Renting skis in Davos Klosters is more advantageous today than ever before: Rather than dragging heavy, outdated gear through airports or train stations, you can step directly onto the slopes equipped with the latest-generation carving skis, powder boards, and boots – machine-tuned, waxed, and calibrated to your exact height and weight. But which local sports shops provide the highest standard of service? Which equipment tier best matches your style? And how can you avoid carrying heavy skis across town every morning? Because Ride and Smile Ski School deliberately does not operate an equipment rental shop, we offer completely independent advice with zero conflict of interest. This guide highlights the valley’s top ski shops, compares rental tiers, and reveals why boot-fitting is the single most critical factor in your holiday.
Should You Bring Your Own Skis or Rent in Davos?
For the vast majority of visitors, renting locally in Switzerland provides overwhelming benefits:
- Zero Luggage Hassles & Airline Fees: Major airlines charge steep excess baggage fees for oversized ski bags. When arriving by Swiss rail (SBB / RhB), travelling light ensures a seamless journey straight to your hotel lobby.
- Current-Season Models Every Year: Leading rental stations replace their fleets annually. You ski on cutting-edge technology from premier manufacturers (Stöckli, Head, Atomic, Salomon, Völkl).
- Free In-Resort Swaps: If hard-packed corduroy reigns on bluebird days, opt for a nimble slalom carver; if half a metre of fresh powder blankets the peaks overnight, stop by your shop and swap for wide freeride skis in five minutes at no extra charge.
- Freshly Tuned Edges Daily: Bases and edges are robotically stone-ground and waxed after every client.
Best Ski Rental Shops in Davos Klosters (Independently Reviewed)
Avoid walking into the first generic rental shop you see. We recommend the following established local partner shops known for their outstanding fitting expertise:
1. Bardill Sport (Davos and Klosters)
- Specialty: Historic, family-owned sports shop delivering personalized service and exceptional children’s gear.
- Highlight: One of the very few shops in Grisons with a dedicated, top-tier Telemark rental fleet and profound heritage in traditional alpine sports.
2. Andrist Sport (Davos and Klosters)
- Specialty: High-performance alpine carvers, racing setups, and specialized Backcountry & Ski Touring equipment.
- Highlight: The top shop for freeriders requiring rental safety packages: digital avalanche transceivers (Mammut Barryvox), probes, metal shovels, and avalanche airbag packs.
3. Gotschna Sport (Klosters)
- Location: at the valley station of the Gotschna cable car – rent and ride straight up.
- Advantage: the shortest distance between a rented boot and your first descent on the Klosters side.
4. Paarsenn Sport (Davos)
- Location: in Davos, close to the Parsenn funicular.
- Advantage: our partner for guests starting on the Davos side.
Ride and Smile guests get an exclusive discount at these four shops. We deliberately name only shops we have a partnership with – anywhere else in the valley we can guarantee neither the discount nor the conversation about sizing and settings.
And if you only want to know where to go on day one: it depends on where you are staying. In Davos we recommend Bardill or Paarsenn Sport; in Klosters, Bardill or Gotschna Sport.
Equipment Performance Tiers: Which Category Suits You?
Swiss ski rental gear is organized by clear performance tiers to match skier ability and terrain preference:
| Equipment Tier | Recommended For | Core Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Economy / Bronze | Beginners & cautious cruisers | Forgiving all-round carvers with soft flex for easy turn initiation |
| Progress / Silver | Intermediates & all-mountain cruisers | Responsive carvers providing dependable edge hold on groomed runs |
| Premium / Gold | Athletic carvers & fast skiers | High-performance race-inspired carvers (e.g. Stöckli Laser) offering supreme stability |
| Platinum / Freeride | Advanced experts & off-piste riders | Wide rocker skis for effortless floatation in deep backcountry powder |
| Performance Ski Boots | All skill levels | Modern 4-buckle boots with heat-moldable custom liners |
| Kids & Juniors Package | Children & youth up to age 12 | Lightweight child skis, comfortable boots, poles, and certified safety helmet |
Pro Tip on Damage / Theft Waivers: Most ski shops offer an optional damage and theft waiver. Considering the replacement value of modern premium skis, this small add-on provides wonderful peace of mind.
Heated Ski Depots: Never Carry Equipment Across Town Again
The single greatest convenience during a Swiss ski holiday is a heated ski depot locker directly at the mountain base station. You stroll from your hotel in comfortable winter boots, slide into pre-warmed, dry ski boots, and lock your street shoes in the locker. At the end of the day or after après-ski drinks, you return your skis and boots right back to the lift.
Where to Find Heated Ski Depots in Davos Klosters:
- Davos Dorf (Parsenn Funicular Base): Large, modern depot facility built directly into the railway and base station terminal.
- Davos Platz (Jakobshorn Cable Car Base): Heated locker lockers steps from the Bolgen lift and Jatzpark.
- Klosters Platz (Gotschna Cable Car Base): Premium ski lockers with boot dryers inside the Gotschna terminal.
Pro-Tip: Heated lockers with automated boot dryers sell out rapidly during peak holiday weeks. We strongly recommend reserving your depot space when confirming your hotel booking.
The Art of Boot-Fitting: Why Boots Matter More than Skis
Many skiers spend hours researching ski brands but try on their boots in two hurried minutes. This is the single most common mistake in winter sports:
- A boot that is even slightly too large forces your foot to clench, cutting off circulation and causing intense arch cramps within an hour.
- The Proper Fit Test: Standing straight, your toes should lightly graze the front of the liner. The moment you flex forward into a dynamic ski stance (knees bent, shins pressing firmly against the tongue), your heel slides back into the heel pocket, leaving 2 to 3 millimetres of breathing room in front.
- When you book a beginner ski weekend with Ride and Smile, your private coach will accompany you to the shop to personally inspect your boot fit before your very first run.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About Ski Rental in Davos
Should I reserve rental skis online in advance?
During peak holiday weeks (Christmas, New Year, and throughout February), reserving online in advance is strongly advised to prevent waiting lines and make sure your preferred boot size is waiting for you.
Is a ski helmet included in the rental price?
For children’s complete rental packages, certified helmets are generally included at no extra charge. Adults can add modern certified safety helmets directly at the shop counters.
Can I exchange my skis during the week?
Yes. At most established sports shops in Davos Klosters, you can swap between different ski models within the same rental tier as often as you like, free of charge.
Where can I rent sledges or snowshoes?
Snowshoes, sledges, and cross-country gear are available at the same sports shops (Bardill and Andrist among them) as well as at the base lift stations of Rinerhorn and Schatzalp.
Book Your All-Inclusive Ski Experience with Ride and Smile
Looking for a seamless, stress-free holiday? Ride and Smile takes care of everything from ski equipment selection and depot bookings to personalized coaching on the mountain:
- Our Signature Package: 3-Day Beginner Ski Weekend in Davos
- Tailored Private Coaching: Explore Private Ski Lessons
- Direct Inquiries: info@ride-and-smile.ch | +41 81 543 10 87
