Skiing equipment

-the right skiing equipment makes a huge difference!

What you must know about skiing equipment

Having the right skiing equipment makes a great difference in your skiing pleasure, abilities and safety.  Skiing does involve a lot equipment and some of it play a direct role on how you ski.

Let’s have a look at all the different parts of skiing equipment from the bottom and up, as the is also how we interact with the snow.

Skiing equipment - skis

Having a ski that doesn’t fit your level and physique makes skiing a lot harder than it needs to be.  The top model of a certain brand isn’t necessarily the best choice for you.  The different ski brands usually have diferent product lines: a racing line, a freeskier line, a freestyle line, an all mountain line, a carving line etc. In the racing line the skis are developed for competitive ski racers who most likely have different objectives, ski technique and physique than you.  In that case, chosing the top of the line will not make you a better skier even though it is more expensive and a great ski for ski racing.  When picking a ski you should be honest to yourself about your skiing habits and your level to get a ski that fits for you.  This is what will help you become a better skier, not the price tag alone.

Skiing equipment – ski bindings

Bindings are important for your safety.  You need to have ski bindings that can be set properly for you, according to your weight and aggressiveness when skiing.  This is usually not a problem but be aware of it if you buy second hand.  Another thing to be aware of is those bindings which lift you half a inch from the ski.  While it makes sense that it is easier to carve and get on the edge when you are lifted, it also adds extra stress to your knees.  So don’t go for this option unless you really need it.  Recreational skiers do not need this.

Skiing equipment – ski boots

These can be your best friend or your worst enemy.  As with the skis don’t just go for the top model and believe that you will be better off.  Take your time trying it on for at least 15 minutes, doing skiing movements to see if you get sore spots.  Such spots will for sure only get worse when skiing, so ask if something can be done by the bootfitter to solve these problems.  If not, keep on trying boots till you get a pair you feel good in.  People often tend to chose a ski boot that is too big.  This will be a problem too, because sliding around in your ski boot – even just a tiny bit – can create skin rubs.  It is also harder to steer the ski with a boot that is too big.

Skiing equipment – in soles

This is properly the “most-value-for-your-money” part of your skiing equipment.  Having a personal sole made for you by a boot fitter will make a huge difference in te energy transfer from foot to ski – and not least – help you avoid cramps.  It is really simple to have made and not expensive at all.  If you rent your ski boots this is a must have.

Skiing equipment – clothes

Ski clothes are best when they are water proof and breatheable.  With regards to underwear, tight fitting works best in keeping you warm and it is more comfortable.  More, thinner layers are more convenient than one thick sweater.  This way you can always take off one layer if you get too warm.

Skiing equipment – ski poles

What kind of ski poles you have is not all that important as long as they are a good length for you.  This usually means that your elbows will be bent at 90 degrees when you hold your ski poles vertical, touching the ground.  If you like skiing moguls you should go for something a little shorter, like waist high.

Skiing equipment – gloves

You have to have a decent pair of gloves.  That usually means leather gloves.  If you don’t dry them directly on the heater and you grease them once in a while so they stay soft, then they will last for years.

Skiing equipment – goggles

Don’t even try to ski without eyewear.  Sunglasses will do on a sunny day and if you don’t go so fast, bu the ideal is a good pair of goggles.  You need a pair that is ventilated, and anti-fog.  If you wear a helmet, you need to have goggles that are designed for helmets.  The best is to get a polarized lens to protect your eyes from the sun rays – even on a cloudy day.

Skiing equipment - helmet

Wearing a helmet when skiing is becoming main stream.  And for a good reason.  A helmet will prevent most concussions and even worse injuries.  Ski helmets are not very heavy and they will not bother you when skiing – unless you go for a sun tan.

You can also get lots of other good stuff like:

• glove warmers to keep your hands warm
• camelbaks to fill with water, so that you can stay hydrated
• skiing backpacks for carry-ons
• avalanche beeper
• avalanche air bags etc.

However, the items mentioned above are the most important parts of your skiing equipment.