A ski trip has enough moving parts without a surprise at the rental counter. Reservation details, waiver signatures, pickup times and cancellation rules are all simple, but they are easier to handle before you are standing in a shop at 7:30 a.m. with three kids and a boot bag.
Here is how booking works at Maison de Ski in Idaho Springs, from the details we collect to the discount codes worth using. The short version: reserve online at least 24 hours ahead, sign the waiver from home, and pick up the afternoon before if you can.
Reserve online at least 24 hours ahead
Use the Rent Now or Reserve buttons on our site to book ski rentals before your trip. We recommend reserving at least 24 hours in advance. That window gives staff time to pull your sizes, check the gear and have it ready when you walk in. It also means your confirmation email, with pickup details, arrives before you leave.
Online reservations are less expensive than renting at the resort, and they are faster than starting from scratch at the counter. Walk-ins are welcome, and we will fit you either way. On a holiday weekend, though, the difference between a reserved pickup and a walk-in can be the difference between skiing by 9 a.m. and skiing by 10.
Have these details ready
Skiers provide name, gender, age, weight, height, skier type, package and shoe size. Snowboarders provide name, gender, weight, height, age and shoe size. It looks like a lot, but each field does a job. Weight and height narrow ski length and flex. Shoe size starts the boot fitting. Skier type tells us whether to lean toward a beginner setup or something more responsive.
Be honest about ability. A rider who checks advanced but skis blue groomers a few times a year will be happier on a forgiving ski. If you are booking for a group, collect everyone's numbers before you start the form. Stopping halfway to text your brother-in-law for his boot size is how reservations take an hour.
Sign the waiver before you arrive
Every renter must sign a waiver. You can sign it online before arrival, which saves time at the counter, and a parent can sign for a minor. If you are booking for a family, handle the kids' waivers in the same session so nobody is hunting for a pen while the rest of the group is already in the car.
The waiver is a standard part of renting ski equipment, not a hurdle we invented. Signing early also gives you a chance to read it without a line behind you. If something is unclear, call the shop at 303-567-2044 and ask before you arrive.
Renting gear for this trip?
Maison de Ski fits skis, snowboards and snowshoes at I-70 Exit 241 in Idaho Springs, 25 miles from Loveland and on the way to every major I-70 resort. Early pickup is free after 2 PM the day before.
Pick up after 2 p.m. the day before
Early pickup is free after 2 p.m. the day before your rental starts. That is not applicable if you are skiing that evening, for obvious reasons. For most travelers, picking up the afternoon before is the single best logistics decision of the trip. You fit boots with time to spare, load the car and drive up in the morning without a detour.
It also protects you against I-70. If the road is slow or closed on your ski morning, you are not also trying to collect gear. We charge only for the days you actually ski, so picking up early does not cost you an extra rental day.
Know the cancellation window and the discounts
Cancel 48 hours or more before your rental start and you receive a full refund. Cancel inside 48 hours and there is a $10 fee per person on the reservation. Plans change, especially in winter, so put the rental start date on your calendar next to your flight or hotel booking.
A few discounts are worth knowing. Code SKI26 takes 15% off and stacks with multi-day free days; it is not valid on seasonal rentals or demo packages. Reserve by November 25 for that 15%. Military members receive 15% off. Groups of 10 or more get an additional 5% off special rates when reserved at least 24 hours ahead by calling 303-567-2044.
Multi-day rentals earn free days automatically. A 4-day rental gets the 4th day free, a 5-day gets the 5th, a 6-day gets the 6th, and a 7-day rental gets both the 6th and 7th days free. You do not need a code for those. The discount is built into the reservation.
Plan the return before you leave the shop
Gear returns to the same Idaho Springs shop. We are open until 7 p.m. daily, which leaves room for a full ski day and the drive back. If you are heading to DIA for an early flight, return the evening before rather than gambling on morning traffic. If you are stuck on I-70, call the shop and we will arrange a late return.
Ask about the return time when you pick up, especially on a Sunday. A five-minute conversation at the counter prevents a 7:15 p.m. panic call from the Eisenhower Tunnel. And if you are renting for several days, remember that gear picked up early and returned after a road closure is handled with a phone call, not a penalty.
Common questions
How far in advance should I book ski rentals in Colorado?
Reserve online at least 24 hours before you need gear. That gives the shop time to prepare your sizes and send pickup details, and it speeds up your visit. Walk-ins are welcome, but weekends and school breaks are busier, so reserving is the safer choice.
What is the cancellation policy for ski rentals?
You receive a full refund if you cancel 48 hours or more before your rental start date. Cancellations inside 48 hours incur a $10 fee per person on the reservation. Call the shop at 303-567-2044 if your plans change.
Can I pick up ski rentals the day before?
Yes. Early pickup is free after 2 p.m. the day before your rental starts, except when you are skiing that evening. You are charged only for the days you actually ski, so picking up early does not add a rental day.
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