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How Ski Rentals Work in Colorado: Packages, Prices, Sizing & Policies
How Ski Rentals Work in Colorado: Packages, Prices, Sizing & Policies
Updated October 2026 by Charter Sports, renting skis in the Vail Valley and Summit County since 1988.
Renting skis in Colorado is simple if you book online at least 24 hours ahead, give accurate height, weight and ability details, and pick up the afternoon before your first ski day. This guide answers the questions we hear most at our 11 ski shops in Vail, Beaver Creek, Avon, Breckenridge and Copper Mountain.
Rental packages: what’s included
| Package | Best for | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Sport ski | Beginners and cautious intermediates | Forgiving skis, boots, poles |
| Performance ski | Intermediates to advanced | Current-model all-mountain skis, boots, poles |
| Demo ski | Advanced and expert skiers | Premium skis from Atomic, Stöckli, Blizzard, Head, K2, Nordica, Rossignol and more, boots, poles |
| Junior ski / junior demo | Kids 12 and under | Lighter, shorter skis, boots, poles |
| Snowboard (junior, performance, demo) | All levels | Board and boots |
| Snowshoes | Non-skiers, Nordic days | Snowshoes (poles on request) |
Poles come with every ski package. Helmets are an optional add-on ($18 per day walk-in, discounted online). Goggles, clothing and backpacks are not rented, so bring your own or buy them in town. Charter Sports focuses on alpine skis, snowboards and snowshoes; for telemark or alpine touring gear, check a specialty backcountry shop.
Prices and how to save
| Ski package (per day) | Walk-in | Online, 24+ hrs ahead |
|---|---|---|
| Demo ski (West Vail, Avon, Copper) | $89 | $62.30 (30% off) |
| Performance ski (West Vail, Avon, Copper) | $79 | $55.30 |
| Sport ski (West Vail, Avon, Copper) | $69 | $48.30 |
| Junior ski (West Vail, Avon, Copper) | $50 | $35 |
| Demo ski (Breckenridge) | $85.66 | $59.96 (30% off) |
| Performance ski (Breckenridge) | $74.23 | $51.96 |
| Sport ski (Breckenridge) | $62.80 | $43.96 |
| Junior performance ski (Breckenridge) | $51.37 | $35.96 |
| Demo ski (Lionshead, Beaver Creek) | $99 | $79.20 (20% off) |
| Performance ski (Lionshead, Beaver Creek) | $89 | $71.20 |
- Book online: the biggest saving, up to 30%. Walk-in discounts aren’t available.
- Groups of 15+: save up to 35% with group reservations.
- Multi-day rentals: choose your first and last day when booking; the gear is yours for the whole period.
- Rates are per day. Prices vary by package and shop, so see each resort page for current rates.
Renting skis or a snowboard in Colorado? Charter Sports has been fitting skiers steps from the lifts since 1988. Book online at least 24 hours ahead to save up to 30%, pick up the afternoon before, and return to any participating Charter Sports shop.
Vail · Beaver Creek · Avon · Breckenridge · Copper Mountain · All shop locations
Reserving, pickup and shop hours
Reserve online and enter each skier’s height, weight, age, ability and boot size. A 20% deposit is taken at booking and applied at pickup. Pick up after 1 p.m. the day before your first ski day to avoid morning lines. Winter shop hours are generally 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily (BlueSky Breckenridge until 7 p.m.). Bring a valid ID and the card used to book. You can add family members to one reservation.
Fitting and sizing
See our ski and snowboard size chart for lengths by height and ability.
A good fit starts with boots: snug around the heel and instep with toes just touching the front when standing straight, then backing off slightly when you flex forward. Tell your tech about wide or narrow feet. Ski length depends on height, weight, ability and terrain; bindings are set to industry standards from your details and checked at pickup. Fitting time varies with how busy the shop is, and online reservations speed things up because gear is prepped before you arrive.
- Bringing your own boots? Rent skis only. Bring your boots to pickup so bindings can be adjusted; boots must meet current standards.
- Boots only? Ask your shop about availability and pricing for individual items.
During your rental: exchanges, tuning and storage
Exchange for a different size or model, or switch between skis and snowboards, based on availability; moving to a different package may change the price. Rental equipment is tuned, waxed and binding-checked between rentals. If something doesn’t feel right on the mountain, stop by any Charter Sports shop. Free overnight storage is available at our Vail shops and Marriott Mountain Valley Lodge in Breckenridge, and most shops sit inside or next to lodging near the lifts.
Returns, cancellations and damage
Return equipment by closing on your last rental day, at any participating Charter Sports shop. Cancel at least 24 hours ahead to avoid a one-day charge. You’re responsible for equipment while it’s rented, so ask about protection options at pickup and lock skis when you stop for lunch.
Adaptive skiing and special needs
Colorado resorts have excellent adaptive ski programs that provide specialized equipment and instruction. Contact the resort’s adaptive program in advance, and let us know about any fitting needs.
Transporting rental skis
If you’re driving, use a roof rack or lay skis flat on a towel inside the car with edges away from upholstery, and don’t leave gear unattended on the roof overnight. Better yet, use slopeside storage.
Ski rental FAQ
What is included in a standard ski rental package?
A Charter Sports ski package includes skis, boots and poles, fitted and adjusted for you. Snowboard packages include a board and boots. Helmets are an optional add-on; goggles are not rented.
How much does it cost to rent skis per day in Colorado?
At Charter Sports, ski packages with boots run from $50 per day for juniors to $89–$99 per day for demo skis at walk-in rates. Booking online at least 24 hours ahead saves 20% (Lionshead and Beaver Creek) to 30% (West Vail, Avon, Breckenridge and Copper).
Should I reserve ski rentals in advance?
Yes. Walk-ins are welcome, but reserving at least 24 hours ahead unlocks the online discount, guarantees your size and lets the shop prep your gear. During holidays, book as early as possible.
Can I pick up my ski rentals the night before?
Yes. Charter Sports lets you pick up reserved equipment after 1 p.m. the day before your first ski day, and rental time doesn’t start until your first reserved day.
Can I return rentals to a different location?
Yes. Equipment rented from one Charter Sports shop can be returned at another participating Charter Sports location.
What is the cancellation policy for ski rentals?
Cancel at least 24 hours in advance. Reservations not cancelled within that window may be charged a one-day rental fee. A 20% deposit is taken at booking and applied to your total at pickup.
What size skis should I rent?
Ski length depends on height, weight, ability and the terrain you like. As a rule, beginners use skis between chin and nose height, and advanced skiers go closer to head height or longer. Our techs confirm sizing at your fitting.
Resort guides: Vail · Beaver Creek · Copper Mountain · Breckenridge first-timers
