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Sep, 30 2026 - 17 mins

Skiset vs Alpy vs Intersport vs Sport 2000: Which Is Best for Ski Hire?

All the gear you need for a holiday can seem a little intimidating, especially if you’re new to skiing. But hiring equipment does not have to be complicated.

Most ski resorts have several rental shops where you can hire everything you need for the slopes, and for many people, renting is easier than travelling with bulky skis, boots and other equipment. You can usually hire your skis, boots and poles as a package, with helmets also available to rent if you need one.

And don’t worry if you don’t know much about ski equipment. You don’t need to arrive knowing exactly which skis or boots you need. As long as you can give the rental shop your shoe size, approximate height and weight, and an idea of your skiing ability, the staff can help you find equipment that’s suitable for you.

How Does Ski Hire Work?

Once you’ve booked your ski hire, the process is pretty simple. Your booking will be saved with the rental shop, so when you arrive you just need to give them your details and they’ll get your equipment ready. Depending on the shop, you can usually collect it on the morning you ski or the evening before.

The staff will fit your boots and make any necessary adjustments before you leave. Your boots should feel secure but comfortable. If they don’t feel right, the staff can adjust them or change them for another pair. You also won’t need to worry about setting up your skis yourself, the shop will take care of that for you.

Booking online means most of this is arranged before you arrive, which can save time, particularly if you’re travelling with a family or group. Booking in advance can also give you access to cheaper online rates. With plenty of ski hire companies and rental shops to choose from, though, it’s worth comparing your options before you book. Prices, equipment, shop locations and discounts can all vary, so choosing where to hire from can make a difference to both the cost and convenience of your trip.

Which Ski Hire Company Should You Book With?

Skiset, Alpy, INTERSPORT and Sport 2000 are among the main ski hire options in European resorts. Of course, price is important, but it is also important to consider the shop's location, opening hours, collection arrangements and equipment. Prices vary by resort, dates and equipment level.

Skiset

Skiset has 780 rental shops across Europe, with particularly strong coverage in France and Austria. You can choose your resort, dates, shop and equipment online, with options for different ability levels, children and snowboarders. Booking online can save you up to 50%, with Snomad members getting an extra 5% off Skiset ski and snowboard hire, and Snomad Premium members getting 10% off .

Alpy

Alpy allows you to compare independent shops and larger rental chains within your chosen resort, making it useful for checking prices, locations and equipment in one place. It also offers online booking, with free cancellation and changes on eligible bookings. Booking online can save you up to 65%, with Snomad members getting an extra 5% off ski and snowboard hire through Alpy.

INTERSPORT

INTERSPORT has more than 800 shops across 14 countries, giving it a broad network across Europe. Its rental options vary by shop but can include skis, snowboards, boots, helmets, children's equipment and more specialist equipment such as freeride and touring gear. It also offers equipment from leading manufacturers. INTERSPORT currently advertises online savings of up to 60%, free rental of the seventh day and collection from 5pm the day before. Some locations also allow you to change your equipment during your rental, while its Option Zen service offers cancellation up to 24 hours before collection.

Sport 2000

Sport 2000 has a particularly strong presence in France and offers equipment across several ability levels, from beginner through to advanced. Its higher-level equipment is aimed at more experienced skiers looking for greater performance, while children's and snowboard equipment is also available. Some Sport 2000 shops also offer extras such as equipment storage, Click & Collect and delivery, which can make collecting and storing your equipment more convenient.

Overall, each ski hire company has something different to offer. The right choice will ultimately depend on where you’re skiing, the equipment you need and the price available for your dates. It’s worth comparing the options for your specific resort before booking, as prices, discounts and services can vary between shops.

The biggest difference is that Alpy is a comparison and booking platform rather than a single ski rental network, so it lets you compare multiple local rental shops, prices and equipment options in one place. Skiset, INTERSPORT and Sport 2000 are more traditional rental networks, with their own branded or partner-store footprints across European ski resorts.

Alpy currently offers the broadest marketplace coverage of the four, while INTERSPORT has the widest country footprint and Skiset is particularly strong in France. The other major differences come down to equipment range, cancellation flexibility and the discounts available, so the cheapest or best option can vary considerably by resort and travel dates.

Skiset vs Alpy vs INTERSPORT vs Sport 2000: At a Glance

Which Ski Hire Company Has the Best Ski Resort Coverage?

France

Alpy has the broadest published resort coverage in France, listing more than 320 French resorts through its network of independent rental shops. INTERSPORT Rent also has a very substantial French network with around 290 rental shops. SKISET is particularly well established in France, while SPORT 2000 has a large network of French rental shops.

Austria

Alpy again has the largest published resort figure, with more than 210 Austrian resorts on its marketplace. INTERSPORT Rent and SPORT 2000 both have extensive Austrian coverage, while SKISET also operates across Austria.

Switzerland

Alpy lists more than 115 Swiss resorts, making it particularly strong for comparing independent rental shops across Switzerland. INTERSPORT Rent and SPORT 2000 also have established Swiss networks, while SKISET has a presence in major Swiss destinations.

Rest of Europe

For coverage outside the main Alpine markets, INTERSPORT Rent has the broadest international footprint, with 800+ locations across 14 countries, including markets such as Sweden, Finland, Norway, Poland, Slovakia and Canada.

Alpy is particularly strong across the Alps, with 1,150+ partner shops across 800 resorts and 11 countries. SPORT 2000 covers eight European countries, while SKISET is concentrated more heavily on the major European ski markets.

Ski Hire Price Comparison: Which is Cheapest?

To see how the four major ski hire companies compare in practice, we tested the same type of ski hire across three popular French ski resorts. We compared the headline rental price, optional protection or insurance and the price after applying any available Snomad discount.

Les 2 Alpes: 1–5 January

Our first test was in Les 2 Alpes for 1–5 January, using women's basic/beginner skis and a helmet. We compared the headline rental price as well as the optional protection or insurance offered at checkout.

<tbody>
  <tr>
    <th>Alpy</th>
    <td>€94.81*</td>
    <td>€14.23*</td>
    <td>€109.03*</td>
    <td>5% off with Snomad membership: €103.58</td>
  </tr>

  <tr>
    <th>INTERSPORT Rent</th>
    <td>€124.95</td>
    <td>€10</td>
    <td>€134.95</td>
    <td>—</td>
  </tr>

  <tr>
    <th>SPORT 2000</th>
    <td>€132</td>
    <td>€10</td>
    <td>€142</td>
    <td>—</td>
  </tr>

  <tr>
    <th>SKISET</th>
    <td>€184</td>
    <td>€10</td>
    <td>€194</td>
    <td>5% off with Snomad membership: €184.30<br>10% off with Snomad Premium: €174.60</td>
  </tr>
</tbody>

*Alpy displayed its prices in GBP, so the figures above have been converted to euros for comparison.

In this test, Alpy offered the lowest rental price, while INTERSPORT Rent and SPORT 2000 were relatively close together. SKISET had the highest headline price, although the Snomad discount brings the cost down for members, with Premium members receiving the larger discount.

La Clusaz: 8–14 January

We also ran a second comparison in La Clusaz for 8–14 January, this time looking at men's intermediate-to-advanced performance skis. This provides a useful comparison for a more experienced skier looking for higher-spec equipment rather than a basic beginner package.

<tbody>
  <tr>
    <th>Alpy</th>
    <td>€123.75*</td>
    <td>€18.68*</td>
    <td>€142.43*</td>
    <td>5% off with Snomad membership: €135.31</td>
  </tr>

  <tr>
    <th>INTERSPORT Rent</th>
    <td>€122</td>
    <td>€14</td>
    <td>€136</td>
    <td>—</td>
  </tr>

  <tr>
    <th>SPORT 2000</th>
    <td>€194</td>
    <td>€14</td>
    <td>€208</td>
    <td>—</td>
  </tr>

  <tr>
    <th>SKISET</th>
    <td>€235</td>
    <td>€14</td>
    <td>€249</td>
    <td>5% off with Snomad membership: €236.55<br>10% off with Snomad Premium: €224.10</td>
  </tr>
</tbody>

*Alpy displayed its prices in GBP. These figures have been converted to euros using the GBP/EUR exchange rate at the time of writing.

In this test, INTERSPORT Rent had the lowest total price, with Alpy close behind after converting its GBP price to euros. SPORT 2000 and SKISET were more expensive for the higher-performance equipment tested.

The Snomad discounts can also reduce the cost of ski hire, particularly for Premium members. SKISET offers a larger discount to Premium members, while Alpy offers a discount to standard Snomad members.

Tignes: 3–9 January

Our third test was in Tignes for 3–9 January, using basic ski equipment. As with the other comparisons, we included the optional protection or insurance to give a clearer picture of the total cost.

<tbody>
  <tr>
    <th>Alpy</th>
    <td>€86.77*</td>
    <td>€13.02*</td>
    <td>€99.79*</td>
    <td>5% off with Snomad membership: €94.80</td>
  </tr>

  <tr>
    <th>INTERSPORT</th>
    <td>€112.38</td>
    <td>€14</td>
    <td>€126.38</td>
    <td>—</td>
  </tr>

  <tr>
    <th>SPORT 2000</th>
    <td>€109.20</td>
    <td>€14</td>
    <td>€123.20</td>
    <td>—</td>
  </tr>

  <tr>
    <th>SKISET</th>
    <td>€132</td>
    <td>€14</td>
    <td>€146</td>
    <td>5% off with Snomad membership: €138.70<br>10% off with Snomad Premium: €131.40</td>
  </tr>
</tbody>

*Alpy displayed its prices in GBP, so the figures above have been converted to euros for comparison.

Alpy again had the lowest advertised price in this test, while SPORT 2000, INTERSPORT and SKiSET were relatively close. SKISET's Snomad discounts reduce the difference for members, with Premium providing the greatest saving.

It's not just about the price

While price is an important factor when choosing ski hire, the cheapest option isn't necessarily the most convenient or the best fit for your trip.One thing to check carefully is where the rental shop is located. Each booking platform can offer different shops within the same resort, and the cheapest shop may not necessarily be the closest to your accommodation, the main lifts or the ski school. Saving €20 on your rental may not seem as attractive if you then have to carry your equipment across the resort every morning.

The quality and specification of the equipment can also vary between shops. A booking labelled as beginner, intermediate or performance equipment gives you a useful indication of the category, but the exact skis, boots and other equipment you receive can depend on the individual rental shop. Two similarly priced bookings may therefore offer a different range of brands, models, ages and equipment condition.

Which Ski Hire Company Has the Best Equipment Choice?

All four companies offer a wide range of ski and snowboard equipment, but the exact choice depends on the individual rental shop.

Skiset has a particularly strong range for different skiing abilities, with categories covering beginners through to performance and premium equipment, including prestigious, state-of-the-art skis and equipment featuring the latest technology and highest-quality materials for more experienced skiers. Top brands include Rossignol, Nordica, Stöckli, Black Crows and Armada. Some shops also offer digital 3D foot measurement technology, such as ScanFeet or Scan3D, to help match boots to individual sizing and comfort.

Sport 2000 stands out for the breadth of specialist equipment available. Its range includes major manufacturers such as Rossignol, Dynastar, Head, Salomon, Atomic, Elan and Völkl. Depending on the location, you can also find advanced equipment such as Doubledeck snowboards and splitboards with climbing skins and poles, as well as ski touring/free-touring skis, telemark equipment, cross-country skis, snowshoes and avalanche safety equipment. There are also family and fun options including sledges, mini-skis and snow scooters.

INTERSPORT Rent also covers a broad range of winter sports. Its equipment includes carving, all-mountain, freeride and freestyle skis, plus boots, poles and bindings. Selected locations offer touring skis, splitboards, skins, lightweight boots and crampons, while cross-country, snowboarding and safety equipment such as avalanche transceivers, probes and shovels are also available. Depending on the shop, you can also hire snowshoes, snowbikes, sledges and ice skates.

Alpy is slightly different because it is a marketplace rather than a single rental network. It allows you to compare independent rental shops, so the range of brands and specialist equipment depends on the particular shop you choose.

Which Ski Hire Company is Easiest to Book With?

After going through the booking process on all four websites, we found that all were relatively straightforward and easy to use, although there were some differences in the overall experience.

Skiset was the easiest to book with. The website was clear and simple to navigate, with the booking process laid out in an easy-to-follow way. The main downside is that you are required to create an account.

INTERSPORT Rent also has a clean and straightforward booking process. The website makes it easy to select your equipment and dates, although you also need to create an account.

Sport 2000 was similarly simple to use, with a clean and easy-to-follow booking process. An account is required, and the rental price is generally paid in full online when booking.

Alpy was slightly less modern-looking than the other three websites, but it was still clear and easy to navigate. One advantage is that you don't need to create an account. During our booking test, we were also given the option to either pay the full amount online or pay less than half upfront, giving more flexibility with payment. Alpy also makes it particularly easy to compare prices between different rental shops, clearly displaying each shop's special offers. One drawback is that, unlike the other platforms, the shops aren't displayed on a map, so you have to check the location details manually.

Overall, Skiset had the smoothest booking experience in our test, while Alpy stood out for its flexible payment options and easy price comparison. However, all four platforms were relatively simple to book through, so the differences are more about design, payment flexibility and convenience than difficulty.

Cancellation and Booking Flexibility Compared

Cancellation flexibility is worth checking before booking, particularly when booking a ski trip several months in advance. The four companies take noticeably different approaches.

Skiset has a particularly straightforward policy for UK customers booking through its CILS terms. There is a 14-day cancellation period after receiving the booking confirmation, provided the rental has not already started. After this period, you can still cancel free of charge up to 24 hours (one clear day) before the first rental day, receiving a full refund including administration fees and any Breakage/Theft guarantee. After this deadline, no refund is normally available. You can also request changes to your collection or return dates up until the day before the originally scheduled date, although Skiset can refuse a change and the price may increase or decrease. If the entire ski area is closed because of bad weather, a proportional refund may be available with proof from the ski-lift operator.

INTERSPORT Rent has a slightly more complicated system. Under its current French terms, customers have a 14-day withdrawal period, after which the standard cancellation refund depends on when you cancel and whether you have paid in full or only made a partial payment. 24 hours before collection, a full-payment booking receives 70% of the amount paid back, with administration costs and insurance retained. If you have only made a partial payment, there is no refund at this point without the ZEN option. The ZEN option costs €2 per booking in the current French terms and allows you to cancel partially or completely up to 24 hours before collection, without giving a reason. With ZEN, the amount paid is refunded apart from the ZEN fee, administration fees and any insurance costs. Once the equipment has been collected, ZEN no longer applies.

Alpy has some of the most flexible cancellation protection, but there is an important distinction between its standard terms and ALPINFLEXI. Under the standard terms, cancelling 10 or more working days before the rental results in a 25% cancellation fee. Between 9 and 3 working days before, the fee is 30%, while cancelling 2 working days before or by 8am on the previous working day results in a 35% fee. From the first rental day onwards, the cancellation fee is 100%. However, ALPINFLEXI costs 5% of the booking and reduces the cancellation fee to 0%, allowing you to cancel or change the booking until 8am on the day before the first rental day. Alpy currently advertises this as free cancellation and changes when ALPINFLEXI is included or available as a promotion.

Sport 2000 uses a graduated cancellation system after its 14-day withdrawal period. If you cancel more than 30 days before the rental, SPORT 2000 retains only the €3.90 administration fee. From 30 to 7 days before, it retains €3.90 plus 9% of the equipment rental price; from 6 to 3 days before, €3.90 plus 15%; and for cancellations less than 3 days before the rental, €3.90 plus 30%. Once you have collected the equipment, cancellation and refunds are no longer possible. If you fail to collect the equipment, SPORT 2000 retains the €3.90 administration fee plus 30% of the equipment rental price. In documented cases of force majeure, the €3.90 administration fee is retained and the remaining amount can be refunded.

Which offers the most flexibility?

There isn't one cancellation policy that is identical across all four. Skiset is particularly straightforward, with free cancellation until 24 hours before the rental under its CILS terms. INTERSPORT offers strong flexibility through its €2 ZEN option, while Alpy's ALPINFLEXI gives cancellation with a 0% cancellation fee until 8am the day before for an additional 5%. Sport 2000 has a clearly defined sliding scale, with the cancellation cost increasing as the rental date approaches.

It's also important to check the exact terms attached to your booking, as policies can vary by country and booking conditions. Don't assume that a cancellation policy advertised on the main website applies identically to every resort or shop.

Which Ski Rental Company Should You Choose?

There isn't one ski hire company that will suit every skier or every resort. The right choice depends on where you're skiing, the equipment you need, your budget and how much flexibility you want from your booking.

Choose Skiset if...

• You want a straightforward booking process: SKISET was the easiest of the four websites to book with in our test, although you need to create an account.
• You’re skiing in France: Skiset has particularly strong coverage in France, with a large network of rental shops.
• You want a wide choice of equipment: There are options for different ability levels, including performance and premium equipment at some locations, with brands such as Rossignol, Nordica, Stöckli, Black Crows and Armada.
• You want straightforward cancellation: For UK customers booking under the CILS terms, you can cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before the first rental day, subject to the booking conditions.
• The downside: Prices can be higher than competitors in some resorts, as our price tests showed, so it is worth comparing the specific shop before booking.

Choose Alpy if...

• You want to compare rental shops: Alpy lets you compare independent shops, prices, equipment and special offers within the same resort.
• You’re looking for a competitive price: Alpy was the cheapest option in both of our French resort price comparisons, although prices will vary by resort and dates.
• You want payment flexibility: During our test, Alpy offered the option to pay in full or pay less than half upfront.
• You want to avoid creating an account: Unlike the other three platforms, an account wasn't required during our booking test.
• The downside: Equipment, shop location and cancellation terms depend on the individual rental shop, and the shops aren't displayed on a map during the booking process.

Choose INTERSPORT if...

• You want extensive international coverage: INTERSPORT Rent has more than 800 shops across 14 countries, giving it the broadest geographical footprint of the four.
• You want specialist equipment: Depending on the location, you can find everything from carving and all-mountain skis to freeride, freestyle, touring, cross-country and snowboarding equipment.
• You want a straightforward booking experience: The website was clean and easy to navigate in our test, although you need to create an account.
• You want to look for discounts and flexible cancellation: Online savings can be significant at some locations, while options such as ZEN can provide additional cancellation flexibility.
• The downside: Equipment, prices, promotions and cancellation conditions can vary considerably between individual shops and countries.

Choose SPORT 2000 if...

• You want specialist winter-sports equipment: Depending on the shop, you can hire touring and cross-country equipment, splitboards, telemark equipment, snowshoes and avalanche safety equipment, as well as standard ski and snowboard equipment.
• You want a wide choice of major brands: Its range includes Rossignol, Dynastar, Head, Salomon, Atomic, Elan and Völkl.
• You’re skiing in France: SPORT 2000 has a particularly strong presence in the French ski market.
• You want a simple booking process: Our test found the website clear and straightforward, although an account is required.
• The downside: Its online discount is generally lower than the headline discounts advertised by SKISET, Alpy and INTERSPORT, and our price tests found SPORT 2000 could be considerably more expensive for certain equipment and dates.

FAQs

• Do I need to book ski hire in advance?
• Booking ski hire in advance can give you more choice of equipment and rental shops, while also saving time when you arrive. Online bookings can also be cheaper than hiring in resort.
• What equipment do I need to hire?
• Most skiers will need skis, boots and poles, and we recommend always hiring a helmet for added protection on the slopes. If you’re unsure what you need, the rental shop staff can help you choose suitable equipment based on your skiing ability, size and the type of skiing you plan to do.
• How do I know what skis to hire?
• Tell the rental shop your height, weight and skiing ability, and the staff can recommend suitable skis. You can also choose different equipment categories, from beginner skis through to performance and premium equipment.
• What happens when I collect my ski hire?
• The shop will check your booking, prepare your equipment and fit your boots before you leave. Staff can also adjust your skis and equipment to make sure everything is suitable.
• What if my ski boots don't fit?
• Tell the shop staff straight away if your boots feel uncomfortable or don't fit properly. They can adjust them or change them for another pair.
• Is SKISET or INTERSPORT cheaper?
• There is no fixed answer, as prices vary by resort, dates, shop and equipment category. In our French price tests, INTERSPORT was cheaper than SKISET for both the basic and performance equipment we compared.
• Is SKISET or SPORT 2000 cheaper?
• Prices vary depending on the resort and equipment, but SPORT 2000 was cheaper than SKISET in both of our French price comparisons. However, you should compare the specific shops and dates before booking.
• Is Alpy cheaper than SKISET?
• Alpy was cheaper than SKISET in both of our French price tests, including for both beginner and higher-performance equipment. However, this does not mean Alpy will always be cheaper, as its prices depend on the individual rental shops available for your resort and dates.
• What is the difference between SKISET and Alpy?
• SKISET is an established ski-rental network, while Alpy is a marketplace that lets you compare independent rental shops. Alpy can therefore give you more choice between local shops, while SKISET offers a more consistent network and booking experience.
• Is SKISET good for ski rental?
• SKISET offers a large network of rental shops and a wide range of equipment for different ability levels. Our booking test also found its website particularly easy to use, although prices can vary considerably between resorts.
• Is Alpy good for ski rental?
• Alpy is useful if you want to compare different rental shops, prices and equipment within the same resort. It also offers flexible payment options on some bookings, although the experience and equipment available depend on the individual shop.
• Is INTERSPORT good for ski hire?
• INTERSPORT offers a large international network and a broad range of ski and winter-sports equipment. Prices, equipment and services vary by location, so it is worth checking the specific shop before booking.
• Is SPORT 2000 good for ski rental?
• SPORT 2000 offers a wide range of ski and winter-sports equipment, including specialist options at selected locations. It is particularly useful if you want access to equipment such as touring skis, cross-country equipment or snowshoes alongside standard ski hire.
• How far in advance should you book ski hire?
• There is no fixed booking window, but booking in advance is generally useful if you want a particular shop, equipment category or better online price. This is particularly important during busy school holidays and peak periods.
• Can you collect ski hire the evening before?
• Yes, many rental shops allow you to collect your equipment the day before your first day on the slopes (usually in the afternoon). The exact collection time varies by company, country and individual shop.
• How can you get a SKISET discount?
• Snomad offers a 5% discount to all members, and 10% to premium members.
• How can you get an Alpy discount?
• Snomad offers a 5% discount to all members, and 10% to premium members.
• Are ski poles included with ski rental?
• Poles are commonly included when hiring a standard ski package, but this can vary depending on the package and rental shop. Check what is included in your specific booking before paying.
• Can you rent a helmet with your skis?
• Yes, helmets are available to hire from many ski rental shops and can often be added to your booking. Whether a helmet is included in a package depends on the company, shop and offer.
• Can you rent premium or expert skis?
• Yes, many rental shops offer higher-performance, premium or expert-level skis in addition to standard beginner and intermediate equipment. Availability varies by shop, so check the equipment categories offered at your chosen location.