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Choosing the right ski equipment can be quite tricky. There’s so much choice and you may not even know where to start, let alone where to finish! To help you out, Glisshop have developed a few key guidelines for choosing the best equipment to ensure you have the best time on the mountain this winter.
1. Which skis or snowboard?
The first thing that comes to mind when you’re about to purchase your gear is obviously the skis, or the board. While some people do prefer renting, many would rather have their own gear. You’ll get used to it and you won’t need to re-adjust your skills to suit each new board or skis you rent. Nowadays, manufacturers build progressive products that are also very durable so you can keep them for years before you outgrow them.
Choosing the right skis or the right snowboard can be pretty easy but it needs to be done carefully. Make a rushed decision and you’ll end up with something that doesn’t match your needs or skills.
First, you need to define your ability level. From early beginner to pro, you need to be able to know where you fit in terms of ability. Then, define your riding style. Do you intend to ski mainly on piste? Do you ride on powder as often as possible? Or, do you spend the day practicing your tricks in the park? Defining your style will help you decide what sort of gear you need. Freeride, freestyle, all-mountain, there are plenty of options available, one of which is sure to make you happy.
Once you’ve defined your ability level and riding style, you can get down to defining which length of snowboard or skis you need. Generally speaking, long boards or skis can ride faster and offer more stability, however they are more difficult to manage. Shorter gear is far more playful but less versatile and won’t perform on soft snow as well as a powder-specific ski or snowboard.
To find out more on the topic, check out our snowboard buyer’s guide or head to the ski corner at Glisshop!
2. Which boots for your feet?
This is another important matter. You can have the best skis ever, but if you’ve got the wrong boots, they can ruin your day and/or your season. Ski or snowboard boots are what connects the rider to the gear. They need to be comfortable and meet the rider’s expectations in terms of performance. For example, a freestyler wants something flexy and cushy while a freerider needs stiffness, response and precision.
You also need to choose your boots according to your specific foot shape. Some skiers have wide feet while others’ feet are much narrower. You need to pick the ‘boot last’ or ‘forefoot width’ accordingly. A 97mm fit is great for narrow feet or for racers looking for response and precision. A 106mm boot is best suited for wide feet or for skiers focusing on comfort rather than performance.
There are tons of other features available on boots. Some ski boots come with a ski/walk system allowing rider to walk or hike easily when needed, while snowboard boots have various closure systems like the Boa or the Speed Lacing systems. Some boots are padded with faux-fur, others mould to your feet with heat – the options are endless.
We recommend to define your basic needs (flex, width, size) and get the optional features that best fit your budget.
3. Ride safe!
Having the right gear is one thing, but it won’t protect you from injuries; accessories will. Ripping slopes, groomed or not, can be dangerous. Speed, technique, other skiers, obstacles, you’re never totally safe from an incident. This is why we strongly recommend to wear protective accessories.
They are far more important than you think and while maybe a few years ago you could complain they were ruining your style, this is not the case anymore. Manufacturers have worked on their innovation and design in order to create protective gear that is also fashionable. From helmets and airbags through to goggles, back protectors and transceivers, every accessory has its role. The helmet will protect you from shocks and impacts and goggles will protect your eyes from the harmful sunrays. An avalanche transceiver will help you find your friends if they get buried in an avalanche, while an airbag will help you stay afloat if you’re the one that gets caught by the avalanche.
There are plenty of accessories available, each usually geared to a certain type of riding. If you never ride off piste, it may not be totally necessary to buy a full avalanche setup. Or, if you never hit the snow park, shorts protectors might not be the most useful accessory.
However, wearing a helmet and goggles should be compulsory and we are happy to help you choose the right one at Glisshop!
