Whether you’re shopping for your first pair of skis or an experienced skier looking to expand your quiver, our how to choose your ski gear guide covers everything you need to know when looking for alpine ski equipment. From alpine ski bindings, goggles, helmets, and even boots, you’ll find everything you need to buy the right gear for you here.
Jeff Sorenson | Deer Valley, UT | Photo: Ross Downard
Whether you’ve never skied before and want to learn or are an experienced skier looking to take your skills to the next level, taking a ski lesson from a professional instructor is the best way to do so. Your instructor will teach you the proper form and technique to make your time spent skiing fun and rewarding.
There’s a lot of information to gather and digest when buying new skis, so we broke it all down to make it easier to understand the specs provided by the manufacturer as you begin to look closer at specific models.
Buying a ski you’ve never tested simply because it’s well-marketed opens the door to buyer’s remorse. On-snow testing is the best way to understand all of the different categories, constructions, and nuances of a ski so you can make an informed purchase.
Choosing the right ski boot comes down to a number of very personal variables including your skiing style, skill level, foot size and shape, weight, and a number of other factors a skilled boot fitter will be able to determine.
Ski poles may seem like the least important component of your ski gear, but they can have a serious impact on your performance. As you look for a set of ski poles, you should begin by asking yourself a series of questions that will guide you through the buying process.
Whether you’re shopping for your first pair of bindings or a new, safer set of bindings to replace a pair of well-used bindings, there are a few things to look for when you’re choosing new alpine ski bindings.
As you choose a touring binding, it’s important to be realistic about the type of backcountry skiing you’ll be doing and be aware of the pros and cons of each type of binding, since each has its strengths and weaknesses.
Some helmets are designed with backcountry skiing in mind, while others fare well in resorts. When choosing a helmet, it’s important to take impact protection, ventilation, fit, and integration into consideration.
Anyone who’s spent significant time on the mountain knows how important it is to have good helmet-goggle integration and the right lenses to match the light conditions. Having the wrong goggles could result in a foggy view, freezing forehead, or any number of issues that could distract from an otherwise great day of skiing.
Ski waxes come in countless varieties to accommodate a range of temperatures, use cases, and application methods. Needless to say, making sense of all the various types of ski waxes can be dizzying—especially if you’ve never worked in a ski shop.
There is no clear-cut answer when it comes to choosing an avalanche airbag. Determining which bag is right for you—and whether or not you even need one—ultimately comes down to a number of factors that will vary from skier to skier. To help you navigate this complex shopping process, we put together an in-depth guide to lead you to the right decision for you.