To: bovik@CS.CMU.EDU
Subject: Ski Equipment Rentals
Date: Tue, 03 Mar 92 15:32:10 EST
Message-ID: <2414.699654730@FANGORN.GANDALF.CS.CMU.EDU>
From: David_Miller@FANGORN.GANDALF.CS.CMU.EDU


I posted a question about renting equipment when going to Hidden Valley.  Both
first time skiers (children) and expert skiers(wife) were renting.  Due to us
running late as usual we ended up renting at Hidden Valley.  The ski's for our
kids were mediocre but the boots seemed OK so for the first time skiers it
worked out fine and their rentals were part of the ski lesson package making
them much cheaper than renting elsewhere.  My wife rented their 'perforamace
package' from the Ski Smythe shop there at hidden valley.  The equipment was
fine and my wife had no problems with them.  The rental was expensive though
($22).  To do it again we would probably stop somewhere after getting off the
turnpike, at least to get ski's for someone not taking lessons.

--David

The responses I got follow:


From: Bonnie_John@CENTRO.SOAR.CS.CMU.EDU


I am a terrible skier and own terrible equipment, so I'm not a good
source of information, personally.  However, I was skiing this weekend
at Hidden Valley with some more serious friends and they were VERY disappointed
in the quality of the equipment they rented for their son.  They went back and
got him "better" skis the second day and were a little happier, but evidently
they had to be a bit loud and picky.

There's lots of ski rental places along Route 31 between exit 9 and H.V.
I think they are even cheaper than the slopes, but I know nothing about
their quality.

Good luck,
Bonnie


From: Alex.Rudnicky@CREAKY.SPEECH.CS.CMU.EDU

The equipment at HV (and 7S) is not that great.  The basic problem (as
with all generic ski-area rentals) is the boots; they're pretty mushy
and it takes a while to adjustment properly.  On the other hand,
they're fine for some lo-fi skiing.

I believe they also have so-called "performance packages" that cost
more and provide you with somewhat better equipment.  I've rented these
(but only out in Colorado) and have been satisfied.

In addition to Shadyside, you should know that there are a couple of
rental places on the road to the ski areas, just off the Donegal exit.
From personal experience, I would say that the quality is somewhat
higher than at HV, but it's still not great equipment.

One way to look at it is that HV is unlikely to challenge your skiing
abilities, thus the importance of using top-of-the-line is not as great
(you're unlikely to stress it that much).

Alex.


From: Randy_Bryant@BRYANT.VLSI.CS.CMU.EDU


At Hidden Valley, as at most ski resorts, you can pay extra & get
"performance" ski rentals.  I did this several years ago there and got
reasonable, although not spectacular skis.  The normal rental stuff is
not very good.  The performance rentals are through a shop out there
called "Ski Smythe".  You might want to call them to find out prices.