The Lowdown on Winter Rentals

hit the slopes Ski season is, thankfully, here and Seattlest couldn't be more excited. In fact, even though our friends are completely lame and won't go with us, we're off to Crystal tomorrow to take advantage of cheap lift-ticket prices (and cause we're jonesing).

For a variety of reasons though, we don't own any of our own equipment and are not yet ready to buy our own stuff. So before heading out to catch some early-season slope action, we had to track down some rental gear.

Because we're nice like that, we're going to share what we learned during a morning of phone calls, web surfing and lost work hours while we dreamed of swooshing through powdery white stuff.

(Unless otherwise noted, daily rentals mean you pick up Monday, ride Tuesday and return Wednesday in the morning. A package means skis, boots and poles or board, bindings and boots. A seasonal rental means you get one set of gear for the whole winter. If you want to try different stuff out before buying, either do the daily rental thing or better yet, ask about demos so a part of your rental costs go toward the final purchase.)

By far, the best deal we could find was at SportsX where we also found the friendliest and most helpful staff. These guys, according to the manager who helped us, do everything they can to keep their overhead low so their prices can be too. "We don't even turn all the lights on," he said. It was true, a couple of clip-on display lights were dark when we showed up yesterday afternoon.

But the lack of lighting (or heat in the back room) shouldn't put you off. They have a ton of gear and seem to know what they're talking about too. They did everything they could to get us outfitted for tomorrow's trip and even told us to bring the skis back in for a free hot waxing afterward. Although they don't do demos, the manage said he'd cut us a deal if we end up buying the equipment at the end of the season.

Their prices are right on too. For $180, adults can rent a ski or snowboard package for the season. Kids' stuff is $155 for the season. They invested in all-new kids' gear this year though, and for $10 more you can upgrade to that stuff for the young 'uns. Daily rentals are $25. All the ski gear is Head, Rossingol or Solomon and the snowboards have strap-in bindings by default, though they can offer step-ins if that's what you want ("We don't like 'em, so we don't force 'em on people.")

More rental places after the jump.

Next on our list is REI. Really we would only go here to rent because of the convenience and because we know the equipment is in good condition. Gear options are limited and the prices are nothing to write home about though. This is one of the few places where you can call ahead to reserve or just go in ahead of time to get fitted, but you rarely need to: They always seem to have plenty of stock. If renting day by day, that makes a difference.

REI rents Rossingol skis (we forgot to ask what boots they have) and Burton boards with strap-in bindings. A downhill ski or snowboard package is $34/day and $17 each consecutive day or $300/season. A telemark package $36/day, $18 after that or $200/season. Cross-coutnry skis are $22/day and then $11 or $150 for the season. Note that all these are co-op member prices. If you're not an REI member and won't become one (lifetime=$15) don’t bother renting here.

For those who stick to boards, Snowboard Connection (say: "SnoCon" if you want to be cool) is apparently the place to go for boards. Their daily board package $35 and they don't have a seasonal package for adults, but kids under 15 can rent equipment for $250 until Easter. All the rental equipment is from Burton. Unfortunately, they didn't seem too interested in talking much further, so you'll have to go in and check them out for more details. They also do demos for $40.

On the Eastside, SkiMart seems to be the choice for renting. Seattlest Courtney suggests checking them out especially if you are planning to demo different types of equipment during the season. When you buy there, they'll credit you three days or up to $105. They also have a wide selection of brands and equipment.

An adult ski or snowboard rental package will run $199.95 for the season which they say is May 31 (maybe if you're at Mt. Hood!). The junior (under 12) package is $129.95 and those of you in grades 6-12 can rent for $169.95 for the whole season. The ski package is $20/day for adults, and $18/day for the juniors. An adult snowboard package is $25/day, juniors are $18/day. Daily prices drop over consecutive days and these guys want a security deposit.

Seattle Ski seems to be the big unknown in equipment rental around town. We couldn't find anyone who has experience with the place. Maybe it's that they're located up on North Aurora and are therefore out of our normal traveling patterns. Or maybe they suck. We believe in the basic goodness of anyone who runs a ski/snowboard shop though so are willing to bet it's the former.

Either way they do offer a few more choices than a lot of the places, if you're willing to pay. Daily ski or snowboard packages are $34 for a basic package. Better equipment (higher-quality skis and bindings or strap-in bindings for boards) will make it $38/day. Cross-country skis can be had for $20/day. Basic seasonal rentals for skis and snowboards run $199.95 and the performance package costs $259.95 for adults. Kids seasonal rentals start at $139.95 and go all the way up to $199.95 for high-performance packages.

All four ski areas that we're likely to hit any time soon (Snoqualmie, Baker, Crystal and Stevens) do rentals also, of course. We've never rented at any of them and don't know anyone who has either since prices are higher and if you get there and they're out of your size, you're SOL. Still, it is an option. They run about $35/day at all of them (Stevens is $37) for a full package. For $99 ($79 for kids) Snoqualmie offers a seasonal deal where you "only wait in line the first time" and then reserve the day before by 1 pm and they'll always have your gear in stock.

Thanks for the image go to Krisken (who has a cool little musical note in her user name too). She calls it simply "ski lift" and kindly placed it in the Seattlest Flickr pool. Have you joined yet?