Renting ski gear is a convenient way to hit the slopes without dropping serious cash on your own equipment. But a subpar rental experience can put a major damper on your powder days. The experts over at Canyon Sports tell us that you should steer clear of these common pitfalls to ensure your ski rental goes smoothly.
Lying About Your Ability Level
Be honest about your skiing abilities when reserving gear. Pretending that you are a hardcore expert when you are really more of an intermediate is a recipe for getting skis, boots and poles that don’t mesh with your skills. This creates safety risks and makes turning and controlling the equipment an uphill battle all day.
Rental staff are pros at matching gear to ability using clear-cut categories like beginner, intermediate and advanced. Level with them so they can hook you up with user-friendly gear suited for your current level. It is okay to be new or rusty; they’ll get you dialed in properly to progress your skills, not hinder them.
Waiting Until Last Minute
Rental shops get massively slammed during peak periods like holidays and school vacations. Winging it to grab rentals at the last possible minute often means dismal pickings of leftovers and crazy long lines. You could get stuck with hand-me-down skis from the bargain bin that were last waxed during the Bush administration.
Reserve your ski rental gear at least a few days in advance whenever possible. During particularly busy times, it is wise to book rentals 1-2 weeks out to ensure availability of top rental equipment in your specs. Many shops offer discounts for booking online too.
Skipping the Rental Helmet
Helmets are cheap insurance for keeping your head safe from nasty falls and crashes on the mountain. While their use is not mandatory at most resorts, they are an absolute must for reducing risks of a serious brain injury.
Rental shops have a vast selection of helmets to borrow. Don’t be frugal by skipping the rental helmet; head protection is never something to cheap out on when shooting down a mountain.
Overlooking Boot Fit
Properly fitted boots are the most important piece of ski gear. They create the vital connection between you and your skis. Ill-fitted boots will lead to pain, blisters, lost control and a downright miserable experience from run one.
When trying on rental boots, wear the socks you will ski in and pay attention to:
- Toes not jammed but also not swimming with room.
- Snug overall fit without excessive tightness.
- Comfort while walking short distances.
Don’t settle for boots that don’t fit perfectly right off the bat. Work with the rental staff to nail the Goldilocks “just right” fit. It’s worth taking the extra time.
Improper Ski Length
There is a “just right” length for skis too based on skier height, weight, ability level and terrain. Skis that are way too long or short can be very difficult to properly turn and control.
As a general rule:
- Beginner skis should be around your height or slightly shorter.
- Intermediates typically size up to skis slightly taller than themselves.
- Experts can rock skis around 5-10cm longer than their height for power.
Let the rental associates guide you to the ideal length. You’ll enjoy much better stability and handling on the slopes.
Conclusion
With these pitfall avoidance tips, your next ski rental experience will be smooth and hassle-free. You can focus on soaking in the fresh mountain air, scoping fresh pow stashes to shred, and creating new memories. A proper ski rental lets you maximize every second out on the slopes.
