Would you rent skis??????????

[ScottySkis]

geez i should have done a search....look like this has been discussed before. my bad i've been out of the forums for a while. sounds like the consensus is people try not to "rent" or "demo" unless its warranted by a trip out west.

tele gear is harder to find, but out west AT gear is relatively ubiquitous, skins included, beacon not.

No problem, I like demos before I buy new stuff.

 

[〽❄❅]

You wouldn't get fresh edges...

...not always true. Last year i was the first to rent a new pair of demo's at one shop. Another shop did a tune up to the demos prior to renting, too bad i scrubbed 'em across some granite hiding under a windswept patch of thin cover and obliterated the edges but hey they were rentals so...

 

[Cheese]

You wouldn't get fresh edges...

One would hope you're not traveling to a place where you'll need edges ...

 

[tarponhead]

Last year I went out to Steamboat for a week. Continental (and most airlines I believe) let you check one piece of ski equipment free. That also includes boots with skis but I only checked my skis (I wrapped my ski pants around the bindings and threw a few more pieces of clothing in the ski bag too). I strapped my boots to my backpack (large day pack) and got all the clothes/gear in there as a carry-on so I did not have to pay anything. It certainly helped the hotel had a washer/drier.

At the resort the rentals were $40/day, I'm sure it is cheaper in town but even at $25/day for a week of skiing that gets a tad pricey.

 

[Robbski]

If a plane trip is involved for me it's the two day rule (ski days that is). Same applies for schleping golf clubs (except for the ski days part).

Cost and hassle just makes it easier to go for some demos or performance rentals. Keep in mind bringing skis means that you also need to get them from the airport to wherever you are staying, which changes the type of rental you will need etc. I always bring my own boots though. I usually research the rental availability and deals at the mountain and the local shops if I'm going that route.

One caution I will offer is to carefully check the bindings before you get started. I rented some Mantras at Ski Santa Fe one day and the bindings just didn't feel right, they didn't click in solid but they held. I had a look and not only were they off by a good 5 mm on my boot sole but the damn things were loose too. Would have been cute if they fell off while I was riding the lift.