Ski Hiring & Ski Testing with Intersport

3rd January 2023

Last modified on January 10th, 2023

If you take out the premium package with Intersport you can change your skis as many times as you want. That’s exactly what three PlanetSKI reporters did in Les2Alpes – changing their equipment as the snow changed and simply trying out new skis with a view to finding the right one to buy.

Step forward Tashie, 26-years old, Sally, 25-years old, and Max, 23-years old.

The trio were in Les2Alpes for the Rise Music Festival ahead of Xmas and simply wanted to experiment with new skis.

Tashie was looking to test with an aim to buy, Sally just wanted to play with new skis and Max pretty much knew what he liked anyway.

“Why bother to read reviews when you can simply go and test them with Intersport and be certain how to spend your heard-earned cash?” thought Tashie.

See here for where you can do something similar with Intersport, if it takes your fancy.

Tashie

Ski testing with Intersport. Image © PlanetSKI

As an avid skier, I’m always wanting to test out new skis to figure out what I am looking for when I purchase my next pair.

As I usually bring my own skis on trips with me, I thought a week in Les 2 Alpes would be a great time to test out some skis, so I made the decision not to bring my skis but, rather, to rent.

I’m in the market for some strong and sturdy piste skis, to race around the mountains on.

An early flight meant I could pop into Intersport at Val d’Oisans about 2pm to pick up my hire skis and head out to catch the last few runs of the day.

The staff at Intersport were incredibly helpful, talking me through the current conditions up the mountains and advising which skis to use.

As there was not much off-piste skiing available I decided to go for the Volkl Race Tigers – sturdy piste skis good for the conditions.

The staff at Intersport were quick to fit my skis to my boots and sent me on my way to enjoy my first few runs of the season- the Race Tigers did not disappoint.

Half way through Day 3 more snow had fallen and I was ready to change my skis to something a bit lighter.

I tried an all-mountain offering from Head.

I didn’t like them.

Then a softer Atomic piste ski that would be lighter in the soft snow.

I didn’t like them either.

Ski testing with Intersport. Image © PlanetSKI

I headed back to Intersport with the intention of getting lighter, more powdery skis but ended up picking another pair of piste skis, this time Atomic Redsters.

They were firm, sure and grippy.

By the end of Day Four I was ready to change my skis again, to enjoy my final day on another pair of skis.

However, as I headed to Intersport my mind kept bringing me back to the Race Tigers.

I couldn’t shake just how brilliantly they carved the pistes, an absolute joy to ski on for me.

Ski testing with Intersport. Image © PlanetSKI

So, I caved and ended up renting them again for my final day- safe to say I haven’t skied on such a brilliant ski in a while.

My mind is set, it is Race Tigers for me.

I had worried you might be a but annoyed at me coming back to chop and change my skis.

Not a bit of it, you actually seemed keen that I was interested in finding out more about skis.

Thanks for the ski test, Intersport.

Sally

Ski testing with Intersport. Image © PlanetSKI

It’s finally the ski season.

I’ve been skiing since I was fairly young.

I was first on skis in Pas de las Casa in Andorra back in 2011 aged 14-years old and spent many happy winter weeks there with family and friends.

I am not a great skier, but I can get around,

I’m now extremely lucky to be able to ski most seasons for a week-long holiday and also get away for a couple of cheeky weekend breaks too, if I’m lucky.

I wanted skis that would allow me to push myself, but also that were appropriate for my level.

The people at Intersport suggested some Atomics.

There was a fair amount of snow on the mountain when we arrived, and at the start of the holiday we knew the weather would be mixed, with sunshine due at the start of the week and some heavy snow fall towards the end of the week.

Perhaps I would try some powder skis when the conditions changed.

Alongside the skis I was also renting boots.

Ski testing with Intersport. Image © PlanetSKI

Again, if they were uncomfortable I could simply come back and change them.

I never needed to, as the fitter offered me the correct ones first time round.

Top marks Intersport as I have had bad rental boots in the past and it completely ruins the skiing.

My next skis were the Rossignol Heros.

Ski testing with Intersport. Image © PlanetSKI

They were too stiff for me and probably a bit above me level but it was interesting to try them out anyway.

When some snow came towards the end of the week I opted for my favourites – the Salomon S-Max.

160cm in length.

72mm underfoot with a radius of 14.

They were firm and grippy on the piste and soft enough to get into the powder.

Ski testing with Intersport. Image © PlanetSKI

I almost felt like a professional ski tester, and had such fun across the week trying out different skis and learning about the things on my feet that bring me so much pleasure.

Like Tashie I feared the people in the shop might get sick at the sight of us, but they were genuinely pleased and enthusiastic to see people taking an interest in their product.

We did make sure we kept away at busy times though.

Ski testing with Intersport. Image © PlanetSKI

Max

Ski testing with Intersport. Image © PlanetSKI

Unlike Tashie and Sally I wasn’t really interested in trying out a big variety of skis.

I was after a big all-mountain ski that could handle the off piste, but was good on the piste too.

The conditions weren’t great for off piste, but I knew the Dynastar Legend X96 could handle the powder as I had skied on them a few times before.

I wanted to test them out on the piste.

They did not disappoint.

Sure, they were a bit flappy and not quite as firm as a pair of good carving skis, but I was interested in judging their performance on the hard-packed pistes.

Despite their size, 178cm long and 96mm underfoot with a radius of 15, they delivered.

After a couple of days I swapped them for a stiffer piste ski from Dynastar, but I had got used to the Legends on the piste.

After a morning on the carvers I popped back at lunchtime to go back to the Legend X96.

I kept meaning to try out a few more pairs, but to be honest I just liked the ones I had.

They did everything for me – on piste and off piste.

High speed and slower speeds just cruising.

I simply decided I had found the ski for me, and I stuck with it.

It was great to know I could change them if I wanted to.

But I didn’t want to.

I had also been a bit busy filing copy and pictures on another news story for PlanetSKI that took up a bit of my time after skiing.

Investigation after fire destroys hotel in Les2Alpes

The Dynastar Legends were the ones for me.

100%.

I would like to add my thanks to the guys and girls at Intersport who were helpful, friendly, happy to help and patient.

Fact Box

Intersport have over 700 ski hire shops across the alps, renting award-winning skis and snowboards.

Why rent in resort?

Because you can save money on the airline baggage fee, have less to carry to resort, have up-to-date equipment that’s serviced every rental by qualified professionals.

Swap and change your skis and equipment as conditions demand, and get your feet accurately measured with the Boot Doctor scanning machine – guaranteed comfy, new boots.

Average rental is €8 per day including skis, helmet, poles and boots.

Book via www.intersportrent.com