Ski/Board Hire - online or in resort?

[HPotter]

Can anyone tell me their experiences of pre-ordering hire equipment online? is it cheaper? do you get a better/worse deal than actually going into the shop in resort? any advice appreciated.

Thanx

[benaldo]

I don't think it makes much difference but we tend to go online and find where the hire shops are and then just turn up. What I would REALLY recommend is to get your hire equipment the night you get there and not be in a massive queue on the first morning with everyone else. The shops tend to stay open til late and you are more likely to get more personal attention and possibly one of their newer boards because they will have a shop full of them.

[HPotter]

Yeah, thanks. Always best to get equipment night before avoid all the queues!

Guess i just have to be careful that the hire shop is not the other end of the resort!

[benaldo]

Most places have quite a lot of hire shops so should be one near you. Another tip is to go a small board shop rather than the massive ones - the tend to take better care of you and go to a shop near to the main lift/hotel so that when you finish for the week you don't need to walk miles to drop it off !

[johnfm]

I saved quite a lot in Saalbach by hiring online - presented the voucher and saved at least £50 or more last year.

[parakitaMol.]

There is a place near Gatwick that has a really good selection of rental equipment - including clothing - ideal for beginners before you've got all the kit... http://www.edge2edge.co.uk/hire/

I know mates who have used them & they have a very reasonable selection.... sometimes the queues in rental shops in resorts can be hideous & exasperating.

Edge to edge also operate a delivery/collection service from Gatwick.

HTH

[PeteCerb]

I usually use www.snowrental.net - you can look at maps to see where the shops are in resort & the prices have always been better than waiting until in resort.

[Raify]

Another vote for Edge2Edge. They're excellent, and the convenience of collecting and dropping at left luggage in the airport is fantastic.

Based on my experience, I'd say that the equipment quality + selection in big European resorts is actually quite good. Canada can be a bit more ropey in terms of rental quality. Which resort are you going to?

[Ranger 6]

johnfm said:

I saved quite a lot in Saalbach by hiring online - presented the voucher and saved at least £50 or more last year.

We saved by booking on-line and collecting in the resort. Look for things like Intersport and Ski 3000 on google.