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Ski equipment: everything you need to take with you for the winter holidays

Ski equipment: everything you need to take with you for the winter holidays

This article on ski gear was originally published on the Italian version of GQ

What do you need for a ski vacation? Here is a list that will help you review the ski equipment you already have at home and decide what to buy, with a view to a weekend in the mountains or a vacation.

  1. Ski or snowboard.
  2. Sticks.
  3. Boots.
  4. Mask
  5. Helmet.
  6. Gloves.
  7. Thermal underwear.
  8. Socks.
  9. Coat and pants.
  10. Backpack.

Ski - Snowboard

The fundamental thing, without this I could not even start. You almost certainly already have them. If you do not have them, consider the option of renting it. If you are going to trade them in or buy them for the first time, then you need to understand what you are looking for. The first thing is to consider the technical level: beginner, intermediate or advanced. Other aspects to take into account will be gender, height and weight and, finally, where do you like to ski the most, if it is on all-terrain beaten snow, (suitable for most skiers: very manageable, they drive with little force and are more forgiving of mistakes), or all-mountain (similar to all-terrain skis but much wider and in some cases softer to ride. Therefore, they are ideal for skiers who often venture off-piste) or free-ride, suitable for off-roading and very comfortable in fresh snow.

Sticks

Identifying the most suitable clubs is not complicated, just do a simple test to avoid buying a club that is too short or too long. Grab a pole as you would on the ski slope and check to see if in this position, your forearm parallel to the ground forms a 90° angle with your upper arm. As for the material, aluminum or carbon fiber or a mixture of both, it is subjective, only the weight changes, the carbon ones are lighter and thinner, and the price.

Boots

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Choosing the right boots for your ski equipment is very important to avoid foot pain during and after your day on the slopes. In general, to know if the boot is suitable for your foot or not, do this test: check that while standing, the toes touch the tip of the boot, then bend the knees and make sure that the toes do not reach the tip of the boot Many boots are also equipped with a thermoformable liner that is heated by special equipment: once the foot is inserted, the liner can take the shape of your foot during cooling.

Mask

Protecting your eyes is essential. Of course, you can also wear sunglasses, but a mask is better, because it is more protective in bad weather, snow or rain, but also dust and debris. And in case of a fall it is more resistant.

Helmet

Currently limited to children under the age of 14 only, wearing helmets on the ski slopes is also highly recommended for adults, whether beginners or experts. Wearing a helmet not only allows you to protect yourself from falls and ski more safely, but also to keep your head warm. There are also highly technological models on the market that incorporate headphones and a microphone to listen to music and answer the phone.

Gloves

Skiing without them would be impossible: frostbite of the fingers is just around the corner since the hands are the part of the body most exposed to cold. That is why it is better to buy a pair that guarantees thermal insulation and waterproofing. The best ones are also breathable. On the market, for the coldest, there are also gloves that heat up.

Thermal underwear

There are many good reasons to wear thermal underwear (t-shirt and leggings). First of all, because the base layers that are worn directly on the skin guarantee the thermal regulation of the body and perspiration. By breathability we mean the ability to transport the sweat produced by your body to the outside during physical activity: the fabric must keep the skin dry, guaranteeing not only maximum comfort, but also health.

Socks

Socks are the tool to keep your feet warm, which suffer from the cold inside ski boots. The ideal is merino wool socks, which keep body heat stable. Breathable technical fabrics are also good.

coat and pants

Also in this case, having quality ones serves to have good comfort. Whether they are waterproof and breathable, they help keep you from sweating during the most demanding stages of skiing, when we have to push the skis on flat sections, or when we make strenuous movements from an energetic point of view.

Backpack

A backpack, better if it is waterproof, to use when skiing is very useful for storing personal effects, but also for a bottle of water or hot tea, and a packed lunch if necessary. There are also some very practical baby carriers on the market.

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