Buying Ski's - Ski Hire testing

A snowHead

Hi,

Apologies if this has been asked before - intermediate skier here - looking to finally after years purchase a set of skis.

Its something ive never asked before (occassionaly changed skis if the ones given when hired really didnt work out) but if you speak to Ski Hire shops will they help you with a selection to trial over a week. Heading to Les Eserts for a week so was thinking either SkiSet or Skimium, unfortunately it is during half term so would they entertain the hassle in a busy week?

Any thoughts would be great

Thanks

A snowHead

remember that many standard hire skis ARE NOT the same as the retail version that you can buy. rental fleets have thicker bases and edges to allow for more services and a longer life, some may also use different core materials and be built to a "price point" for the rental market, they may look similar to their retail counterparts but that give away "R" for rental indicates they are a different animal. Pretty much all rental bindings are heavier than the retail versions as well.
ask for "demo" skis not rentals and you've got a better chance! (it will cost you more)
your other option is to buy from a local uk retailer - many attend an on-snow (SIGB) test every year and have skied most if not all models they stock. be honest with them and they will be honest with you, there's no advantage to "up-selling" you to something unsuitable - you won't be back to them next time you buy!
buying local helps support the UK industry and if you do have a warranty issue it'll get delt with much more easily (buy a ski from a french retailer and its those guys who you have a contract with!)

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

In the dim and distant past shops would allow you up to three days of demo (as stated, not the same as normal rental) skis against the price of a new pair, i.e. they'll knock off the rental price from the final purchase. I'd be surprised if this practice had stopped, but of course you'd need to check with the shop.

Not done this for many years, but if you do you should clearly state well in advance what skis you want to try and in what size - no point demoing skis that you're not looking to buy - to ensure they have what you want. This is not bread&butter rental, so they would normally be happy to do so even in a busy week - they make more from a sale then a rental, in general terms.

IMO this is the only way to be sure of buying the right ski if you don't happen to live in a ski resort and be on friendly terms with the shop owners who'll let you demo stuff for free. Toofy Grin

Of course the downside is that if you don't end up buying you'll be stung for a higher price than a normal rental, but you need to weigh up the pros and cons of that.

You need to Login to know who's really who.

@andy'n'netty, all that. Although, Twisted Evil

"R" is just as good for "retail" Blush

@Granv_ski, another poss issue is that high season weeks often there is not a great deal of availability plus not wanting the hassle ...

2 questions, have you got your own boots and, why do you want to buy your own skis? Arguments that more hassle than worth ...

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

If you find any Stocklis in their fleet I believe that they only make skis one way rather than having a rental vs retail model.

You'll need to Register first of course.

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

After all it is free

In my experience your best bet will be to pre-hire some standard skis for a couple of days at the start of the week and sort it out when you get there.

Unless you know the resort well or have your boots on the ground it can be hard to tell if Shop A is just a hire shop or also has a big retail side, or if they only have 'normal' skis or also have a range of 'interesting stuff'. Get there, pick up your 'get on the snow' skis and take time Saturday/Sunday afternoons exploring the town and nosing in the different shops. Some you'll walk in to and in a single glance see they are a hire-only shop and/or one that has hundreds of the same 5 different skis in assorted lengths and can right them off straight away. Hopefully you'll find a couple where it isn't just a sea of identical skis and can see 'unusual' things in the racks. Add these latter ones to your short list but I'd still not speak to them at this point simple because Sat/Sun tend to be the hell days for hire shop staff, the day 99% of people are trying to get in and drop off/pick up kit, usually all about the same time.

Pop back to town a little early on the Monday and go around the promissing looking shops. Chances are they will be deserted and the staff will have the time to chat to you about what you're looking for and if they can help. At worst you just end up hiring by the day but some places will let you hire by the day and swap skis and give you a discount if you buy a pair at the end of the week (though you might be able to save more buying out of resort).

When I was looking for some back country skis I did this in a couple of resorts including Sauze d'Oulx where I found lots of basic hire shops but one more specialist one. I popped in their one mid-week afternoon and had one of the staff spend a good 15-20 minutes talking about what I wanted/what might work for me and even moving the toe on a pair of non-rail bindings to fit my boots. I doub't I'd have had that time/service if I'd tried to do it on a Saturday afternoon, but on a Monday when the tech. was bored and wanted something to do...

*Ski* the Net with snowHeads

Good advice, from @Mjit, in particular, but also as @under a new name, do you really want/need to.

Last time I bought some ski's I was forced to hire because my binding broke. And I after I told the rental shop my profile they gave me some Cham 87's. I really liked them. In fact, as I recall I did ask if the shop would sell me the rental pair! They wouldn't so I went home, did a bit of online research and then bought the wider 97 version.

I think taking/making note of what you are hiring and trying to build up a bit of knowledge of the type of ski that works for you can really help.

snowHeads are a friendly bunch.

Great advice all, thanks - and i'll think i'll play it by ear in February and see whats about in Morillon.

Not desperate but ski twice a year, usually drive or someone does within the party and just thought it made sense to take the next natural step and get my own, had boots for a good while.
I also thought it would be beneficial, if i get the ski right, having consistency with my ski each trip to help me improve

lets see what happens in Feb - but as a first post - thankyou all for your responses