Equipment & Clothing

Q. What kind of equipment and clothing do I need for skiing and snowboarding?

Beginners

Try to buy or borrow snowsport specific gear that will keep you warm and dry.  Much mountaineering clothing also doubles up well for skiing and boarding. For beginners, it’s possible to hire everything you’ll need in the resort – skis, boards, boots, clothing etc (but book these before you go). But, even if you are hiring clothing etc you’ll still need to take a few personal items with you. These include:

• Some good quality gloves: don’t buy cheap ones - they may look good in the shop, but you’ll be cursing when you get cold/wet hands later on! These should be made from warm/waterproof/breathable materials (e.g. Goretex, Entrant or similar).
• A waterproof beanie that fully-covers your ears (preferably in a very loud colour) and a head-band.
• Some people also like to use neck warmers, and for people who really feel the cold a set of thermals and some thin inner-gloves are good options.
• 3-4 pairs of good quality knee length socks: preferably snow-sport specific ones with a loop-stitch.
• Goggles and good quality sunglasses with high UV protection.
• Some people also find a small pack-pack helpful to carry stuff around or for storing clothes in if they get too warm.
• Plenty of 30+ suntan lotion and lip salve, plus a good moisturiser (for the guys too!), which should be applied regularly. The sun is stronger and more dehydrating at altitude.

Wear several thin layers of breathable/warm clothing rather than bulky jumpers etc, because this provides better insulation when it’s cold and you can easily remove layers if you get too warm. While skiing/boarding are energetic and warming activities, it can sometimes get very cold sitting on chair lifts, while waiting in lessons or in a snowstorm. But, in the springtime and late season, it’s often possible to ski around in just a t-shirt for much of the day.

Remember also to drink plenty of water – partly to overcome the effects of any apres-ski activities the night before, but also to help with the dehydrating effects of skiing and boarding all day. Many skiers and boarders use ‘Camelpacks’for this purpose.
In WA, Main Peak (www.mainpeak.com.au) and Mountain Designs (www.mountaindesigns.com) carry a range of skiing and boarding gear during the winter, and also offer discounts for members.

Intermediate/ advanced

As soon as you get hooked on snowsports, you’ll probably want to invest in your own ski or snowboard clothing, and there is a huge range of clothing options available. The key features to look for when buying your own gear are clothing that will keep you warm and dry - even if you’re out in very cold or wet conditions for several hours (the manufacturers’ labels will carry this information). The jacket should have plenty of pockets and a high collar and should overlap with the trousers, which must have snow-cuffs at the ankles to keep the snow out. Never buy clothing just because it looks good; there’s always gear around that combines form, function and style.

Most people buy ski/boarding boots after 2-3 visits to the slopes, because these make quite a difference to the performance you can get out of your skis or snowboard. Always get these fitted by professional and accredited boot fitters, particularly ski-boots, which often need customising to fit the exact shape of your feet. Almost everyone gets customised foot-beds made, because few people have perfectly flat and symmetrical feet.

Try out several pairs - more often than not the right pair for you just ‘feels’ right, and many people stick with the same brand for years. Most people have to take new ski-boots back for final adjustments after a day or two, so if you buy some make sure you have time to do this before your holiday ends.
Some general essential features to look for in ski and snowboard boots include:
• A snug, comfortable fit with no pressure points
• Firm, but not restrictive, support around the instep, ankle and lower foot to minimize movement within the boot
• Enough space around the toes so that you can wiggle them
• For skiers, a good range of forward flex - for beginners this flex should be quite soft, expert skiers use much stiffer boots
• Firm lateral support. Without getting too technical, this means that when the ankle/knee/hip are tilted to one side in skiing or forward/back in snowboarding, these movements are quickly transmitted to the ski or board and they turn more quickly
• Boots that are appropriate for your skill level – if you’re a beginner don’t buy expert boots, and be honest with the boot-fitter about this!

Another equipment item that many skiers and boarders have embraced over the last 3-4 years is head-protection. In some North American ski-areas, it’s now compulsory for children to wear helmets. For beginners, they aren’t essential, but as soon as you are confident enough to ski/board fairly fast, and if you’re heading off-piste or into the trees, these are highly recommended. As with boots and clothing, these now come in a mind-boggling array of styles and colours, and all ski/board shops in resorts stock a good range of these.

Experts

Unless you’re skiing and boarding regularly for four or more weeks a year, it probably isn’t worth buying your own skis or a board. A set of upper-intermediate/expert skis, binding plate and bindings will set you back $1200-1500. All ski resorts stock the latest hire-equipment (about $170 for top-end skis and ski-poles for 5 days), and you won’t have the worry of transporting your own with you, trashing them or getting them repaired or serviced.

If you do decide to buy, the golden rule is always try before you buy.  Many ski/board shops offer ‘hire-buy’ packages. Go for skis/boards that are right for your ability level, and in Australia, all-mountain skis and boards (rather than specialist race/slalom/terrain-park options) are the best option for recreational skiers. Ski magazines, such as The Skimag conduct annual ‘blind’ reviews of skis and boards.

If you’re skiing/boarding late season it’s possible to pick up some real bargains in end-of-season sales.

Q. If I buy skis or a snowboard when I’m on holiday, is there anywhere in Perth where I can get these professionally serviced?

Yes, Main Peak on Hay Street (www.mainpeak.com.au) has a dedicated ski and snowboard service department, although if you want a complete base delayer or edge re-grind, you’d have to get this done in a ski-resort.

If you have any other questions about alpine snowsports, or ski/snowboard holidays, please contact us.