Should I buy or rent skis? what kind?

buying is way better if you are not a beginer or go more than once

If you're going to ski enough to justify that season pass then you're going to ski enough to justify buying your skis. Don't worry about brand. I have Atomics, Rossignols and Volkls. They are all better than I am! All major brands work as they should. The main thing is that you're crazy to pay full price. There are many terrific bargains around. Search the internet for "ski sale", etc. Last season's skis or ex-demos can be had cheaply, and they're often new or as good as. Ring ski shops and ask if they have any special deals going. If your budget doesn't stretch to half-price skis, second-hand skis can be got even cheaper. The best brand is the one you get at a bargain. But of course they should be the right size for you.

I had the same question. I ended up buying a pair of gently used rossingols with good bindings from a friend. Then I got new poles and boots.

depends on if you get a deal with your pass, if it costs $50 to rent each time it's not worth it since you can get a cheap pair of beginner skis for $200 but if you don't plan on skiing after this year or you don't plan on going much don't bother. My sister got a brand new burton snowboard for $400 and used it for one season and never again...so not worth it. K2 makes nice beginner skis that work through intermediates and aren't too pricey. Also renting can be a pain in the butt cuz you have to go get skis every time you go to the mountain and sometimes wait in line. But owning has its downfalls too, you have to lock your skis especially if you get new skis because there are some idiots that like to steal skis. Oh and if you do buy skis go to a dealer don't get them online because then you might not get the right size ski or boot because it doesn't just go on height it goes on weight, ability and what you plan to do with them. You also want to go through a dealer so you can get tune ups if you need them and dealers can sometimes give you good package deals

If you're going any more than 5 times, I'd pick up a pair. Buy used skis, poles and bindings, but go new with your boots. Check Craiglist, local ski swaps and online ski stores for good used gear, you could pick up a new pair of skis for 250-300$, and a new pair of boots for 100$ or less. Any brand is good, most ski products made today are quality. Make sure to pick up a helmet as well, it could be the single most important thing you buy.