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Should I book rental skis in advance or not?

 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
I'm going away in a few weeks to St Gervais. I don't know the area at all.
I'm getting tempted by web sites offering discounts to book my skis in advance.
Its seductive to make a booking and save up to 30%, but I'm a bit of a tart when it comes to skis.
I may change them every day. I have my favourites though.

What if the shop doesn't have the model I want but offers me a "similar" in the same way as car rental companies give you a Nissan when you turn up rather than the Golf you had be salivating about?

Or is the answer to arrive and spend a couple of hours checking out the ski shops?
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
In your case I'd probably visit the ski rental shops first. Google shows me seven at Le bettex and another seven/eight in St Gervais itself so wherever you want to hire you should have a bit of choice.

It might be worth emailing the shops and asking if they have any ski options that might be of interest you. That way you might be able to cut the list down to 2-3 places to visit and you might find they might make you an offer in advance as well.


Last edited by Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person on Mon 14-01-19 10:18; edited 1 time in total
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 Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
There's just some of the reasons there why you should have your own!
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 You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
@DrLawn, when I looked over New Year, some of the places charged extra for the ability to swop skis! Worth checking the small print.
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 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
@DrLawn, just be aware that some of the rental shop in Bettex are down a fairly big set of steps with an unpleasant climb back up.
if you are planning on walking to the gondola each morning it may be worth considering the heated lockers available under the gondola house.
I have noticed some of the shops seem to specialize in 1 manufacture, do you know the model that you fancy?
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 You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
Hi @spyderjon,
Yes ... you know I've got my own, you've done a brilliant job of patching one of my Black Stars!

But when I have to fly it costs so much, I feel its worth paying that bit extra to mess up someone else's skis.

@Jonny996 I think I spotted that thing about the steps in one of your earlier posts. So I'll have to watch for that one.
My daughter has rented a locker at the bottom(I think) of the gondola.

I'll take all of your advises though.
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 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
You get to do that little ski shop dance about price when you ask the cost.

You say, how much?

They say, which accommodation are you staying at?

You reply, which one offers the most discount on ski hire costs? Very Happy

As already mentioned, if you want something specific then worth walking round them when you get there to ask if they have examples. With pre-book you may get lucky or may get lower cost with what you don't want. The decision as to which balance you're willing to risk is central to this, I guess.

Or ski roulette, you may get to try something that you've not considered but turns out to be a revelation.
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 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
I'm actually starting to suggest friends that I know will be returning a lot to look at buying ex rentals from freeglisse (down on autoroute) for 100 euro & just leave them in my cave
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 You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
ski3 wrote:

Or ski roulette, you may get to try something that you've not considered but turns out to be a revelation.


Oh yes, that is so true, I was offered the dullest looking pair of black and white Salomon skis last EoSB.
They were the best planks I've ever ridden.
+no need to worry about anyone stealing them.
(X-Max 12)
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 Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Unless you know the shop (which you don't), I would not book in advance...because you are now tied in and there is no guarantee that you will get the model you want....unless they have a specific way of booking that model (which is sometimes possible, if booking well in advance).

I think it's well worth knowing the internet prices in advance...then bargain hard. There is lots of competition, so if you don't like what you are offered (model or price), vote with your feet....but because there is lots of competition, they are unlikely to let you walk away without making a big effort to get your business.

FWIW. I would always take my own skis, unless the TO has a great incentive not to...like Crystal did a couple of years ago,.. when they took a third off Lift Pass/Ski hire.


Last edited by Ski the Net with snowHeads on Tue 15-01-19 11:59; edited 3 times in total
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 snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
I'm struggling to understand why you'd put yourself through all this extra hassle when you own your own skis?? Fair enough if you've arrived to 1metre fresh snow when you'd want some.powder skis, but otherwise why not take yours? You could waste a whole afternoon just walking to 5 shops and seeing what skis they have then going back to the first one,
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 And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
I have always pre-booked skis and my friend never does, I am not fussy and sometimes pay extra for the option to change skis everyday for a small extra fee.

Pre-booking mean they reserve the skis in advance (sometimes)

My friend finds that if its a busy weak, the best snowboards are reserved. I don't see any benefits to his choice, if he pre-booked the top end snowboards and downgraded the board on the day, it still works out cheaper.

P.S. because I pre-booked, he ends up with a 10-20% discount (vs. my 30%), so he obviously is winning, but its because of me wink


Another point, rent from specialist (more £££) or big brands like intersport or Sport2000, they have a good turnover of stock every year.
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 So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
Hi @kitenski,
I've got two pairs of pretty good skis sitting in the garage, I've used them few times.
But I cant see me using them again unless I drive to the alps.

I'm finding it a lot of phaaf taking a pair of skis with me on the plane (I've some times taken two pairs, but that's just silly).
If I lived in Southern Germany or somewhere close to the mountains then it makes perfect sense rather than wasting a couple of hours out of your weekend doing the ski shop hop.

But I still pop into Ellis Brigham and drool over the skis, there is still plenty of room in the garage for another pair. Plus there is always the chance I could drive down snowHead
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