By summer 2020 sports shops had adapted their layouts and hygiene protocols to ensure customers could shop as safely as possible. They limited customer numbers to ensure social distancing, provided sanitising gel, and made wearing masks compulsory.
Since the autumn many sports shops have also been developing online ski hire solutions, to ensure that hiring or buying winter sports equipment will be comfortable, easy and safe.
So what changes have been made ready for winter 2020? We contacted some of our ski hire partners in the Aravis to find out. (All information correct at publication date)
Ski Hire Manigod
Situated just 50m from the slopes and the ESF meeting point at the Col de la Croix Fry, Veyrat Sport has set up new collection options: customers can either visit the shop, click and collect online orders, or request delivery to their chalet.
As well as selling boots, all types of skis, snowboards, snow shoes and other winter sports equipment, Veyrat Sport offers a ski locker drying service (available even if skis are hired elsewhere), a repair/service area, a boot fitting service and they sell ski accessories and souvenirs.
For more information, and to book ski hire online in French or English, visit their recently updated website.
Ski Hire Merdassier
The team at Val Sport in Merdassier stock a choice of ski equipment to buy or to rent in store or online.They also rent out snowshoes, which will be disinfected after every rental. There are discounts for online reservations and refunds if the lifts are not open. Delivery may be possible for large groups reserving in advance. The Val Sports website currently exists in French only, but many of the staff speak excellent English.
Val Sports also has a repair and service area, a newsagents and a souvenir section. Their partner store Ski Fun, also in Merdassier, has a service centre and carries sports wear and accessories for all the family. Changing rooms will be open and disinfected throughout the day.
Ski Hire St Jean de Sixt
Located between La Clusaz and Grand Bornand, customers enter by one door and leave by another, customer numbers are limited, gel provided and masks are essential for entry.
Saint Jean Sport stock downhill and cross country skis, snowboards, hiking gear and accessories, to hire or buy, and a complete range of security equipment including Arva, spades, probes and airbags for hire. Add ski wear and technical clothing for men, women and children (2+) into the mix, as well as a workshop for repairs and servicing and there is something for everyone.
Most of the in-store team speak English, although the store website is in French. Online ski hire reservation is recommended via Skimium and available in several languages.
Ski hire La Clusaz
In the heart of La Clusaz, Sport Boutique stocks skis and snowboards from big names such as Atomic, Scott, Dynamic and K2 to name a few, for purchase or rent. They also stock clothing and accessories.
The professional team of boot fitters and ski-techs use their expertise to help you choose the perfect setup based on ability. A well thought out boot fitting area makes the process as quick and comfortable as possible.
They also offer an online ski rental service.
Ski Hire Chinaillon
Patrice, Stephanie and the team at Rêve d’Hiver in Chinaillon have set up a great cafe/ bar area with free wifi, toilets, and a large flat screen TV replaying the achievements of local ski champions, for customers waiting to take their specialist advice. This area will be operational again as soon as social distancing rules allow.
For now, they are encouraging customers to reserve their equipment in advance via their website. Your rental equipment will then be deposited in the shop’s ski lockers, which also have boot warmers, on the day of your arrival, limiting the amount of face to face contact and respecting social distancing.
Ski and board wear clothing hire packages available across the Alps
The team from Crevasse clothing are operating a delivery and collection service as normal. They supply clothing packages for all the family to rent rather than buy. The Full Rental Package includes jacket, pants, goggles and gloves, plus a free pair of socks. Everything is dry cleaned as normal and also left for three weeks so there is no chance for any virus to hang around!
Home delivery ski hire
For those who prefer to have their skis delivered and collected across the Aravis resorts, contact Charles at Passion Attitude. Passion Altitude do not have a shop, instead guests reserve their ski equipment online via and it is then delivered and fitted at guests chalet accommodation. Boots and helmets are disinfected between each use, drivers wear masks, and use gels and wipes between and during drop offs.
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