Beginner's Guide to Ski Rental

If you’re new to skiing or snowboarding, or just hitting the slopes occasionally, renting your gear is a smart and hassle-free choice. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how easy renting snow equipment can be and offer a step-by-step process to ensure your rental experience is smooth and enjoyable.

To streamline your rental experience, consider booking online before your trip. This ensures you have the equipment you need and can often save you money with early booking discounts.

If you prefer to book in person, visit the rental shop and fill out a rental form. This is also a great time to ask our Guest Services team specific questions about the equipment and the rental process.

The first decision to make is whether you will be skiing or snowboarding! Regardless of your choice, we offer two different ranges of equipment to choose from.

• Standard Range: Recommended for beginner and intermediate levels, these skis and snowboards are stable and easy to handle, making them perfect for learning and progressing.

• Premium Range: Offers sportier options and additional choices in colours and styles. While some premium skis are also beginner-friendly, they provide more variety for those who want to look stylish on the slopes.

Specialised ski or snowboard boots are a must - regular winter shoes won’t do the trick. Ski boots feature a hard plastic shell and an insulated inner liner, and are designed to fasten securely to your skis. Snowboard boots are more flexible, providing comfort and control while attaching firmly to your snowboard.

We always prioritise finding the best fit; whether you choose standard or premium range your boot choice won’t be affected since we will always ensure your boots are comfortable and well suited to your feet.

It is important to be correctly outfitted on the slopes. Make sure you have everything you need to stay safe and be nice and warm on the mountain.

• Helmets: Always a smart safety choice. Helmets are mandatory for children in lessons and recommended for all skiers and snowboarders, regardless of level.

• Goggles: Protect your eyes from snow, wind, and sun.

• Gloves, Jackets, and Pants: Waterproof and insulated clothing is essential for staying warm and dry.

• Wrist Guards: Optional gear for snowboarders only to protect your wrists from falls.

• Apres Boots: Useful for walking around town, but not suitable or necessary for skiing or snowboarding.

Consider purchasing additional items like ski socks, balaclavas, and base layers to enhance your comfort on the slopes. These items are not available for rental but we have a variety of retail options to get you perfectly outfitted for warmth and comfort.

Upon arrival, our friendly guest services team will welcome you and start your rental process. You can even come for your fitting the day before your rental begins, anytime after 3 PM. That way you can be ready to head out straight out in the morning and maximise your mountain time.

We’ll start by confirming your details - height, weight, age, and ability level - to ensure your equipment is tailored to your specific needs. You will also have the opportunity to add on any items you may have missed in your original booking and browse our retail selection.

Your rental technician will be with you every step of the way. Talk to them; the more they get to know you, the easier it is for them to match you with the perfect equipment setup.

Your technicians will outfit you with:

• Accessories: To get you started, we will ask you to try on your clothing and helmets. We can provide bags to help you keep everything together and make it easier to organise and carry.

• Boots: Your technician will start by measuring your feet. Ski and snowboard boots feel and fit very differently from regular shoes. It’s normal for them to feel snug at first, but use the guidance from your technician to determine if they are the right fit for you. Your technician will also share some tips to help you put the boots on and take them off with ease.

• Skis, Boards, and Bindings: Finally, your technician will select the ski or board that best suits your needs. They will also adjust the binding; the part that attaches your boot to the ski or board. Your rental tech will use the personal details you provided to set the bindings uniquely to you.

Carrying your skis or snowboards is simple. We recommend using a bag for your helmets, boots, and accessories to keep everything together nicely. For your skis, put the bases together and grab them by the bindings with the tips up and forward. Snowboards can be held in the middle, between the bindings. It’s important to stay aware and watch out for people and obstacles around you.

Getting ready for the mountain can seem daunting at first. Layer up well, and consider walking to the base in your regular shoes instead of your ski boots. Ski boots are designed for skiing, not walking, so they might feel uncomfortable on your way to the hill. Each ski base has locker options, so you might want to wear your regular shoes there and switch to your ski boots just before hitting the slopes.

It is important to make sure you’re using the correct boots and skis or board. Since the bindings are set specifically for you, it’s important not to mix up equipment with anyone else in your group. We label each ski and boot with your name, so pay attention to the stickers to avoid mix ups.

Putting on your ski boots can be easy with a few tips. Avoid double layering with two socks or by putting leggings inside. Instead, roll up your leggings to avoid any seams, wrinkles, or pressure points on your feet and shins. To help your foot slide in easily, pull the tongue of the boot out and to the side. When you fasten the buckles, make sure the ones on your shins are snug, but the ones on your feet should be just tight enough to be closed with just one finger. This keeps circulation flowing and your toes nice and warm. Lastly, pull the inner liner of your ski pants over the top of the boots to keep out snow, and you’re all set!

If anything feels uncomfortable or doesn’t fit right, simply return to the rental shop for adjustments or a replacement. We would be happy to help you find something more comfortable and make your mountain time more enjoyable.

Return your equipment when you’re done using it and our staff will verify that everything is accounted for. If you’re heading back to your accommodation and prefer not to drop off in person, give us a call to arrange for collection. You can return your gear anytime before 10 AM on the day after your rental ends - ideal for sneaking in a few last-minute morning runs.

Have a look at our Top 5 Tips for Renting Right to see how you can make your rentals process as smooth and convenient as possible.

With these tips, renting ski or snowboard gear will be a breeze, letting you focus on having fun on the slopes!