Skiing can be an incredibly exciting and very rewarding experience. It gets you out and about in nature and can be exhilarating, to say the least when you have racked up enough experience to go a bit faster than normal. However, it is also something that requires a bit of investment, as you will probably know. If you are going on your first ski trip, there is a lot to remember.
All that stress of this brand-new adrenaline-filled (possibly) experience can leave you feeling a bit nervous, but one way to calm the nerves and ease the stress, and to make sure you don’t forget anything is through proper planning.
So, with that in mind, we thought it would be helpful to provide a list of the most important gear you need to bring with you for a skiing trip. Don’t be alarmed if you don’t have personal access to all of the items listed, as many of these can be rented from just about any skiing resort. But it might be a good idea to check with the resort before you fly off.
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Backpack
You need to make sure you are fully prepared for any eventuality and anything that can happen when you are on the side of a mountain, it is important to bring a backpack with you on your trip. You can use this to carry small items like medical kits, hats, scarves, lip protection, sunscreen, and 2-way radios specifically made for skiing. The reason the regular two-way radios are not recommended is that you want it to be shockproof and waterproof to last throughout your skiing session.
Safety Goggles
You may not have thought goggles would be high on your list, but safety goggles of some description can help to improve your vision while preventing precipitation and glare that can get in the way of enjoying a safe time on the slopes. If you rent a helmet (more on that soon) it may be helpful to rent the goggles too. As goggles tend to fit differently depending on the helmet they are designed to work with, it makes sense to rent them both at the same time.
Skiing Socks
Obviously, you want to protect your whole body from the cold temperatures. However, it is most important to protect your extremities, and that includes your feet. You want to ensure they are not only warm but dry too so that you can enjoy a full day of skiing fun and action. Look for skiing socks made from synthetic materials or even wool and bring at least two pairs for every day you are going to be on the slopes.
Mittens/Gloves
When speaking about the extremities of your body, it would be ridiculous not to mention your hands. These obviously play a big role in skiing and therefore you need to ensure they are dry and warm. As well as that, they should offer you a reasonable amount of dexterity so that you can use your ski poles comfortably and easily enough.
Base Layers And Mid Layers
The layers system is the best way to organize your clothing when skiing, just as you would when going hiking or other outdoor activities. The base layers of clothing are the items and garments you will wear immediately under your pants and jacket, so although they are not on display or on show, these still have crucial roles to play in how you feel during your time on the side of the mountain when skiing.
When looking at base layers, try to avoid products made from cotton, as these will not be breathable or waterproof. It is best, as when choosing socks, that you aim for woolen clothes or those made from synthetic materials.
Mid-layers may not always be required, it will very much depend on where you are going and the kind of temperatures you are likely to be skiing in. For example, though, if it is especially cold where you are going, mid-layers that sit directly above the base layers are recommended. Think about garments like sweaters or fleeces for these layers.
Ski Pants And Ski Jacket
Although you should not forget about the clothes underneath, ultimately, it’s the top layers that are most crucial to protecting you from the cold and helping you enjoy skiing as much as you can.
These are the first protective barrier against the cold and wetness of snow and ice, therefore investing in items that are water and wind-resistant, properly insulated, and warm is important. The weather and temperatures on a mountain can fluctuate a lot, so it is a good idea to wear clothing that can adapt.
It is more or less the same advice that we would offer when choosing ski pants. Obviously, these need to have some degree of flexibility and maneuverability to them so that you can turn and perform the different actions necessary to proper skiing. But primarily they should be wind and waterproofed, insulated, and warm.
Ski Helmet
Okay, so you may not always see experienced wearing ski helmets. That doesn’t mean you should avoid wearing one, especially if you are a beginner. Head injuries are not something you want to mess around with. There are various helmets for rent and sale, just look for one with a high ranking and lots of positive customer reviews.
Ski Boots
Ski boots are another item that can be rented. However, we would advise against this as it is crucial that you find the right boots for you, not just whatever is available. They need to fit the size and shape of your feet and be comfortable enough that you will not hurt your feet and ruin the enjoyment of your skiing. Although they should fit snugly, they shouldn’t be too restrictive or tight.
Ski Bindings, Poles, And Skis
Finally, you obviously need skis, but as these are readily available to rent from most resorts, we thought we would leave them to last. The staff at skiing resorts are very knowledgeable about skiing and will help you make the right decisions about the bindings, skis, and ski poles and will also help you to set everything up correctly.
If you are interested in even more lifestyle-related articles and information from us here at Bit Rebels, then we have a lot to choose from.
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