Invasion Snowboard Shop is rider-owned, operated by Pete Ripley, and celebrating roughly 20 years in business (started around 2004-2005). They relocated in November 2023 to 5 Mountain Park Plaza, West Dover, VT 05356, just minutes from Mount Snow. This is a specialized snowboard rental and sales shop stocking over 20 brands including Nitro, Arbor, Lobster, Bataleon, Burton, Rome, Gnu, Kemper, and Dinosaurs Will Die. Bindings from Switchback, Fix, and Bent Metal. Boots from Vans and Burton. Outerwear from 686, Airblaster, and Howl. Goggles from Smith and Dang. They've got a growing demo program with seven board lines available for daily rentals through MountSnowboardDemos.com where you can test high-end boards on the mountain before committing. Specific rental pricing isn't posted online, so you'll want to call for current rates. Reviews are exceptional though, with perfect 5.0 out of 5 stars on Birdeye (17 reviews) and Chamber of Commerce (10 reviews), plus an A+ BBB rating. Reviewers mention Pete's expertise, knowledgeable staff like Scott, quality rental gear, and a chill rider-driven atmosphere complete with shop dogs Dolly and Enzo hanging around. One customer got a BOA system fixed for free, which tells you something about how they operate. Hours are Monday through Saturday 10am-5pm and Sunday 10am-4pm during fall, stretching to 8:30am-6pm daily during peak Mount Snow season. Online sales ship within the U.S. and internationally. They also run special events like free Nitro and Bataleon demo days, vintage snowboard collecting events, and outdoor tent sales at their new spot near the Post Office and 7-Eleven.
World Class Ski & Sport has been Mount Snow's premier ski rental and snowboard tuning specialist for 34 years since 1991, owned and operated by retired Professional Ski Racer and Downhill Champion Mirek Formanek at 194 N RT 100, Brookhouse Plaza, West Dover, VT 05356 conveniently located one mile before Mount Snow across from 7-Eleven. This full-service Vermont ski shop specializes in the European VIP "SIGNATURE HAND SKI TUNE" performed by technicians with over 30 years of racing experience including Mirek and Jesse, with basic ski tuning services starting at $29 and advanced hand-filing techniques using European methods that competitors are unable to duplicate. Ski rental and snowboard rental pricing is highly competitive at $49 per day for adults (13+), $39 per day for juniors (12 and under), with 2-day packages at $95 adult/$69 junior, 3-day packages at $129 adult/$99 junior, plus special Midweek rates of just $29.95/day Monday-Thursday (excluding holiday weeks) with some multi-day rentals dropping to around $20/day, and a 10% online reservation discount for 2-day non-holiday weekend ski rentals, with helmet rentals available for $9/day. The rental fleet features new, late-model skis and snowboards from premium brands including Atomic, Head, Dalbello, Marker, Scott, Reusch, Dynamic, Stockli, and Look bindings, and as an authorized Rossignol partner the shop also provides expert boot fitting services and convenient extended hours including Friday until midnight during holidays for pickup convenience and Saturday-Sunday 7:30am-6pm for early mountain access. Customer reviews are mixed with positive feedback highlighting amazing service, friendly and accommodating staff, successful overnight ski repair, and fair pricing much lower than what you would pay at the ski area, though some critical reviews mention pricing confusion (website rates vs. in-person rates during holiday periods) and occasional equipment quality concerns with older rental skis and boots. Operating for over three decades with a staff of retired racers and ski enthusiasts, this Mount Snow area ski rental shop offers group discounts for 10+ people, seasonal tuning contracts, online pre-registration to streamline pickup, and positions itself as the budget-friendly alternative to on-mountain rentals with competitive Vermont ski and snowboard rental rates and specialized European hand-tuning expertise.
Equipe Sport started in October 1989 and has spent 36 years serving Vermont's outdoor crowd with five locations across Southern Vermont. The flagship shop at 21 S. Access Road in West Dover opened in 1996 right on the Mount Snow access road. Hard to beat that convenience. It's a full-service four-season operation covering ski rental, snowboard rental, and outdoor gear. Winter means skis, snowboards, cross-country skis, telemark equipment, and snowshoes. Summer brings mountain bike rentals, kayak rentals, and paddleboard rentals. They've also got expert boot fitting and professional ski tuning with stone grind and wax, and the staff actually uses this stuff themselves which shows. Ski rental packages at the Mount Snow location start at $50/day for the first day and $40/day after that, with snowshoes at $30/day and bikes at $60/day. The 24-hour rental periods with pickup available after 3:30pm the day before are clutch for early mornings. Nate Moeller manages the place with around 40 employees, carrying premium brands like Volkl, Blizzard, Kastle, Arc'Teryx, Patagonia, The North Face, Burton, and Salomon. The Demo as Rental program lets you apply up to two days of rental fees toward a purchase if you decide to buy. Pretty useful. Customer reviews sit at 4.51 out of 5 stars on Google (105 reviews) with perfect 5-star TripAdvisor ratings. People mention friendly staff who ski, ride, and paddle the area, competitive pricing, solid boot fitting, comprehensive packages with all accessories, and early pickup convenience for first tracks at Mount Snow, Stratton, Bromley, and Magic Mountain. Hours run Monday through Friday 10am-5pm and Saturday through Sunday 9am-5pm, extended during peak Vermont ski season. Online booking available for advance reservations.
Paddle Time VT is Vermont's newest paddlesport business, launched summer 2024 with a delivery-only kayak and paddleboard rental service on Harriman Reservoir (Lake Whitingham), which happens to be Vermont's largest lake located entirely within the state. Pretty cool origin story: this family-owned Wilmington paddlesport rental company started after the owners discovered kayaking during Covid summer 2020, and after a very successful 1st season they're expanding their fleet with sit-in kayaks, sit-on kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards priced at $20/hr for 2, 4, or 8 hour rentals. There's also a sunset paddle option ($40 for the 6:30-8:30 PM session). All Vermont kayak rentals include paddles, life jackets, beginner help, and most importantly, delivery directly to boat launches. Primary location is Fairview Avenue (264 Fairview Ave, Wilmington, VT) plus South End, Lake Raponda, and Ward's Beach by request. No roof rack on your car? Not a problem. Rental policies: must be 18+ to rent, book at least 1 hour ahead (though last-minute often works), bring a valid credit/debit card, and sign a liability waiver. Late fees hit $50/hr after a 10-minute grace period, and you get full refunds for cancellations made 24+ hours out. Customer reviews highlight personable service from owner Dan, his local area knowledge, flexible 2-hour windows that work great for families, and the convenience of hassle-free paddleboard delivery service. The beginner-friendly equipment focuses on stable, comfortable designs for exploring Harriman Reservoir's 9-mile length, numerous islands, secluded swimming spots, and wildlife including loons, herons, geese, and resident bald eagles. They're active in community events too, like the Blueberry Splash festival. Contact this Southern Vermont lake rental service at (802) 222-0425 or info@paddletimevt.com for Vermont summer water activities and mobile kayak rentals.
Vermont Ski and Sport is a family-owned outdoor gear retailer founded approximately 1979-1983 (over 42 years in business) by Jonathan Bischof as New England Sailboard Company, evolving into Vermont and New England's largest selection of new and used ski equipment now run by Jonathan and Jamie Bischof from their Jamaica, VT location at 3765 VT Route 30. Important note: the warehouse is currently not open to walk-in public visits, operating primarily as an online retailer with phone, text, email, and web chat consultations, though the shop does offer ski and snowboard rentals, tuning, and repairs for travelers near Stratton, Bromley, or Magic Mountain who need properly set-up equipment. The business holds distinction as the #1 Performance Paddleboard Retailer in North America and the largest race paddleboard dealer on the continent, alongside their extensive ski inventory spanning brands like Armada, Atomic, Blizzard, K2, Rossignol, Volkl, and dozens more across all-mountain, carving, powder, touring, and racing categories. Customer reviews on Yelp (10 reviews, 56 photos) are overwhelmingly positive with a 5.0 average, praising owner Jonathan as "knowledgeable," offering "5-star customer service," "best prices including bindings and shipping," and describing service that "remembers what customer service was founded on" in an era of big-box retailers. Private in-person SUP coaching sessions are available at $199.99-$349.99 (discounted from $400-$800), remote video coaching packages include movement analysis sessions with 3-6 month follow-up, and Jonathan's background includes previous tennis and skiing coaching at nearby Stratton Mountain Resort plus expertise shared through technique-oriented blog posts. Located approximately 4 hours from NYC and 3 hours from Boston near the Southern Vermont "Golden Triangle" of Stratton, Bromley, and Magic Mountain ski resorts, the business offers new equipment, certified pre-owned gear, factory seconds, and blowout specials with payment via all major credit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, and Shop Pay.
The Startingate is a specialty alpine ski and snowboard shop located at 1011 Route 30 in Bondville, Vermont (about a quarter mile from Stratton Mountain's access road), not a general winter sports tour outfitter offering snowmobiling, dog sledding, or ice fishing services. Founded in 1980 by Gary and Dede Longley, this family-run shop has built an award-winning reputation over 45 years for expert boot fitting services, premium ski equipment rentals, and luxury European ski apparel that's difficult to find elsewhere in New England. The shop specializes in alpine skiing and snowboarding equipment with rental packages starting at $35-$55 for the first day ($45 additional days), high-end demo skis at about $75 per day (with demo fees credited toward future purchases), while their renowned boot fitting service and full ski tuning ($85) attract serious skiers from across the tri-state area. Located at the base of Stratton Mountain's access road, The Startingate serves recreational weekend skiers, competitive racers from nearby Stratton Mountain School, and luxury ski wear enthusiasts seeking exclusive brands like Frauenschuh, Kjus, Bogner, Helly Hansen, Hestra, Rossignol, and Head. Customer reviews consistently praise the expertise of Gary, George, and the Longley family, with the shop earning 4.7 stars from 36-37 reviewers who highlight "the best boot fitting in Vermont" and personalized service in a warm, fireplace-equipped retail space. Operating October through April (Monday-Saturday 9 AM-5 PM, Sunday 8 AM-5 PM), the shop also offers summer tent sales and carries exclusive brands from Atomic, Fischer, and Head, making it a destination for skiers seeking European-style equipment and apparel rather than snowmobile rentals or backcountry ski touring services.
The Startingate Ski Shop has been a cornerstone of Vermont ski culture since 1980, making it a 46-year veteran of Southern Vermont's outdoor recreation scene and one of the region's most trusted names in ski equipment rentals and sales. Founded by Gary and Dede Longley, this family-owned Vermont ski shop sits just a quarter-mile from the Stratton Mountain access road, offering unbeatable convenience for skiers heading to Stratton, Bromley, or Magic Mountain. Their ski rental packages start at $55 for the first day (skis, boots, and poles) with additional days priced at $45, while ski-only rentals begin at $35—and customers rave about the easy, friendly rental process. The shop earns a stellar 4.7 out of 5 stars from reviewers who praise their world-class boot fitting expertise, stance assessment, and race-ski preparation, with one customer declaring it "without doubt the best ski shop in Vermont" and perhaps all of New England. Beyond Vermont ski rentals, The Startingate offers demo skis at $75/day (credited toward purchase), full ski tunes at $85, race tunes at $105, and specialty services like vacuum boot fitting, heat molding, and custom orthotics that attract competitive skiers from Stratton Mountain School and Burke Mountain Academy. Their curated selection includes exclusive Stratton-area dealerships for Atomic, Armada, Head, Nordica, and the ultra-rare Van Deer skis—Marcel Hirscher's collaboration with Red Bull, with fewer than 1,500 pairs available in North America. The Longley family brings genuine ski racing pedigree to every customer interaction, with son Chance running the tune shop and the entire staff composed of passionate skiers who understand high-performance outdoor equipment. Open October through April (8 AM–6 PM on weekends, 9 AM–5 PM weekdays), plus summer tent sales on holiday weekends, The Startingate combines European luxury brands with Vermont hospitality—contact them at clothing@startingate.net to reserve your ski gear rentals.
Vermont Canoe Touring Center has been renting paddlesports gear in Brattleboro since 1985, which makes it 40 years in business now. They operate from a scenic spot at the confluence of the Connecticut River and West River near Veterans Memorial Bridge. Jon Knickerbocker owns the place, with Spencer Knickerbocker running operations, so it's a family affair through and through. This Vermont paddlesport outfitter rents single kayaks ($20-60), tandem kayaks ($30-80), canoes ($30-80), and stand-up paddleboards ($20-60) with hourly (1-4 hour) and full-day options. All rentals include life jackets, paddles, and parking. They run seasonally from spring through fall (currently closed until Spring 2026) with daily hours 10 AM-5 PM, giving you access to calm flat water on the West River and Retreat Meadows plus the larger Connecticut River for wildlife viewing. We're talking otters and blue herons out there. Customer reviews across Yelp (14 reviews), TripAdvisor, and Facebook (369 likes) consistently praise the affordable kayak rental prices (cheaper than competitors), friendly service, beginner-friendly water, and that authentic non-corporate New England atmosphere you don't find much anymore. That said, some note the parking lot is across a busy street and equipment quality could be better. This Brattleboro canoe outfitter also offers year-round boat storage ($150-200/year) with 24/7 waterfront access. Cash is preferred but they accept credit cards too (7% tax applies). Find them at 451 Putney Road (Route 5), Brattleboro, VT 05301, or reach out at vermontcanoetouringcenter@gmail.com for reservations. Solid choice for family kayaking, beginner paddling, and peaceful river experiences in Southern Vermont.
Bradley's Pro Shop Ski & Bike opened in September 2015 and has quickly established itself as Manchester Center's go-to destination for Vermont ski rentals, snowboard gear, and year-round outdoor equipment, now entering its 10th season of serving skiers heading to Bromley and Stratton Mountains. Owner John Bradley brings serious credentials to this Vermont ski shop—he competed as a professional ski racer on the World Pro circuit from 1989–1993 and is a New England College Sports Hall of Fame inductee, while his family's ski retail heritage stretches back to 1958 (that's 66+ years of Bradley family ski shop expertise). Located on busy Routes 30 and 11, the shop sits just 7 miles from Bromley Mountain and a 30-minute drive from Stratton's 600+ skiable acres, making it perfectly positioned for weekend warriors from New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Daily adult ski rental packages start at approximately $50 per day with a completely new fleet of Elan skis, while professional ski tune-ups begin around $65—one Yelp reviewer reported paying just $44 for a ski and pole rental, cheaper than resort rates. Customer reviews consistently highlight the professional, courteous staff and quality rental equipment—one visitor declared "If you need any ski equipment on your Vermont trip, THIS IS THE PLACE!!" while another praised the experience as "a far cry from the chaos of renting ski equipment of dubious condition at a mountain resort." The shop carries respected ski brands including Volkl, Atomic, and Elan, offers free binding checks, and features a highly automated Montana grinding machine for expert ski tuning and maintenance that has customers returning season after season. Beyond winter sports, Bradley's operates as a full bicycle outfitter with Cannondale and GT bikes, rentals, sales, and expert tune-ups, with General Manager Dan Rhodes leading the bike service department and attracting a loyal following that includes former Olympic cyclists. Open year-round from 8 AM to 5:30 PM, Bradley's expands from 2 summer staff members to 8 employees during ski season—contact them at Johnbradleyski@AOL.com for ski rentals, snowboard equipment, boot fitting, or bike repairs near Bromley Mountain.
The Fly Haus is Southern Vermont's only independent fly-fishing shop and outfitter, opened in May 2024 at 497 Depot St. in the Manchester Designer Outlets area, making it less than one year old as a business. Founded by Jayson T. Coté and Renée, this fly-fishing gear shop holds a BBB A- rating with zero complaints and operates alongside the co-located GEAR HAUS outdoor consignment store. The shop offers guided fly-fishing trips on Vermont's legendary Battenkill River including half-day walk-wade trips, 2-hour evening hatch sessions, and full-day float trips, plus introductory fly-fishing classes, private casting lessons, and fly tying events. Their rod and reel rental outfits include 4-piece, 5 or 6-weight rods (such as Orvis Clearwater models) with floating line and carrying case, plus breathable wader and wading boot rentals using trusted Guideline Laxa gear—ideal for anglers visiting the renowned Battenkill trout waters where wild brown and brook trout thrive. Rental periods typically run 24-48 hours from pickup, with longer arrangements available by phone, and retail inventory uniquely spans new, used, and vintage fly-fishing gear including rods, reels, flies hand-tied by staff experts, waders, and accessories at prices described as competitive against nearby Orvis. Operating hours are 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and the location offers parking, WiFi, ADA accessibility, and allows pets in-store. Guest reviews from nearby inns describe "unforgettable" guided trips catching wild brown trout with local guides through the shop's booking services.
High Altitude Ski & Snowboard operates two Vermont locations covering three resorts. The Mendon shop at 2002S US Route 4, Mendon, VT 05753 serves Killington and Pico Mountain. The West Dover location at 80 Vermont Route 100, West Dover, VT 05356 serves Mount Snow and has been running for over 21 years (since around 2003-2004). They position themselves as having the best priced ski and snowboard rentals in town with the philosophy that you shouldn't have to empty your wallet for a day on the slopes. Fair point. Specific daily pricing isn't listed online, so contact them directly for current Vermont ski rental rates. The rental fleet covers standard ski and snowboard rentals, hi-performance options for advanced skiers, and demo equipment from Volkl, Rossignol, K2, Atomic, Salomon, Burton, plus emerging brands like Zuma and Erik Sports. Complete packages include skis or boards, boots, bindings, and poles. They also carry soft goods like Burton and Helix snow pants, Rawik and Hot Finger gloves, and Spy and Bole goggles. Here's where it gets complicated though. Reviews vary sharply between locations. The Mendon/Killington spot earns 4.4 out of 5 stars on Yelp (5 reviews) with praise for staff member Martin who knows his stuff on boot fitting. The West Dover/Mount Snow location sits at just 1.5 stars on Yelp (7 reviews) with complaints about customer service and equipment knowledge. Overall that works out to about a 3.5-star Google rating across both. Hours extend to Friday midnight during peak season for next-day pickup, with 7:30am openings on weekends and holidays for first-tracks access at Killington, Pico, and Mount Snow. They operate seasonally from roughly November through mid-April and serve all ability levels from first-time beginners to experienced skiers. Word of caution: one historical review mentioned being quoted $60 more than the phone estimate for 2 ski sets, and another noted unexpected early seasonal closure in April. Probably smart to confirm rental return policies and pricing when booking at either the Killington area or Mount Snow location.
