If you live in an area that is within a couple of hours of a ski resort, there is money to be made in renting or selling ski bindings and boots. Many consumers would rather rent cheap ski boots off-site than spend $50 or more on the resort's rental fees.

There's more to the ski boot and binding business than just buying a bunch of them and putting them on display. You need some ski boots and bindings education and training before you are ready to get started. Things to learn are:

1. The different varieties of ski boots and bindings and what each is suited for;

2. The art of ski boot and binding fitting, for comfort and safety;

3. How to buy the ski boots and bindings to use for your rentals at the best value.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Learn about the different varieties of ski boot and bindings available

There are different types of ski boots and ski bindings to go with different types of skiing. Downhill skiers will want to rent Alpine boots and bindings, while cross country skiers will want touring boots and loose bindings that connect to skis only at the toe.

I recommend: Read Sports Outlet USA's article on how to pick a ski. It also has information on bindings, since bindings and skis go hand in hand. You should never rent or sell boots or bindings to a person without knowing the size and type of ski he or she is going to use. Then check out ABC of Skiing's article on types of ski boots to get an idea of what you can offer in regard to styles.

Discover how to properly fit the ski boot to your patrons

Most ski boot measurements are closely related to average American shoe sizes. However, it's important for them to fit the renter very tightly to help prevent injury, which means you may want to size up or down. This is especially crucial for a downhill ski boot, since they will be moving at high speeds.

I recommend: Read Skis' article on selecting and fitting ski boots. It has information on the parts of a ski boot and how to fit it to an individual and even includes a detailed sizing chart. Then go to MamasHealth to read about special considerations for women when it comes to ski boot fitting and binding fitting.

Determine which ski boot sale options will be best for your customers

Since you will be purchasing ski boots and ski bindings in bulk, you'll need to know the difference between a quality product and cheap discount ski bindings. You may get more of a profit right off the bat but customers will not return if you don't offer quality merchandise.

I recommend: Do some price research on Ski Equipment Shopping Guide. There you can compare costs for cheap ski bindings and boots with the prices for higher quality ones. Go to America's Best Bootfitters to read about the dangers of purchasing bottom of the line boots. Lastly, read the reviews on Ski Boot Reviews to see which ones are held in the highest regard.

Ski boots and bindings are essential to every skier in providing a comfortable, optimum skiing experience.

Many experts consider a skier’s ski boots to be the most important piece of ski equipment. They prevent a skier’s feet from getting cold and wet; they provide stability on the slopes; and if they do not fit, a skier will be in pain all the way down the hill. Equally important are ski bindings, which should give a skier the perfect balance between tightly gripping their ski boots and then releasing them when the pressure exceeds adjustable settings.

Ski boots and ski bindings are often a situation in which not every ski boot is suitable for each type of ski binding. Particularly when a skier needs a heel-free system, you will need to make sure that the binding-boot combination is the correct one for that customer’s needs.

For your business to be successful, you will need to:

1. Stock a wide range of brands and styles of ski boots and bindings.
2. Provide a staff of knowledgeable people who have received meticulous training in the art of fitting boots.
3. Update your inventory with the newest and most technologically-advanced products to generate interest and long-term business from experienced skiers.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Remember that having the right ski boot is essential to a skier's performance and enjoyment level

Finding the right ski boot is an important part of a skier's equipment, because it can often correct errors in a skier's technique. Take the time to provide the correct fit, and offer a variety of boots to fit your customer's unique specifications.

I recommend: Nordica is one of the top manufacturers of skis and ski boots for men, women, and children. Atomic makes technologically advanced skis, boots and bindings, as well as skis for all types of skiing and skill levels. Dynastar-Lange also carries a wide range of top-rated skis, boots and bindings for various kinds of skiing and skill levels.

Offer ski bindings to match your customer's needs

Ski bindings are the crucial link between the ski and boot, transferring the power from the foot, via the boot, to the ski. Every skier demands reliability, easy handling, stability and control from their ski bindings.

I recommend: Salomon Sports has a wide variety of ski equipment, including skis, ski poles, boots, bindings and snow shoes. Alpina Sports also offers a popular selection of cross-country and alpine skis, poles, boots and bindings, as well as clothing and ski maintenance products. Marker USA specializes in high-technology and high-performance ski bindings. Fischer Sports also manufactures highly-rated ski bindings utilizing advanced technology.

Provide a selection of ski boot and binding accessories

Experienced skiers will want a variety of ski boot accessories including: ski boot bags, ski boot liners, ski boot heaters, ski boot dryers, and custom foot beds. Be sure to stock the top brands and different styles to appeal to men, women and kids.

I recommend: High Sierra Sport Company offers a variety of durable and attractive ski and ski boot bags. Hotronic USA is a good source for footwarmers and glove & boot dryers. Sole produces heat-moldable custom footbeds which are used in ski boots to provide an even better fit. Garmont USA carries a series of high-quality ski boots and custom ski boot liners.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Ski boot fitters are specially trained to learn how to fit ski boots to the individual skier at Masterfit University, a North American training center for boot fit education. If you are determined to be a top-rated ski shop or ski resort that rents boots to clientele, you should consider sending your top staff to receive this training. Proper boot fitting can remedy such problems as being knock-kneed, bowlegged or ankle tilting.
• •  Because there are so many elements that go into a proper ski boot fitting, the process can take over an hour. Not only does the boot have to be comfortable, but it should also address any foot or ankle problems that may inhibit the skiing experience.
• •  If you are looking for lower-cost ski boots or ski bindings, check wholesale suppliers on the Internet. They will often have discount ski bindings and ski boots during a ski boot sale. You can also get a deal by purchasing used ski bindings and boots from rental centers or ski resorts who are looking to get rid of their old equipment to make room for new items.

Ski boots and bindings encompass a range of accessories. Because boots are an integral tool for the sport, the type of boot and accessories used can actually correct a skier's technique. The wide variety in ski boots and bindings means there are several terms you need to know in order to understand which boots and bindings are used by skiers.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Shell

The shell of the boot is its hard, plastic outer boot, which is the part of the ski boot that connects to the ski. Boot shells for cross-country skiing are much more flexible than those for downhill skiing. Outer shells are generally waterproof or water resistant enough to keep the foot dry, and rigid to protect the foot and ankle from injury.

I recommend: Learn more about boot shells and their importance when fitting a boot at OnTheSnow.com.

Alpine ski boots

Alpine ski boots are the most common type of ski boot known to recreational downhill skiers, and typically have rigid soles and hard, plastic shells held in place on the ski with the binding. The skier wears the boot with a sock-like lining between the foot and the hard shell. Alpine ski boots come in three types depending on where the opening of the boot is located: rear entry, mid-entry, and front entry.

I recommend: Read about the different types of alpine ski boots at ABC-of-Skiing and MSN Shopping.

Nordic ski boots

Nordic ski boots are lighter weight than Alpine ski boots and are also known as cross-country ski boots. Nordic ski boots connect to the ski at the toe of the boot, rather than the heel, and offer the skier more flexibility and range of motion, as is required by the activity of cross-country skiing. Nordic ski boots also call for different types of bindings.

I recommend: Consult Nordic Skier Sports for more detailed descriptions of Nordic ski boots and equipment.

Bindings

Ski boot bindings are the link between the ski boot and the ski itself. Most bindings used today are step-in bindings that connect to the ski first and then snap onto the boot as the skier steps onto the ski. Ski boot bindings also control the release of the boot when pressure is applied to the ski, and the force needed to release the boot from the ski can be adjusted.

I recommend: Read a detailed explanation of ski bindings and how they work from Summit Sports.

Liner

The boot liner, also known as the inner boot, is the padded and insulated boot that goes between the foot and the hard shell. The liner is more like a contoured sock than a boot and is designed to fit the foot snugly for the best performance. The liner becomes compressed over time to more closely fit the contour of the foot and boot shell, or moldable liners can be used that are initially formed to the shape of the foot.

I recommend: Learn about the features of a moldable liner from TelemarkSki.com.

Custom footbeds

Custom footbeds fit into the outer shell of your ski boot and are molded to the contour of your foot. Custom footbeds are most often used to correct orthopedic problems for regular skiers but also may be preferred for comfort and improved fit.

I recommend: Foot Dynamics explains the features of custom footbeds for alpine ski boots.