Bluebird Mountain Sports FAQs

Answers about rentals, bootfitting, tuning, online orders, and our three local shops.
This page answers the questions we hear most often about ski and snowboard rentals, bootfitting, tuning and repairs, shopping with us online, and visiting our shops. Bluebird Mountain Sports is independent and family-owned, with shops in Angel Fire and Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Salida, Colorado. Search below or choose a topic to jump to a section. For anything urgent, same-day, or specific to one shop, call that shop directly rather than using the contact form.

Do I need to reserve ski or snowboard rentals?

Walk-ins are welcome, but we recommend reserving. Booking online takes 10% off the regular rate and requires no deposit. During Christmas break and spring break, we run short on equipment, and a reservation is what guarantees you'll have it. Reserve rentals online

How should families and groups make rental reservations?

Book the way you plan to pay. If five families of four are paying separately, each family should make its own reservation, because splitting one payment at the counter takes time. Reserve everyone in your party before you arrive when you can.

How do I change or cancel a rental reservation?

We ask for 24 hours' notice so the equipment can go to someone else. You can cancel by calling the shop or through your online account. Since we take no deposit, there's nothing to lose. For same-day or imminent changes, call the shop directly.

When can I pick up my rental equipment?

Pickup for the following day normally begins at 2 PM. Collecting equipment then does not add another rental day. During Christmas break and spring break we open pickup as soon as that day's reservations are set up, often around noon or 1 PM. Call your shop for current times.

When and where should I return my rental equipment?

Return equipment before closing on your final ski day, or before 10 AM the next morning. Returning before 10 AM means no additional rental day is charged. Check your shop's page for current hours before you head over.

What happens if I return equipment early or need it longer?

We don't charge anything until equipment comes back. Return early and we take off the unused days and bill only for the days you had it. To keep equipment longer, just hold onto it. If it's more than a day or two, we may call to confirm, or you can call us.

What comes with a rental, and can I rent individual items?

Ski packages come with skis, boots, and poles; snowboard packages with a board, bindings, and boots. Helmets are included in Salida packages, but we rent them separately in Angel Fire and Santa Fe. Boots, helmets, and snowshoes can all be rented on their own. Packages and prices differ by shop. Angel Fire rentals, Santa Fe rentals, Salida rentals, Taos Ski Valley rentals

Can I demo skis or a snowboard before buying?

Yes. Demo packages put current-season skis and boards underfoot for the day, which is a practical way to try a model before committing to it. Demo inventory and pricing vary by shop, so check your location's rental page or call ahead.

Can I use my own boots, skis, or snowboard with rented equipment?

Bring your equipment to the shop so a technician can check compatibility and make any adjustments needed. Worn, older, or unsupported equipment may not be serviceable. If your setup is unusual or more than a few seasons old, call before you visit.

Does every renter need to come to the shop?

Yes. Each person renting, children included, should come in so we can size boots and set equipment up correctly. Children grow between seasons, and a boot that fit last winter usually doesn't fit this one.

Is damage insurance included with daily rentals?

Yes, damage insurance comes with every daily rental package at no extra cost, so there's no separate waiver to buy at the counter.

Does Bluebird offer season rentals?

Yes, arranged in store. They suit families with growing children, since ski, snowboard, and boot sizes can be exchanged through the season, subject to availability. Helmets, jackets, and pants aren't included. Contact your shop for current dates, pricing, and availability. Reserve ski or snowboard rentals
Reserve by location, save 10%, and avoid peak-period equipment shortages.

Do I need an appointment for bootfitting?

Online booking availability varies by season and shop location. Choose your nearest shop above to view direct booking or contact options.

How long does a bootfitting appointment take?

Approximately 1.5 hours.

What should I bring to my appointment?

Bring thin ski or snowboard socks, the boots and liners you want us to evaluate, and any custom footbeds or orthotics you currently use.

Do you fit both ski and snowboard boots?

Yes. Our fitters work with both ski and snowboard boots, offering new boot fittings, custom footbeds, shell modifications, and liner heat molding for both sports.

How do I know whether I need new boots or an adjustment?

Book a consultation. A fitter will inspect your boots, liners, and foot shape to let you know whether an adjustment, custom footbed, liner service, or new boot is the best choice.

What does Bluebird Mountain Sports’ two-year fit guarantee include?

When you purchase new boots and a custom footbed from Bluebird Mountain Sports, all necessary liner tweaks and shell modifications are covered free of charge for two full years.

What ski and snowboard services does Bluebird offer?

We're a full-service shop. Tunes run from a hot wax at $30 to a full tune at $75, with edge sharpening, base grinds, and base repair in between. We also handle ski binding mounting and function testing, snowboard binding adjustment, and core shot repair. Not every specialized repair can be completed at every shop. See current tuning and repair prices

How long does a ski or snowboard tune take?

For most services, your equipment is ready by 5 PM the day after you drop it off. Turnaround depends on how busy the shop is and what the work involves. If you're skiing on a particular day, call the shop before dropping off so we can confirm.

How long do core shots, base patches, and edge repairs take?

These usually need two to three days rather than the standard next-day turnaround, because they require inspection first. For core shot repair we give you an estimate before any work is done, since pricing depends on how severe the damage is. Not all damage can be repaired.

How much does binding mounting cost?

A ski binding mount or remount is $90, which includes drilling or assembly, setup for the specific skier, and a full binding inspection. Buy any new boot, binding, ski, or board from us and we'll mount your bindings free. Snowboard binding adjustment is $20.

How do I know if Bluebird Mountain Sports can work on my particular bindings or equipment?

It depends on the model, age, condition, and compatibility of your bindings, and on technician authorization. Our certified technicians mount Alpine and Alpine Touring ski bindings. Call the shop with the brand, model, and approximate age and we'll tell you before you drive over. View tuning, repair, and binding services

What is Bluebird's return policy?

Unused, full-price items can be returned within 30 days for a refund or exchange. Discounted items and used equipment aren't eligible. We'd rather get you into the right equipment the first time, so tell us what didn't work and we'll do better next time.

How do I start an online return?

Call our online-order team at (505) 570-3113 for authorization before shipping anything back, since unauthorized returns can't be processed. Have your order number and the item details ready. If we're offering a free return on your item, we'll provide a shipping label.

How long do online orders take to process and ship?

Orders ship from whichever of our shops has your item, in Santa Fe, Angel Fire, or Salida. We ship by UPS within the United States and its territories, and provide tracking when it's available. Delivery time varies with your destination, the season, and the shipping method you choose.

Read the complete shipping and returns policy
Call online-order support at (505) 570-3113

Where are Bluebird's shops, and when are they open?

We have three shops: Angel Fire and Santa Fe in New Mexico, and Salida in Colorado. All three are open 7:30 AM to 6 PM daily during the ski season. Off-season hours vary, so check the location page or call the shop before you drive over. Angel Fire, Santa Fe, Salida, Taos

Are you the same shop as Ski Tech or Shavano Ski Shop?

Yes, Angel Fire and Santa Fe traded as Ski Tech, and Salida as Shavano Ski Shop. Current ownership bought Santa Fe in 2018; Angel Fire in 2019, and Salida in 2021. We're still independent and family owned, and we don't mind if you use the old names.

Which Bluebird team should I contact?

Call the shop for rental reservations, local stock, bootfitting, tuning, repair status, and anything same-day. Call (505) 570-3113 for online orders. For questions that aren't urgent, use the contact form and choose the relevant shop so it reaches the right team. Contact Bluebird Mountain Sports

Still have questions?

If you need an answer today, or your question is about one particular shop,
calling that shop directly is the fastest route. For anything else, send us a
message and we'll get it to the right team.

Send us a message