Rental vs Bought Skis

Paul_SW1 wrote:The hire shop said they were fine and that it was the first time they had been used.

Was the plastic wrapper removed from them? -)

Paul_SW1 wrote:The skis were the usual length - from my feet to my eyes. They did have a rocker.

The hire shop said they were fine and that it was the first time they had been used. It wasn't the first time they had been used as I could see they had been used when I took them from the shop. So I didn't trust what the shop said. The shop was Intersport. I would like to think that hire shops would only rent out skis in good condition. But I don't know to what degree that is true.

A ski with a rocker will ski around 10cm shorter. Plus if they are a softer ski than you have skied on before, they'll feel different, having a lot less ski in contact with the snow. No reason to suspect that they weren't in good condition.
You were just on a ski designed for skiing off piste.

Are you carrying an injury?
Sounds more like a tekkers thing that equipment especially if the edges were sharp

I've always rented but would definitely consider having my own if lived near the ski slopes, of course would end up with many more than one pair :)
Rental shops are usually very good and helpful changing the skis.
I had a very similar experience in M.d.Campiglio skiing there over Xmas. Couldn't ski/turn easy at all, felt like a complete beginner, every turn took so much effort and it was only ok when really pressing edges into slope - far too much hard work. Took the skis back, they had rockers and were a little shorter than I normally use anyway,a good slalom skis. A new pair they gave me was just perfect - felt so relieved that I hadn't lost my skiing ability :).It is amazing how a different type of ski can actually make your skiing easier/harder.

Don't know much about the technical side of skis, I just enjoy skiing and leave it to the guys in the rental shop to choose for me after describing my skiing style (sometimes it can be quite funny experience as not all people speak English).And if the skis really don't feel right I'll go and change. I used to be afraid and embarrased to go but learnt over the years that they are there to help you. Some places are better than the others but haven't had any unpleasant issues (so far), just go at quiet times when they are not busy. My view is that you should be able to enjoy skiing not fight it. :)

I don't trust or will use Intersport ever again.

We had a group in les 2 Alpes a couple of years back, although my ski's were brand new and fine 4 others in the group had issues with bindings falling apart (s sets), getting jammed (2 sets) and a heel plate fell off the sole one of the groups boots.

None of the equipment seemed that old but obviously not serviced/cared for when it came back into the shop and the attitude of the assistants in the shop was unbelievable when you brought back faulty equipment, rude doesn't cover it really......

The Ski instructor couldn't believe it and fortunately was able to get ski's working sufficiently so these people could ski back, it seemed every day someone had a problem. Now I know why there are tools dotted

Never Ever again unless they were the only shop in town, but highly unlikely.

I had the best experience ever with one of the Intersport shops in L2A in 2012.
Superb rental skis and they looked after me very well to the extent that I bought new boots from them to!
But it is a bit of a lottery with hire shops unless you know what to look out for - and of course that needs experience and most people renting by definition don't have that experience!!
Best way in my view - if possible have a technically competent person with you when renting!