How to choose alpine skiing

Alpine skiing gives you a lot of incomparable emotions, but it has a very high injury hazard. In order to protect yourself as much as possible, you must resort to a high-quality choice of equipment, as well as carefully approach the choice of the skis themselves, paying close attention to the main characteristics.

The best ski manufacturers

Not every model is able to withstand the harsh mode of skiing operation, and therefore, choosing skis for high-speed maneuvering in such conditions, preference should be given to exclusively high-quality and well-known products:

1. Salomon;

2. Tisa;

3. Fischer;

4. Rossignol;

5. Atomic;

6. Madshus;

Before giving your choice in favor of a particular model, one should not only study its characteristics, but also read the reviews of specific athletes who use the device in real conditions and highlight their advantages and disadvantages.

Alpine skiing types

Modern models of alpine skiing are divided into several categories depending on the style and technique of skiing.

Carving class skis

Classic models designed for high-speed maneuvering on specially prepared sites and tracks. They are highly popular with regulars at ski resorts. The width at the waist is 65-70 millimeters, the nose has a wide, elongated shape, thereby providing ease of maneuvering during descent.

Advantages

• High functionality;

• Convenient to operate;

• Allows the possibility of rolling in an arc;

• Designed for skiing on prepared tracks;

disadvantages

• Expensive enough;

• Not suitable for skiing on an unprepared slope;

Free skiing skis (freeride models)

In a sense, these models are the opposite of carving. They are designed for skiing on snow-covered virgin soil and an unprepared slope, and therefore have the appropriate characteristics. Such models are much wider – the minimum width at the waist is 80-82 millimeters, there are models up to 100-110 millimeters wide. They are distinguished by a wide toe and heel.

Advantages

• Perfect for riding on unclean virgin soil;

• Withstand ski jumping on rough snow;

• Can perform various tricks and maneuvering in an arc;

• Stable and agile;

disadvantages

• Expensive enough;

• Requires certain skills, not suitable for beginners;

• Difficult to learn;

Universal skis (all-terrain models)

They include the advantages of the types described above and allow you to ride with equal success both on specially prepared tracks and on snow-covered virgin lands. An excellent choice for beginners looking to master the correct riding technique. The width at the waist varies between 65 and 80 centimeters, the shape of the nose and heel is wide and curved.

Advantages

• Versatile;

• Maneuverable and comfortable enough;

• Allows you to ride both on virgin soil and on a specially prepared track;

disadvantages

• Mediocre handling;

• Not suitable for complex tricks;

Freestyle skiing

Models designed for free rolling and performing all kinds of acrobatic elements, tricks and jumps. They are characterized by a significant waist width (80-100 centimeters) and a relatively short own length. Due to its special shape, it allows you to drive in both directions with the same efficiency;

Advantages

• Universal;

• Equipped with twintips – special elements that allow you to ride both forward and backward;

• Allow to perform various acrobatic elements and jumping from a springboard;

• Wide;

• Powerful and hardy;

disadvantages

• Roads;

• Not suitable for beginners;

• Require certain skills;

Racing skis (Racing)

Exceptionally professional models designed for high-speed maneuvering. With the appropriate technique, they can easily reach speeds of 80 or more kilometers per hour. Powerful, tough and resistant to mechanical stress. They do not differ in their large width – about 72-75 millimeters at the waist, and are longer than all the above models.

Advantages

• Hard;

• Allows you to develop tremendous speed;

• Minimum coefficient of friction;

• Hardy;

disadvantages

• Narrow specialization;

• Requires serious training and the ability to maneuver at speed;

• High price;

The main criteria for choosing alpine skis

According to this parameter, all alpine skis are divided into several classes.

1. Soft alpine skiing, class 6-8. Models designed for beginners are forgiving of a lot of mistakes;

2. Alpine skis of medium hardness, class 8-10. Universal models that can be recommended for purchase by both a beginner and an advanced amateur.

3. Hard alpine skiing class 10-12. The lot of professional riders, they require honed control and maneuvering techniques;

Turning radius

A parameter that determines how maneuverable and comfortable to control the skis will be and how suitable they are for operation in certain conditions. The value of this parameter can vary from 10 to 40 meters. The higher the value, the more skill in handling specific skis require.

1. For beginner riders and amateurs, skis with a turning radius of about 16-18 meters will be required;

2. Professional models, designed for downhill skiing, have a turning radius of 35-40 meters;

3. Slalom skis, with their short length, can have a turning radius of up to 25-30 meters;

Choosing alpine skis by height and weight

Traditionally, it is believed that the longer the skis, the more convenient it is to maneuver them and the greater the speed the rider is able to develop. However, it is wrong to go to the store and buy the longest models on sale; the following factors should be taken into account when choosing:

1. Rider growth. Skis are considered optimal if they are 10-15 centimeters taller than the height of the skier;

2. Weight. The more weight a person has, the longer the skis should be. This is due to the need to compensate for increased bending at the attachment point. An alternative to choosing long skis in this situation can be a choice in favor of a model of a more rigid class;

3. Short skis are more maneuverable than long skis, but they are much more difficult to control. For this reason, such models are the lot of professional riders;

Ski geometry

Three parameters should be taken into account:

1. The width and degree of roundness of the nose. The wider and rounder the nose, the more comfortable it is for the rider to maneuver on the track. Conversely, a narrow and elongated nose is capable of developing an increased speed, yielding to a wide one in maneuverability;

2. The width of the waist is the narrowest point in which the fasteners are usually installed. The wider the waist, the more passable the skis are. For riding on equipped tracks, models with a waist width of about 65-68 centimeters are suitable, but if it is a matter of dealing with snow-covered virgin lands, wider, about 70-73 centimeters, models should be preferred.

3. Heel construction and width. The situation is similar to that of the toe: the wider and rounder the heel, the more maneuverable and safer in the ski turns. A narrow and pointed heel is the lot of high-speed professional models;

Ski mount type

This parameter indicates the maximum load that the mechanism allows during intensive use. It is indicated by numerical values, where each unit represents 10 kilograms of the rider's weight. The situation is viewed from two sides:

1. For beginners and amateurs, mounts should be selected according to the principle 'own weight – 1-2 points'. For example, with a dead weight of 80 kilograms, you should prefer fastenings 1-2 classes less than the value 8. 6 or 7 class of fasteners will be optimal;

2. For experienced riders who regularly practice downhill descents, the parameter is determined in the opposite direction – the rider's weight plus 1-2 points. Thus, the above-described 80-kg experienced rider in this situation will require a 9-10 class attachment;

Choosing downhill skiing for a child

The criteria for choosing alpine skis for a small rider are in many ways similar to those for adults with appropriate adjustments towards the height and weight of the baby. The most stable and maneuverable models should be chosen, which are suitable for mastering skiing techniques and teach the child to stand confidently on skis. In the future, as the skills of the young rider grow, more unified ski models may be required.

Choosing downhill skiing for a beginner

For a beginner rider who does not fully own the skiing technique, skis must have the following criteria:

1. Class – universal or freeride;

2. Length exceeding by 10-15 centimeters, his own height;

3. 6-8 class of hardness;

4. Wide and rounded toe and heel;

5. Class of installed mounts depending on weight;

6. Waist 72-75 mm wide;

Choosing boots for alpine skiing

Properly selected ski boots must meet the following requirements.

Boot size

It is necessary to select shoes for skiing exclusively by fitting. It should be carried out on the sock in which the skating will take place. After all the mounts take their place, you need to apply a dynamic load and see if the leg is securely fixed, if there is any backlash and discomfort.

Rigidity

Unlike classic skiing, alpine skiing involves the use of extremely hard and high boots that fix the ankle as securely as possible and allow you to clearly control the trajectory of movement.

Number of belts

The more clips on the boot, the more secure the leg will be and the more fixed its position will be during an intense descent from the mountain. Models equipped with a four-point mount with variable tightening force are considered optimal. You should also pay attention to the width of the belts – the larger this parameter is, the more reliably the lower leg is fixed during riding.

Shoe width

It is selected individually, taking into account the geometric dimensions and anatomical structure of the leg. Divided into three categories:

1. Narrow shoe – 88-96 mm;

2. Medium-sized block – 95-100 millimeters;

3. Wide block – more than 100 millimeters;

Liner design and material

1. The liner is an inner padded insert designed to protect the foot from cold and moisture. It is made of dense membrane materials and completely follows the contours of the rider's leg. There are three main types of liner on sale:

2. Classic non-molding. A boot that has fixed sizes and is fitted by fitting;

3. Shaped. A standard size soft liner that requires breaking, during which it gradually takes the anatomical shape of the rider's leg, following its contours and curves;

4. Filler liner. The design is similar to the moldable one and is also designed to create an anatomically shaped internal structure;

5. As a heater, you can find felt (in cheap models), natural fluff, as well as synthetic thinsulate material, which is currently the most modern heat insulator.

In the following articles, our experts tell you how to choose skis for your child and the secrets of choosing cross-country skis.

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Attention! This material is the subjective opinion of the authors of the project and is not a purchase guide.