Pre-book your ski hire in the French Alps with Ski Collection
Ski, snowboard and boot hire
We can pre-book your skis, snowboard, boots and children’s’ helmets saving you time on arrival and ensuring that the equipment you want is reserved for you. We have selected Sport 2000 (for the majority of our resorts - SkiSet for the remaining few), which ensures that only the highest standard of equipment and service will be provided for all levels of skiers: regularly waxed and edged skis, boot disinfection between each rental and bindings adjusted by a qualified technician in the resort.
With over 200 outlets in France, the nearest shop will be in a maximum of one kilometre from your accommodation, although only a few hundred metres or less in many cases.
Why book your ski equipment in advance?
- Save precious skiing time.
- Enjoy the convenience of having high standard equipment, reserved and waiting for you in the resort.
- Forget the hassle of transporting bulky heavy equipment from the UK.
- Avoid airlines various fees penalising travellers taking their ski and boards to their resorts. Fees range from £17 to £50 each way per person, representing a potential additional £400 on a ski holiday for a family of four.
- Benefit from competitive prices and be assured that the price you pay at the time of booking will not change once you get to the resort.
We can hire skis for any duration over 3 days in all our resorts. Not only will you benefit from our reduced prices but you won't have to worry about paying once you arrive.
Your kit will fitted and adjusted at the ski hire shop. However, the technicians will be happy to re-adjust the bindings, swap your boots or skis if you require after a few hours or days skiing. If you wish to exchange skis for a snowboard mid-week, this will be possible in most shops, at a supplement, payable locally.
Please note that during peak periods, it may be difficult to exchange equipment, but the staff on site will be happy to assist you the best they can; so please do not hesitate to ask.
Choosing your equipment with Ski Collection
The recent vast improvements in ski and snowboard technology and the wide variety of equipment now available mean that hiring is a great option. It will provide you with the latest, most highly rated models to suit your style, ability and size.
All the equipment stocked by the shops we use has been selected and tested by qualified professionals, competition skiers and instructors.
Whether you are a novice or a very experienced skier our skis and boots offer comfort and safety, as well as the assurance of adapting to your level and preferences.
Here are a few hints to help in your choice.
Did you know?
- A ski is an amalgam of materials – wood, carbon, kevlar, fibreglass and synthetic composites which give each ski its characteristics.
Its shape, length and width determine the terrain for which it is intended. - Short skis are easier to turn and ensure comfort at low speed.
- Longer skis are more stable and give confidence at higher speeds.
- A flexible ski is more comfortable and reassuring and easier to turn, whereas a stiff ski will grip hard snow and the slope, but requires a skier in good physical shape.
Each model of ski available in our B, C and D categories is the result of manufacturers’ thorough research to adapt to every profile of skier.
Piste skis (available in B, C and D categories)
The obvious terrain for skiing has to be the piste! So it will come as no surprise that engineers have worked many hours to build skis that will deliver stability and grip on the slopes for the beginner and expert alike, ranging from more comfort and ease of use, to high performance and challenge.
Lady skis (available in B, C and D categories)
In each category there are some lighter, sometimes more flexible skis which have been developed specifically for women, adapted to suit their physique and relatively lower centre of gravity; every major brand has refined numerous technologies.
All mountain skis (available in B, C and D categories)
An ideal choice for those seeking to explore the whole mountain, both on and off-piste, as well as those wanting to try freeride and park equipment. The one-ski-suits-all option, irrespective of terrain and conditions.
Freestyle skis (available in C and D categories)
Twin tip skis enable freestylers to “switch” (ski backwards) and make the most of the park hitting jumps, rails and halfpipes: make the whole mountain your playground!
Freeride / backcountry skis (available in D category)
Freeriding/backcountry skiing is all about seeking out fresh powder, couloirs and jumps, often taking the skier beyond the designated ski area and requiring techniques from other disciplines to adapt accordingly to the challenges and variations of the terrain.
We have 3 categories of skis:
SUPERIOR CARVER – Cat. B
PERFORMANCE CARVER – Cat. C
PRESTIGE CARVER – Cat. D
The B, C and D categories mean that all our ski shops are trading according to the French AFNOR standards NF X050-007 that will guarantee the highest standard of equipment and service.
Under this standard, the life span of categories B and C skis is 2 years maximum from new, and 1 year maximum from new for category D.
Please note that in a limited number of resorts we also offer an EASY CARVER – Category A equipment, suitable for novice skiers and for anyone on a budget. Category A skis will be over 2 years old.
Carver skis were introduced in the mid-2000’s, and have been regularly improved and re-engineered ever since.
Carving is the technique of turning by using the edge of the ski as opposed to sliding sideways. This style maximises grip on the snow whilst minimising loss of speed.
Being versatile and capable of going alternately from gentle skidding to sharp turn, they help skiers take better control of their turns and speed.
The choice of boot can sometimes be even more crucial than choice of skis.
Here are some hints that will help you avoid any pitfalls:
- The interior volume of a boot ensures comfort; however, too great a volume is counter productive as it creates excessive muscle fatigue and risk of sprains.
- Too narrow a volume promotes precision in controlling one’s skis; however, it is important to avoid compressing the foot, which would otherwise be painful.
In each category B and C, boots exist in different volumes and degrees of stiffness. Try your boots on in conditions matching actual skiing conditions as closely as possible, with socks that you will be using to ski. It is a good idea to tighten the straps of the boot and rock backwards and forwards to see whether you feel comfortable.
Ski/Snowboard Equipment Categories
We have three categories of ski equipment - Superior Carver, Performance Carver and Prestige Carver (the juniors have Fun Carver and Sport Carver) plus two categories of snowboard equipment - Superior Carver and Performance Carver (the juniors have one category). See tabs below for description of each type.
We recommend that children under 14 years wear a helmet for their safety.
Superior Carver - Cat B
Great modern equipment offering the perfect balance of enjoyment between easy and more challenging skiing in safety on any type of snow, mainly on piste. These all-rounder skis are flexible enough to turn easily and guarantee stability whilst forgiving your weaknesses; they are thus ideal for building confidence and improving your skiing.
Our tip: for recreational to good skiers looking for comfort and control and seeking new thrills.
Lady Superior Carver
Skis with a refined design: the wide tip makes turning easy, enabling women to ski in comfort and to combine fun with progression.
Performance Carver - Cat C
Superbly responsive equipment suitable for experienced skiers who can fully appreciate the special features that each type of ski can provide: all mountain, freeride, freestyle, advanced piste skis. Excellent grip, precise ski control on steep slopes, stability at higher speeds on harder snow, great kick and manoeuvrability on ungroomed snow.
Our tip: for keen skiers looking to master technique and in search of new challenges.
Lady Performance Carver
These precise and comfortable skis are adapted to a woman’s physique, offering excellent grip and manoeuvrability.
Prestige Carver - Cat D
Top-end equipment, offering a choice between this season’s models and next season’s test skis for powder, free ride and expert piste skiing.
Our tip: Skis offering both technology and style – ideal for thrill-seekers. You are an advanced skier and you simply want the best around!
Lady Prestige Carver
Piste or off piste skis designed for expert or demanding women skiers.
Superior Snowboard - Cat B
Designed for recreational to good boarders seeking excellent behaviour for all-mountain adventures.
Performance Snowboard - Cat C
Designed with confident boarders in mind, capable of taking full advantage of any terrain and conditions.
Junior Fun Carver (Skis)
Stable skis and comfortable boots for easy progress
Our tip: recommended for children who are either beginners or have already tried skiing.
Junior Sport Carver (Skis)
Offering greater control of speed on all terrain with more precision and performance to perfect skiing technique.
Our tip: Top of the range junior ski, suitable for intermediate to expert young skiers.
Junior Snowboard
Versatile board for riders of most levels.
