You're planning a ski trip to Mt. Hood. Maybe it's your first time, maybe you go a few times a year but don't own gear. Either way, you need rentals — and where you rent matters more than you think.

Rent in Town, Not at the Mountain

Most people assume they should rent at the resort. It's convenient, right? You show up, grab gear, and go. But here's the reality: resort rental shops are slammed. Especially on weekends. You'll wait in line, get rushed through a fitting, and end up on whatever's left in your size.

Renting in Portland or Beaverton before you drive up means you arrive at the mountain ready to go. No lines, no waiting. Your boots are already broken in from the fitting. Your bindings are already set. You walk from the parking lot to the lift.

What a Rental Package Actually Includes

Beginner Package — from $40/day

Reliable all-mountain gear. Skis like the RossignolExperience 76 & 78 or a Salomon snowboard setup. Boots and helmet included. Child and adult pricing available.

Intermediate Package — $70/day

Demo-quality gear from Salomon, Atomic,Rossignol, and Faction. These are current-season skis and boards — the same models we sell new. The edges are sharper. The bases are faster. If you're an intermediate or better, the difference is night and day.

Advanced Package — $90/day (Ski Only)

Premium skis from Stöckli, Black Crows, and DPS. For experienced skiers who want the best equipment on the mountain.

Full pricing details on our rentals page.

The Fitting Makes the Difference

This is where most rental shops cut corners. They measure your foot, look at a chart, hand you a boot. Done.

But a boot that's technically the right size can still fit wrong. Your heel might lift. The width might pinch. The flex might be too stiff for a beginner or too soft for someone aggressive. A bad boot fit is the number one reason people have a miserable day skiing. Read our ski boot fit guide to understand why.

Every rental fitting at our Beaverton shop is done by a certified instructor. Not a seasonal employee reading a chart. Someone who understands how boots should feel and why DIN settings need to match your weight, height, and ability level.

Seasonal Rentals

If you're going more than three or four times a season, daily rentals stop making sense. A seasonal rental gets you a dedicated setup for the entire winter — same skis, same boots, already fitted to you. No pickup and return hassle each time.

We open seasonal reservations every July. Early bird pricing is the best deal of the year. Check our rentals page for current seasonal rates.

Tips for a Smooth Rental Experience

  • Reserve ahead.Especially on holiday weekends. Walk-ins are fine on weekdays, but if you're going up on MLK weekend or Presidents' Day, book in advance.
  • Know your boot size — roughly.If you normally wear a 10 in sneakers, you'll probably be around a 27.5 or 28 in ski boots. But let the fitter confirm.
  • Pick up the night before. Most shops, including ours, let you grab gear after 4 PM the evening before at no extra charge.
  • Ask about upgrades. If the snow report looks amazing, ask if you can bump up to the intermediate or advanced package.
  • Helmets. Wear one. We rent them for $5. Read our helmet fit guideif you're unsure what to look for.

The Drive to Mt. Hood

From Beaverton, Mt. Hood Meadows is about 90 minutes in good conditions. Timberline is similar. Skibowl is closer — maybe 70 minutes. All three are doable as day trips, which is exactly why renting in town and driving up with your gear makes so much sense.

You're not hauling luggage to a resort. You're driving up 26, skiing all day, and driving home. Having your gear ready to go before you leave saves you at least30 minutes on each end. Over a season, that adds up.