Skiing : Skis For Beginners
August 9th, 2009 | by ady calow |In this installment of our learn to ski guide we look at purchasing skis.
Skis are the single most important piece of ski equipment and choosing the right pair will ensure that you get the most enjoyment out of your skiing time. Skis come in varying lengths, shape and levels of stiffness, and the right pair for you will depend a great deal on your level of expertise and your personal skiing style.
Skis are designed to support certain types of skiing, so it’s important to know what type you plan to do. You will find that most skis have been designed for powder or packed runs, because those are the most popular types of skiing. This is the type of ski you should be looking at when first learning to ski. Upgrading your skis to those tailored specifically for off-piste or deep powder terrain should happen when you feel experienced enough to take on those challenges. It’s not advisable to start off with modified skis though as it’s believed they can hinder the initial progress of beginners.
Length, shape and stiffness are arguably the most important considerations. Length controls how you turn – the shorter the ski, the tighter and easier the turn. That is why a beginner should consider shorter skis. Once you’ve mastered the basics of skiing and are confident of your ability, then you can consider longer skis, which will allow you greater speed in many different snow conditions, but which also will be less forgiving of errors.
As for shape, skis which are narrow in the boot area are capable of making sharp, fast turns, whereas skis which are wider in this area offer more stability and will make broader turns. A ski’s level of stiffness is determined by the shape and also by the material from which it made. For stability at high speeds, a longer ski will provide the required level of stiffness. The benefit to a beginner of a shorter ski is that the shorter ski is less stiff which allows it to provide for increased maneuverability.
The last point to remember is that you shouldn’t invest in skis until you know you will use them, so go skiing a couple of times before purchasing your own skis. Although you may already be certain that you will be an avid skier, renting skis a couple more times makes sense to figure out the specifics of type, length, shape and stiffness that will work best for you.