Not everyone would agree with humorist P.J. O'Rourke's sentiment that skiing "consists of wearing three thousand dollars' worth of clothes and equipment and driving two hundred miles in the snow in order to stand around at a bar and get drunk." Most alpine, or downhill, skiers take their sport seriously and, while it might not cost $3,000 to outfit yourself to hit the slopes, you will need some basic gear.
Skis
You won't be able to hit the slopes without skis. In general, alpine skis used at ski areas and resorts are heavier and longer than those used for backcountry touring. Depending on your needs, you should look for skis that have a softer flex for soft snow and a more rigid flex for groomed or packed snow. According to the Sierra Club, all skis should have good "torsional rigidity" for edging. Your skis should also be made of quality materials that can withstand whatever wear and tear you can dish out.
Ski Bindings
Bindings allow your skis to detach from your ski boots during heavy falls, and, according to the website ABC of Skiing, as far as safety is concerned, they are the most important piece of ski equipment. A study published in the "Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine" in 2008 found that modern carving skis help reduce overall knee injuries by 9 percent but that women especially could further reduce injuries with newly adjusted bindings.
Ski Boots
Reinforced plastic ski boots are built to snap into your bindings. The difference between traditional alpine boots and touring boots is the addition of a lug sole in the latter, which usually causes a slight decrease in downhill performance according to the Sierra Club. The fit of downhill boots is of utmost importance; a ski shop can help you with adjustments.
Ski Poles
Recreational skiers usually use a straight pole on the mountain. Make sure your poles are fitted based on your height. Slalom racers generally use straight poles with plastic guards to protect their knuckles while downhill and super-G skiers use aerodynamic curved poles to minimize air resistance.
Ski Goggles
Ski goggles provide better contrast than sunglasses while improving visibility and protecting your eyes from snow glare. Purchase them for comfort over style.
Clothing
The city of Caspar, Wyoming, located in the heart of the West's ski country, recommends buying quality ski clothing that is both water and wind resistant with flaps to shield zippers, snug-fitting cuffs around the wrists and ankles, and drawstrings to block the wind. You should also dress in layers, such as a turtleneck, sweater and jacket, to accommodate changing weather and body temperatures. Be sure to pack gloves or mittens, a hat, and sunblock as well so that your day on the slopes doesn't end up as a day in the bar!
References
- ABC-of-Skiing: Alpine Skiing--Equipment
- Sierra Club--Angeles Chapter: Backcountry Ski Equipment
- Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine: Effects of Modern Ski Equipment on the Overall Injury Rate and the Pattern of Injury Location in Alpine Skiing
- City of Caspar, Wyoming: Ski and Snowboarding Tips
- Quote Garden: Quotations About Skiing
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