How to choose skis

Skiing is very popular in our country. An excellent form of physical activity, a great way to keep your body in shape, as well as burn extra pounds – this is not a complete list of the positive aspects of skiing. And in order for the effect to be maximized, the choice of skis and related equipment must be taken seriously.

Top ski equipment manufacturers

The release of high-quality skis is a very difficult procedure, associated with the observance of numerous nuances, and therefore your choice should be given in favor of exclusively proven brands that are on everyone's lips:

1. Salomon;

2. Tisa;

3. Fischer;

4. Rossignol;

5. Atomic;

6. Madshus;

When choosing a specific model, one should rely not only on the technical characteristics, but also on the reviews of athletes who use skis for an arbitrarily long time. You can get acquainted with them on specialized portals on the Internet, as well as on thematic forums and social networks.

Types of skis. What are they like?

The ski models on sale can be divided into several conditional groups depending on their price range, as well as the advantages that users gain with them.

Types of skis. What are they like?

The ski models on sale can be divided into several conditional groups depending on their price range, as well as the advantages that users gain with them.

Classic skis

The most popular view among amateurs, involves a leisurely movement along a snow-covered surface along two parallel tracks. The length of classic skis is 20-30 centimeters higher than the rider's height, the width is minimal, the nose is almost always sharp and bent upwards at a slight angle. The best option for beginners.

Advantages

• Inexpensive;

• Low rigidity;

• Suitable for outdoor activities in winter;

• Suitable for beginners;

disadvantages

• Do not develop high speed;

• Not intended for other riding techniques;

Skating skis

Short and stiff models designed for skating style. They have a short length and a pronounced rounded nose raised up. The inner part of the ski has sufficient rigidity and takes over the stop point during acceleration. Allows to develop significant speed with minimal energy consumption.

Advantages

• Compact;

• Used for sports competitions;

• Allows you to quickly accelerate;

• Hard;

disadvantages

• Not suitable for the classic move;

• Roads;

Combo skis

A versatile option that is a cross between classic and skate models. They allow you to perform both of the above running techniques with equal efficiency. They differ in average rigidity and somewhat less than in classic models in length.

Advantages

• Versatile;

• Medium hardness;

• Suitable for both classical and skating techniques;

• Relatively inexpensive;

disadvantages

• An exclusively amateur option, not suitable for professional sports;

• Do not provide the ability to develop a high speed of movement;

Skiing

A highly specialized ski subspecies designed for high-speed maneuvering when descending a steep slope. This category includes carving models, cross and ski cross skis, freestyle and freeride skis. They have a significant width of the waist and a minimum bend of the toe. Provide for Olympic bindings and the installation of rigid boots, rigidly fixing the ankle. They allow you to develop very high speed.

Advantages

• High quality workmanship;

• Rigid construction;

• Allow to develop significant acceleration;

• Wide waist;

disadvantages

• Expensive;

• Not suitable for beginners;

Children's and teenage skis

Compact models made of lightweight plastic. Designed for the youngest athletes who are just learning to stand and ski properly. Simple construction, reliable attachments, low weight and high strength are the key characteristics of children's ski models.

Advantages

• Compact dimensions;

• Low cost;

• Robust construction;

• Low weight;

disadvantages

• Cannot be purchased 'for growth';

• Should be selected individually;

Hunting skis

A separate category of skis designed for use in the most severe conditions. No innovative and high-speed characteristics are distinguished here, the main requirement is simplicity of design, unpretentiousness and reliability. Hunting skis are characterized by maximum strength, increased width and comfortable mounts that allow you to fix your feet or, on the contrary, release them in a matter of seconds.

Advantages

• High strength;

• Suitable for use in the harshest conditions;

• Considerable width;

• Short length;

disadvantages

• Not suitable for everyday use;

• Professional models are very expensive;

• Large weight;

The main criteria for choosing cross-country skis

Having decided on a specific category of skis and their mode of operation, it is necessary to choose the most suitable model, taking into account the following technical characteristics.

Choosing the length of skis by height and weight

An individual parameter, selected based on the anatomical features of a particular person.

1. The standard rule of thumb is that properly sized freeride skis are 9-14 centimeters longer than a person's height. It is true for the average rider weighing 70-90 kilograms;

2. Experienced skiers very often neglect this rule and choose skis whose length is identical to their height. They explain their choice by the increase in mobility and maneuverability, which is given by the compact size.

3. When choosing skis for professional slalom, freestyle and downhill skiing, skis that are shorter than the rider's height by 10-15 centimeters are optimal;

4. If the weight exceeds 100 kilograms, add another 3-5 centimeters to the resulting value.

Ski stiffness

Depending on the type, design and purpose of a particular model, the stiffness of the skis can vary significantly.

1. The higher the stiffness, the faster and sharper the athlete will move and the angrier the turns will be. Rigid skis are chosen by experienced sportsmen who are good at technique;

2. Soft skis are more comfortable for skiing, they forgive many mistakes in technique, and therefore are best for beginners.

3. This parameter is indicated on the package.

Turning circle

Reflects how quickly this or that pair of skis can turn. It is measured in meters and indicates the radius of the track described by the rider while moving. For most modern models, the circumference is between 10 and 20 meters. Beginners should prefer skis with a wide, about 16-18 meters, turning radius. And vice versa, the more experienced the athlete, the smaller the radius will be optimal for him.

Ski geometry and waist width

Giving specific advice on choosing ski geometry is quite problematic. There are a number of specific criteria specific to models of one type or another, which many manufacturers adhere to. Choosing a certain type of ski, the buyer knowingly gets a certain set of geometric properties that are most suitable for use.

1. Models equipped with a wide nose are comfortable for high-speed maneuvering and can be easily put into turns, with a narrow nose they are optimal for changing edges.

2. A similar situation is in terms of the heel of skis – the wider it is, the more skill it requires from the skier, and therefore beginners should prefer skis with a narrow heel.

3. The waist is the narrowest point on the ski, located in the ski boot area. The wider the waist, the more stable the ski and the higher its permeability. Skis with a waist of 65 to 75 centimeters are considered optimal, and the more experienced the skier, the more narrow models he prefers.

The material from which the skis are made

1. Soft woods are durable and high-quality material that requires special care from an athlete. The most widespread are beech, ash, elm and pine. Due to their high hygroscopicity, it is not recommended to use them in thaws, and after skiing, they must be thoroughly dried;

2. Plastic and similar polymeric materials are durable, reliable and high quality materials that are widely used in the manufacture of skis. Plastic is devoid of all those disadvantages that are inherent in wood. He has one minus – when skiing in frost, plastic skis tend to roll back;

How to choose ski bindings?

Fastening model NNN (New Nordic Norm )

The most common design, easy to use and easy to maintain. Provides for the presence of special guides located along the mount, as well as a soft rubber insert in the nose, against which the boot rests when accelerating. The fastening bracket in this scheme is shifted back for maximum convenience when performing the skating technique of movement;

Advantages

• Most widespread;

• Fixation is carried out both in manual and automatic modes;

• Large selection of boot models that support this mount;

• Simplicity of construction;

disadvantages

• In frosty weather, moisture trapped between the boot and the mount can freeze;

NIS (Nordic Integrated System ) mounting system

Unified fastening algorithm developed in 2005. It is widely used by leading manufacturers of skis and ski equipment. Structurally, they are fully compatible with equipment for the NNN structure. They are characterized by compact dimensions due to the mounting platform fixed to the ski.

Advantages

• Small size;

• Compatible with NNN equipment;

• Simplicity and ease of installation;

• The ability to move along the longitudinal axis of the ski;

disadvantages

• High price;

• Also prone to freezing;

SNS fastening system (Salomon Nordic System )

The principle of operation of this system is similar to that of NNN. The key element is the wide rail to which the boot is attached. The front part is equipped with a soft rubber stop with adjustable stiffness, which makes it possible to change the riding technique if necessary.

Advantages

• Functionality;

• The equipment of this standard is produced by most well-known manufacturers;

• Ease of use;

• Ease of installation;

disadvantages

• Not compatible with other types of mounts;

• It is difficult to find the right footwear due to the low prevalence and high cost;

• Requires special equipment;

Fastening system Nordic Norm 75

The oldest, time-tested design, familiar to many skiers since the days of the Soviet Union. Modern analogues are made of plastic or lightweight metal alloys and allow the use of skis with a waist width of up to 75 millimeters. Fixation is carried out by means of a special metal thrust bearing of variable length.

Advantages

• Cheapness;

• A great option for children and teenagers' skis;

• Suitable for both beginners and experienced skiers;

disadvantages

• Popularity is dwindling;

• Differences between left and right fasteners;

• A large number of counterfeit and fakes;

How to choose ski boots?

In order for skiing to bring exclusively positive emotions, the choice of ski boots must be given the utmost attention. Proper ski shoes should:

1. Be comfortable, do not create discomfort during prolonged use;

2. Correctly fit your feet;

3. Protect from cold and moisture;

4. Rigidly fix the ankle, thereby improving the convenience of maneuvering at high speed;

Modern ski boots are divided into three categories:

1. Classic ski shoes. It features a low shin and a soft sole, made of plastic material. Fixation on the leg with a zipper or lace;

2. Athletic boots for aggressive riding. Tall and stiff, equipped with a firm sole to secure the rider's ankle securely.

3. A combo option popular with advanced skiing enthusiasts. Boots of this design are tall and firmly fix the joint, but the material used in their manufacture is much softer than their sports counterparts.

Characteristics to look for when choosing ski boots

1. The size. Measured by the length and width of the inner boot that holds the rider's foot. It is necessary to choose an option that will reliably fix the foot and avoid its free movement, but at the same time will not squeeze on both sides, as well as press in the toes during active movement. The best option for choosing boots is to try on the sock that will be used when skiing;

2. Rigidity. As noted above, the choice of boots in terms of rigidity is based on the experience of the rider and his riding technique. Soft boots are suitable for beginners and amateurs of freeriding, hard ones for professional athletes who actively use the jerk technique;

3. Boot weight. The traditional rule of thumb 'the less weight, the more comfortable it is to ski' is common for amateurs and professionals alike. At the same time, it must be remembered that overly light boots may have insufficient strength, which is fraught with their quick failure;

4. Type of mount to be installed. According to this parameter, it is necessary to select those boots, the design of the fastening unit of which will correspond to the fastening installed on the skis;

5. Inner boot form factor and construction. An important element that directly affects comfort. Preference should be given to a boot that has an anatomical shape, completely repeating the contours of the rider's leg;

Choosing cross-country skiing

The cross-country category includes a huge number of skis used for freeriding and outdoor activities. Classic ski for outdoor activities are selected based on the rider's weight and height. Their length should exceed their height by 15-20 centimeters, and if a person's weight is more than 100 kilograms – by 20-25 centimeters. It is better to prefer medium stiffness, thereby ensuring a balance between ease of use and speed. The surface of the skis is flat, without notches. Despite the tendency to roll back, such skis are suitable for use both in frost and thaw, as well as on snow covered with a crust of ice;

Choosing skis for skating

Skating skis have a length that is 7-10 centimeters longer than the height of the rider himself, as well as a narrow nose and wide heel. At the waist, the width of skating skis almost never exceeds 70-72 millimeters. A flat surface of the lower part of the ski is required, in this way a good run-out is ensured in any mode of operation. The correct selection of ski boots plays an important role – for skating techniques, hard boots with a high ankle are preferable, which reliably hold the foot during skiing.

In the following articles, our experts tell you how to choose alpine skis and the secrets of choosing children's skis.

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