Chris LeBlanc prepares to dive into a run at Monarch Mountain in February 2020. Ski rental services make it easy to rent gear while avoiding crowds during a pandemic. Pam LeBlanc photo
Lots of things have changed about the way we travel this year, right down to the way we rent skis and boots when we head to the mountains.
One way that’s gotten traction during the pandemic? Ski concierge services that fit you for equipment right where you’re staying, then deliver the gear to you when you’re ready to hit the slopes.
Different resorts offer different variations of the service. Among them are Ski Butlers, Door 2 Door and Black Tie Ski Rentals, all of which operate in a number of resorts around the country. Smaller, locally-owned companies do the same thing.
Black Tie Skis, for example, has outlets in 16 resorts, including Crested Butte, Vail, Telluride, Jackson Hole, Aspen and Breckenridge.
To use one of the services, just book online or call a day or two before you want to ski. Most allow you to pick an exact fitting time, instead of a long window. Most companies offer an array of equipment, and you can chose from basic or high-performance gear. (Black Tie charges $53 per day for standard skis and boots, or $63 a day for top-of-the-line stuff.) They’ll also deliver your gear and pick it up at whatever time you choose.
A bonus? You don’t just get the equipment you need, you get expert advice about mountain conditions, terrain and performance from locals who ski the resort.
