RENTING SKIS & BOOTS

Myth: Rental equipment is tired and in poor nick

Now, if you’re an old-time skier and have been fobbed off with shoddy ski gear in the past, we understand this apprehension. But the standard of rental equipment has really improved in recent years.

In most Alpine ski resorts you’ll find a trusted outlet, like Intersport and SkiSet, that stocks the newest gear (from professional race kit to daily piste kit), with a variety of rental options at a range of price points to suit every skier or snowboarder’s budget. Snowboards are much better stocked than ever before too.

Your best bet is to reach out before you arrive in resort and check out their stock before you go. Intersport, for example, will often call around nearby stores to make sure it’s got what you want for the dates you need.

And the in-poor-nick part? Intersport, for example, services the gear between each and every rental, so even if you’re swapping your skis out for the afternoon, anticipating a few hours’ carving the pistes, or perhaps a little off-piste expedition, freshly waxed and edged skis are guaranteed.

Which brings us to our next point…

Myth: Once it’s rented, they’ve got your money and you’re locked in

These days you can switch out your skis for another model as many times as you like during a ski trip. Whether it’s the snow conditions that are changing from day to day, or you fancy one day carving the blues followed by an off-piste adventure the next, you can swap your skis – and boots – as many times as you like.

In fact, with ski boots this is especially useful, as finding your perfect pair on day one is not always a guarantee (and nothing ruins a good ski day like a painful pair of ski boots).

You can even carry out your own mini ski test, trying as many models as you wish, if you’re planning on investing in your own skis in the future… Most rental companies will fully reimburse your ski rental fees if you end up buying a pair of skis through them.

Myth: Rentals have to be long-term

False. Let’s say there’s a storm rolling in and you’re unhappy with your own piste carvers, and want to take a fat powder ski out for the day. Or, perhaps you’ve heard of a must-do ski tour, or have met some buddies in the pub last night who have invited you out on an

expedition, but you need a set of touring skis and boots. Or maybe it’s to test out those skis everyone has been harping on about all week. Head into a rental shop and get what you need for the day for less than cash you might think.

Though pre-booking is better for ensuring you get exactly what you want at the best price, drop-ins to pick up easy rentals, taking it one day at a time, are totally doable – no contract, no pressure.

Myth: It’s expensive!

Skiing is expensive full stop. As is a pair of brand new skis (just have a look at some of the near-£800 models on offer this season over at our sister site at Fall Line Skiing). 

But renting? Not so much… Especially if you’re a once or twice-a-year skier: buying over renting – the maths just doesn’t add up.

Take Intersport, ubiquitous throughout the Alps: Economy Class ski rental costs €29, with additional days costing €18. Superior skis cost €59, with additional days costing €29. And that’s without pre-booking discounts.

And don’t forget the additional costs of overweight bags from a 2kg ski boot, or the extra cost of a sports equipment ski/snowboard bag (from £35 each way) to check in on the flight.

Myth: It’s inconvenient

Gone are the days of hours waiting around in rental shops for your turn to be seen on Saturday turnover day. Technology has helped smooth out the system, with pre-booking advised, to peruse the site beforehand for a quick pick up on the other side (as well as picking up the best deals).

There are some smaller in-resort companies in the Alps that will deliver your gear directly to your hotel or chalet, so it’s ready and waiting for you when you arrive. Bliss!

You also benefit from the convenience of not having to lug bulky ski equipment out to the resort. No matter how you travel from home to chalet – whether it’s plane, train or car – rarely has a long cumbersome ski and snowboard bag ever made for a smooth and stress-free journey…

RENTING SKI CLOTHING

Join the revolution: pre-loved, re-worn, rental clothing is all the rage, and why shouldn’t it

stretch to skiwear, worn often just once a year? Also, thanks to its (necessary) hardwearing construction, it has a hefty impact on the environment regarding production and recyclability, which in turn makes it an important and weighty purchasing consideration.

The skiwear is washed and sterilised between each rental – how many of you can say that for your own personal ski kit? (Do you even wash it at the end of the season?!) So we bet that the rental kit is almost in better condition than our own…

It’s also a no-brainer for kids to rent skiwear, with them growing so much from one trip to the next, likely needing new kit each winter. At Ecoski, an eight-day kids’ skiwear bundle starts at £75 – a fraction of what it would be to buy.

Another benefit is that renting skiwear saves space – not just in our wardrobes or garage at home, but also in your luggage. With bulky ski kit taking up what’s got to be 90% of the suitcase space, you might even be able to travel with hand luggage only if you rent skiwear in resort (saving a few more £s in the process).

More pros to renting skiwear include being able to change your look each time you ski, with a new outfit or colourway, with less impact on the environment.

Online rental services like Ecoski deliver rental skiwear to your address in the UK so you can try it on at home before you go. Free returns and climate neutral delivery are part and parcel.

Our Final Tips for Renting Ski Gear

* Book online, and ideally early (try Intersport for savings with our discount code WELOVE2SKI)

* Book directly with the ski rental shop/company, if you can, though tour operators might bundle ski rental in with their prices, in which case it’s harder to know from what shop you’ll be renting and the standard of equipment on offer.

* Don’t settle for uncomfortable boots – this can be the demise of a ski holiday for many (or, indeed, a ski career!).

* Take advice on the best skis to rent for your level, and not what you see Billy-big-balls insisting on next to you.

* As a general rule, it’s best to go for a big-name ski-hire outfitters such as Intersport as you know you’ll be getting quality equipment, service and suitability – not just what’s just left in stock.