Skiing With Bad Equipment? You're Gonna Have a Bad Time!
Skiing is one of the more rewarding and exciting hobbies that a person can enjoy. From beginner to expert, the thrill of skiing is felt throughout each person. There’s a caveat however. If you don’t use the right equipment, then your ski experience is going to become incredibly diminished.
This is where things can get complicated. Different skiing needs different equipment. If you find yourself in the wrong situation with the wrong stuff, you’re not going to have a good time. In fact, since there’s a risk element involved, the wrong equipment can mean a serious injury. Before hitting the hills, it’s good to make sure that you have all the equipment on this list. From there, hit the slopes and enjoy yourself.
1 - Skis and Bindings
Arguably the most important part of skiing equipment is the skis themselves. There are several varieties including racing style, freestyle skis, freeride style, carving skis, mountain skis, powder skis and more! Differences will be there in the length, width and shape of the skis. Consider what type of skiing you want to do before you buy. Renting is a great way to try out different styles before a purchase. Carving skis can be especially fun if you really enjoy making sharp exciting turns while coming down the hill.
2 - Poles
Poles are crucial to keeping your balance and control during sharp turns and many other skiing maneuvers. Poles should be strong, but lightweight. The key with poles is to get the right size. If they are too small or too tall, then you’ll be uncomfortable and forced into odd positions while attempting to ski.
3 - Ski Boots
Novices who don’t ski often think of the ski and boot as a single item. They may not realize what an important part the boot plays in the skiing experience. Boots serve several purposes. They are intended to keep feet warm and dry. They are also stiff to provide physical impact protection during a potential crash. Finally, a good ski boot will detach so that the legs and feet aren’t twisted in dangerous ways during a skiing wipeout.
4 - Helmets
These are especially important for someone who is just starting out with skiing. While they aren’t technically necessary, there’s a reason pros are wearing ski helmets. As you learn to ski, you will fall down at times. It’s impossible to avoid. Ski helmets are designed to protect your head. In addition, they can also give some additional warmth when worn over a tight winter hat.
5 - Ski Jackets and Pants
Performing any physical activity out in the snow is risky. The body heats up, so any snow that gets inside can turn to water and become a problem. Ski jackets and pants keep out as much snow and water as possible. They aren’t the only thing that needs to be worn though. Wearing layers under a ski jacket provides much more warmth than the jacket and a single garment.
6 - Ski Gloves
A good pair of ski gloves is necessary. Ski gloves need to provide warmth, but also need to be flexible. An important part of skiing is properly using the poles and you can’t do that without good manipulation of your fingers on the poles themselves. These need to be insulated and protect against the wind, since you’ll be skiing at good speed.
7 - Ski Goggles
The amount of light out on the slopes can be rather blinding. Fresh snow reflects sunlight and can produce a lot of glare. This can be distracting and dangerous. Ski goggles should work in tandem with a helmet. If you’re renting, then make sure to rent the two things together. If you’ve bought your own items, the same should be true. Make sure the goggles and helmet are compatible.
