Family Ski Rentals Done Right

Skiing can be expensive, especially for families. The option to rent skiing equipment is often much cheaper and more flexible then buying it outright for the whole family, and is even more useful for the young ones who grow out of things so fast. It is often tempting for holidaymakers to look for the cheapest ski rental available – while this is necessary for many families, if you do not know what you are buying it can lead to problems on the slopes. Here are some tips of things for you and your family can look out for in order to get the best kit for your money.

Age and Quality

Just because you are renting and not buying does not mean that you should put up with old skis that are not fit for purpose. When you are renting skis always ask how long they have been in service for, and if it is longer than 10 years then ask for a different pair. Don’t worry about the surface scratches and scrapes, all skis pick these up very quickly. What matters more is how they feel in your hands – are they firm but flexible or are they sluggish and hard? All skis should have a bit of give and bounce back into shape easily.

Boot fittings

Making sure your boots fit properly is the most important part of ski rental. Get this bit right and you will be zipping along in happy comfort. It sounds obvious, but make sure that your ski boots are not too big or too small. The best way to ensure that they fit is to try them on properly first as shoe size does not always ensure well-fitting footwear. If they don’t fit, don’t sign.

Choosing Skis

These days, couples and families are bombarded with a hundred different options for skis, all with their own buzzword like ‘performance’ or ‘elite’. These range in price and scared tourists usually take a stab at skis in the middle range, whether they are suitable for them or not. To avoid this, have a good chat with your ski rental or tour operator to find out exactly which ones fit the slopes and experience you have in mind for that holiday. Then you can be sure that you’re renting the right skis for you – and maybe even save some money too.

Terms and Conditions

On a ski holiday, circumstances can change quickly and you may wish to return or change your equipment. In these instances – they happen to all skiers, beginners and pros – the small print of your rental contract is very important. Does it allow you to swap out equipment straight away? Are there exorbitant prices for breaking or losing things? All should be discovered before signing for anything, and if you are not sure don’t be scared to ask. Remember, the customer is king!

Get Your Family Covered

As well as taking care to get the right ski rental, it is also worth making sure your family has comprehensive winter sports insurance. At InsureMore we understand that holidays are expensive and having great protection for your family against accidents shouldn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg. After all, you will need them for the skiing! We offer great low-cost family winter sports insurance that will keep everyone protected and give you piece of mind while the kids are shooting down the mountainsides.

Author Plate

Patrick Chong is the Managing Director of InsureMore, an award-winning team of specialists in global single trip, annual, family and winter sports insurance. Besides offering great deals on travel insurance, Patrick also collects and shares the best free travel competitions to help his clients get the most out of their holidays.