The Tourist Office website for your resort will usually list local ski hire shops  so you can reserve equipment by fax, phone or internet in advance if you wish.  The international chain Intersport, found in most resorts, offers discounted ski rental online, as do a number of other companies including Skiset – you may find deals such as 7 days for the price of 6 or 1 set of free children’s skis with an adult booking.   If you intend to hire your skis or snowboard once you have arrived in resort, do look around as prices will vary from shop to shop – ask at your accommodation Reception for suggestions.  It is definitely worth asking for a discount wherever you go, especially if you are in a large family or group.

The ski shops are generally helpful  (except in very busy periods!) and will do their best to get you the right equipment for your needs – do keep going back if you aren’t comfortable as there is nothing worse than ill-fitting boots or skis that are too long for you to cope with!   You usually pay a deposit or leave credit card details with the shop and then pay in full at the end of the hire period so it’s possible to change from skis to snowboard etc without too much hassle.  You can also drop in at the end of the day for re-waxing and maintenance if your skis require it.

Skis are graded according to your ability, eg beginner, intermediate or advanced, with better skis obviously costing more!  Ski shop staff will be able to advise you and will need to know your approximate weight in kg so that they can adjust the ski bindings correctly. It’s possible to hire skis/snowboard and boots together or individually but if you have your own boots, remember to bring these with you to the ski rental shop so they can be fitted to the skis correctly.  Poles are often adjustable and will be provided along with the skis.

If you ski each year, buying your own boots could be one of your best investments! Look for a shop where you can ‘try before you buy’ or have alterations done to ensure the best possible fit.  You can also buy beforehand in the UK with a money back guarantee if the boots aren’t suitable on the slopes – this is advisable if you have an adult shoe size of 11 or over as availability may be limited in the resort.   Alternatively, if you find yourself in a comfortable pair of hire boots towards the end of the season, why not see if you can buy them at a knock down price?

Junior skis are generally suitable for children under 1.5m in height and up to a European Shoe size 36 (approximate age range from 6 – 11 years).  Smaller skis and basic boots are available at a lower price for very young children, whilst some shops also offer a special range of skis suitable for teenagers.  Helmets are recommended or even compulsory for children under 15 in many European countries and can be rented along with their skis.

Since the demise of good old C & A, it has sometimes been difficult to find good value ski wear to buy in the UK.  All has now changed and you will find a great choice of branded or budget gear in stores such as Decathlon, TK Maxx and Sports World.  There are plenty of specialist mountain sports shops in the UK, but if you prefer to browse the internet, many now have online shopping available including the popular Snow and Rock store.

Useful Websites

www.skiset.co.uk

www.intersport.com