Alta   |  Marc Piscotty

How To Choose Ski Rentals for Utah’s Snow

Utah has uniquely velvety powder conditions you're not likely to find anywhere else. Any skis will work, but the right skis will make a difference on a powder day. Utah's passionate skiers and boarders behind the counter will help you rent or purchase the right gear for a perfect day on Utah's snow.

How to Prepare for Your Ski Trip

Why Rent Gear?

There are several advantages to renting ski or snowboarding gear in Utah. As the Ski N' See team points out, this ensures you're using the right gear for the right conditions. Not all skis are ideally suited for Utah's snow conditions, which produce light, dry powder with a good "body." 

Renting ski gear — either at the resort or in a nearby ski town — can save money in baggage fees and reduce the stress of lugging around awkwardly large bags. However, traveling with a pair of ski or snowboard boots that you love and trust may be worth the extra checked bag to guarantee a custom fit — just be sure to bring the boots to the rental shop, so they can adjust binding to fit the rental skis or board. Bringing your own boots will also likely save money on rental packages.

Between "carving" and "powder" there is a lot of technical detail standing between you and the mountain. Even the length of your skis is a point of debate, especially as technology evolves quickly. Your choice of ski rental also has a lot to do with where you want to ski. 

In brief, carving skis are typically tuned for fast runs down groomed trails and require some skill to turn correctly, while the wider underfoot width of a powder ski helps you maneuver in the soft stuff.

You'll also encounter gear in categories as diverse as "all mountain" and "big mountain," but it still matters which specific mountain you are skiing. The experts at the local rental shops will want to know which resorts are on your itinerary to further fine-tune the choice, based on each resort's unique characteristics. 

Renting ski gear — either at the resort or in a nearby ski town — can save money in baggage fees and reduce stress in lugging around awkwardly large bags.

Renting ski gear — either at the resort or in a nearby ski town — can save money in baggage fees and reduce stress in lugging around awkwardly large bags.

Photo: Mike Schirf

Not all skis are ideally suited for Utah's snow conditions, which produces relatively light, dry powder in abundance with good "body." 

Not all skis are ideally suited for Utah's snow conditions, which produces relatively light, dry powder in abundance with good "body." 

Photo: Michael Kunde

Where to Rent Skis in Utah

There are 15 ski resorts spread across Utah — you'll find 10 of them less than an hour from Salt Lake City International Airport. And wherever you're driving or flying to Utah, ski rental experts are nearby to help you find the right gear for your Utah ski vacation. Many ski resorts have rental facilities on site, but a big benefit of a winter vacation in Ski City is having a wide range of rental and retail options within the city and near the mouth of the canyons. You'll also find plenty of options if you're driving north to Ogden or Logan-area resorts.

Depending on your needs — from basic ski clothing and accessories (pants, jackets, goggles, mittens, gloves, socks) to equipment (helmets, skis, boots, poles) — call the ski shop ahead of time to ask if sale prices on retail winter apparel or special rates on equipment rental are available for your family or group.

Here are a few stand-out staples for ski rentals in Utah. But for a full list of ski rental and retail options filterable by where you're heading, check out the Ski Utah listing.

Ski Rentals in Salt Lake City

One of the advantages of having a major metropolitan area near 11 world-class ski resorts is the abundance of ski shops and sporting goods stores in the city. While rentals are available at the four ski resorts closest to Salt Lake City, visitors often find better prices by renting from shops in the city. Explore rental options in the Salt Lake Valley:

Ski and Snowboard Rentals in Ogden

Ogden is another great option for ski rentals, with a variety of shops to choose from. Located just a short drive from three incredible resorts, Ogden offers competitive prices and a friendly, local vibe. Explore ski rental options in Ogden:


Ski and Snowboard Rentals in Park City

Park City also offers a fantastic selection of rental shops, making it easy for visitors to gear up for their ski adventures. With a range of options from high-end equipment to budget-friendly choices, there's something for everyone. Here are some ski rental options outside of the Park City resorts:

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How to Prepare for a Utah Ski Trip

Written By Evan Thayer

4 minute read

Follow these five simple tips to take full advantage of The Greatest Snow on Earth®.

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