Ski Hire -what to look for?

The BBR's certainly look interesting -thanks TH, after less than half an hour searching around google I think I am even more confused than when I started, obviously each reviewer has their own opinion on what you should be looking for. I think AllyG makes a great point - don't judge a book by its cover - and try and talk to the guys in the shop about where you are and what you want to do/go. I think I will email the shop and enquire about the BBR's either way they may take me a bit more seriously if they think I am searching for the top, or maybe they will just think I am a nob and give me the jellopy skis.

I have always booked with skiset, and have always had a great service. The cost in Tignes, unlike some areas that operate a cartel type operation, seems to be variable and competitive.

Ski quality is also a function of competition, and given the power of t'internet, shops give a poor supply and service at their short term peril.

In places like Tignes that offer supply from a dozen or more sources, it is worth doing some geo-research, it may not be the best deal to choose the lowest price, only to find the shop is several bus stops distant.

FQ's point about changing skis is a good one. I frequently take advantage of this, sometimes I am only looking for a tweak. If you arrive midweek for a change, the cost to the hire shop is minimal, since the fixed costs are already covered.

Regarding the grade of ski, it is not always the case that category = lower grade. Frequently, at the end of season, this years silver ski is changed to economy ski.

Further, the average recreational skier does not challenge the life of a rental ski, and given that good renters are servicing the skis after every return, that is generally a better service record than a private ski. Rental ski failure may often be by binding mode. Having said that, I still take a spin locally on a pair of Kneissls that I pulled out of a rental skip in Soell many years ago!

AllyG wrote:But, as Tony says, wider skis are much easier in powder and you don't have to worry about your technique so much.



Ally

Eh?

Tony_H wrote:

AllyG wrote:But, as Tony says, wider skis are much easier in powder and you don't have to worry about your technique so much.



Ally

Eh?

Words of wisdom from my ski instructor, after he'd spent the week trying to teach us to ski powder, and all his life ski-ing.

According to him, powder specific skis are much easier to ski in powder both technically and physically, as compared with piste specific skis. Which is, I suppose, why people use them on the powder!

Tonyo74 - I have noticed that some ski shops say they can't provide specific skis to order, you can only choose from the range that they have available in the shop at the time you go there to hire them. In any case, I would have no idea what to order for myself, which is why I rely on their expertise to pick me a pair of skis for the week. However, I don't see how it could do any harm e-mailing them and it would be interesting to hear what they say :D

Ally

Tonyo, I think you need to be honest about what you want to achieve next ski holiday. You say you can ski blacks, does this mean that you can really carve skis? If you're not quite there with carving yet then maybe something like Salomon Enduro would work, essentially wider piste ski but with some rocker. Should be great for all but most substantial powder (>20cm) and likely develop your skiing more than an out and out fat ski.

AllyG wrote:

Tony_H wrote:

AllyG wrote:But, as Tony says, wider skis are much easier in powder and you don't have to worry about your technique so much.



Ally

Eh?

Words of wisdom from my ski instructor, after he'd spent the week trying to teach us to ski powder, and all his life ski-ing.

According to him, powder specific skis are much easier to ski in powder both technically and physically, as compared with piste specific skis. Which is, I suppose, why people use them on the powder!

Tonyo74 - I have noticed that some ski shops say they can't provide specific skis to order, you can only choose from the range that they have available in the shop at the time you go there to hire them. In any case, I would have no idea what to order for myself, which is why I rely on their expertise to pick me a pair of skis for the week. However, I don't see how it could do any harm e-mailing them and it would be interesting to hear what they say :D

Ally

Yes I get the bit about wider skis in powder....I bought mid-fats a couple of years ago for exactly that reason.

But to say you dont have to worry about your technique as much..... :shock: :shock: :shock: