Rent-to-own the hill

For those who don’t own their own gear, one of the rituals of skiing or snowboarding is being herded through the rental shop. It’s usually as much fun as falling into a crevasse with a few hungry Yetis waiting at the bottom.

Here’s why:

Say you rent ski gear from a shop in Los Angeles and then drive to a resort far away -- for example, Mammoth Mountain. It’s almost a sure bet that those boots that felt fine in the store back in the city will turn into instruments of torture on the slopes. Exchanging them would be no problem -- if the shop wasn’t 320 miles away.

Yet, if you choose to rent from a shop at the resort, you can say hello to a slimmer wallet, all for the privilege of convenience.

So, what to do?

Deal with it. And choose wisely.

One thing is for certain: renting is still cheaper than buying for those who ski or board only a few days a year. It’s also a good way to try a variety of the latest boots, boards and skis. This is especially true at the high-end shops, where a skier or boarder can “demo” the newest gear, with the option of buying after trying.

Generally, the farther a rental shop is from the resort, the less expensive it’s going to be. At Sport Chalet stores in Southern California, for example, standard ski rental packages cost $30 for the first day and $5 each day thereafter, making the weekly rate $60. A snowboard package is $40 for the first day and $8 each day after that for a weekly total of $88.

At Kittredge Sports just down the road from Mammoth Mountain, a standard ski package is $25 a day. Those renting for more than five days receive a 20% discount, for a weekly rate of about $140. A snowboard package rents for $27 a day, for a weekly total -- with that discount -- of about $150.

But that’s a good deal compared to renting at Mammoth Mountain, where an entry-level ski package costs $27 a day. A 10% discount is given for three or more consecutive days, so it would run about $170 a week. A standard snowboard package rents for $30 a day -- with the discount, that’s a cool $189 for the week.

That said, it probably isn’t worth it to get too wrapped up in the dollars and cents of rentals. Nothing will ruin a trip faster than cheap or poorly maintained equipment, which can turn a fun day on the mountain into a daylong misery fest.

Instead, keep these tips in mind:

Novices should rent from the resort in case equipment has to be exchanged. Ski boots by their nature are stiff and can feel strange to the uninitiated. It pays (and you will pay) to be close to the experts.

Ask around about quality shops. Not everyone who rents snowboards and skis knows what they’re talking about, or even how to properly fit customers. A good rule of thumb is to bypass any shop that has a gas pump or tow truck out front. Stick to the experts.

When shopping around, ask about what equipment the shop has in stock and how often new boards, skis and boots are purchased. The newer the equipment, the better, because it will be more technologically advanced and less likely to break. For example, Kittredge turns over its equipment every two to three seasons, according to owner Tom Cage. The old rental gear is sold to a store in Big Bear, where it is rented for another two to three years.

Quality also refers to service. Rental shops closest to the slopes often have the most experienced skiers and boarders working there. It’s nice to know, when you’re hurtling down a black diamond run, that a competent technician adjusted your bindings.

Those who enjoy snow sports should keep in mind that each summer, many rental shops shed some of their gear through sales. Often, skis or boards that are only a year or two old can be had for $100 to $200.

Yes, they’ll be a little bruised and battered. But they will be yours -- and the only place you’ll have to wait in line to get them is at the airport baggage counter.

To e-mail Julie Sheer or read her previous Outdoors Institute columns, go to www.latimes.com/juliesheer.