When planning a ski trip, a key decision is whether to bring your own skis or to rent when you arrive. We know it can be tempting to bring your own, but we think there are some clear advantages to renting.
Now before you totally write us off as biased (after all, we are a ski shop), consider some of the reasons we think renting is better – one biggie is that we carry equipment that works for local conditions and you can exchange your skis if the conditions change. If it’s a Utah powder day – we have you covered with the latest technology. Skiing spring groomers? No problem. Another great reason is having a valet at the base. What’s not to love about that?
Some of these things could be considered luxuries, but in general, as experienced skiers who travel – we think these things make a lot of sense.
Here are six reasons why you may want to rent, rather than bring your own skis:
01. Convenience and Ease of Travel
When you bring your own skis there can be extra baggage fees, risk of damage, and longer wait times for oversized bags. Once you do get your ski bag, it can be a hassle to navigate the airport or to fit them into shuttles, rental cars, or Ubers.
With rentals you don’t have to deal with that hassle. You can pick up rentals at the resort your first day of skiing (or the day before). If you rent from Park City Sport, we get people in and out quickly so you don’t lose a lot of time getting set up. The best part – you can leave the skis and poles at the base each night. So not only are you not lugging your gear around getting to Park City, you are also not lugging it around once there.
02. Experience the Latest Ski Gear
Ski technology is always evolving, and renting in Park City gives you access to the latest skis designed for everything from deep powder to groomed runs. Boot technology has also seen some changes. One recent update is BOA ski boots, which use a precision dial to tighten the shell and distribute pressure more evenly across your foot—offering a different feel than traditional buckle boots.
Trying new tech is really fun and great to do if you are thinking about buying or updating your own gear.
03. Flexibility to Change Your Equipment
Are your skis right for Utah conditions? If you have east coast skis made for icy conditions, they are not ideal on a Utah powder day. Additionally, conditions on the mountain can change quickly, and the skis that worked perfectly yesterday might not be good for today.
At Park City Sport you can change out your gear at any time, and at no cost. Because we make exchanges quick and easy, you have the flexibility to get the right gear for the current conditions. It really makes for a great experience when you can try out new things. You might find that you prefer a particular brand, shape, or width of ski. A bonus is that this can help with picking out new skis you might want for home.
04. No Maintenance Worries
Tuning, waxing, and repairing dings takes time and money. When you rent skis, the ski shop takes care of all of this. You don’t have to worry as much when the snow is thin or if your skis are slow. If you want faster skis – just bring them in and we’ll wax them for you.
05. Cost-Effectiveness for Infrequent and Beginner Skiers
For infrequent or beginner skiers, renting is often more cost-effective than buying your own gear and going on a ski trip with it. This is especially true if you may only ski a few times a year or are just starting out and not sure how often you’ll go. Renting gives you great equipment without the high cost, and helps you figure out what kind of equipment you like.
06. Expert Advice and Fitting Assistance
When renting with Park City Sport, you can get expert advice and a proper boot fitting. We know the terrain and conditions well and can recommend skis that fit your ability and the conditions. We can also help with advice on terrain and around town.
A Hybrid Approach: Bring Your Ski Boots
Another option to consider is a hybrid approach where you bring your boots and only rent skis and poles. Though Park City Sport does have a wide variety of boots and can fit the vast majority of people very well, when you really love your boots this can be a nice option. Additionally, boot bags are a lot easier to travel with than ski bags.
Final Thoughts: Rentals are Easier and More Fun
Opting for ski rentals over bringing your own skis has a lot of benefits that can make your ski trip easier and more enjoyable. From traveling light to picking the best gear for the conditions, renting lets you focus on what matters—having a great time on your trip.
Whether you’re an experienced skier or it’s your first time, renting can make your trip easier, more fun, and more memorable.
