Gear Rentals: How to Rent for Less
Where to Rent for Less
Don’t just walk into the shop nearest the lift. You will often pay a “convenience tax” of 30% or more. Here are the specific shops we locals recommend to friends because they have fair prices, good gear, and solid online booking discounts. Renting microspikes or poles? My winter hiking post covers the trails worth using them on.
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Skis, Boards & Boots (The Hard Goods)
- Blue River Sports (Breckenridge): This is the gold standard for the “no-nonsense local shop.” They are incredibly efficient, their gear is solid, and their online reservation discount is significant. Plus, they are right in town (near the Peak 9 base).
- Alpine Sports (Breckenridge): Another reliable Main Street staple. They have multiple locations and offer a great “20% off” deal if you book in advance.
- Christy Sports (Main Street Station, Frisco and Dillon): A bigger chain, but reliable.
- Budget Bonus: They often run a “Kids Rent Free” program (usually requires a 4-day adult rental), which can save you hundreds on a week-long trip.
- Rebel Sports (Frisco): The “Drive-By” Savings. If you have a rental car, stop in Frisco on your way into town. The prices here are almost always lower than Breckenridge (sometimes under $20/day for junior packages).
- Pioneer Sports (Frisco): Voted “Best of Summit” constantly. They offer massive discounts (up to 30%) for booking online 24 hours in advance. It’s a quick stop off Highway 9 before you even hit the resort traffic.
Outerwear (Jackets, Pants & Helmets)
- Winter Wear Rentals (Delivery Service): This is the ultimate convenience hack. Instead of dragging the family to a shop, they deliver high-quality jackets, pants, and bibs directly to your door (everywhere from Breck to Keystone and Copper).
- Budget Bonus: They often run a “Rent for 4 days, get the 5th free” deal. Plus, try using promo code 2dobreck for an extra 15% discount. It makes outfitting a growing family significantly cheaper and easier.
- Ridden (Breckenridge): Located right on Main Street, this is one of the few shops that fully embraces clothing rentals. They rent jackets, bibs, pants, and helmets.
- Budget Bonus: They are one of the only places that rents sleds! If you don’t want to buy one at the grocery store, rent a heavy-duty one here.
- Carvers Ski+Bike (Breckenridge): A local favorite for 20+ years. They offer a specific “Clothing Rental” package including waterproof jackets and pants for adults and kids. Perfect for that one family member who “might try skiing for one day.”
- Kingdom Sports (Breckenridge): Located on the north end of town (Airport Road area), they are famous for having some of the lowest prices in town. You can often grab ski pants here for under $15/day.
Baby Gear (Cribs, Hiking Carriers & High Chairs)
- Mountain Tot: This is the premier local service for families. They don’t just rent cribs; they rent hiking carriers, heavy-duty jogging strollers (with snow tires!), humidifiers (essential for the altitude), and even boxes of toys. They deliver everything to your condo before you arrive and pick it up after you leave.
- Baby’s Away (Summit County Branch): A reliable national franchise with a great local team. They stock everything from full-size wooden cribs (with linens) to high chairs and bouncy seats.
- Mountain Baby Rentals: Another fantastic delivery service that covers Breckenridge. They are great for “packages”—like a “Sleep & Play” package that gets you a crib, a high chair, and a box of toys in one go.
The “Free” Rental: The Sled Shed
- Carter Park Sled Shed: Located at the top of the Carter Park sledding hill, there is often a community “Sled Shed.” It runs on the honor system: if there is a sled there, you can use it for free (just put it back!). It’s hit-or-miss, but worth a look before you buy or rent!
There you have it. You don’t need to haul gear across the country, and you certainly don’t need to pay resort prices to get high-quality equipment. By taking ten minutes to book with one of these local shops before you arrive, you aren’t just saving 20-30%—you’re skipping the morning rental line chaos and starting your trip like a pro. That means less stress, better gear, and significantly more money left in your vacation budget.
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