| Skiing vacations are unlike many other vacations in | | | | width of the tip/tail to the waist is known as the |
| that you need a good deal of equipment and gear in | | | | sidecut. The greater this length the easier it is to do |
| order to enjoy and have a successful time. This | | | | carving turns. Other designs, without the sidecut may |
| article will run through the key equipment that you | | | | be used for off piste skiing. |
| will need so that it all goes well and you can't wait for | | | | Ski bindings generally come with the skis. If they |
| the next winter to go on another ski trip. | | | | don't it is advisable to use the same brand of bindings |
| It goes without saying that you need a pair of skis. | | | | as the ski brand. If the ski brand doesn't make a |
| A pair of skis can be broken down into three | | | | binding then they will endorse a brand of binding for |
| components – the skis themselves, the bindings | | | | their ski. It's always best to go with this advice. |
| and the boots. It is an impossible task to buy a pair | | | | Bindings are designed to release the boot whenever |
| of skis if you have never tried skiing before. My | | | | there is a change in weight on the ski. This can |
| advice would be to hire the skis for your first trip. If | | | | prevent ankle and knee injuries. |
| you like skiing and think that you will be skiing for | | | | Boots must fit your foot snugly. You should test |
| many years to come then it makes sense to buy a | | | | them out by leaning forward. Make sure the foot |
| pair. However for the first trip, if you rent you will | | | | doesn't slip or move when you do this. Most boots |
| get your first insight into what to look for in a pair of | | | | are plastic and can be adjusted around the foot, |
| skis, the bindings and a pair of boots. | | | | ankle and calf. They should be tight fitting around the |
| Ski's vary in terms of length and width. They vary in | | | | top of the calf to prevent snow getting into the |
| terms of shape and look. What all these qualities are | | | | boot. |
| catering for are the size of the skier, the skill level of | | | | After that you need some poles. There is not much |
| the skier and the types of terrain that they want to | | | | too selecting poles. You must consider the weight |
| ski on. In terms of looks, this is appealing to the | | | | and length of the poles. They shouldn't be heavy for |
| potential buyers sense of style and has nothing to do | | | | you (most aren't so this shouldn't be a problem). In |
| with the performance of the skis, unless go faster | | | | terms of size, the standard advice is to hold the pole |
| strips really do make things go faster ! | | | | by the pointy end with the grips touching the floor. If |
| Hiring skis will help you understand the type of ski | | | | your arms are parallel to the ground when you do |
| that fits your size and weight. Carving skis are the | | | | this then the poles are the right size for you. |
| most popular type of ski design at the moment. | | | | Goggles or sunglasses are also essential for skiing. |
| They have a curve along the sides of the skis, | | | | Goggles provide the best protection in all conditions |
| starting from the middle (or waist) extending to the | | | | but may be bulky for some people. Start off with |
| tip and tail of the ski. The difference in length of the | | | | sunglasses as most people have a pair. |