 Poster: A snowHead
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admin, Sorry, I forgot, there is one shop but it's at the opposite end of town to our hotel. Most of the other shops are central or near the lifts, which would be preferable in case we need to return. Kappl is several km away, and we need the skis before we go to Samnaun, as it's the other side of the mountain!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Stopped using them after had rude service and rubbish intermediate (ie not just the basic) skis in Selva, Italy a few years ago.
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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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albinomountainbadger, you can actually pick named skis on their site - that is meant to be guaranteed .... Hence why those of us who specifically know what we asked for (in my case to try out as am thinking about buying) know what we were handed first off was not what we were after.
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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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Funny, I've just been sent an email by Skiset, can't think how, offering discounted hire. So I googled et voila!
Is it me, or are they much more expensive? 
Anyhow, I can't imagine they have improved so much that I'll get what I choose. Are there any other online rental companies (going to Tignes) people recommend please?
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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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I'm just back from Plagne Centre. The Terra Nova has a skiset in the basement. When we went to get our skis the chap said "yours havent arrived yet. They may be here 1st thing tomorrow but take these for now and come back at lunch, or whenever"
The skis I had were great and I was tempted to keep them but I went back and he said that the ones I'd ordered were better so take them, which I did.
So my experience of Skiset has always been good.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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katedenhaag, that's interesting as they're taking quite a gamble on whether their partner shops have bought those skis. Perhaps there is meant to be some computer trickery which filters out the skis based on the shop you've selected, but it isn't working. Though in France at least I suspect the shop owners never even look at their website profiles. For the one I currently work in, the network's website says we offer a shuttle bus service, sell ski passes and organise ski lessons, but we don't do any of these things. I pointed it out to the owner and he was completely unaware of any of it.
It seems though that the idea of this being a network of independent shops rather than one centralised chain hasn't quite permeated yet. Take Meribel centre for example; there are two shops in the same street who are in the SkiSet network but both have completely different owners and backgrounds, with clear results in rental. In one, you're likely to be given Kastle skis in hire, in the other you, well, aren't likely to be given Kastle. Also in Meribel there are six Intersports, five of which are owned by the same person so you'd expect some consistency, but he doesn't even have the same range of skis in each of them.
Similarly, two seasons ago the Sport 2000 and Skimium in Meribel swapped their signs. I must repeat that it was just that, an exchange of signs - the owners, staff and equipment in each shop stayed put; they did not swap premises nor get thrown out and renewed overnight.
Perhaps SkiSet, Sport2000, Intersport etc need to start awarding their members 'stars' or such to differentiate between the ones who' play the network game and are likely to actually have the skis you've booked, and the ones who just pay their commission and muddle by regardless.
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albinomountainbadger, Perhaps we Snowheads need to start the equivalent of tripadvisor for hire shops, and ski schools (to keep up with the other thread). We could call it skihireandlessonsadvisorviasnowheads or something equaly snappy....
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| WayneC wrote: |
| albinomountainbadger, Perhaps we Snowheads need to start the equivalent of tripadvisor for hire shops, and ski schools (to keep up with the other thread). We could call it skihireandlessonsadvisorviasnowheads or something equaly snappy.... |
What a good idea! (Except, maybe, your naming suggestion.  ) SHadvisor?
Or maybe...just link in with tripadvisor?
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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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When we worked a season last year, we had our own skis but were told we could have our pick at skiset as a perk of the job (the powder that season and the good park meant we wanted more all mountain skis than we had - head fine ones for me and fischer wateas for my OH) - we were offered awful skis and this is bearing in mind that the people at skiset knew they'd see us most days - I can only imagine the awful skis we were offered were among the best they had so I dread to think what our other guests who went there got given. We directed them to sport 2000 who were much better at least in the resort we were but skiset seem to have a bit of a monopoly on the british market in terms of discount codes etc. We ended up buying new skis in the end (Line Blends and K2 misdeamours which were brilliant). I know ski hire is okay if you're a beginner, for the children or not planning to ski much but imv the money is better spent for most on buying their own and paying ski carriage. As for missing out on the latest models at skiset I wouldn't worry on that count!
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Sorry to butt in late, and i should say straight up that i work for a rental outfit so have a bias - wanted to say - shop around folks - not all the big guys are bad and not all the small shops are great... For e.g.The skis listed on our site (i am not going to name it) are the ones you get... period. If you don't get the exact model selected, you will receive a pair of the other skis listed and displayed online in the same cat/skier type range and if you don't like them you can change them for something else - no hassle!
We also offer different discount codes monthly and deliver to and collect from Chalets/Accom everywhere in the tarentaise valley - so Val D to LA PLAgne and every small village in-between!
The rules for online ski hire are the same as for any online purchase, shop around, check prices, speak to REAL people and see what real customers have said about the services received...
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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theskitech, good to hear...
but location is sometimes key and it's no good getting a good deal on-line if the shop is at the other end of the resort, or perhaps in the wrong resort.
For our recent trip to Les Arcs/La Plagne staying in Landry, the chalet ski bus took us to Montchavin every morning, but luckily I hadn't booked in Vallandry, where i thought we'd get the lifts and was looking at all the best on-line deals...
The skis we got in Montchavin were good and convienient but not the cheapest...
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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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We used Ski Republic this year for the first time (funnilly enough WayneC, in Vallandry). We got exactly the skis we'd ordered and really good service. A 2 for 1 deal for the kids made it really good value, and they upgraded my son to adult kit for free as he was on the borderline. Couldn't fault them.
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You know it makes sense.
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Used the Snowheads discount with AlpinResorts and got the high spec skis that I ordered. Dynastar Cham 87s in Intersport in Les Coches. Happy I was as fab for the mixed snow last week off-piste/on-piste 
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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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Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@moosepig, 
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FAQ
- we shall see. . . .
