Trying to decide if we should buy skis once and all, or keep renting.

We're intermediate skiers, so not super picky about equipment (except boots, of course). We ski probably total 8 days per season over 4 trips... 2 local (Whistler) via car, 2 via plane (usually 1-2 in Jpn, 0-1 in CO/UT). We always use our own boots and helmets, which we can take on planes as carry-ons. Renting boots is unthinkable at this point. So we just rent skis. As you know, there's hardly any price difference between renting the whole set vs skis alone (without boots).

I see these as pros & cons of bringing your own skis:

PROS:
- Cost savings: For a 2-day ski trip for 2 adults, ski-only rentals probably run ~$200 total. So that's $200 savings per trip. Although I probably wouldn't take my own skis on international trips (too much work), you're still talking $500+ savings per season and >$5000 savings over the expected life of the skis.
- Would save time not having to rent skis each time.

CONS:
- What if there's an equipment failure on the mountain? I've had a situation where my boot no longer would snap into the bindings. Because it was a rental, the rental guys serviced it right on the mountain. Would resorts provide that type of service free of charge even if I hadn't rented from them?
- I understand that skis (unlike boots) have to be maintained (waxed, edged, etc) all the time. I don't particularly have the knowledge or desire to have to do that all the time.
- Having to lug around skis is cumbersome.
- Depending on the place, I will lose ski valet benefit by not renting (eg, Whistler Hilton's on-site ski shop Summit Sports will provide slopeside valet service if you rented from them, but Hilton does not provide such service [Westin does] so I believe you're left to carry your own skis to/from your room.)
- If renting car, you'd have to either get a large SUV or a car with ski rack. Large SUV's are usually a lot more expensive. How does it work with ski rack at rental car places? Will the car be waiting with the rack already set up when you show up? If you're Emerald Club, then you lose the ability to select any car you want, then?
- I'd imagine buying skis would be very much a crapshoot, unlike buying boots. How would I know I'm getting the right skis?

I'd like to know why you've decided to buy your own skis or keep renting (esp if you don't do much local skiing like me).
I'd also like some feedback on my pros and cons list and some of my questions contained therein.