Like it or not, as a first-time skier, you’re going to fall. A lot!
Whether you plan to steer clear of the steep slopes, carry your ski under your arm and walk every time you stumble on a bumpy slope, or wrap your hands around your ski partner you’ll still fall a couple of times.
Sorry to burst your bubble that way. That’s just the rite of passage. But falling doesn’t have to be hurtful. With the right gear, you can fall, and still smile as you continue to glide down.
In this article, we want to talk about the list of things you’ll need for your first skiing experience.
1. A snow helmet
Helmet is the first important gear for a beginner skier because, as I said earlier, you’ll fall a lot. However, with a quality helmet wrapped around your head, you’ll be protected even if you find yourself tumbling down a steep slope.
So, before you leave home, make sure you pack a perfectly-fitted quality helmet. The one I recommend is a snow helmet with MIPS protection. MIPS protection means that the helmet is designed to help protect your head from smashing directly into the side of the helmet.
2. Ski
What are you going to do on a ski mountain if you haven’t got an actual ski? So, I believe you know you need a ski.
It’s advisable to bring your own ski along when coming to the mountains, and not to hope to rent a ski on-site or at a nearby store.
This is because your experience on the mountains is hugely dependent on how fitting your ski is – if they are too long they will be more difficult to control, especially considering your inexperience.
If you buy your skis before leaving online or at a local store, they’ll set up your ski (including the DIN setting of the bindings) to match.
3. Ski boots
Like the skis, you need to bring well-fitted ski boots from home. Advisably, you can buy your ski boots online from the same store you bought the ski.
Like the ski, it’s not advisable to rent boots because of the issue of sizing. Logically speaking, if you buy your own boots, they will fit your feet better than rented boots.
Remember, if your boots are too tight, you will get cramps and will have no choice but to stop your ski prematurely.
4. Water-resistant ski pants
The strange one on our list. But it’s just as important as the rest. Unless you wish to ski half frozen and in soaked pants, bringing water-resistant pants along is a no-brainer.
The beauty of water-resistant ski pants is they have the ability to stay dry and cozy even when it’s snowing hard.
5. Anti-fog Goggles
Goggles are the next important gear because of windy and snowy runs. Although it may not snow every time, it’s still essential to wear a goggle that protects you against harmful UV rays that may interfere with your sight while gliding or sliding through the mountains.
Most people might tell you not to bring a goggle along because you’ll always find one to rent on-site, but I strongly disagree with this idea. The reason being that most rental goggles you’ll find may not fit perfectly well on your face. In which case, you run the risk of them fogging up, and affecting your vision.
The best idea is to buy your own skiing goggles. If you shop online, you will find different sizes and designs.
6. Base layers
Nobody knows what the weatherman will say on your ski day. So to avoid being sorry for yourself, it is advised to bring a dedicated base layer. Base layers are thin long-sleeve shirts you can wear underneath your jacket or main shirts. They come in handy against days when the temperature might get unpredictable.
7. Phone-friendly gloves
You need gloves, too. Mostly for two reasons. One, to keep your hands warm when the weather becomes unexpectedly cold. Two, to keep your hands dry so that you can use your phone to take pictures without having to take off your gloves.
Normally, most synthetic leather ski gloves should serve both purposes.