Purchasing the Right Gear
‘A poor tradesman blames his tools’. That old adage may ring true in the most cases, however when it comes to skiing and snowboarding, having the right gear for the job is in fact essential. Last week, we did an article on boot fitting and the importance of getting it done properly, to follow up from that, this week we will look at purchasing your own gear and how to make sure you have the right equipment for the type of skiing or riding you are doing. We got hold of Neil from Salomon, a professional in the industry to help us out.
Why is having the right gear important?
When buying new gear there are so many options, and for good reason, there are so many different types of skiers out there. Firstly it’s important to know what type of skier you are. I break it up into four parts, beginner, intermediate, advance or expert. How much you ski and where is also important. An advanced skier skiing at Whakapapa will want a different ski to an advanced skier who skis as Mt Olympus.
One trend we are all noticing is that skis are getting wider. What is considered an ‘on piste’ ski today typically measures 75 to 80mm’s underneath the foot but people are also skiing skis that are 100mm plus every day. The Salomon Shogun for example is a great everyday ski suitable for hard or soft snow. Its width (100mm) combined with its Rocker tip make it super versatile for any conditions.
With all the options out there and all the new technologies I still recommend going to a shop and talking your options through with a knowledgeable salesperson.
How long after you have been hiring should you consider purchase?
As soon as possible! Nothing beats knowing how your gear will perform every day. Start with a good pair of boots, then some skis and I can assure you your skiing will improve.
There are a lot of different brands, types and styles of gear out there, how do we know which is right for us?
Buying from a shop and having a good discussion about what kind of skiing you will be doing is super important because there are so many options out there. Salomon offer a very broad range of skis suitable for all skiers and there skiing locations however all brands available in New Zealand stores are of good quality with good warranties and can be trusted to perform as they should.
Other than skis, bindings, boots and poles or snowboard, binding and boots, Is there any gear that is just bells and whistles? (not necessary to have a competent day on the snow)
Being cold is never good on the mountain so having a good set of thermals is key. Try out Mons Royale, a kiwi brand making great quality Merino underwear which is not only super styley but also keeps you warm and doesn’t stink. Trust me, after a six week demo tour of the South Island I’ve proven this.
Another suggestion would be the Contour HD Camera to get all your mountain footage on disc. The Camera is tiny so its sits on your pole or helmet with ease and its heaps of fun checking out the footage at the end of the day.
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