Ski and snowboard hire shop

Holidaymakers, day-trippers, beginners, school and youth groups, and local skiers who don't want to buy kit.

Hire fees per day or week, with extras such as helmets, lessons partnerships, kit storage and boot drying. Income depends heavily on the season and snow.

• Customer service and fitting people with the right kit
• Basic equipment maintenance and tuning
• Stock tracking and booking organisation

• Ski areas often run their own hire, so check whether you'd compete with them or need their permission
• Public liability and product liability insurance, and whether your cover includes adjusting bindings
• Binding checks and adjustments need proper training and equipment, so check what is expected before you offer them
• Business rates, lease terms and seasonal rent
• Snow is unreliable in the UK, so plan for quiet weeks and cash flow
• Boots and helmets need cleaning between hires

Startup costs are estimates, typically around £15,000 to £60,000, depending on your premises, how much kit you buy and your lease terms. Seasonal rent and business rates are worth checking before you commit.

Monthly revenue is an estimate, typically around £2,500 to £12,000, depending on your location, the season and how much snow falls. Snow is unreliable in the UK, so plan for quiet weeks and cash flow.

Check whether the nearby ski area runs its own hire or needs to give permission. Also check public liability and product liability insurance, what training is expected for binding checks and adjustments, and your business rates and lease terms.