Skiing Tips

How to Ski Safely

Skiing can be a great outdoor exercise, hobby or competitive sport but comes with a certain amount of risk. In order to keep your ski trip safe and injury free follow these tips!

One of the most important aspects of how to ski safely is to wear a ski helmet. A ski helmet is NOT just for beginners. They are for everyone. No one ever expects to have a ski accident, anymore than a car accident, but accidents happen and a ski helmet is your best protection.

It is very important to use proper fitting equipment. If you do not own your own equipment and need to rent it, use a professional ski shop or the resort shop. It is very important for ski safety to have boots that fit and bindings that are properly adjusted.

Use the buddy system, especially if you are a beginner. It is always safer to ski with a friend who can watch out for you and you can watch out for your friend.

Do not over estimate your level of expertise. Trails are clearly marked as to what level of skier should attempt them. Be sure to stay on the trails your level can handle. If you try a trail that turns out to be too rough- stop, take your skis off and walk the rest of the way down.

Use these helpful tips to have fun and ski safely!

Avalanche Safety Tip, Carrying an Avalanche Shovel

Anyone enjoying winter sports in mountainous, backcountry terrain is subject to life threatening avalanche occurrences, whether skiers, snowboarders, hikers, or snowmobilers, all are susceptible. With the burgeoning popularity of winter sports, the number of avalanche deaths has increased in the past twenty years, with more than 150 lives lost worldwide annually. Awareness and knowledge of basic avalanche safety are vital to survival should the unthinkable happen.

Along with alert awareness of the potential danger of avalanches, all backcountry sports enthusiasts should invest in quality tools that make rescue work efficient and productive. Once an avalanche occurs, the snow is no longer powdered and light. Avalanches create tremendous friction and making the settled snow compacted and as hard as a rock. Lightweight plastic avalanche shovels, though less expensive and easy to carry, may be worthless when put to the test against tough, in-the-field avalanche conditions when every second counts.

Professional backcountry guides, skiers, and snowmobilers recommend metal shovels. Although heavier than plastic, aluminum alloy avalanche shovels weigh in at two pounds and under. There are unique folding designs and hybrids made of plastic with metal edges for cutting ability in hardened snow. Some shovels even come in a combo design along with a full size probe.

Why risk your or your companions’ lives by not knowing avalanche safety and not carrying the proper tools?

Three Factors for Getting The Right Ski Poles

The key to getting the right ski poles is to take your time and try out the options available to you. Purchasing ski poles is not a task you can take out quickly but one that should take some time for the sake of your safety and comfort.

For beginning skiers, the length of the ski poles is the biggest factor in decision-making. If you hold the ski poles upside down with your hand just under the basket, or small circular piece attached to the bottom of the pole, your elbow should be at a right angle. If it is not, then the ski poles are you holding are not the right length for you.

The way ski poles feel in your hand is an important matter to you. While skiing, you will want to be aware of other facets of the experience and ignore how the poles feel in your hand. An uncomfortable grip can be really bothersome on the slopes. Hold your ski poles with your gloves on to make sure the feel is right.

The weight of ski poles also is important, and you will need to make sure you are comfortable with the weight of the poles you are considering. Heavy poles tend to be sturdier but can be harder to maneuver.
Getting the right ski poles can enhance your skiing experience!

Telemark skiing

Telemark Skiing is a style of skiing known as “free heel skiing.” Telemark skis are different than Alpine Skis because they use a binding that only connects the boots to the ski at the toes, just like cross- country skis. Telemark skiing gets its name from the Telemark turns and a Telemark turn is a turn that is led with the heel flat on the outside ski (down hill ski) and the inside( uphill) ski is pulled under the skiers body while keeping a flexed knee and raised heel. The skis are kept staggered, not parallel, and the outside ski supports most of the skiers body weight.
Increasing the stagger of the ski means the skiers knees are bent more and the torso is closer to the snow.
An ideal Telemark turn is executed by the skier shifting his weight to the outside ski by a ratio of 50/50 up to 80/20, considering snow conditions ad the skier rests mostly on the toe half of each foot which has its boot heel in contact with the ski.

Mens ski boots that fit

The fit and comfort level of your ski boots is arguably the most important factor in your overall skiing comfort. If you could only buy one piece of ski gear, it makes the most sense to buy your boots and rent the skis and poles. Getting to the slopes can be a lot simpler without those bulkier items in tow. To make sure your new boots fit perfectly, buy them in person from an experienced boot fitter.

Mens ski boots are sized using the Mondopoint system. Ski boot sizing based on US and Canadian mens shoe sizes is quite straightforward. For mens sizes 4 and above, just add 18 to get your Mondopoint ski boot size. That said, the professionally fitted ski boot you end up with may break that rule of thumb due to slight differences across manufacturers, models, and even your skiing style. For example, your mens size 10 shoe may translate into Mondopoint 27, 28 or 29 mens ski boots because ski boot sizing is tighter for competitive skiers than it is for recreational skiers.

Finally, better boots allow you to make fine adjustments in strap and buckle tightness. The side strap adjustment feature found on mid-priced and better boots helps you to correct for any slight bow-legged or knock-kneed stance, so that your weight rides squarely on the skis, rather than on the inside or outside edges.