Catering Equipment:
You are planning to spend a wonderful vacation at a ski resort for the very
first time. However, you haven?t a clue about what equipment you
should take along, other than skis and warm clothing! This article
aims to give you information about the basic ski equipment you will
need. Of course, it is up to the reader to check out the equipment
that is purchased, its safety features, price, and other aspects.
Also, this article is not endorsing any of the products mentioned.
Types of Skis ? Skis are generally made of aluminum or
fiberglass:
Randon?e: Equipment that is used for steep slopes
is known as randon?e equipment. Your heel can be fixed to the ski
with a binding that gives balance when you ski down a slope and
it is released when climbing back up the slope. For the binding,
there are ski crampons that are removable. Such equipment is generally
light and can be easily carried.
Nordic: The skis are generally used for skiing
up and down slopes without making changes in the binding. The most
basic Nordic ski is narrow and light. The wider ones are
Telemark skis, named after Sondre Norheim of Telemark, Norway. They are designed with edges to enable the skier to make a turn easily. The ski binding is at the toe-end.
Alpine: The skis are designed for speed and making
easy turns. At both, the toe and heel ends, there is a binding to
keep your foot firmly attached to the ski. If you are going too
fast, you can use the ?safety release?, which is a major plus point
in its favor. However, an alpine ski tends to be heavy in weight
which makes it difficult to carry back uphill.
Tips for Buying Skis :
Each of the above skis are specifically designed for different forms of skiing,
so it is advisable to check out the place where you will be skiing
? on powdery snow, on crusted snow, cross-country trails, etc. For
more information on the different types of snow:
Purchase equipment that is in accordance with your level of skills. If you
are a beginner, for example, do not buy fancy equipment that has
been designed for racing.
Experts advise women to buy skis that are specifically designed for them.
It has been found that women are prone to lean backwards more than
men and since they generally have lighter bodies, the skis are designed
to be light. Also, the ski binding is placed towards the front.
Buy a pair of skis that are of the correct length for you, depending also
on your body weight.
Other than skis here is a list of Ski
Equipment:
For your feet: Ski boots should not necessarily be light ? what is important
is that they should give you easy control of your skis. The buckles
of the boots should be the type that can be easily closed and opened
with gloved hands. Also, fit the boots with liners to provide additional
warmth. These liners can be custom fit according to your feet length
and width. Experts also advise using aluminum boot crampons for
climbing up steep slopes.
You should also wear thick socks to give you a snug fit and prevent blisters from developing. Hence, buy socks that give good insulation and at the same time allow your feet to ?breathe?.
For your balance: Ski poles are a major part of your equipment. They are your
extra ?hands? that help you whiz down the slopes and maintain your
balance. Purchase a pair of poles that can be adjusted in length
each time you go down and return uphill.
For your Hands: Avoid buying leather gloves ? these are practically useless
for skiing. It is best to buy gloves that are made of fleece-lined
and are well insulated. They should be properly padded to shield
your hands from a bad impact. They should also be waterproof. The
gloves should be soft and enable you to grip your ski poles or shovel.
For your Head: Covering your head is essential to prevent exposure to the
cold climate. Purchase a beanie to cover head and ears, as well
as a ski helmet for safety.
For your Eyes: Ski goggles not only protect your eyes from the harsh rays
of the sun, but also prevent snow and ice from hitting your eyes.
For your Body: Ski attire generally comprises of 3 layers. The innermost layer
against your skin should be covered with thermal underwear. Its
purpose is to ?move? all dampness to the second layer of clothing,
thereby keeping you dry and warm. It should be long and light. The
second layer should be a sweater made of wool or fleece. The uppermost
layer should be a ski jacket that is waterproof as well as a buffer
against wind. The jacket should also have a hood. Cover your legs
with thermal pants and wear ski pants on top of them.
Keep in mind:
(1) The climatic conditions ? check out the temperature.
(2) Body temperature.
(3) Size of the attire ? the clothes should fit just right. They should neither be too small and tight fitting nor be of the type that flaps around you!
Accessories ? some of these accessories are absolutely essential if you are going on a ski tour, such as cross-country skiing. These same may not be necessary if, for example, you are merely learning the basics of skiing at a ski resort.
Most professional skiers recommend that you carry a pack that
is not heavy ? it should be about 2lbs. A small pack means it can
be ?molded? to your back and will enable you to ski more easily
than a large heavyweight pack.
Get a long ski strap that will bind your skis as well as your poles together,
to enable you to carry them easily.
Wear padding for your wrists and knees to protect you from hard falls.
An ice axe that is light.
A shovel that is light.
A headlamp that can last for a long period of time on just one set of batteries.
Sunscreen cream, preferably with an SPF of 40.
If you are taking along a camera, take a small digital one that can easily
be placed in and removed from a pocket. If you wish to hang it from
your neck, the straps should not get in the way of your skiing activity.
You don?t want to get entangled and fall flat in the snow!
If you are going on a skiing tour with a group, it is advisable
to carry safety equipment in the eventuality of an avalanche or
a blizzard. Such safety equipment includes an avalanche transceiver
or beacon. Its purpose is to direct you to someone who is lost or
buried in the snow.
To sum up, buy ski equipment (1) Depending on the skiing activity (2) Ensure that it is durable and (3) Keep it light.
Final Bit of Advice: Make sure you are physically and medically fit before
you embark on that skiing trip! Also, apply for ski insurance and
remember:
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