Stress-Free Skiing with Intersport
9th January 2025 | Cara Brookes, Zauchensee, Austria
Here we look in detail at the experience of renting your kit – boots, skis, helmets and even goggles. PlanetSKI reader, Cara Brookes, is unashamedly a fan of renting. NEW
When booking flights for our ski trip, we weighed up the pros and cons of taking out our own equipment.
With airline luggage fees soaring and the hassle of transporting bulky ski equipment across London to Gatwick Airport, renting ski gear became the obvious choice for us.
Navigating the busy tube felt refreshingly light, making our journey to Austria the stress-free start of a ski holiday.
My boyfriend, Jonny, and I landed late at night, quickly unpacked, and prepared our kit for the week ahead.
We laid our clothes out, ready to jump into the next day, eager to start skiing as soon as possible.
The Intersport Schneider Zauchensee shop is located just steps away from the first ski lift, so we knew we wouldn’t waste any time.
The shop opened at 8:30 a.m. and we were the first to arrive, keen to get on the slopes.
The staff were welcoming as we collected high-quality boots, skis, poles, and helmets.
Since I didn’t have goggles, I opted for a helmet with an integrated visor – a brilliant, money-saving solution.
The friendly team swiftly fitted us with equipment tailored to our skill levels, height, and weight.
We left our shoes in the shop’s designated storage area, saving us from lugging them around the mountain.
Intersport, Zauchansee, Austria. Image © PlanetSKI
See here for how to get your PlanetSKI discount that offers substantial savings.
The conditions couldn’t have been better for our first day: blue skies, sunshine and great snow.
The weather, the skiing, and our delicious lunch at Schütt Alm made for a dreamy first day on the slopes.
Renting with Intersport, Zauchansee, Austria. Image © PlanetSKI
By late afternoon my ski boots began to rub.
I wasn’t sure whether to power through or try swapping the boots.
Usually, negotiating new equipment with rental shops can be quite an effort, and I didn’t want to waste time on our first evening, especially since we had planned to play cards and enjoy a nice supper before our friends arrived the next day.
However, Jonny encouraged me to address the issue, and I’m so glad I did.
The team at Intersport was very accommodating and quickly swapped the boots for a wider pair with advanced twist-to-tighten mechanisms.
This adjustment made all the difference, and I was comfortable for the rest of the trip.
I was genuinely impressed with how efficiently they helped me.
Renting with Intersport, Zauchansee, Austria. Image © PlanetSKI
The next day, our friends arrived, and we headed straight to Intersport to get them kitted out.
Despite being a group of eight, the process was seamless.
Everyone was fitted and ready, and we were on the first gondola by 9 a.m.
We were thoroughly impressed.
Renting with Intersport, Zauchansee, Austria. Image © PlanetSKI
Renting with Intersport, Zauchansee, Austria. Image © PlanetSKI
None of us had skied for almost a year, so we worried we’d be a bit rusty.
However, by day four, our skiing confidence had soared, aided by the beautiful conditions.
Jonny, feeling more adventurous, decided to switch to powder skis better suited to his increasing ability.
The staff at Intersport made the exchange quick and easy, offering an impressive range of skis to match every skill level.
This flexibility kept our skiing experience personalised and ensured that every group member enjoyed the trip at their own pace.
Renting with Intersport, Zauchansee, Austria. Image © PlanetSKI
On our penultimate day, we tackled the 12 Peaks Challenge – skiing across 12 peaks and 5 valleys in the heart of Ski Amadé.
For those who prefer a more relaxed pace, the challenge can be spread over a week.
But with sandwiches packed and our route planned the night before, we completed the run in one thrilling day.
Pro tip: start early to make the most of daylight hours.
It was such a glorious day – the type you remember for years to come.
Beautiful blue skies, great snow, and lots of laughter with friends.
We felt so fortunate to have the right equipment, from warm jackets in the -6°C weather to light powder skis that allowed us to enjoy the snow in all its glory.
Renting with Intersport, Zauchansee, Austria. Image © PlanetSKI
Our final day greeted us with more fresh snow and icy temperatures of -9°C.
The helmet with a visor proved invaluable in the frosty conditions.
After a morning of powder skiing, we lunched on oversized Austrian Krapfen – delicious donuts available in sweet and savory varieties.
While the lunch was tasty, we couldn’t help but feel a little sad knowing it was our last day.
In just a few short hours, we’d be returning our kit and ending our holiday.
Returning our equipment to Intersport was as smooth as collecting it – hassle-free.
We had dropped off our shoes earlier in the morning, so it was just a two-minute task to return the gear, thank the staff, and walk to the bus stop.
We couldn’t help but feel smug about our decision to rent.
Renting with Intersport not only made our travel lighter but also enhanced our ski experience with quality equipment, flexible swaps, and exceptional service.
From first-timers to seasoned skiers, Intersport ensured that every moment on the mountain was enjoyable.
Renting ski gear truly is the stress-free way to ski.
Renting with Intersport, Zauchansee, Austria. Image © PlanetSKI
Benefits at INTERSPORT Rent in Austria:
- Free cancellation
- Rent 7 days – pay only 6 days
- Kids up to 10 years free if both parents rent equipment for the same rental period
- Kids & youngsters up to 14 get -50%
- Get your equipment after 4 p.m. on the day before
- Highest hygiene standards
- Maximum safety through standard binding settings
- Free ski-model change for Premium & Superior equipment
- Free exchange from ski and snowboard when renting Premium & Superior equipment
- Free daily service for your Superior rental equipment
In addition, children and teenagers up to 14 years receive a free rental helmet for the same duration at INTERSPORT Rent.
At many Austrian ski resorts, there are spacious children’s areas, wide and relatively flat slopes, ski lessons for children of all ages, beginners’ areas, practice lifts, warming rooms, funparks and more.
In Austria at selected stores if it also possible to rent clothing for kids, which is useful as they can grow out of clothes so quickly.
Plus it frees up valuable room in your suitcase.
After each return, all ski clothing is carefully cleaned and disinfected.
Intersport 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.
See here for how to get your PlanetSKI discount that offers substantial savings.
PlanetSKI: Number 1 for digital ski news.
Your digital platform for ski news, resort information, travel, equipment rental, money saving deals and everything connected with snowsports – web site, social media & more.
