Ski rental and ski boot hire : a novice's guide

Arranging ski rental and ski boot hire for the first time? Here's how to choose your rental equipment.

The most important thing to know about ski boot hire is that it's all about the fit: don't be tempted by shiny hi-tech boots that look great but hurt your feet! To find the correct size, try boots in the same size as you usually take, or slightly smaller. Your toes should just touch the front of the boot and your heel and ankle should be securely held. A good ski boot hire shop will carry a variety of brands, so try on different models until you find the right one.

For the skis themselves, a ski rental technician will ask you your height and weight - be honest, as the information is used not only to determine the correct length of skis, but also to adjust the bindings that attach the boots to the skis. Too loose a setting and you'll unexpectedly part company with your skis; too tight and you could end up injured. The ski hire shop will adjust the settings for you. The final part of your ski rental package is the poles: to find the correct length, turn the pole upside down so that the grip just touches the ground, grasp the pole just above the basket and your forearm should be parallel to the ground. And that's it - enjoy your skiing !