French Alps–based ski rental company Ski Republic has reported its ski rental sales are up 34%, this season comparing winter 2008-9. UK customers represent 55% of turnover and around 50% of all bookings now being received online via www.ski-republic.com . The company launched its `two for one’ ski equipment rental model in December 2007.

Ski Republic’s Gaël Brunhes said “Our challenge is to keep ahead of the competition with high quality equipment at keen prices. Competitors have responded by cutting prices, but so far they’re not offering like for like and Ski Republic are leading the way in affordable ski hire. All of this is good for consumers, of course, who previously had little choice but to buy in resort or via their ski tour operator.”

“With our user-friendly online booking facility clients can now order their ski hire direct for collection in any one of our 33 Ski Republic shops throughout the French Alps and around half of all of our customers are now doing so.”

Ski Republic claims that having had a monopoly for many years, resort hire shops are now having to examine their service and pricing levels, to the benefit of customers. They expect internet bookings to increase again for the 2010 / 11 season as consumers become more accepting of online booking for their ski equipment requirements.