Equipment hire

For first‑timers, choosing the right equipment and knowing where to hire it can be confusing, so we’ve simplified it for you.  In Australia, cross‑country ski rentals are limited because the sport is a niche market, but the hire options listed below are available.  There are several types of cross‑country skis such as classic, skating, and touring.  For most of our trips, the type you’ll need is cross-country touring skis, preferably metal‑edged cross‑country touring skis for better grip and control on icy surfaces. 

Classic and touring cross-country skis have a patterned base that gives grip when moving horizontally and uphill.  Cross-country skis also use boots and bindings that allow the heel to be lifted off the boot.

Please note that Alpine/Downhill skis and boots are not suitable for cross-country skiing.

Types of cross-country skis:

• Classic – Patterned base, may not have metal edges.

• Touring – Patterned base, metal edges, wider than classic skis. May use heavier‑duty bindings that require compatible boots.

• Back‑country – Heavy‑duty metal edged touring skis; wider and shorter, with heavy‑duty bindings.

• Skating – Little or no pattern on the base; narrower and shorter than classic skis. Do not have a metal edge.

Types of bindings and boots:

• NNN (New Nordic Norm)
  Contains a bar under the front of the boot that latches into the binding. Currently the most common binding type for narrow classic, light touring (no metal edge), and skating skis on groomed trails. Used with small lightweight flexible synthetic boots. There are a few different versions of this style of binding.

• NNN BC / BCX
  The 'back country' version of NNN with a larger bar. Useful for mid-width skis (metal edged or not) on groomed trails or easy back country conditions, though less suitable for typical Australian ungroomed back country snow than a cable binding. Used with specific, hiking boot sized, synthetic boots, not hard shell plastic boots.

• 3‑pin (Old NN)
  Rarely used these days. The boot has a protruding lip with three holes underneath. The binding has three pins and a clamp that secures a leather or plastic duckbill '75 mm norm' boot. More laterally stable than NNN, providing better turning control, but inferior to a cable binding. May be found on old skis.

• Cable binding
  The boot has a protruding lip (75 mm duckbill) at the front, with a cable and spring around the heel to secure it. Offers greater lateral stability than NNN or NNN BC and is commonly found on heavy‑duty (wider, metal edged) back‑country skis. Used most often with hard shell plastic boots. Suitable for ungroomed snow.

• NTN (New Telemark Norm)
  Requires a specific hard shell NTN boot. The boot connects to the the binding at the toe and the back of the forefoot (the 'duckbutt'). Provides greater lateral stability still than a cable binding, but has limitations for touring in rolling Australian conditions due to its alpine-touring like pivot at the toe for moving uphill. Good for resort telemarking.

Equipment to ask staff for:

• Metal‑edged cross‑country touring skis (these will always have a patterned base).
  If metal‑edged skis are not available, ensure the skis do have a patterned base (skating skis do not).

• Boots that match the binding type on the skis.

• Poles, which are typically longer than downhill poles.

• Snow Chains - for your car if you're driving.

Other gear you may wish to hire:

Most ski hire places also hire-out jackets and over-pants, however some might not have the right sort for cross-country skiing.
Also, many don't hire gloves, socks, goggles or beanies, citing hygiene reasons.

Hire Options

• Lake Mountain (day trips):
  Hire in Melbourne the day before, or in Narbethong or Marysville on the day (allow an extra 30 minutes).

• Mt Hotham & Dinner Plain:
  Hire in Melbourne or Myrtleford.

• Falls Creek:
  Hire in Melbourne or Mount Beauty.
  Bright is an option only if travelling that way both to and from the resort.

If you need to hire skis or other equipment on the way, please contact your driver before the trip to discuss logistics.
Drivers may also need to hire wheel-chains.  Most ski hire places have these available, but you should call ahead to ensure they have the correct size for your car.

Please also call ahead to confirm with the ski-hire place that cross‑country skis are available, as hire stock may be limited.

Equipment Hire Locations

Melbourne

EMC
68 Whitehorse Rd, Deepdene
Phone: 03 9817 1477

Web: snow-ski.com.au 

Ajays Snow Country Sports
119–121 Canterbury Rd, Heathmont
Phone: 03 9720 4647

Web: snow-ski.com.au

On the way to Mt Hotham or Falls Creek

Ray’s Ski Shop
21 Myrtle St, Myrtleford
Phone: 03 5752 1306

Web: www.rayskishop.com.au 

Mt Hotham

Hoys Skis
30 Great Alpine Rd, Hotham Heights VIC 3741
In “The Shed”, beside the Resort Management Board Office – just look left from the big clock .
Phone: 03 5759 3221

Web: www.hoysskis.com.au (Online bookings possible)

On the way to Falls Creek

Rocky Valley Bikes & Snow Sports
226 Kiewa Valley Hwy, Tawonga South
Phone: 03 5754 1118

Web: www.rockyvalley.com.au 

On the way to Lake Mountain

• Please note - It is no longer possible to hire skis at Lake Mountain resort.  Hire in Narbethong (recommended), Marysville or Melbourne.

Lake Mountain Ski Hire

436 Maroondah Hwy, Narbethong

Phone: 03 5963 3444

Web: lakemountainskihire.net.au