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The Right Skis
The Right Skis
Having the perfect attitude and the required physical condition aren’t enough to make you an expert on skiing. Although those are essential, you’ll still need the help of the right skis and equipment before you can survive all types of slopes and courses.
The Different Types of Skis
Firstly, you’ll need to use the right type of skis for your intended sport.
Alpine Skis – Only people who have advanced knowledge of skiing or are already competing professionally should use Alpine skis. Because they’re extremely precise and speedy, Alpine skis don’t allow its owner to make many mistakes. They’re also exceptionally suitable for slopes and courses that require you to makes lots of turns.
Freeride Skis – Also like Alpine skis, Freeride skis are primarily intended for those who have mastered beyond the basics of skiing. Freeride skis are also better suited for tougher slopes or skiing courses where both the skier and his skis are expected to withstand various physical challenges. Freeride skis can also be used for powder skiing.
Telemark Skis – If you’re the type of skier who likes to go fast downhill, Telemark skis are just right for you. Telemark skis are also great for tour skiing. Bindings in this type of ski are only attached at the toes.
Cross Country Skis – As the name implies, this type of skis are best used for XC or cross-country skiing. They’re extremely slim and light to allow people greater freedom in movement. They resemble Telemark skis in appearance because their bindings are also attached only at the toes. Waxing is regularly required for cross-country skis to allow the skier to enjoy better and smoother movement.
Big Mountain Skis – Think of this simply as the Harley-Davidsons of skiing. Only the toughest and the best of skiers are able to use these skis effectively. These skis have a sturdy build to withstand all tests of nature.
How to Choose the Right Poles
When shopping for poles, there’s only one way for you to determine the right pair of poles for you, and that’s simply by understanding why you need them in the first place. Although poles won't necessarily affect how you ski, they will prove to be quite helpful when you’re still in a learning phase. Poles help you keep your balance and control your speed. You can start worrying about how cool or ugly your poles look after you’ve mastered the basics…but till then, just buy what will help you keep safe.
How to Choose the Right Boots
Skiing boots are almost as important as the skis themselves. While having the right skis will allow you to move better and more quickly, having the right skiing boots will allow you to move in comfort and ease.
Skiing boots must always fit snugly: they can’t be too tight or too lose. Secondly, they must have a sturdy and durable build; they must be tough enough to keep your ankles and feet in position. Your toes must also have sufficient space to move because you’ll be using this part of the body when you need to make turns. It’s better to own a pair of skiing boots than having to rent every time you need them, because there’s always a chance that you won’t find a perfect fit. When you try to tolerate an ill-fitting pair of skiing boots, this could lead to lots of complications, with blisters being the least of your problems and foot sprains and other foot-related disorders as the worst.
The Need for Waxing
Even if you’re not using cross-country skis, you’ll still need to wax your skis once in a while to keep them water-resistant. Neglecting this duty can lead to many accidents, accidents that could have obviously been avoided in the first place.
Since applying liquid wax to the bases of your skis is not a long-term solution, you should consider using hot wax instead.
As a last note of advice, always make sure that you store your skis and other skiing equipment properly during off-season. Keep them in a dry area, and make sure that your skis are properly waxed so they won’t get rusty.
Owning the right skiing equipment will definitely cost you money, but think of it as a useful investment because it’s also the one that will help keep you safe in times of crisis.
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