Equipment - hire online or in resort?

Hi forum people. I just wondered if any of you experienced skiers have any advice about equipment hire? Is it better/cheaper to hire online before departure or to hire in resort?

Thanks in advance :)

Depends - where you going and when!?

If you are planning on-going to Europe this season and have booked through a TO you may get a better deal booking direct with them due to the poor exchange rate.

Otherwise have a look at what discounts you can get via this site....

We are off to Westendorf next week. Currently planning to buy kit, school and lift pass in resort. Third year in Westendorf, travelling with Inghams. Previously we have purchased the whole shebang through TO but last year were advised that better kit is available from Sport 2000 Reutz. Online Sport 2000 hire for standard (4*) skis and boots works out at euro70.

I don't often rent skis but on the occasions that I have, I have always emailed the rental shop first.
This means that I know they have the ski I want, I know in advance what I'm going to pay and as my query is usually dealt with by a manager (and not the Saturday help) I find i usually get better service when I arrive. :D
This probably only helps with the smaller rental shops though and doesn't help with price unless its low season. In Tignes, in the summer, for example I was quoted a price by email that was half of the advertised price.

A quick look on the Inghams website and it is showing that you can hire "superior" skis with them for £62. So not much of a saving but you may have a greater saving on getting the lift pass through them now (didn't check the price of that sorry)

One thing I would warn you with though is, my experience dictates, that because the ski hire shops have a contract with the TO and everyone usually turns up on mass they will hand over any suitable ski regardless of whether you have paid for a superior ski or not and unless you know what you are looking after they will trade on peoples ignorance (not necessarily on purpose just to get everyone in and out of the shop asap).

Thanks for all the advice. We will send an email to the shop and see what comes of it. :)

I have used skiset 4 times, always got a good deal, good equipment, and good service.

Hired skis and boots for friends last week for 61 euros pp.

skiset have a link from this site that offers decent discounts on TO or resort prices. I have used snowrental myself a few times and found it fine - a good bit cheaper than TO and seemed to me to be just as good. http://www.snowrental.net/rent-skis.asp