Arriving in the resort and finding your skis ready, without having loaded the car or carried a ski bag on the train: that is the whole point of ski equipment rental. It suits families in particular, whose children change size from one winter to the next, and skiers who prefer to travel light. Here is what you can hire in the resort, how to get organised before you leave or on site, and when to start.
Why rent your ski equipment rather than bring it?
Renting your equipment on site means, first of all, freeing yourself from the logistics: nothing to carry, nothing to maintain, and equipment chosen for the week according to your level. It is also the simplest solution when you only ski a few days a year.
- No bulky luggage: skis, boots and helmets are waiting for you in the resort, so you travel lighter.
- Equipment suited to everyone: the rental shop chooses skis and boots and adjusts the bindings according to each skier’s height, weight, shoe size and level.
- Children fitted with the right size: no need to buy equipment that will be out of date by the next season.
- Well-maintained equipment: rental skis are maintained by the shop, so you do not have to worry about them.
What equipment can you rent in the resort?
Ski rental shops in the resorts equip beginners and experienced skiers alike. The offer varies from one rental shop to another, but you will generally find alpine skis in several ranges, including children’s sizes, snowboards with their boots and bindings, ski boots, helmets and poles; depending on the resort, some hire shops also offer cross-country skis.
Many rental shops also offer packs that bring together skis, boots and poles. Ranges, brands and children’s equipment depend on the shop: check them when you book.
Equipment rental and your stay with us: ask us
Depending on the resort and the period, the rental of your ski equipment could be arranged at the same time as the booking of your apartment or chalet. Ask our booking centre in Bourg-Saint-Maurice, by phone on +33 4 79 07 05 17, by email at resa@cis-immobilier.com or via the contact form on our website: our advisers will tell you whether it is possible for your dates and, if so, with which rental shop and where to collect your equipment.
To prepare for this conversation, gather the following for each skier:
- The intended activity (alpine skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing).
- The level (beginner, intermediate, experienced).
- Height, weight and shoe size, measured shortly before departure for children.
- The dates of your stay and the resort of your rental.
Book in advance or rent on site?
Both are possible in the resort. Hiring on site, on the day of arrival, leaves flexibility, but during the winter school holidays the shops are very busy and the wait can get long. Booking before you leave generally gives you more choice and makes your visit to the shop quicker.
Either way, allow for this visit in the organisation of your first day: with a family, trying on boots takes time. Choosing a rental shop close to your accommodation or to the start of the pistes will also save you long walks in ski boots.
Choosing the right equipment for your level and activity
Well-chosen equipment makes the week more pleasant and safer. A few pointers before you go to the shop:
- Give your real level: skis that are too demanding tire a beginner, skis that are too soft hold back an experienced skier.
- Give up-to-date measurements: height and weight are used to choose the length of the skis and adjust the bindings.
- Take the time to try on the boots: they matter most for comfort. They should hold the foot without squeezing it. At the slightest discomfort, tell your rental shop straight away.
- Wear a helmet: it is strongly recommended for everyone, and especially for children.
- Ask for advice: the shop teams know the pistes of their resort and will be able to guide your choice.
Equipment, ski passes and lessons: preparing the whole week
Equipment renting is only one part of the preparation. For the Arcs-Vallandry ski area and Paradiski, we offer you the chance to book your ski passes online, before you leave: thanks to our partnership with the ski lifts, our agency hands them to you on the day of your arrival. For the other resorts, ask our advisers. A discount on group ski lessons could also be offered to you, on presentation of a voucher issued at the agency: we will explain the conditions for your stay.
Other services can be booked with your accommodation, depending on the resort, such as household linen rental, optional cleaning or a covered parking space.
The advantages of hiring for families and groups of friends
For families, hiring avoids buying equipment every winter that the children will no longer be able to wear the following year: everyone hits the pistes with equipment in their size, without cluttering the boot. Among friends, it lets each person equip themselves according to their activity, ski or snowboard, beginner or experienced, while visiting the shop together: remember to gather the sizes and shoe sizes of the whole group before you leave.
- Equipment in the right size for children, at every stay.
- The chance to try another activity, such as snowboarding, without buying equipment.
- A single visit to the shop to equip the whole family or group.
Hiring your equipment in Les Arcs, Tignes or Val d’Isère
In the resorts where we rent apartments and chalets, you will find ski equipment rental shops. In Les Arcs, from Arc 1600 to Arc 2000 via Arc 1800, in the Paradiski ski area, discover our properties to rent in Les Arcs. We also welcome you in Tignes (Val Claret, Le Lac, Le Lavachet), in Val d’Isère, in Méribel, in Peisey-Vallandry and in Bourg-Saint-Maurice.
En bref
What to remember before booking your ski equipment
Plan ahead if you are travelling during the school holidays, gather the heights, weights and shoe sizes of each skier, choose equipment suited to your level and plan a helmet for the children. To find out whether equipment rental can be combined with your stay, ask our advisers.
Frequently asked questions
Can you book your ski equipment with your holiday rental?
Ask our advisers when you book your accommodation: they will tell you whether it is possible for your dates and your resort.
Do you need to book your ski equipment in advance?
It is not essential, but it is advisable during the winter school holidays, when the shops are busiest. You will save time on arrival and generally have more choice.
What information do you need to give to rent skis for a child?
Their height, weight, shoe size and level, measured shortly before departure. The rental shop uses them to choose the length of the skis and adjust the bindings.
How much does ski equipment rental cost?
The price depends on the rental shop, the equipment chosen, the duration and the period. Our advisers will tell you whether a rental can be combined with your stay, and on what terms.