Ski & boot hire

Salski wrote:Brooksy - check out Snowbrainer :thumbup:

Saski, is that for hire or buying?

Brooksy - I hire skis & always check out Snowbrainer, Skiset & Snowrental. For the last 2 years Snowbrainer have come out a lot cheaper. We've had excellent service from Sport 2000 & top of the range brand new skis. We do ski at Christmas, so all the higher range stuff is new for the season. It's much more expensive to go direct to the individual shop. It can take a few hours doing all the comparisons, but worth it for the savings you can make.

Salski wrote:Brooksy - I hire skis & always check out Snowbrainer, Skiset & Snowrental. For the last 2 years Snowbrainer have come out a lot cheaper. We've had excellent service from Sport 2000 & top of the range brand new skis. We do ski at Christmas, so all the higher range stuff is new for the season. It's much more expensive to go direct to the individual shop. It can take a few hours doing all the comparisons, but worth it for the savings you can make.

Thanks I will check it out, although it seems like there are only a few hire shops in Obergurgl central.

brooksy wrote: Another prob is buying boots online, my feet are pretty good as I don't have irregularities so is it worth a punt?

Brooksy, NO-OO-OO-OO!!!!!

Obergurgl is among the most expensive of all Austrian resorts - the prices there for everything were so much higher than at Solden last March. (Part of the reason I didn't care much for the place!)

Overall, though, Austria is still much cheaper than France or Swisserland. I'm hiring skis, boots and helmet for my novice partner in March for 70€ for six days. Exceptional value!

I looked at snowbrainer & they were a bit cheaper at £178 or €206 at today's rate, that's for Black/Gold skis,boots & ins.Now I have started looking at buying ski gear I'm getting the bug back for having my own, 2 trips booked for this year & the J2 next year could almost pay for it all & I would be looking to get more trips in also.

Its the ski boots prob that's bugging me I know 27 is the ideal length & my feet are 11cms wide but boot retailers ect don't give width fittings just Med/Wide if you're lucky.As I don't live in the UK but keep my stuff there the boot fitting is out of the question & I think if I buy boots online I may be able to get them adjusted ect in the resort if I had probs with them.

I know the general consensus is not to buy online but many people must do or the option would not exist. If I were younger & living in the UK I would of course go to the shop & get it done right, in my case its not an option & no ski stuff on the rock to get locally.

Why not buy your skis before you go and hire boots in Obergurgl? By mid-March the shops will be selling off gear. You could get sorted over there. Alternatively, play the robbing shysters at their own game. Get yourself measured up and fitted in the shop, then wait till you get home before buying exactly the same boots on-line. :twisted:

I'm not suggesting we should all start doing this. I would be more than happy to pay a premium for a good boot-fitter's time. It's just that your circumstances are a little bit different to most and the prices being quoted in that resort do smack of somebody trying to 'nail your cap on.' :)

Thanks for your input Gaz & I think the ski buying is a goer & I will check to see if you can hire boots only & how much, as another way round the matter.