Ski hire

We are taking our own boots for our next ski hol but will be hiring skis.
Now that we've skied a couple of times and we're improving our skills and techniques I'd like try to get a hire ski that helps us to ski to the best of our abilities.
We've booked our skis through Crystal and so end up arriving at the shop on the Sunday, giving the man a ticket and getting what we're given without much knowledge as to what we really need.
Both wife and I are at an early intermediate level, skiing blues and easy reds.
So, I now hand over to you oh wise ones to pass on your wisest of know how.

Simple. You can book for 3 levels: Gold, Silver or Bronze. Somtimes also called VIP, Intermediate and Beginner. Or something similar.

Often you find the beginner or bronze skis are older models, possibly seen a fair amount of mileage and sometimes damage too. I'd always suggest avoiding the bottom tier, and going for slightly better skis. If you have silver you will probably have current season models, although not the more advanced skis, which may be a little too advanced for some, no offence.

If you have prebooked with the tour op, check to see what level they have given you. It may be worth upgrading in resort of with the tour op beforehand to get better skis which will actually be mof more benefit to you in terms of helping you develop.

Crystal's ski hire offer is either "Skis" or "Superior Skis". In some resorts "VIP" skis are also on offer.

You have already booked your skis, so why not go with what you have booked. You will be asked to complete a form to give height, weight, and ability. As long as you do not over egg your ability, you ought to get skis that are approximately right for you.

The key point is ~ if you are having some difficulty that may be equipment related, don't be afraid to take the skis back, and discuss the issue, ask if you can change the skis. Make friends with the ski fitter, you will get a better service at quiet times.

At the stage that you are at, two areas tend to crop up. Both relate mainly to the speed that you ski at ~ you are improving, but not yet bombing down the mountain.

1. The skis are too long. Within reason, a shorter ski is easier to turn. If you want to learn a bit, observe the people alongside you in the lift queue, and the length of their skis.
2. The skis are too stiff. A softer ski is much easier to turn, when you ski at a modest/medium pace.

I have several pairs of skis at home, and a couple of pairs I keep in Austria. When I go elsewhere, I hire. So I do hire once or twice a year, and:
~I always go for the basic ski
~I never get any equipment older than two seasons
~The bases are always in good condition
~Despite my height, weight,experience, I almost always am given a ski that I feel the need to change. I like to ski on softer skis.

Hiring skis is a good learning experience, and you gain a lot of the learning yourself, by thinking about the performance of different skis.

You have got your priorities right, boots first.

Ski well