Ski Equipment and Safety

Here is a list of the equipment you need for skiing and some important things to be aware of to stay safe.

Skis

Get the right pair of skis for your ability and fitness level as well as the type of skiing you will use them for. The right skis will make skiing easier, more enjoyable and safer. 

Borrowing your uncles 20 something year old skis is not a good option!

Always get professional advice before buying. Ideally you should test them first. This is sometimes possible, so look out for ski test events or trips, if you are looking for a new pair.

You should also maintain the edges, so they stay sharp. See our article about how to sharpen your skis. This will give you more control.

Boots

They should be sitting tight but not hurt. Many people get too big boots because they don´t get proper advice to begin with. This creates too much room in the boot, which will have negative effect on the transfer of your movements to the skis i.e. less precision in your ability to control direction and speed.

Tip for choosing a boot that fits:

Put the boot on, strap it tight, stand up and push your shin into the front of the boot. That will pull your heel back and create more room in the front. It will give you a more realistic sense of how the boot will feel while skiing.

Keeping contact with shin against the front of the boot while skiing is also a crucial part of maintaining balance on skis, as I explain in the video below.

Bindings

This is a very crucial piece in the puzzle of preventing injury. They should be adjusted to your weight, strength and skier type, so they release when they are supposed to, and stay on when they are supposed to.

Always have a professional help you with adjusting your bindings.

Helmet

You risk of head injury is decreased by 29-56% if you wear a helmet*. Find a good looking model that fits tight on your head and feels comfortable.

It should be strapped tight up to the point before it gets uncomfortable, so it won´t fall of if you fall.

Goggles

They should fit your helmet and sit tight around you face. Be aware of the infamous goggle gap. The goggle gap is a gap between the goggles and the helmet. Cold air can enter, and fashion police does not approve.

Therefore you should always try goggles with your helmet on to be sure they fit together.

The goggles protect you from becoming snow blind, which is a temporary painful damage of your eyes, kindda like a sunburn.

They can also protect you from branches and take some of the impact if you fall on your face.

Gloves

They obviously protect you from the cold, but also from potential cuts from the skis edges if you fall.

Ski wear

The weather in the mountains can change from one moment to the next. Make sure you have enough.

My standard approach is wearing three layers.

• Inner layer: thin shirt and pants designed to be breathable and keep you warm. I prefer merino wool for this purpose.
• Middle layer: something to stay warm like a fleece shirt.
• Outside layer: The most important is that it is windproof, water proof and breathable to a certain extend. To stay dry you shouldn't go below 10.000mm if you are at a resort with a wet climate. I like to ski in all kinds of weather, so I go for 20.000mm, which will keep me dry even on rainy days. The number refers to a test of water resistance.

Back protection

It can be a good idea to protect yourself with a back shield. It will give some protection in a collision or if you fall. Make sure you get the right size, so it fits comfortably from the top of you back/start of your neck to your tail bone. Wear it outside your first layer.

Use your own equipment

Always remember to use your own equipment (owned or rented)! Risk of injury is increased by 800%* if you don´t use your own equipment. Don´t borrow equipment and make sure you don´t mistake your skis with another pair when coming back to the ski rack after lunch.

It goes for all skiing equipment that you will benefit from competent advice before choosing and buying, so you get what is the best option for you.

I hope you found this article helpful, and that you will have a safe and joyful time on skis!

Janus Hecht

*Sources

https://firstaidforlife.org.uk/accident-when-skiing/