Skiing is more than just a popular winter recreational activity. Residents of Nordic and Scandinavian countries use skis as a form of transport during their harsh and long winters while arctic explorers often have to resort to skis to travel the otherwise impassable frozen wastelands of the North and South poles. Although it is unlikely you will ever encounter the extremes of weather found at the poles, choosing the right gear for skiing can make your winter experience much more enjoyable.
Skis, Binding And Boots
The most essential part of any skiing excursion, skis come in a variety of styles to suit your skiing ability, the type of skiing you want to do and the quality of the snow on which you are going to ski. Alpine skis use heel and toe bindings to hold your ski boot flat on the ski whereas Nordic or telemark skis use toe-only bindings so that your heel can lift. Alpine boots are normally very rigid and made of plastic with a foam liner for warmth and comfort but telemark boots are much more flexible so that your ankle can bend as you lift your heel. Keep the edges of your skis sharp for optimum performance when carving turns and waxed for speed.
Ski Goggles
Ski goggles provide your eyes with two levels of protection. They help to shield your eyes from sunlight. Sunlight reflects off the snow and also is much brighter in the rarefied atmosphere of high altitude. Exposure to bright sunlight is not just uncomfortable; the ultraviolet or UV radiation in the sunlight can damage your eyes. Ski goggle also protect your eyes from ice chips, loose snow, tree branches and icy winds. If you prefer, you can wear sunglasses instead of ski goggles but sun glasses do not offer the same degree of protection as goggles, especially if you should suffer a fall.
Clothing
The cold weather of most ski resorts, combined with the energetic activity of skiing means that you need clothes that can be easily vented so you can keep cool while skiing but stay warm when riding the lifts back to the top. The best way to dress for skiing is in layers. Wearing layers means that you can easily regulate your body temperature.
When choosing skiing clothing, the layers closest to your skin should be made of a wicking material to draw moisture away from your skin while the outer layers should be water and windproof. Some people prefer all in one ski suits while others prefer a jacket and trouser combination. A warm hat that covers your ears is a useful addition to your skiing wardrobe and gloves are important for warmth and hand protection in the case of a fall.
Helmets
Helmet technology has improved dramatically since 1990. Skiing helmets used to be large, heavy and very uncomfortable and, subsequently, only used in competition. Modern helmets are light, more streamlined and are are available in a variety of colors and styles. While a skiing helmet is not usually compulsory for recreational skiers, wearing one could be the difference between a minor fall and a serious head injury. Skiing helmets are especially important for beginners and children as both groups are more likely to experience falls when skiing.
Ski Poles
Ski poles help with balance on descents and can be used to push you along on the flat or when going up hill. Make sure your ski pole is the correct length by turning it upside down and, with the end of the handle on the floor, hold the point. With the pole in this position, your elbow should be bent to 90 degrees. Ski poles usually have webbing loops attached to the handles so that you can't drop them.
Safety Gear
A number of pieces of equipment may be useful when trying to make your skiing experience as safe as possible. First aid kits, folding snow shovels, snow depth probes, avalanche detectors and personal locator beacons can all help turn a major disaster into an exciting après-ski anecdote. Skiing safety gear is especially important if you are going to go off the prepared piste.
References
- "Skiing for Dummies"; Allen St. John; 1999
- "The Essential Guide to Skiing: 201 Things Every Skier Must Know"; Ron LeMaster; 2004
- National Snow and Ice date Centre: Avalanche Awareness
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