 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi,
I cant find a thread on this - although I am sure it is out there.
I am a "one week a year" skier. I am competent on-piste doing blues and reds as I have skied frequently though not every years over the last 25ish years. I can get down blacks but have no great desire to hurtle down the mountain at high speeds and have never developed the skill to do it well. I don't go off-piste, though my daughter spent last year in Austria and has developed a taste for it.
Soooo...when renting skis there are normally 3 levels (Bronze/Silver/Gold :: 4*/5*/6* :: EVOLUTION/SENSATION/PERFORMANCE etc. etc)
I normally pick the middle one because to be honest I don't have a clue. Would I actually have the skill to make any use out of the top level of ski? In fact should I just be hiring for the entry level ski?
Many thanks
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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IME. It depends on the quality and condition of the Skis you are given. If the Gold Skis are newer, I'd go for those.
The other thing you can do, is check out the models listed under the the categories and then look at reviews on them (or ask on here)....and choose accordingly.
Last edited by Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person on Wed 13-10-21 22:27; 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?
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The more you pay the more choice you tend to get or get to demand. I don't think there is any standard definition of what skis fall in which class - older or more "standard rental fleet" skis in lower end, newer or more specialist skis in upper end.
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My wife who is an low intermediate skier was very surprised how much difference there was between the skis she tried out at last weekend's ski test. So it may be worth risking getting the highest grade for a week if they allow you to chop and change skis and try out a few different styles.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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@pieman666, I like this idea of being able to change to actually see if I notice a difference. So perhaps the top level for me and the expert skier and middle for the others....
I still fondly remember a pair a Völkl skis I hired in Wengen - they just seemed to work for me.
@Old Fartbag, Good call I will check some the reviews of the ski models offered.
@Dave of the Marmottes, Makes sense
I will do some research!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| pieman666 wrote: |
| it may be worth risking getting the highest grade for a week if they allow you to chop and change skis and try out a few different styles. |
This is the important bit. As long as you can change the skis during the week, the 'level' may not matter too much.
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When I hired from "Deep Snow" Ski Set shop in Val Claret, we went with Gold Standard. My Daughter was given new skis and I was given very good condition skis.
We were allowed one change in the week, which I took advantage of, as I found the Blizzard Quattros I was given, too planky for my taste (and weight) - and ended up with some Head Magnums, which I loved (though the edges could have been sharper).
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Treat yourself to some top rank skis for once and, unless you fall in love with the first pair, take full advantage of the ability to swap and try: the same ski in a different length/the equivalent ski from a different brand/a different width ski depending if it does or doesn't snow mid-week/etc.
If after a week of Champagne hire skis you can't tell any difference from the Cava or Asti Spumante skis you've had in the past, well you know to just save your money next time.
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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.
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It's interesting that many believe that the rental version of a ski is the same as the consumer version.
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| spyderjon wrote: |
| It's interesting that many believe that the rental version of a ski is the same as the consumer version. |
It's interesting that you think people could tell the difference 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@spyderjon, other than maybe the rail / consumer type bindings is the construction different on rentals but same paintjob?
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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.
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| Belch wrote: |
| @spyderjon, other than maybe the rail / consumer type bindings is the construction different on rentals but same paintjob? |
Yep, that's pretty common.
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@spyderjon, You learn something everyday! Good thing I don't rent then . . .
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You know it makes sense.
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If you're renting, you're a beginner, beyond that you would never use the junk they rent you.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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@CH2O, you're on form tonight bud. Back full time yet?
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Poster: A snowHead
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| CH2O wrote: |
| If you're renting, you're a beginner, beyond that you would never use the junk they rent you. |
Guy Clarey in Tignes has a few pairs of his sons world cup race skis for hire. You are definitely not a beginner if you are on these.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@ado, I always rent nowadays, mostly so I can try a variety of new kit and swap it several times a day if I need to.
I always try to check out which is the best ski rental shop for me, rather than rushing into the first or cheapest.
Its hard sometimes as you'll find that the shop's websites nearly always offer tempting discounts for booking in advance. Then yur stuck.
I've got a bit of a problem this season though (one of those pleasent problems  )
I'm off to Kicking Horse, taking in Banff, Lake Louise and Revelstoke.
My plan this time is to pick up something I like the look of in Banff and try them out at Norquay, and
try and get all my swapping over and done with before we move on.
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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?
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It’s a good question you’ve posed. The stress of the rental shop and the level of ski. Am I getting ripped off etc. Depends on the shop, their stock, how late in the day you get there and the time of year. I remember once turning up at On the Snow in Nendaz, late on the Saturday of New Year week, a pile of scrap left, tired and emotional shop workers who had clearly had enough. My ‘Platinum’ option didn’t get very good value for money. Drove me to buy skis 15 years ago and I happily cart them around everywhere. Currently on Elan Ripsticks for pottering around the mountain. I really like them. Strangely they are ‘handed’ which kinda makes sense and Soul 7’s for the deeper stuff and these are user friendly skis too. I have old Head Peak 78’s for Glenshee and Glencoe but they are pretty gubbed.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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| CH2O wrote: |
| If you're renting, you're a beginner, beyond that you would never use the junk they rent you. |
This is simply not true. I have been skiing for 50+ years and have never bought skis.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Definitely an interesting watch, although I found it strange that they said they weren't going to talk about boot fitting as it was too complicated for a podcast, but then proceeded to talk about boot fitting for 20mins of a 25min podcast. I was hoping they were going to talk about renting skis and getting the right ski for your skill level (as per the OP) but they only spent a minute or so on that - and one of the things they said was that most shops these days have new skis every season, which I'm not sure is true. I always assumed that (outside beginner or expert skis) the main distinguisher between Bronze/Silver/Gold on-piste skis was age.
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| CH2O wrote: |
| If you're renting, you're a beginner, beyond that you would never use the junk they rent you. |
Not really, for 1 week a year a pair of skis is a lot of investment + then paying to take them on a plane. £74 with easy jet.
More economical to rent the latest gear.. Even if you pay £100 to rent, that is only £26 more than taking your own, which you would have paid a few hundred pounds for.
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| Mr.Egg wrote: |
| ......More economical to rent the latest gear.... |
But is it the latest gear? Looks can be deceiving.
Last edited by After all it is free  on Mon 18-10-21 20:03; edited 1 time in total
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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.
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@Handy Turnip, I must admit I posted it before I had watched it .. I agree it's a shame they didn't spend more time talking about renting skis. I don't think they script the episodes beyond a title which sometimes works well but other times they drift off...
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I watched alright. Interesting - and got me think about boots. Recently I just felt my boots were too big - and just not responsive enough. Then I looked at my boots (15+ year old Salomon Sensifits) - and the flex is 60 - 70. So it probably that they are too big/packed down and also too soft and I just bought them in a shop in Livigno may years ago when I had no idea wtf I was doing. I may rent top level skis this year and top level boots to go with them and see if that helps be ski any better.
The only worry is that my boots are super comfy....
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Rental prices have really gone up. I'm seeing prices of around 170 Eur per week for good skis (and then they add 10,15,20 Eur "insurance"). I actually do believe that you're getting the same skis at this level. I don't think that's a large enough market to make say Blizzard Brahmas or Black Crows Orb lookalikes. For skis that are made in larger quantities, maybe.
Having said that, the price differential vs airline carriage is not negligible. Even at 70-80 Eur per week, times 2 per year, if you find a half decent deal (500 Eur online incl bindings) even taking in account tuning supplies you'll break even in 4 years. Fly Swiss or Lufthansa a few times and you're ahead.
IMV the main driver for buying skis is getting the skis you want, as many times the rental fleet is disappointing
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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.
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| Listening wrote: |
IMV the main driver for buying skis is getting the skis you want, as many times the rental fleet is disappointing |
This - it's not about saving money (which given the ballache of lugging skis to/from airports and transsit etc isn't really all of it). It's not having to deal with whateve rteh shop has left or the guy thinks you need.
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A few years back I paid for upgraded "silver" or "gold" skis through Neilson as part of a package - I can't remember which, but they were definitely not the standard spec. I got given exactly the same skis as someone else in our party who'd booked basic skis through their TO and used the same hire shop.
So if hiring through a TO, I'd think there's at least a chance it doesn't make much difference.
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You know it makes sense.
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@milzibkit, yes this feels like the issue, too many times it feels like a bit of lottery. Sometimes I feel I get better skis than I've paid for, sometimes worse - and because I generally go to different places, it's hard to tell if that's because it's the shop, or because it comes down to what stock they have available for your height/ability.
As an intermediate, I'm no expert, so can't really study the skis they give to me to know if they are a good deal or not - I'm happy to pay a little more if I'm getting the best skis for my ability that will maximise my enjoyment of the holiday, but feel like I'm at the mercy of the ski shop at times.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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| Handy Turnip wrote: |
| ....but feel like I'm at the mercy of the ski shop at times. |
That's because you are - especially if you have paid in advance, either through the TO or online.
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Poster: A snowHead
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| Quote: |
So if hiring through a TO, I'd think there's at least a chance it doesn't make much difference
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The problem is the vast majority of people have no clue and just take what they are given and don't know any better or probably care. I'm sure the rental shops take advantage of this somewhat.
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More economical to rent the latest gear.. Even if you pay £100 to rent, that is only £26 more than taking your own, which you would have paid a few hundred pounds for.
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Add in maintenance costs and time too. I agree for a 1 week per year skier renting is the way to go.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I have a pair of skis in the garage but never use them. Hiring is best and using Alpinresort (see web) they are cheap. Have skied abroad for the past 20 years and have decided good intermediate is good enough. Sure, if you don't like them, swap them. Usually no hassle.
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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?
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[quote="boarder2020"]
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So if hiring through a TO, I'd think there's at least a chance it doesn't make much difference
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The problem is the vast majority of people have no clue and just take what they are given and don't know any better or probably care. I'm sure the rental shops take advantage of this somewhat. /quote]
I hired a snowboard years ago, prebooked “gold” or “premium” or some such via crystal. I took it in to swap sizes and got chatting to the guys. I noticed all the boards looked the same and said “what’s the difference between ‘bronze silver and gold?” They replied “we only do one level!” A quick chat with the rep and I got him to refund the difference between bronze and gold. Put the word out to all the other travellers on the same trip.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| rogg wrote: |
I hired a snowboard years ago, prebooked “gold” or “premium” or some such via crystal. I took it in to swap sizes and got chatting to the guys. I noticed all the boards looked the same and said “what’s the difference between ‘bronze silver and gold?” They replied “we only do one level!” A quick chat with the rep and I got him to refund the difference between bronze and gold. Put the word out to all the other travellers on the same trip. |
Just to put the other side.
Prior to going on one trip with Crystal, I ordered Premium skis and found out which shop they used and which level I could expect from that shop. I then looked at the range listed in the shop.
When I received my skis, I was pleasantly surprised to find that I got exactly what was promised. I was very suspicious, that what Crystal would call "Gold Level", wouldn't equate to the shop's Performance Level.
I am fussy though...and know my kit.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Having spent a lot of time in an area peopled almost entirely by French skiers, mostly pretty competent, I've noticed that many of them are either on rental skis or have borrowed an ancient pair from their father-in-law. They seem to get on OK. My son, who is a good skier and has done several seasons, spent months on an old pair left behind as "past it" by a guest in one of the (admittedly very high-end) chalets he worked in. One of them was injured in a crash towards the top of the Grand Motte in Tignes. He skied down to the bottom of Val d'Isere on the other one (swapping legs occasionally) with his cousin carrying the damaged ski - which turned out to be fatally injured.
Is it possible that some British skiers faff too much about their equipment?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| pam w wrote: |
Is it possible that some British skiers faff too much about their equipment? |
Very likely.....but if you have paid extra, it's nice not to be screwed over, because you are seen as fair game, being an ignorant punter.
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FAQ
