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Renting Ski and Snowboard Equipment Almost any ski area will have a shop where you can rent skis, snowboards, boots, and poles. If you've ever bowled, you may be a little put off by the idea of renting equipment--especially the boot part. But it's something to think about if: You're traveling with growing kids. If your kids have grown in the last year, their boots might not fit. Tight boots are uncomfortable, and might affect your child's ability to carve smooth, controlled turns. And if circulation is impeded, his or her feet will get cold quickly. And it's not just boots you need to watch for: Skis and snowboards need to be the right size too. If your child has outgrown his or her equipment, consider renting as an alternative to shelling out hundreds of dollars for equipment that will just be outgrown in a year or so. You haven't upgraded your equipment in a while. This is more of an issue for skiers than snowboarders (unless you're riding a flat pine board with no tip or steel edges). Even if everything's the right size, you might want to rent skis if you own equipment that's more than five years old--whatever you rent will certainly be newer than that. This isn't just a matter of fashion; equipment gets safer and easier to use every year. With new equipment, you may find yourself making better turns and skiing or boarding with more control than you ever though possible. Keep an eye out for stores that rent demo equipment, as this is often better quality than the normal rental stock. If you're using skis so old you've got straps (instead of brakes) to prevent run-away skis, and you can't stand the thought of a $500 upgrade--think about renting. You'll be much safer, and probably have a lot more fun as well. You don't want to carry all that stuff on the airplane. Sure, if you've got top-of-the-line stuff, by all means, use it. But wouldn't it be nice to have some hands free? With airlines cracking down on the number of bags allowed each passenger, you might want to skip the skis or snowboard in order to make room for other stuff.		Ski, Sport & Adventure Tips & Advice Need Another Reason To Get Outdoors This Summer? We've Got It. By Amy Ziff, Editor-at-Large Resorts Take Skiing to the Extremes By Larry Olmsted, Guest Columnist All About the Aloha State By Adam Davis, Editor Summer Sports Go Gangbusters by Adam Davis, Editor Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow! By Amy Ziff, Editor-at-Large Surf Spots Around the World by Adam Davis, Editor Fresh Tracks - What's New at Top Ski Destinations in 2005-2006 Having Trouble Getting Hockey Tickets In Your Hometown? Try These Cities For Some Great Pro Hockey and Lots More A View From the Top By Amy Ziff, Editor-at-Large Scuba Rules! By Amy Ziff, Editor-at-Large Snowboarding and the Latest, Raging Terrain Parks By Amy Ziff, Editor-at-Large Where, Oh Where To Ski This Winter? By Amy Ziff, Editor-at-Large What Skiers Need To Know Before They Go By Amy Ziff, Editor-at-Large To Ski or Not to Ski? A Deal May Be the Answer. By Amy Ziff, Editor at Large How to Choose the Right Ski Resort Renting Ski and Snowboard Equipment