Clothing & Equipment - Skis, boards, and boots

Winter sports equipment can be expensive. With the cost of buying skis, boards and boots running into several hundred pounds you should consider whether renting might be a better option.

If you intend buying, you need to be sure that you will use your purchases enough to warrant the initial outlay.

If you have never skied or snowboarded before, consider the fact that you may not enjoy it so you could be wasting your money.

Also consider the fact that equipment is designed according to your ability so for example a pair of beginners ski boots may hold you back as you become a more competent skier after your first few ski holidays.

If you continue with your skiing and snowboarding then you will probably want to progress from your beginner's equipment to intermediate and advanced equipment.

Therefore, renting can be a better option if you are completely new to winter sports.

Ski and Snowboard Boots
Despite the financial implications of buying beginner's equipment, when it comes to boots there is a definite advantage in purchasing as opposed to renting because you are more likely to end up with a pair of well-fitting boots.

With ski boots, not only will you have more choice when buying, you will also be able to have them heat-moulded to fit your foot shape if necessary.

Ski boots should fit the bindings on virtually any standard ski. However, if you buy standard snowboard boots with the intention of using them with a rented board, check the rental shop you are going to use has boards with strap-in bindings. Occasionally, you may find rental shops with '‘click-in' bindings that require the rider to wear a different type of boot.

Whether you decide to rent or buy your ski or snowboard boots, it is important that you take your time to find a pair that fits properly.

Don’t be rushed into buying or renting a pair of boots just because the retail or rental shop assistant tells you they are the right size.

The boots need to be a snug fit – this is what gives you control of your skis or board. However, they should not be so tight that they cut off the circulation or become painful.

Foot shapes vary and so do the models of boots offered by different manufacturers so take your time and try on several pairs before you hand over your money.

Although they are now far less common, unisex boots still exist. However, because women's legs are a different shape to men's legs you should avoid unisex boots.

The 'one size fits all' approach is likely to leave you very uncomfortable and unable to fully enjoy your skiing or snowboarding.

A pair of well-fitting boots can make a real difference to your skiing or snowboarding so take your time to get it right.

Skis and Snowboards
Skis have changed dramatically over the last decade. They used to be long and straight but now they are much shorter and shaped.

The new style skis are often called shaped or carving skis and they allow skiers to turn much easier than the old style straight skis.

Shaped skis are now standard in most rental shops and retail outlets so make sure you don't get palmed off with with an old pair of straight skis.

Standard snowboard shape has not changed greatly because the design works.

In fact the development of shaped skis owes a lot to the design principles of snowboards.

Shaped skis are much easier to turn than the older straight skis because the curved shape does a lot of the work for you.

Beginners usually start off using beginners skis and snowboards that are usuallly shorter and than intermediate and advanced pieces of equipment.

You should be guided by a qualified ski technician/retailer as to what skis or board will be best for you.

Never be tempted to borrow skis or a snowboard without having a technician check the bindings (mechanisms for fixing skis/boards to boots) are set correctly for your ability and size.

It’s probably worth pointing out again that unless money is no object, renting is probably a more sensible option as you will probably want to upgrade your equipment as you progress.

Before you buy skis or snowboards also consider that they will be an extra piece of luggage whilst you are travelling and you are likely to have pay "ski-carriage" for carrying them on flights.