From trying to heed an instructor’s directions, to keeping your center of gravity low, to avoiding wipeouts at every turn, skiing is tough for beginners. The occasional accidents and wipeouts are inevitable; but do they have to be all that unpleasant? They don’t if you know what to wear when skiing, keeping yourself both dry and warm, even while your face may be planted in the snow.
Here is a quick guide for not only choosing the right kind of clothes to wear, but the right kind of underwear to make sure you keep yourself dry while on the slopes.
We’ll take a look at the overall garments to wear, from the outside inward. You’ll want to wear a lightweight, water-resistant exterior as both a pair of pants and your coat. These are easy to find – but the goal is that snow falls off of you as easily it would if it were falling off of a hot plate.
Your inner layer should be constructed out of materials that are warm, flexible, and resistant to moisture. Cotton is a no-no, especially for your underwear, because your underwear will represent the core of your inner layer. Cotton absorbs moisture – while it might do a good job of keeping you warm outdoors, if you work with it in the snow, it’s not the most fun material to be wearing.
Instead, check out underwear built for skiing, underwear like Zyflex Thermal Shorts
. This pair of underwear is water resistant, meaning that even if snow gets through the cracks and crevasses of your water-resistant outer layer, it still has your inner layer to contend with. This underwear is also flexible and still helps your skin breathe, even while forming a sort of “water-tight” protection layer for your, ahem, private parts.
Other types of “thermal” underwear will be appropriate for this situation, as you’ll want to focus simply on avoiding cotton and finding something that advertises itself as water-resistant. Water-resistance is one of the keys to building both a solid outer and inner layer of clothing when out skiing. Even if you don’t plan on falling over that much, you still want to be prepared. If you don’t want to admit that you might fall, tell yourself that you’re protecting your skin from runaway snowballs.
Remember the rule of thumb for skiing underwear: avoid the cotton, and flock to the water-resistant materials. You’ll find that keeping dry is one of the best ways to stay warm outdoors.
Originally posted 2008-12-15 04:55:52.
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Posted by Ski Snowboarder on September 2, 2010 in
ski gear
Safety first.
Skiing is a great way to spend a vacation or a weekend, but is it dangerous? The answer is possibly. Skiing can be dangerous just like many other activities including riding your bike, but like riding your bike skiing has a lot of non-enforced choices for you to make. This article will list some basic safety tips that you should consider before you go skiing.
Wear a Helmet
Wearing a helmet is not a requirement to ski, but it’s encouraged because many clubs and sport institutions think it’s in your best safety interest. While wearing a helmet isn’t mandated it’s very important to at least consider it. There are many ways for you to injure yourself while skiing, but by far the most dangerous things that can happen to you will happen if you’re not wearing a helmet.
Wear Proper Clothing
Don’t show up to ski in your shorts and sunglasses, it’s very important that you dress appropriately when you’re going to a ski resort. The first thing you should do is make sure you have layered clothing such as a shirt followed by a sweater; this is the most important thing you can remember to bring before heading to your ski resort. It’s very likely that you don’t own your own pair of skiing goggles, a skiing shirt, or boots. While it’s not a requirement to wear these items, they can be rented from most resorts and will offer you a much safer and rewarding experience while skiing. The goggles are especially important because they can keep the snow out of your eyes making it easier for you to see where you’re going.
Be Instructed
It’s not a good idea to just show up the slopes and immediately start trying to ride down the advanced slopes. You should first hire a ski instructor or enlist the aid of a good friend to teach you the basics so that you can learn to ride down the more advanced slopes while you’re there. There are both individual and group lessons to accommodate whatever learning style or preference you may have.
Follow the Rules
A basic tidbit of advice is to follow the rules of the resort or slope that you’re currently skiing at. These rules may include not going off trail and not pushing near the beginning of the slopes. No matter how ridiculous the rules may seem they’re there for a reason and you should respect them no matter what the conditions.
If you follow these basic safety tips you can be sure that your ski trip will be a safe one for you and your family.
Photo Credits: s_mestdagh
Originally posted 2009-10-02 03:44:13.
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Posted by Ski Snowboarder on September 1, 2010 in
ski basics, ski safety, ski tips
Practice Safety
Skiing can be a fun and exhilarating sport, but those who have challenged themselves to master the slopes have encountered enough in their time to know that skiing can also be a risky and dangerous sport. This is particularly true if a skier is attempting to do more than they can handle. Skiing is fun, but it needs to be safe if you’re really going to cut loose and enjoy yourself. That’s why this article will address some of the most essential safety concerns for skiers.
First, your basic gear will be crucially important. Wear a helmet – insist upon it, even if it makes you stand out from the crowd or appear goofy. Wearing a helmet won’t only protect your head, but it will help you to feel safe and secure enough to take a few more “intelligent” risks when you’re learning how to ski. Skiing isn’t without risks, but if you prepare for these risks, you can greatly increase your safety.
Skiing can be a dangerous sport because it often gets people to interact with each other at high speeds. Needless to say, more than enough accidents have occurred because two skiers didn’t see each other, or because their paths simply crossed too quickly to make any significant adjustments.
Your safety comes first, but you also have to concentrate on keeping those around you safe. Don’t take risks if it might involve hurting someone else – there’s nothing funny about a potential lawsuit.
You’ll also want to take environmental and weather conditions under consideration. This isn’t always a big concern, particularly if you’re skiing in a small-town ski hill, but for those who are closer to the natural elements like mountains will want to make sure they keep their heads up. People who take excessive risks like skiing down dangerous mountain slopes risk potential avalanches, while others who “brave the elements” are putting themselves in unnecessary amounts of danger.
Also, if you’re skiing at new heights and haven’t adjusted to the altitude, take it easy. You have nothing to prove, and if you absolutely have to get your skiing in, make sure to spend time beforehand preparing your body for the change in air thickness.
If you’re going to ski safely, you need to take the above tips into consideration. But you also need to take your own safety in your own hands. It’s not enough to simply read about helmets, it will require you to actually go out and purchase a helmet. It will take you wearing that helmet. Are you willing to be as safe as possible on the slopes while still cutting loose and having fun?
Photo Credits: Beige Alert
Originally posted 2009-07-28 05:04:40.
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Posted by Ski Snowboarder on August 31, 2010 in
ski safety, weather
Snowboard Bindings
Whether you’re a new snowboarder or someone who’s seen his/her fair share of hills, one issue will inevitably hit you as one you need to handle quickly:
Your snowboard bindings.
What are snowboard bindings?
They’re the part of the snowboard that encase your foot, allowing you to attach your boots and remain fastened to the board itself. Once you’ve purchased a board that suits your skills (finding the right length, style, and even design), the second part of the board you have to handle will always be the bindings.
There is more than one type of snowboard binding – make sure you peruse this list before you decide what’s best for you:
-Step-in Bindings:
Step-in Bindings are pretty self-explanatory, allowing you to “step in” to your bindings with maximum convenience. This is typically better for the beginner who isn’t necessarily looking for peak performance. Beginners or novices are usually looking for convenience over performance, but that doesn’t necessarily mean a step-in binding won’t work for more advanced boarders, either. Make sure you shop around to find the step-in bindings that most closely meet your convenience and performance needs.
-Strap-on Bindings:
Strap-on Bindings look like shoes with Velcro laces – a back plate guides your boot in while two straps cover the base of your foot as well as the toes. These are typically used with “soft boots,” so make sure that you have the correct and optimal boots before you decide to opt for a strap-on binding. This type of binding will typically give you greater control over your board, making you more agile, but will take an extra moment to “lace up.”
-Plate and Lever Bindings:
These bindings, associated with hard boots, will give you the most direct control over your snowboard. With more control can come less comfort, particularly if you’re a novice snowboarder who doesn’t need that degree of control for your boarding attempts. But if you’re serious about snowboarding, these might be the right bindings for you, as they cut out on lost energy between your feet and the board, making the board more like an extension of your body than something you simply “ride on.”
This brief guide to the different types of snowboard bindings should help you get an idea of the different options available to you. If you’ve already got a snowboard bind that works well for you and gives you an adequate amount of control and safety, there’s no need to make any changes. But if you’re looking for an upgrade, you might want to explore one of these snowboard binding options.
Photo Credits: Ted Percival
Originally posted 2009-07-07 05:41:57.
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Posted by Ski Snowboarder on August 30, 2010 in
snowboard tips, snowboarding
Let’s face it, there are a lot of hobbies out there that not everyone understands. There’s such an infinite variety that it would be impossible to list them all here, except to give a brief outline of some particular hobbies people enjoy: cricket, scrabble, hiking. But if you’ve ever looked at a tall, snowy mountain and asked yourself, “what are they doing up there?” this article is for you.
Why do people ski? What’s in it for them, and why on earth do they wear such silly equipment? Here’s a brief overview on skiing as a hobby:
- People ski because it’s fun – once they know how – Like many things, skiing is a skill that has to be developed – really, no one is born knowing how to ski. Some may be more inclined than others to ski, but the fact is that no one really has the innate talent to ski perfectly their first time around. So why do people keep skiing if initially, it’s not all that fun? What, you’ve never heard of a challenge? Skiing provides a thrill for you if you can master it, a way of owning a mountainside or a hill that you never imagined.
- Skiing is a great seasonal sport – If you have a lengthy winter vacation from college, what could be better than spending a week in Colorado with your best friends and enjoying cold days and warm nights? It’s like the opposite of Spring Break – retreating back into the mountains – but the novelty is just as strong. Skiing also provides another activity to choose during the cold winter months when people have little else to do.
- Skiing can be a great social activity – If you’ve ever looked at those ski hills closely, you’ve noticed how many people seem to be enjoying themselves – together. You notice how many strangers meet each other on those ski lifts, and then gather together afterwards for coffee or hot chocolate. Skiing is a sport that’s fun to play with friends, and it’s also easy to make challenges and contests with. Other sports have restrictions like single players or teams, but skiing can be made into whatever you want it – with however many friends you feel like bringing on that day.
Those are just some of the reasons people ski. Like anything else, it will require an open mind for you if you’ve never hit the slopes, and you’ll have to experience it for yourself. But once you finally hit your stride on one stretch of the hill and feel the speed of the ground flying past you underneath your boots, you might just get a quick glimpse into why people do, indeed, love to ski.
Originally posted 2008-12-05 04:55:44.
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Posted by Ski Snowboarder on August 29, 2010 in
ski basics
Many of us, when we hear the word “ski,” simply imagine a type of skiing that is known as Alpine skiing. Alpine skiing refers to downhill skiing, the kind of skiing you undertake when going to a ski hill, not the type of skiing that occurs on flat environments like flat winter-land or even a lake. So if you’re wondering whether or not you should become a skier, there’s another question to consider: should you ski downhill or shouldn’t you? Or why not both?
First, let’s define downhill skiing. Downhill skiing, or Alpine skiing, is exactly what it sounds like, typically with longer skis than you might see in other types of skiing. Alpine skiing can be done as an amateur hobby, but also raised to the level of athletic performance and showmanship. If you’ve ever seen downhill skiing on TV in which skiers race around flags and follow a specific track, you know the level to which downhill skiing can be pursued.
Defining “non-downhill” skiing is a more complicated undertaking, so let’s stick with the concept of cross-country skiing. Many of us might be aware of cross-country skiing from activities in high school-grade physical education, in which we might have tried it out for a few weeks. Some of us enjoy this type of exercise, pursuing the edges of our own mental persistence and athletic endurance, and others long for the thrill of skiing downhill.
What you prefer says a lot about the type of exercise you might prefer. If you have always been a track sprinter or a wide receiver in football, pursuing the type of thrilling athletic activity that may not last long, downhill skiing is probably for you. The beauty of downhill skiing is that you can increase the difficulty levels as much as you like, tackling new challenges with different hills – but always make sure not to push yourself too hard.
If, however, you have always been a cyclist or a runner, someone who enjoys the serenity of exercise and the simplicity of getting out into nature, you might enjoy cross-country skiing as your winter endurance sport of choice.
But what if you don’t see yourself in either? What if you can appreciate both types of sports? Then the answer is simple to your “to ski or not to ski” question: you can have both.
You don’t have to pursue downhill skiing with the training regiment of a Winter Olympian just because you’re involved with the hobby. You can split up your winter time between high-intensity sports and low-intensity sports, just as someone during the summer who might include a running regimen with different bouts of high-intensity athletics like kickboxing.
Originally posted 2008-12-17 04:55:06.
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Posted by Ski Snowboarder on August 28, 2010 in
ski basics
Freak Out Skiing
For many people who are taking on a ski hill for the first time, it can be intimidating to watch the ground fall beneath you on the way up a ski lift. Even if you don’t have a fear of heights, feeling that you’re not exactly prepared as a skier to fight the law of gravity can be a daunting thought.
Why does it look so effortless for other skiers when you’re sweating at the sight of the bunny hill?
Skiing rookies, listen up: you can prepare yourself for going downhill without the trial-and-error approach. Here are some new ways to get downhill without freaking out.
- Remember that even if you’re not a skier, you probably have some downhill experience already. Whether you’ve ridden a bike, rollerblades, or driven a go-kart or even a car downhill, you know what it’s like to place your life in the hands of gravity. And if you’re reading this article, you’ve lived to tell the tale.
“So?” you might tell yourself. “Skiing downhill is much more intimidating than riding a bike on solid ground.” True, it’s different, but that doesn’t necessarily make it any more scary. It’s your attitude that fills in the emotional holes, allowing yourself to freak out before you even try skiing. First, change your attitude: the slopes are a challenge to be tackled, not a scary monster to be avoided.
- Try your hand at some fast downhill speed – on dry ground. Roller-blades are a great way to build the balance to handle downhill movement and they’ll also help build many of the same muscles you’ll need while on the slopes. But don’t make it easy on yourself.
As you roller-blade, imagine that you’re actually on a pair of skis, and make similar movements – swishing back and forth, controlling your speed, and throwing caution to the wind. Just don’t throw too much caution to the wind: remember your pads and helmet. This isn’t recreation, this is training!
- Focus on how you can have fun rather than how you can avoid having a bad time. Ask yourself “if I fall, what happens? I’m in the snow? I might even laugh at myself.” Determine that you’re not going to try to be a professional skier right off the bat: just have the fun you can have with your current skill set. There’s no reason to reach for the stars right away, so keep the pressure off of yourself and relax. It’s supposed to be fun!
Within a short time, you’ll notice that your attitude change and new training will take effect and you’ll wonder how anything so simple seemed hard in the first place.
Photo Credit: Skimaniac
Originally posted 2009-02-11 06:00:09.
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Posted by Ski Snowboarder on August 27, 2010 in
ski tips
Ski one weekend golf the next!
For many it seems like the winter fun has just begun and it is suddenly over, especially for skiers. The good news is that just because winter is over it doesn’t mean that you have to hang up the skis. A lot of ski resorts have extended hours through April offering longer hours and deep discounts on accommodations and lift passes. Actually, spring is a great time for skiers. The slopes have less people on them then in the peak season and the texture of the snow is almost like sugar which is very appealing to most skiers. Most ski resorts also have their cafes open so that skiers can not only enjoy a bite to eat but can also get a little sun and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
Because it is not so cold in the spring and the atmosphere is more relaxed it is common to find festivals or carnivals that celebrate the end of the winter season. Often there are live bands playing and other festive events. It is even possible to catch sunburn while on the slopes so make sure you come prepared with sunscreen. You’ll also need some good sunglasses that will protect your eyes. Goggles are not that popular when the weather gets warmer because they can get hot and cause sweating.
Of course the warmer weather also allows the skier to wear fewer clothes so without all that bulk; the skier can really maneuver himself around the trails. Maybe this would be the time also to break in some new skiing gear. This is when all of the ski equipment is on sale and offers the deepest discounts ever. Buy some new gear and head to a resort such as Whistle as it remains open until June because of its higher altitude.
When you are looking for spring ski resorts just narrow down your search to the places that have northern exposure, that are at a higher altitude, and have glaciers or heavy snow packs as these are the places that will likely stay open and running until June. Ironically, many of these resorts have their best snowfalls measures in March and April. If you are a die hard skier then you can ski one weekend and golf the next. For many, nothing beats spring skiing.
So as you can see there is no reason whatsoever to pack away the ski gear before its time. There are a few great reasons to hold off and enjoy some spring skiing because it is warmer, there is often more snowfall, and you will get the best prices of the season. This is done purposely to attract more skiers during this time. Once you start looking around you will be surprised just how long you can ski for. There are only a few months out of the year that it is impossible to ski, July through October, the rest is fair game if you know where to look. Just because the calendar says that winter is over doesn’t mean that you have to stop skiing!
Photo Credits: dvs
Originally posted 2009-03-17 05:17:47.
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Posted by Ski Snowboarder on August 26, 2010 in
ski tips, weather
Build endurance.
We’re familiar with the body-types of many top athletes: we know that swimmers tend to be tall, muscular, and lean like Michael Phelps, and that cyclists tend to be smaller, strong-legged people like Lance Armstrong. But when you see skiers on television, you don’t really see what their body looks like. So it’s understandable if you’re a little confused about the type of condition you’ll want to be in case you want to be a more frequent downhill skier. Here are five tips that should help you understand a skier’s body.
Tip #1: Be a flexible runner. By “flexible,” we don’t mean that you should be a runner who can put their elbow behind their head. Instead, be a runner who avoids the narrow-track, treadmill style of running so many people employ today. Go running on a hiking trail, or find terrain that twists, turns, and challenges you. This will help build up the right muscle groups that will contribute to your overall strength when twisting and turning down the ski slope.
Tip #2: Build endurance. Skiing can be a day-long activity, so you can’t expect to go from couch potato to downhill skiing machine overnight. You’ll want to build endurance. Endurance is built simply by pushing yourself to go farther and longer than you did before – eventually, your systems will adapt to the demand you place on them and your endurance will grow.
Tip #3: Keep your legs strong. Mountain biking is a great way to accomplish this, working your leg muscles while putting you through some tougher terrain, similar to tip #1. Since skiing can be an unpredictable way to travel from A to B, you’ll want your legs to be strong and capable of adapting to different bumps and changes along the way. You can also incorporate a number of different leg workouts to build up leg strength.
Tip #4: Build your core. The “core” can be a tricky part of the body to exercise, so you might like this suggestion: play tag. Remember running around, twisting your body, and making sudden shifts in direction as a kid at recess? Playing tag is a great way to get that core going again; you will probably feel sore the next day if it’s been a while. If you don’t have anyone to play tag with, simply simulate it by running around randomly as if you were. You’ll look a little nuts, but you’ll also get in shape!
Tip #5: Practice what you want to become, and ski! If you want your body to adapt into a skier’s condition, there’s only one true way of getting there: you’ll actually have to ski. The other workouts can help you cross-train, but that doesn’t mean you should ignore the slopes.
Photo Credits: William A. Franklin
Originally posted 2010-02-02 03:40:48.
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Posted by Ski Snowboarder on August 25, 2010 in
exercise, ski tips
Five Ski Resort Reviews
If you’re a passionate skier or a travel nut, you might have the ambitious goal of actually seeking out and visiting the top five ski destinations in the world. But if you’re a more casual skier, this article is for you: here you’ll read about hte top five ski resorts in the world, already spelled out for you and located.
For some of you, this will read like a “Things to Do” list, while for others, it might offer an interesting perspective on visiting some of the places you’ve always dreamed about visiting. Here is a list of the top five ski destinations on the planet:
5. Cortina, Italy
Cortina, Italy is a ski haven located in maybe the most prestigious place to ski in the world: the Alps. Resorts like the Rosa Alpina can be found in between traffic-less (you read correctly) streets that line the area. Renowned for its beautiful winter setting, Cortina was even host to the 1956 Olympic Games.
Cortina is one of the world’s oldest ski-resort cities, as well, and has today evolved into a modern, stylish place to be.
4. Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France
Don’t worry: I can’t pronounce it, either. But now you know how to spell it. This ski destination, like Cortina, has historical value beyond measure: host of the 1926 Olympic Games, this is the quintessential beautiful, old-fashioned resort city.
The Vallee Blanch is one of the world’s longest skiing runs, lasting 13.7 miles over the French Alps, and you can stay at the La Vallee Blanch during your quest to the top five ski destinations in the world.
3. Zermatt, Switzerland
Completing the triplets of Alpine ski resorts, Zermatt in Switzerland is at the heart of ski resorts in the – naturally – Swiss Alps. Nearby Gstaad and St. Moritz justifiably attract some of the attention away from Zermatt, making this destination all the more peaceful and serene.
2. Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia, Canada
You can’t have a top-five skiing destination list without an appearance from Canada. Whistler Blackcomb is skiing heaven: hundreds of restaraunts with food from all over the world, cafes, and international stores are just part of the reason this ski destination is consistently rated one of the best in North America.
1. Aspen, Colorado, United States
Of course, the name “Aspen” is synonymous with skiing, and rightly so. Aspen attracts some of the world’s most affluent and famous people, as well as the top skiers around. With a balance of novice to intermediate to advanced ski hills, Aspen is a skiing destination for entire families and individual professionals looking to make a name for themselves.
Resorts like the Sky Hotel and Hyatt Grand Aspen provide shelter in the Rockies and allow visitors to experience some of the beautiful upscale beauty that Aspen holds.
Photo Credit: Marc van der Chijs
Originally posted 2008-10-22 21:23:37.
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Posted by Ski Snowboarder on August 24, 2010 in
ski resorts
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