If you are planning a ski holiday, it’s worth considering some of these expert tips on how to make sure you hire the right skis and kit for the slopes.
Lionel Bergoend, of Netski and the owner of The Hub in Les Gets, believes that a great ski trip relies on good quality, safe, well-maintained and expertly fitted equipment.
What to know: Before you rent skis
What the rental expert needs to know to be able to fit your ski equipment:
- Each person’s height, weight and shoe size.
- Level of skiing and/or ski experience. For example, beginner, intermediate or expert.
- For intermediate and expert skiers – what terrain is intended to ski, such as on or off-piste skiing.
Lionel explains: “With this information, the technician selects the most suitable type and length of ski. This can also take into account the present snow conditions in resort and the customer’s preferred terrain to ski during the rental period.
“The bindings are then set by the technician to the appropriate tension for the customer’s weight and ski experience level, which means they can safely release in the event of the force of a fall or twist.”
Tips: At the ski hire shop
You’ll need to take a few items with you to the ski hire shop
- A pair of ski socks.
- If you are hiring skis only, then take a ski boot along for the bindings to be set.
- Strong reusable shopping bags can be handy for carrying boots and helmets to and from the rental shop.
Lionel’s top ski sock tip: “Invest in good quality ski socks and only wear one pair of ski socks in ski boots.”
During the ski rental
It’s important to look after your hire equipment.
- It is recommended you take a photo of each person’s equipment, in case something goes missing.
- Save the phone number of the rental shop to make contact if needed.
- Take a ski lock to secure the equipment when stopping for drinks, lunch or après-ski.
- Consider a ski hire waiver insurance if offered. This can off-set any unintentional damage to the skis.
Why hire skis for a holiday?
- No need to pack and carry equipment.
- No airline ski carriage cost.
- Peace of mind of expert guidance and fitting.
- Confidence that the equipment is well maintained and regularly serviced.
- Reassurance that equipment can be exchanged if needed.
- As skiing skills progress, equipment appropriate to present level can be hired.
- Opportunity to try different equipment types, tech and brands, which can be very informative if planning to buy your own equipment.
- Chance to have the most suitable skis for present snow conditions.
- Can kit out the family without buying equipment one year only to find the children have outgrown it by the next.
- The chance to try different ski disciplines, such as cross-country skiing, ski touring or telemarking.
Netski rental benefits
- Easy online booking.
- Conveniently located hire shops – online map shows the location.
- Convenient opening hours.
- The option to collect equipment at the end of the day, prior to the first ski day.
- Expert advice.
- Efficient service.
- Good value for money.
- Quick, no quibble exchange if not entirely happy with an item of equipment.
- Insurance cover option for peace of mind.
- Swift process for equipment return.
- Netski hire at 90 ski rental shops in France and in Europe (Switzerland, Italy, Andorra, Austria, Spain).
- See Netski.