First time Skiing- can I rent ski clothes or just suck it up and buy some?

Check the close-outs at Sierra Trading Post. You can get things quite cheaply, particularly now as the season is ending. I don't know what you were thinking it would cost to rent ski pants (or a bib. I wear pants, but the Boy swears that a bib is *so* much better. He skiis the scary slopes, though; I don't), but you might find a closeout at Sierra Trading Post that's priced right. Their return policy is great, too, if you order something that doesn't fit.

I went skiing for the first time a few years ago (ended up being a one shot deal, so far at least) to an Academy's (general sporting goods store) and bought ski pants very cheaply ($20). I wore long underwear underneath them and was perfectly fine. Try looking at any sporting goods stores in your area, Academy's is pretty generic and their prices are really low. I also went camping recently and was looking at a cold rainy night and wished I could have found my skiing pants to wear! Have fun. Snow banks are your friend, very cushiony.

I ski once ever five years, so last February I bought http://www.rei.com/product/761945 form REI and wore them over some warm long johns. They worked perfectly, and I can wear them when I'm not skiing as well.

You don't really need anything special. If I were you I'd go to a thrift store and buy a pair of nylons pants there for less than five dollars. Follow the same layering strategy on the bottom as you will on the top, and you'll be golden.

You don't even need ski pants. I did my earliest skiing in jeans. Most (practically all) ski mountains will have a beginner's package that offers skis and boots (and poles, which you hardly need as a novice) with a bunny hill lift ticket and a lesson. I've seen people learning to ski at Bretton Woods who looked like they just got off the plane at Logan from Ethiopia, wearing long, dress overcoats. Although I have ski pants somewhere, on those rare occasions when I go skiing I feel most comfortable wearing jeans (what I call dungarees, except on the internet, where people laugh at the term) with long underwear. The thing about ski pants is that they make this ridiculous swooshing sound between the legs. The only special equipment you might consider buying or renting would be a helmet, which I would not ski without (I am a terrible skier), not because I ski fast or dangerously but because someone else might hit me.

Agreed, nothing special needed, unless you are dressing to look the part. Do keep in mind to use layers. It can get very hot, very fast. But you probably already own stuff that will work fine. And wear sunscreen.

Buy cheap ski pants. If you go in jeans you will end the day soaking wet as you will fall and the snow will stick to you and then melt. says the voice of experience.

ditto buying cheap ski pants, even they are just a shell - as waterproof as possible is best, you can wear your jeans under them if you like. other things that will make you comfortable - not so thick wool socks, waterproof jacket, warm gloves. wet is bad. things that don't dry well are bad. i used to ski in jeans as well but then again at that time i was pretty good and hardly ever fell and i scotchguarded them. i have seen people ski in everything from jeans to carhartt coveralls to a poor lady in a cotton skirt last month. i am sure it was a religious thing, but bless her heart it had to be miserable with all the new snow we had.

I usally wear nice comfy sweatpants with a waterproof trackpant over it. I'm sure you have sweatpants, and the trackpants you can pick up at wal-mart for 10 or 15 bucks. I'd recommend layering your upper as well (tshirt, long sleeve shirt, sweatshirt, waterproof jacket). If you've got it, glove liners or really thin gloves under your big ski gloves are a lifesaver.