A new service at Snowshoe is dedicated to making lives easier for those who rent their equipment.
Snowshoe Ski Delivery (SnowshoeSkiDelivery.com) is entering their second season of delivering equipment rentals right to skiers and snowboarders accommodations on the mountain.
“We decided to offer this premier service because we thought there was a real need at Snowshoe and Silvercreek ski areas because there is so much lodging up here,” Owner Gil Willis said. “There is a lot of people here who check in near the same time on the same day, and it puts a lot of pressure on the resorts rental shops. The last thing we want is folks to start their vacation off in a bad mood because they had to wait in line.”
The idea came after using a similar service sking out west a few years ago.
“We really enjoy doing it because we are a service-oriented business,” Willis said. “We were sking out west a few years ago and a few of our relatives that were with us used a service like this. It was just so streamlined and so easy that we thought the southeast needed something like this.”
Willis added that they have been unable to find anyone else who provides a similar service in the east – including Vermont and Eastern Canada. That doesn’t mean they are ready to start expanding.
“At this point and time, we want to build a business here because this is sort of the Killington of the south – the big resort,” Willis said. “It is a service that we want to build here at Snowshoe. I won’t completely take it out of the equation, but for now I think we will be staying here on our home turf.”
Before you leave for Snowshoe, you can make your equipment reservations with Snowshoe Ski Delivery, and the equipment will be waiting for you when you walk into your room, condo or even private house.
“We will fit you right there, while you are in the living room,” Willis noted. “We will leave everything then come back and pick them up. It is completely turn-key.”
The service has an impressive list of inventory including 150 sets of performance skis, 50 high performance skis and several mid-to-high end demo boots. Willis noted that investment in higher end equipment seems to be paying off.
“We made a point not to start out with the most inexpensive boot that we could rent,” Willis said. “We found last year that people wanted to buy the equipment because it was sking so well and everything was brand new. We had to tell people no on that, but it seems to be working out.”
If there is an issue or a customer wants to try something different, Snowshoe Ski Delivery has a shop in the Top of the World complex as well as at the base. They can also arrange to meet you back at your accommodations.
“Over 95% of the time we won’t hear from our customers at all while they have equipment,” Willis said. “It is a turn-key premier services that I think people will enjoy.”
Other products available include snowboards, ski blades and junior skis. Also of note, two-day minimums are currently in place.
Other than ease, Willis thinks the benefits are top notch.
“It is more family time, more quality time with your family,” Willis said. “Sometimes it is really snowy up here on these nights when people arrive and it isn’t easy to park and go get equipment. So it makes it safer for people and streamlines their trip so they can spend more quality time with their family.”
For more information, visit snowshoeskidelivery.com.