 Poster: A snowHead
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I've been skiing for decades and the last time I rented anything was probably in the 80's and never in Europe. So, not familiar with the process at all.
We're considering renting for this trip strictly to reduce the hassle factor as we transit from plane to bus to train to taxi. I'm 70 now and just getting exhausted thinking about all the possible issues.
The thing I notice as I look at the rental alternatives in Lech is that you pick some EXPENSE category of ski instead of a ski TYPE. I normally ski as my groomer ski a mid-80's width. I'm used to it and use a 99mm width for powder day here in Montana. (These actually considered to be on the skinny side here.) But it appears that width is in short supply in Lech. There seems to be no way to reserve such a width in advance and that the possibility exists of hoping a particular ski in a category is actually going to be there on the day you pick up the skis and finding out you're stuck with a ski that is decidedly different. Any experience in this area is appreciated.
The next issue is the tune of the ski. I use a 1° base / 3° side bevel on my groomer skis. What is typical at these places and will they change the tune if I ask? (I doubt it.)
You can see why I hesitate to exchange the physical hassle of transport for the hassle of the unknown. It normally talkes me days to adapt to a new ski even if I did the tuning myself. I do plan to bring tuning guides and stones, but would never take a file to a ski I didn't own.
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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 would NEVER rent boots, no worries. They are carry-on luggage.
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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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Yeah they like em skinny in Austria - when you bear in mind that the majority of renters are 1 week per year groomer zoomers it makes sense. As for tune - dream on re specifics but I guess its possible somewhere like Strolz will pay attention to that for their high price ( but I'd also suspect they ship em to the same industrial service workshop in St Jakob as everyone else) If you are really after a specific ski and something more freeridey a bus to Jennewein in St Anton might find you it.
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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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@sibhusky, I wouldn't worry about it. Skibex in Lech is very good, why not use the opportunity to try different skis? They will let you change them around during the week. You said you ski mainly "Groomers"but if it snows while you're here you might want something a little wider and without that 3 degree edge. Pretty much any European Piste performance ski has a decent rocker that should make adapting easier for you too.
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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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Well, that's my fallback if I do bring my own skis, to rent if it snows. But in March I'm expecting AM hardpack and I like a good edge.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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If you want something specific your best option is to do nothing now and just walk around the rental shops, talking to them and saying what you're after. Many will have more 'specialist' kit but only the 'standard' stuff that 99% of people are after makes it to the websites. Usually just poking your head in the door will be enough to tell you if it's a basic "You want skis? We have them in red, blue, or black" place or have some more interesting stuff poking its nose out for those who ask.
The downside of this is you might lose some piste time - go in Sat. evening/Sun. morning with the unwashed masses and the staff have limited time per customer. Go in later, even 10:00 or 10:30 might be late enough, and the place will be empty and staff bored and happy to help someone who wants something interesting.
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| sibhusky wrote: |
The thing I notice as I look at the rental alternatives in Lech is that you pick some EXPENSE category of ski instead of a ski TYPE. I normally ski as my groomer ski a mid-80's width. I'm used to it and use a 99mm width for powder day here in Montana. (These actually considered to be on the skinny side here.) But it appears that width is in short supply in Lech. There seems to be no way to reserve such a width in advance and that the possibility exists of hoping a particular ski in a category is actually going to be there on the day you pick up the skis and finding out you're stuck with a ski that is decidedly different. Any experience in this area is appreciated.
The next issue is the tune of the ski. I use a 1° base / 3° side bevel on my groomer skis. What is typical at these places and will they change the tune if I ask? (I doubt it.)
You can see why I hesitate to exchange the physical hassle of transport for the hassle of the unknown. It normally talkes me days to adapt to a new ski even if I did the tuning myself. I do plan to bring tuning guides and stones, but would never take a file to a ski I didn't own. |
This expense-thingy is standard all over the alps: it's a bit like car rental, you book into a class of products. Top category normally provides high end skis from the actual season. Better shops offer daily changes (sometimes with little extra cost). Going up to about 95-99mm shouldn't be much of a problem. These are pretty common sizes. Just make sure beforehand that you book your skis from a decent sized shop. That should be very easy in Lech.
When it comes to tuning, the standard for rentals is 1°base/1°side. But cat. 1 and 2 skis aren't rentals, but skis which are rented out. Here you may find factory angles upheld, which will probably be 0.5°/2° for race oriented front side skis and 1°/1-2° for allmountains.
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The tune issue is clearly going to be the biggest issue. Especially in mid-March. 
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