Francis Blanc Sport Courchevel: Friendly Moriond Ski Hire
Finding reliable gear in Moriond is straightforward when you visit Francis Blanc Sport Courchevel, a trusted family-run ski shop set right on Rue du Marquis. The shop was founded back in 1953 by Francis Blanc, who was one of the very first ESF instructors in Courchevel 1650. Today, his daughters Sophie and Nadine manage the shop with the same welcoming approach, offering personal advice to skiers who return season after season.
As an affiliated member of the Skimium network in partnership with Decathlon, the shop combines the character of an independent mountain business with the convenience of a modern rental system. You get solid equipment, careful boot adjustments, and a central location only a short walk from the main snow front.
At a glance
| Type of shop | Independent family ski rental shop (Skimium network) |
|---|---|
| Village | Courchevel 1650 Moriond |
| Rental | Alpine, touring, telemark, cross-country, boards, sledges |
| Boot fitting | Custom fitting and heated sanitizing storage |
| Delivery / storage | In-store overnight storage (no chalet delivery) |
| Booking | Online via Skimium website or in-store walk-in |
| Price range | Mid-range; online booking discounts save 10% to 50% |
Why Rent Here
Renting your skis from Francis Blanc Sport gives you direct contact with a family team that has lived and skied in Courchevel 1650 for generations. Sophie and Nadine run the counter with hands-on care, ensuring that beginners, families, and seasoned alpine skiers get gear suited to the day’s conditions. That personal touch makes a real difference when you want honest recommendations rather than a rushed transaction on a busy weekend morning.
This shop suits families and groups staying around Courchevel 1650 who value convenience, practical workshop support, and good pricing through the Skimium network. It is especially handy if your accommodation is in Moriond village centre, as you can easily drop in on foot. However, it will not suit travelers staying up in Courchevel 1850 or down in Le Praz who prefer to collect equipment right outside their lodging, nor does it cater to visitors looking for a luxury chalet delivery and fitting service.
What You Can Rent
The rental floor covers a broad selection of winter sports gear, catering to standard alpine pistes as well as niche disciplines. Families will find junior and kids ski packages alongside dedicated junior snowboard setups. Adult downhill skiers have access to multiple tiers of alpine skis and boots, arranged by skill level and terrain preference.
If you enjoy exploring beyond groomed trails or trying different mountain sports, the shop stocks several specialized categories:
- Alpine downhill skis and supportive ski boots for all levels
- Snowboards and splitboards for resort riding and backcountry touring
- Ski touring equipment and telemark skis
- Cross-country skis and shorter snowblades
- Snowshoes (raquettes) for walking on marked winter paths
- Sledges and toboggans for family fun on local sledging runs
- Certified ski helmets and avalanche safety packs including transceivers
Every setup is checked between rentals to ensure bindings are set accurately to your height, weight, and skiing ability.
Boots and Fitting
Cold feet or pinching shells can ruin a day on the slopes faster than poor weather. Taking the time to get your ski boots properly fitted is the most valuable step in the rental process. At this Moriond shop, the staff spend the necessary time measuring your foot length and width to find a shell that holds your heel firmly without cutting off circulation.
Between rentals, boots are cleaned, disinfected, and thoroughly dried using an in-shop heated boot drying system. Putting on warm, dry liners in the morning sets you up for a comfortable day across Les 3 Vallées. If you feel pressure points or rubbing after your first few runs, you can stop back at the workshop to have the fit adjusted or swap shells entirely.
Services: Workshop, Storage, and Retail
Alongside rentals, the shop operates a full-service ski and board repair workshop. The technicians handle base maintenance, edge sharpening, and hot waxing. If you bring your own gear to the resort and notice rock scratches or dull edges after a firm morning on the slopes, you can drop your equipment off for an overnight tune-up.
To keep your mornings simple, the team provides overnight equipment storage (gardiennage) right inside the shop. Instead of carrying heavy skis and damp boots back up to your apartment or chalet, you can leave them securely in Moriond each evening. The shop also features a retail area stocked with essential mountain apparel, thermal layers, goggles, gloves, and ski accessories.
Local tip: Take advantage of the shop’s advance collection policy: you can pick up your reserved equipment from 17:00 (5:00 PM) the evening before your rental starts, completely free of charge. This lets you skip the morning queue and reach the lifts when they open at 08:30.
Booking Ahead and Prices
Rental prices at Francis Blanc Sport are not fixed to static shelf rates, as pricing changes dynamically depending on the dates of your holiday, the duration of your stay, and the equipment category you choose. High season weeks around Christmas, New Year, and the February school holidays see heavier demand and different rate structures compared to quieter periods in January.
You can secure the best rates by reserving online ahead of time through the Skimium booking platform. Official listings offer advance online booking discounts ranging from 10% to 50% off standard in-store walk-in rates. Booking early also guarantees that specific gear, such as splitboards, telemark gear, or safety transceivers, is reserved and prepped for your arrival.
Getting There and Nearby Ski Schools
You will find the shop at 79 Rue du Marquis in the centre of Courchevel 1650 (Moriond). It sits directly opposite the Hôtel Fahrenheit Seven and right next door to the Spar supermarket. From the shop door, it is an easy stroll of roughly two minutes to the main Moriond snow front and the Ariondaz gondola, which whisks you up into the wide, gentle bowls that make 1650 famous.
The main snow front is also where the ESF Courchevel 1650 ski school meets for morning and afternoon lessons. Having the rental shop so close to the gathering area makes family mornings painless, as you can collect your skis, walk straight across the flat road, and arrive at lesson flags with minutes to spare. If you are staying in Courchevel 1550 Village or 1850, free municipal shuttle buses stop nearby along the main road throughout the day.
Before You Go: Safety, Insurance, and Essentials
Before clipping into your skis, make sure you have the basics sorted for mountain safety. Helmets are strongly recommended for adults and should always be worn by children. Weather changes fast at high altitude, so bring good UV-blocking goggles, waterproof gloves, and breathable base layers.
If you plan to rent touring gear or splitboards to head beyond marked runs, always hire a mountain guide and check the day’s local avalanche bulletin before setting out. Always verify that your travel insurance or French ski pass includes mountain search, rescue, and repatriation coverage (such as Carré Neige). When evening comes, remember that the legal drinking age in France is 18; if you enjoy an après-ski drink in Moriond, use the free village shuttle buses or walk carefully on icy pavements rather than driving.
What recent visitors say
A quick, honest snapshot from recent Google reviews, so you know what to expect before you go.
What people liked
“Best ski shop in Courchevel. Super friendly staff, very helpful and welcoming. Great range of equipment, and ski storage. Easy access to the slopes via the nearby escalator, and to the neighbouring shops, bars and buses. Have been there…”
“We have been customers of this store for 20 years and have never been disappointed. The equipment is new and of high quality. All the staff are professional and friendly. Always good. See you next year.”
“Thanks to Adil and Badis for this discovery.”
What some found difficult
“The day before the end of the ski holidays I brought my skis to this shop for service. I was asked whether I would like the edges done, waxing or both. and I said that I want both. The next day, before leaving, I picked up the skis and…”
Reviews via Google Maps. Opinions are those of their authors.
Frequently asked questions
What time can I pick up my skis the day before my rental starts?
You can collect your rental equipment free of charge starting from 17:00 (5:00 PM) the evening before your rental period begins. This helps you avoid the morning counter queues and walk straight to the lifts the following day.
Can I leave my rental skis and boots at the shop overnight?
Yes, Francis Blanc Sport offers in-store overnight equipment storage (gardiennage). Your boots will be placed on heated drying racks so they are clean, warm, and ready for you the next morning.
What are the shop opening hours during the ski season?
The shop is open daily throughout the winter ski season from 08:30 to 19:00. During the winter high season, it remains open non-stop until 19:30.
Does Francis Blanc Sport rent off-piste and avalanche safety gear?
Yes, the shop rents ski touring gear, splitboards, and avalanche safety equipment packs with transceivers. Always remember to check the daily avalanche forecast and hire a qualified guide when heading off-piste.
Find it
Address: 79 Rue du Marquis, 73120 Courchevel, France
