5 Things to check before renting skis

Make sure you rent the right skis and don’t get over-charged this winter with these quick tips.

As an ex-rental monkey I can literally say I’ve seen and heard it all from inside the rental shop – its quite a tense time for many customers, especially when they want to grab their gear as quick as possible and get on the hill.

Before signing a rental agreement and walking out the door with your gear be sure to check:

The terms of the rental agreement

Not all rental agreements are the same and each shop will have their own policies. Be sure to check the full costs involved in renting your skis, including any possible insurance that may indemnify you against reasonable damage.

Only pay for the minimum amount of skiing

Just because you’re going on a 10 day skiing adventure doesn’t mean your body will be up to it. Pay for the minimum amount of time you think you’ll be on the hill and then extend the agreement if you decide to ski more. Be sure to let the rental shop know that you’ll be holding on to the skis otherwise they may change you extra.

Also be sure to check what happens if you want to take a day off skiing and whether you will be charged for that day if you bring the skis back during your time off.

Talk to the rental technician

Okay, I use the word ‘technician’ loosely, but the fact is that they probably ski around 80 days a year as a perk for their job and should know a bit about skiing. Talk to them about the type of skier you are and don’t be afraid to say you’re a novice. Knowing the type of skier you are will help them find the right skis for you.

Storage

Some rental shops next to resorts offer storage for your skis overnight and will be nice enough to tune them up if you’re lucky. Before signing up to any agreement find out what their policies are for storing skis overnight, especially if you’re not keen on lugging your skis around to and from the hotel. On the flipside, if you’re in a hurry to get on the hill each morning you may not want the hassle of having to go back to the rental shop each day.

Check the skis before walking out the door

When you sign the rental agreement and the skis are set up with your boots then they become your responsibility. Make sure that the skis are in good condition or bring attention to any damage to the shop before taking them out of the shop.

What you should look for is straight edges (no dents) which are relatively sharp, a smooth base with no holes, and a thin layer of wax. Make sure both your boots fit properly in the bindings and the settings are the same on each leg.

Remember your polls

Okay, I know this is the sixth tip, but if I had a dollar for how many people walked out of the shop without their poles I’d be able to buy my own heli-ski operation outright.

Did we miss any? Feel free to add your tips in below.

Posted by Brendon on August 12th, 2009 in Ski Tips