Although many skiers rent their
equipment at the same center in which they ski, many other skiers
start to acquire their equipment and accessories before the season
begins. Whichever you are, and whether you want to buy or rent equipment,
here is some advice for the type of equipment you need.
Skis | Bindings
| Boots | Poles
| Accessories | Clothes
Skis
The skier’s first and most essential tool is
the ski itself. Although the straight traditional skis are still available
in stores, nowadays the parabolic skis are much more common. After
choosing a brand and a style according to your personality, ability
and budget, you then need to choose the right flexibility of ski according
to the type of skiing you want to do, for example, cross-country,
race or simply recreational etc.
After flexibility, you need to choose the right length of the ski,
according to your height and weight, the type of skiing you want
to practice and your ability. Generally, short skis allow you to
turn easier, and are especially useful in situations where you need
to make fast and easy turns (bumps, deep snow); nevertheless, they
are less stable at high speeds, therefore they are not advisable
for skiers under intermediate level. One of the main mistakes inexperienced
buyers make is purchasing skis which are too long and which are
used for reaching high speeds and generating wider turns. These
are only advisable for more experienced skiers.
Bindings
Bindings connect the boot safely to the ski, whilst allowing the
release of the boot in a fall. If you're unsure of which bolt to
use, a salesman or experienced skier can recommend the one that
will fit your budget and needs.
If you ski only once or twice a year, and take part in mostly conventional,
recreational skiing, it is not necessary to spend a fortune in bolts.
Obviously, you need to have a safe bolt, but they will not effect
you or your performance until you get to a much more experienced
level.
Boots
A good or bad boot may make all the difference
to an intermediate skier, and a boot that fits badly may become
a real nightmare. One of the most common problems linked to the
ski boots is bad adjustment. When you buy your boots, make sure
that you have an experienced salesman who knows his products well.
Boots come in many shapes or sizes, they
can be wide, narrow, rigid, smooth, etc, but the most important
thing is that they fit well. When you try your boots on, remember
to adjust the boot to your foot. It is normal to make four or five
adjustments to the bootstrap before they feel correct and you are
able to wear them for the rest of the day.
Boots are made up of two parts: the cover
and the inner boot. The cover consists of a hard plastic with straps,
while the inner boot is where your foot rests. Both parts separate
easily. When buying boots, it is advisable to carry out the 'test
of two fingers', where you remove the inner boot, put your foot
in the outer cover and check whether there is a space of two fingers
between your heel and the back of the boot cover.
Poles
There are many types of pole: lighter, heavier,
more flexible, more rigid, for racing, etc. But
when choosing, it is very important to keep in mind your comfort
and needs.
The size of the pole in relation to the skier
is important. When
choosing your poles, you must take them by the handle and check
that your forearm is located in a right angle parallel to the floor.
Accessories
Glasses and goggles are extremely important
when skiing. As you spend more time on the tracks, you realize
that the better you see, the better you ski. When our vision is
not optimal, we tend to back off and ski timidly. Glasses protect
our eyes from the sun's UV rays, which we receive directly from
the sun or reflected from the snow. That’s why it is important to
have good quality glasses which provide 100% UV protection. Try
to buy those which give you a high visibility level and contrast
for cloudy days.
On snowy days it is advisable to wear goggles,
because they are more protective against the snow and the wind.
Goggles are more comfortable because they fit the head more snugly
and are not so easily dropped or lost in falls.
Clothes
A good overcoat or anorak is essential. Those
with thermal properties or which are waterproof, will make your
skiing experience a lot more pleasant.
Covering the head is also important. We lose
about a third of our heat through this part of our body, which is
important on a cold day. A band to keep the ears warm is also a
good idea for the beginning of the season or in spring, but when
it gets even colder, you will want a hat which covers your ears.
|
|
|
Español
