How to Rent Skis: A Step-by-Step Guide

Renting skis is the most time-consuming and least discussed part of a ski trip. Come prepared and you are out of the shop in fifteen minutes; come unprepared and your first hour disappears in the queue. This guide walks through the whole process, from what to do before you walk in to handing the gear back.

Before you rent: have these four things ready

To give you the right gear and a safe binding setting, the shop needs a few facts. Knowing them in advance speeds things up for you and for the staff:

• Height and weight. Ski length and the binding release setting (the DIN value) are based on these. Understating your weight can make the binding release earlier than it should.
• Shoe size. If you are not sure, measure the length of your foot in centimetres; ski boots are sized this way (Mondopoint).
• Your level. Beginner, intermediate or advanced. Be honest: a ski that is more ambitious than your level makes learning harder.
• How many days. Most shops offer multi-day rates; saying the number of days up front makes the conversation easier.

Where to rent

Ski resorts usually have three kinds of rental points: independent shops at the bottom of the slopes, rental desks inside hotels, and shops in the nearby town. Each has pros and cons.

• Slope-side shops get you to the lifts fastest, and swapping gear is easy if something is wrong.
• In-hotel rental is comfortable and often includes overnight storage. At hotel-centred resorts such as Kartalkaya, most renting happens this way.
• Shops in town sometimes have a wider choice, but you carry the gear every day. This makes sense at resorts close to a city, such as Erciyes and Palandöken.

Whichever resort you are heading to, you can see its rental points in our list of rental shops.

In the shop, step by step

1. Fill in the form. You will get a rental form asking for height, weight, age, shoe size and level. The binding setting is based on it.
2. Boots first. Boots come first because the binding is adjusted to the boot's sole length. Put them on, close the buckles, stand for a few minutes and bend your knees. See our ski boot sizing guide for details.
3. Skis and bindings. The technician picks skis for your height and level and adjusts the bindings to your boots. You can ask for the DIN value; make sure it was set from the details on your form.
4. Poles. Turn the pole upside down and grip it just below the basket; your elbow should be at roughly a right angle.
5. Helmet and goggles. These can be rented, but bring your own goggles if you have them. Read our helmet and goggles guide for fitting.

Check before you leave

As soon as you get the gear, take two minutes to look at the bases and edges, test that the bindings lock your boot properly, and point out any existing scratches or damage to the staff. Taking photos with your phone avoids disputes at return. Our pick-up checklist has the full list.

Return and payment

Always ask about the return time. Many shops close a while after the last lift, and late returns may be charged as an extra day. Some shops ask for an ID or a deposit for the rental period. When you return the gear, knock the snow off the skis and close the boot buckles — a small courtesy that also reduces damage arguments.

In short: prepare your details, choose boots first, check at pick-up and know the return time. The rest is skiing.