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Ski Gear

Gear Up
Before renting or purchasing equipment, ask yourself a few questions: How much do you think you'll be skiing? Will you be skiing only on a vacation or also near where you live? Determining your projected commitment level will help you decide whether to rent, lease or buy equipment.

Your equipment options include:

  • Renting equipment at your local ski shop or at the ski resort. You can rent equipment by the day or week. This is often recommended for first-time skiers. (Note: Some ski shops will apply the price of rentals toward purchasing new equipment.)
  • Leasing equipment for an entire season. Some ski shops offer this service and it can especially make sense for children who quickly out-grow gear.
  • Buying used equipment at a local ski shop or ski swap. Stay away from garage sales and be careful at ski swaps because you may wind up with gear that is outdated and inappropriate.
  • Buying new equipment. You might want to consider a package deal that offers a discount when you buy skis, boots, bindings and poles together.
  • Ultimately, owning your equipment allows you continuity as you progress through skiing's learning stages and can also save you time and money in the long run.

In general, alpine skis are made of a wooden core wrapped in fiberglass and coated in a fiberglass or plastic cap with metal edges. All skis do not perform the same; a number of things influence the performance of a ski, including combination of materials, stiffness, length, weight and sidecut, which refers to the narrowness of the waist, or middle part of the ski, in relation to the wider tip and tail.

"Shaped skis" are the newest type of skis available. Also known as super-sidecut and hourglass skis, these skis have narrow waists and wide tips and tails. These skis are designed for use in shorter lengths than traditional models and make it easier to carve turns and stop.

"Fat skis" are designed for skiing powder and chopped-up snow. They tend to be wider and have less sidecut than shaped skis.

There are a number of different styles of boots, but the most important thing is that the boots are comfortable and fit your feet.

Bindings hold your boots to the skis and are designed to release when you need them to during a fall. Many bindings also have vibration-reducing features that allow you to ski more smoothly. Your ability and weight will determine the binding you choose.

Poles are used to help you with your balance and rhythm while skiing. Poles can be made from fiberglass, aluminum, graphite or some combination of these materials.

Measure up
Skis are measured in centimeters (cm). Your ski length will depend on your ability, height and weight. A shop employee will help you decide on the appropriate length.

Ski boots come in traditional American sizes and also "mondo point," which is simply the length of the boot in centimeters.

  • When trying on boots, wear one pair of medium-weight or light-weight socks. The fit should be snug and your heel should remain in place when you flex your knee and ankle forward into the boot.
  • Your toes should barely touch the inside of the boot and then, when you bend your knee forward, your toes should slide back slightly.
  • Make sure there aren't any pressure points or spots that pinch your feet and legs.
  • Remember, the boots will stiffen in the cold.
  • The retention setting on bindings are measured in "DIN," which stands for Deutsche Industrie Norm. In general, the higher your weight and skiing ability, the higher the DIN setting. Have a ski shop technician determine and set your DIN for you.
  • Poles are measured in inches.
 
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