Pack Light, Adventure Big: Hotels Erase Winter Travel Headaches

BOSTON, MA and THE WOODLANDS, TX – January 13, 2026 – Winter travel is getting a major upgrade as Benchmark Resorts & Hotels today announced a landmark partnership with outdoor rental service Kit Lender, effectively eliminating one of the biggest headaches for skiers and snow lovers: packing. The collaboration will provide guests at five of its premier winter destinations with premium outdoor apparel delivered directly to their resort, paired with curated local adventures.

This initiative tackles the long-standing friction point of lugging bulky jackets, snow pants, and gear through airports, only to face steep airline baggage fees. By integrating a high-end rental service directly into the vacation experience, the partnership signals a broader shift in the hospitality industry towards providing comprehensive, hassle-free services that extend far beyond the hotel room.

The End of the Bulky Bag Era

For many, the dream of a pristine winter getaway is often dampened by the logistical nightmare of packing. Transporting ski and snowboard equipment can be a costly and cumbersome affair. Major airlines often charge upwards of $30-$40 for a standard checked bag, with fees for overweight or oversized items—a category that ski bags frequently fall into—potentially reaching $200 per bag each way. This partnership aims to make those fees and frustrations a thing of the past.

The new program offers a remarkably seamless process. After booking a stay at a participating resort, guests are contacted by a dedicated Benchmark Resorts & Hotels Adventure Concierge. This specialist assists with selecting a complete, customized kit of winter apparel from leading brands like Patagonia, Spyder, and Burton. The gear, perfectly sized and suited for the destination's climate, is delivered and waiting in the guest's room upon arrival. At the end of the trip, travelers simply leave the rented items with the front desk for a hassle-free return.

"Creating unique ways for our guests to explore our incredible destinations is a core value of Benchmark Resorts & Hotels," said Evan Crawford, vice president of marketing for the collection. "Our new partnership with Kit Lender is making it easier for our guests to do just that, while also transforming one of the pain points of travel – packing and lugging heavy suitcases – into an opportunity for ease and discovery. When you visit one of our participating resorts this winter, you can simply arrive, gear up, and get on to doing what you came for."

This 'pack less, explore more' model allows travelers to focus on the experience itself, whether they are seasoned winter athletes or first-time snowshoers, without the upfront investment or travel burden of owning specialized gear.

Beyond the Room: Hospitality's New Experiential Frontier

This collaboration represents more than just convenience; it marks an evolution in hotel service, positioning properties as all-encompassing facilitators of travel experiences. By moving beyond accommodation to solve travel-related problems, Benchmark is tapping into the growing demand for personalized, frictionless journeys.

The role of the Adventure Concierge is central to this elevated service. It functions as more than a typical booking agent, acting as a personal guide to the entire adventure. The concierge not only coordinates the apparel rental but also helps guests navigate expertly crafted itineraries designed by local resort teams. These are not generic suggestions but authentic, destination-specific experiences, such as:

• A moonlight snowshoe trek followed by a bonfire in Bend, Oregon, near Riverhouse Lodge.
• Classic downhill skiing at one of North America's most iconic resorts in Vail, Colorado, with a stay at Tivoli Lodge.
• A magical horse-drawn sleigh ride to a Viking Yurt for dinner in Park City, Utah, available to guests at Black Rock Mountain Resort.
• Quiet, contemplative winter hikes through the serene landscapes of Manchester, Vermont, accessible from The Equinox Golf Resort & Spa.
• Adrenaline-pumping snowmobiling through the Sierra Nevada backcountry in South Lake Tahoe, California, near Forest Suites Resort.

"Benchmark guests value premium service and a frictionless travel experience, which is exactly what Kit Lender was built to deliver," noted Forrest Shinners, CEO of Kit Lender. "Together, we're enabling travelers to arrive light by providing premium outdoor apparel with a concierge-style experience, elevating winter vacations from the moment guests check in."

This integrated approach, combining luxury lodging with curated activities and the necessary high-performance gear, sets a new benchmark for what travelers can expect from a resort stay.

The Sustainable Adventure: Renting Over Buying

Beyond the immediate benefits of convenience and cost savings, the partnership also taps into the powerful and growing trend of the rental and circular economies. For many travelers, purchasing high-end winter gear from brands like Burton, where a single jacket can cost over $500, is an impractical investment for a vacation taken once or twice a year. This is especially true for families with growing children who quickly outsize expensive apparel.

The rental model provides a sustainable and economically sound alternative. It reduces consumer waste by maximizing the life cycle of high-quality garments and prevents closets from being filled with once-worn specialty items. By choosing to rent, travelers can access top-tier, technically advanced apparel without the long-term commitment, environmental footprint, or financial outlay of ownership.

This 'access-over-ownership' mindset is reshaping consumer behavior across numerous sectors, and its application in travel is a natural fit. It democratizes adventure, allowing novices to try new winter sports with professional-grade equipment without the intimidating upfront cost. For the environmentally conscious traveler, it offers a way to enjoy the outdoors with a lighter impact, aligning their vacation choices with their values.

The program, available from January 13 through the end of the winter season at each destination, is offered through exclusive packages that bundle a 4-night stay with a 3-day Kit Lender rental and the curated itinerary. For greater flexibility, guests can also book Kit Lender apparel à la carte as an add-on to their stay. By merging convenience, experience, and sustainability, this forward-thinking collaboration may very well pave the way for a new industry standard in adventure travel.