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Buying Ski's - Ski Hire testing

 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: 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
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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!)
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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?
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.


Last edited by Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see? on Wed 12-10-22 12:39; edited 1 time in total
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@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 ...
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 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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.
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ster wrote:
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.


Is it not still the case that you can only buy (or rent/demo?) Stoeckli skis at an official Stoeckli shop? Certainly used to be that way.
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 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
ster wrote:
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.

Pretty big "if" not the usual go-to brand for rentals!
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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!
andy'n'netty wrote:
ster wrote:
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.

Pretty big "if" not the usual go-to brand for rentals!


True, but not unknown and there may be other brands that take the same approach
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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...
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 Ski the Net with snowHeads
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.
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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
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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.
Granv_ski wrote:

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


I concur, that having your own ski is a good thing for improvement, but not perhaps for as obvious a reason as you might think.

The real advantage, I think, is that if you're skiing badly you _know_ that it's you, not the ski. Over the years I've seen loads of people blame their rental skis, taking them back and swapping round sometime several times during a week. As long as they don't take responsibility for their own shortcomings it's very difficult to get beyond them.
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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
@Granv_ski, if you drive and do 2 weeks a year definitely worth considering.

Next you will be DIY servicing them wink Very Happy
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 You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
thats my next post Laughing
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 Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Chaletbeauroc wrote:
The real advantage, I think, is that if you're skiing badly you _know_ that it's you, not the ski. Over the years I've seen loads of people blame their rental skis, taking them back and swapping round sometime several times during a week. As long as they don't take responsibility for their own shortcomings it's very difficult to get beyond them.


Layne wrote:
Next you will be DIY servicing them wink Very Happy


Which is how you get around Chaletbeauroc point - you just go from "It's not me, it's these poo-poo hire skis" to "It's not me, I must have left a hanging burr/some wax when I serviced them (and my tools are at home to avoid fixing it and having to accept that it IS my skiing)" Smile
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 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
ster wrote:
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.


Should be for north of 1000chf a set (without bindings!). Just got their 2022/23 marketing through the post Shocked
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
BobinCH wrote:
ster wrote:
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.


Should be for north of 1000chf a set (without bindings!). Just got their 2022/23 marketing through the post Shocked


Yebbut, we are talking about used. wink
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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?
Don’t need to test these. Just fork out 1800chf and know you’re on the same skis as Marco Odermatt Very Happy
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Or Stormriders a snip at chf1500 with binders!
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 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
@BobinCH, getting both sets this year? How many pairs will that be now?
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 You'll need to Register first of course.
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BobinCH wrote:
ster wrote:
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.


Should be for north of 1000chf a set (without bindings!). Just got their 2022/23 marketing through the post Shocked


Making my cheapie FIS Laser SLs (pretty old) I picked up for under $100 with bindings that I have sitting in a friend's garage in US look like good value. Pretty sure they do most of the same job.
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