offered benefits for families dedicated to snowsports.
A family membership of $240 provided access to the club's hut just below Coronet Peak's base building, a kitchen for preparing your own meals and a friendly social scene, as well as subsidised ski and snowboard lessons for adults and children.
If you have yet to get your gear sorted, it is time to get moving. Cardrona Alpine Resort opened for learners and sightseers last weekend, The Remarkables opens today, Coronet Peak gets under way next Saturday, while Treble Cone opens on June 27.
