The winter season in Edmonton offers wonderful opportunities for outdoor activities, from skiing and snowboarding to ice skating and fat biking. If you are new to the city or simply want to try a new winter sport without a significant financial investment in your own equipment, renting is the ideal solution. Edmonton offers a wide range of places to rent winter equipment, from specialty shops to ski resorts, each with its own features and advantages.
Why you should rent equipment instead of buying it
Renting winter equipment has a number of advantages, especially for beginners or those who do not plan to engage in winter sports on a regular basis. First, it allows you to try different activities without a significant financial commitment. A new set of ski or snowboard equipment can cost anywhere from a few hundred to thousands of dollars, while a day's rental typically costs between $25 and $45. This is especially useful for families with children who are growing quickly and need new equipment every season.
Second, rented equipment is always in excellent condition. Rental companies regularly service their equipment, adjust bindings, sharpen edges, and wax surfaces after each use. This means you get quality equipment without having to maintain it yourself. In addition, if something goes wrong with your equipment while skiing, most rental shops will replace it immediately so you can continue to enjoy your day on the slopes.
Renting also allows you to experiment with different types of equipment. For example, you can try high-end demo skis or different snowboard models to see what works best for you before making a big purchase. Many ski shops offer demo rentals where you can try out the latest equipment from leading brands.
Top places to rent winter gear in Edmonton
Specialty shops in the city
Totem Outdoor Outfitters has been one of Edmonton's most renowned winter gear retailers for over 30 years. Located at 7430 99 Street NW, the store offers a wide range of equipment for rent, including downhill skis, cross-country skis, snowboards, skates, and hockey equipment. The store's staff is known for their professionalism and assistance in selecting the right equipment to suit each customer's individual needs. Hours of operation are Tuesday through Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and closed on Monday and Sunday. Customers particularly note the store's good prices, fast service, and the ability to trade in old equipment.
Sundance Ski & Board Shop is another popular option for renting ski and snowboard equipment in Edmonton. The shop offers several rental packages at different prices. The basic package for adults, which includes beginner-intermediate skis or snowboards, bindings, boots, and poles, costs $34.99 per day, which is significantly cheaper than renting directly at a ski resort ($57 and up). For children, the basic package costs $24.99 per day. The store also offers a high-performance package for more experienced skiers for $44.99 per day. It is important to note that rentals are only available in Edmonton, and the entire equipment fleet is updated every season and fully serviced after each rental.
Skier's Sportshop is a family-owned store that has been in business since 1963. The shop offers exclusive brands such as Faction, Moment, Icelantic, and Slash Snowboards, and also has a children's equipment exchange program. The experienced staff helps customers choose the right equipment from the start, whether you are a beginner or an experienced skier or snowboarder.
Pacesetter Ski Shoppe is located at 10054 167 Street NW and is open Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The shop offers not only rentals but also a wide selection of new and used equipment for sale.
Local Ski Resorts
If you plan to ski in or near Edmonton, local ski resorts also offer equipment rental services.
Rabbit Hill Snow Resort is the largest ski area in the Edmonton area with over 40 acres of terrain. The resort offers full-day rental packages for $45, which include skis or a snowboard, boots, and a helmet. Afternoon rentals (12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.) cost $37, and last two hours on weekends cost $22. There are special rates for children ages 4–6: $25 for a full day and $10 for the last two hours. Children under the age of three can rent equipment for only $10. Rabbit Hill also offers a family rental package for $90 with the purchase of a family lift pass. It is important to note that the resort recommends purchasing rentals online to reduce crowding and speed up the process.
Snow Valley Ski Club is located at 119 Street & 60 Avenue and is the largest ski resort within the city limits of Edmonton. The resort offers daily rentals, which can be booked online or purchased in person on-site. Many single-day rentals have a $2 discount when purchased online. Snow Valley also offers full-season rentals for children and adults. For example, an individual package for children ages 7–12 costs $199 for the season.
The Edmonton Ski Club is located at 9613 96 Avenue and offers affordable rental and lift pass options. The club is known for its attractive special offers for beginners and its accessibility by public transportation, as it is located near the new LRT station. The seasonal rental package includes a full set of skis or a snowboard, which is provided with each visit to the club.
Sunridge Ski Area is located at 10980 17 Street and offers a variety of beginner and intermediate trails. The resort is known for its high-quality skiing and snowboarding lessons. Sunridge also offers great value six-trip packages that can be used for both lifts and equipment rentals. Six-trip packages are fully transferable and have no expiration date.
Other winter equipment
Revolution Cycle specializes in renting fat bikes for winter riding. Located at 15103 Stony Plain Road, the shop helps both professionals and amateurs enjoy winter cycling. Fat bikes have wide tires that allow you to ride on snow and ice, making them ideal for exploring Edmonton's river valley in winter.
River Valley Adventure Co. is located on the sunny north bank of the North Saskatchewan River in Louise McKinney Park. The company offers year-round entertainment, and in winter you can rent snowshoes, a fat bike with a helmet and lock, or take part in a winter Segway tour. Fat bike rentals are $25 per hour, $40 for two hours, or a maximum of $85 for a full day. All rental bikes require a $500 deposit (credit card only) per bike, and all riders must have valid ID and be over 16 years of age.
Free skate rental is available at several locations throughout Edmonton. The Edmonton City Arts Council provides free skate rental at the City Hall Plaza Rink: Monday–Friday from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Saturday from 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., and Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Skate rentals are available on a first-come, first-served basis and are subject to weather conditions. At Rundle Park, skate rentals are available from My Lakehouse from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on weekends and during winter break at the Rundle Park Family Centre. Some community leagues also have skates and other skating equipment available for community members at their rinks.