Ski Rental Issues

On the slopes, good snow ski equipment matters. Lugging your personal skis and boots around on your journey to the slopes, however, isn’t always a viable option (try trekking through the airport with 170 centimetres of solid wood and metal in tow). Which means that hiring your equipment is often an inherent part of winter sport holidays.

Renting opens up a whole set of potential problems, from the risks associated with subpar products to trouble with equipment damage – whether you are responsible or not. You want your ski rental experience to be as hassle-free as possible so you can focus your time and energy on the snow. Follow these guidelines to stay clear from possible pitfalls that sometimes come with hiring snow gear – save the challenge and adventure for the slopes!

The Do's Of Renting

Do inspect your skis to make sure you are getting high-quality equipment for great performance.
Do try your gear on. Never hire ski equipment without making sure it fits! Try on your boots, get a feel for your skis. You want to make sure the snow gear that you are paying to use works for you.
Do ask around before renting. Ski towns are filled with rental shops. Ask other holiday travellers, read reviews, talk to the employees at your hotel or lodge. Take the time to find out where the reputable shops are.
Do report any damage before taking anything out of a rental shop, even if it is cosmetic. While most rental shops are honest and have the best intentions, you can fall into a ski rental scam, or even a misunderstanding on the part of the rental shop. If you return gear with flaws or damage, you may have to pay for it.

The Don'ts Of Renting

Don’t accept damaged or inferior products, which can lead to injury. Flimsy snow boots or low-quality skis can put you at risk on the slopes.
Don’t feel rushed because the rental shop is busy. It is tempting to get what you need and run out. Take the time to know what you are getting and to ensure it is the proper equipment for you, and save yourself the hassle of having to return to a busy store!
Don’t settle for lesser products for a cheap price. When it comes to winter sports, quality means safety. Trust your company and trust your equipment.
Don’t expect a busy employee to remember your boots were scratched pre-hire. Take a picture, get it in writing. This is a sure way to prevent extra charges being levelled against you for damage you are not responsible for.

Stay Covered

Winter holiday trips are a world of their own – the snow, the sports, the adventure. It helps to have ski insurance to protect you against all the potential problems that are unique to a ski vacation, like rental issues. No matter how much of an expert you are at the rental shop, you still can run into surprises. You can accidentally damage your equipment while you are on the slopes. In some cases, skiers have had their rental gear stolen, leaving them with a hefty replacement bill.

Having a plan in place that will cover you in case of accidental damage, loss, or theft to your snow ski equipment will give you the peace of mind that you need to enjoy your holiday. If you want to avoid charges in cases of theft or damage, then make sure you are covered for ski equipment hire excess.

Ski Insurance knows the slopes – and the pitfalls. Check out plans designed specifically for the winter holiday traveller in mind.