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Your Vail Family Ski Rental Guide

August 7, 2024

Planning a family ski vacation in Vail? Whether it's your first time on the slopes or you're a seasoned skier, finding the right Vail ski and snowboard rentals is crucial for a smooth and enjoyable trip.

We, as locals in Vail with families, want to help you find the best ski and snowboard rentals for your family. We will give you all the information you need to have a great time on the mountain. Minimize those meltdowns and maximize that family fun!

Why Choose Vail for Your Family Ski Vacation?

Vail is renowned for its family-friendly mountain, diverse terrain for every level, and historical significance from being the training epicenter for the WWII 10th Mountain Division. This is the perfect place for a fun family ski vacation, with activities and amenities for everyone. From gentle beginner slopes to challenging expert runs and even hikeable terrain, Vail offers something for everyone.

Finding the Right Ski Rentals for Your Family

1. Consider Your Family’s Skill Levels

When selecting ski rentals, consider the varying skill levels within your family. Base Mountain Sports offers a wide range of equipment tailored to beginners, intermediates, and advanced skiers.
Ensure that every family member has appropriate gear for their skill level. This will help them stay safe and enjoy themselves while skiing.

Having the right equipment is important to prevent accidents or "whoopsies". Having the proper gear can also enhance the skiing experience for everyone in the family (especially the kids).

2. What Size Skis Do I Need?

A common question for families renting ski equipment is, "What size skis do I need?" The right ski size depends on several factors, including age, height, weight, and skiing ability. At Base Mountain Sports, we use your family’s height and weight during the checkout process to ensure the perfect fit. Here’s a quick guide to help you understand the basics:

  • Beginners: Skis should generally be chin to nose height. Shorter skis are easier to maneuver and control, making them ideal for those new to skiing.
  • Intermediate Skiers: Skis should reach between the chin and forehead. Slightly longer skis provide more stability at higher speeds.
  • Advanced Skiers: Skis can be forehead height or even longer. Experienced skiers will benefit from the added control and performance of longer and fatter skis.
  • All Skiers and Snowboarders: Helmets. Protect your brains, you’ll need those in the future.

Having the right size is important for kids to have a safe and fun experience. We want them to fall in love with skiing and snowboarding and that starts with the right gear. Our knowledgeable team at Base Mountain Sports can help you choose the perfect size based on your child's specific needs.

Don’t know your kids exact weight? It’s all good, we’ll make any adjustments needed to make sure your kids and you have a great experience.

3. Choose a Reputable Rental Shop

You can't throw a snowball without hitting a ski rental shop in Vail but they do vary in quality. Base Mountain Sports is proud to offer high-quality equipment, excellent customer service, and a wide selection of gear. Our equipment is top-notch. Don't just take our word for it, check out our reviews.

Our customer service is great. We have a variety of gear to choose from. Our personalized fittings and flexible rental options ensure you get the best equipment for your family’s needs.

The Base Mountain Sports Difference

Expert Fittings and Adjustments

Our team at Base Mountain Sports provides pro fittings and adjustments. Changing the size of your skis or snowboards after trying them out is easy and hassle-free with us. Just inform us, and we will adjust your gear perfectly to fit your needs.

Top-Quality Equipment

We offer a wide range of skis and snowboards from leading brands, ensuring that you have access to the best gear available. We maintain and regularly update our equipment to provide peak performance on the slopes.

Flexible Rental Options

You can rent equipment for a day, a weekend, or even a whole season with our flexible rental options. Plus, we're just a call away if you need to swap out your gear during your stay.

Tips for a Smooth Rental Experience

  • Reserve in Advance: Vail is a popular destination, especially during peak ski season. To ensure availability, make your rental reservations well in advance.
  • Ask for Advice: Don’t hesitate to ask our team for advice on the best equipment for your family. We provide valuable insights based on your preferences and skill levels.
  • Try Before You Buy: We offer demo gear, allowing you to try different types of skis before committing. This can be particularly useful if you’re considering purchasing your own equipment in the future.

Making the Most of Your Family Ski Vacation

Get the perfect Vail ski rentals from Base Mountain Sports for a memorable family ski trip. Here are a few additional tips to enhance your trip:

  • Take a Lesson: Consider booking a family ski lesson to build confidence and improve skills. Vail offers excellent ski schools with experienced instructors. Or put just your kids into a group lesson, it’s more affordable than a family private. You’ll enjoy the time on the mountain and so will they. They will also be so excited to share their progress with you and may even end up skiing better than you.
  • Explore the Mountain: Vail has 5,300 acres to explore and is the largest ski resort in Colorado. Take the time to explore different areas and discover your favorite runs.
  • Enjoy activities off the slopes in Vail. You can go for a sleigh ride with Bearcat Stables Dinner & Sleigh Ride, ice skating at the Solaris or the Arabelle, or visit Imagination Station in the Vail Village parking structure. Find more ideas for family fun in Vail during winter with this list from Visit Vail Valley.

We'll see you and your family on the hill

Your family ski vacation in Vail should be a time of fun, adventure, and bonding. Follow this guide and choose the right ski rentals from Base Mountain Sports to ensure a fun and memorable experience. Trust us, as Vail locals, we know how to make the most of this incredible destination.

Book your Vail ski rentals with Base Mountain Sports today and get ready for an unforgettable family ski adventure!

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With several locations to choose from, you can find great gear no matter where you decide to vacation in Colorado. Plus, get 25%* off your rental when you book in advance.

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