5 Tips to Prepare for Ski Season
Beginner to Pro.
Newbie or expert, good preparation is the difference between success and failure in any endeavor. In the case of a successful ski or snowboard season, success is directly correlated to how much fun you have and how little stress you experience. Here are five tips to help you maximize the fun, reduce the stress and have your best season yet!
Tip #1
Gather the essentials
Whether this is your 40th season on the slopes or, if you haven’t skied or snowboarded before, it’s always better to take an inventory of your equipment and accessories as well those of your family before the first ski day of the year. It’s terrible when you open your boot bag only to find the gloves you are positive you left there last March are nowhere to be found!
Here are some essentials you’ll want to consider having ready to go for the upcoming season.
Helmet & Goggles
We talk about helmets and goggles together because they work together as a system.
A properly fitted helmet can help prevent concussions and keep your head warm and dry. Check all your helmets for cracks and be sure the retention system, the clicking dial in the back of the helmet, is functioning correctly. Be sure your helmet and those of your family still fit. It should fit snug but be comfortable with no pressure points in any one spot.
Check your goggles for cracks in the frame and scratches on the lenses that could be annoying to look through all day.
Be sure to try-on helmets and goggles together. The gap between the brim of the helmet and the top of the goggles should be pretty tight. But be sure the helmet is not pressing down on the top of goggles creating pressure on the bridge nose.
Jackets & Snow Pants
Comfort on the slopes is all about mitigating the effects of the conditions - snow, rain, wind and temperature. Your ski jacket and snow pants are your first layer of defense against the elements. Check both for holes, tears or damaged zippers. Be sure both still fit well and any “changes in your body dimensions” haven’t affected the fit. Your jacket and pants should fit comfortably and allow for freedom of movement without any gaping that might let cold air to rush inside.
If you do need to update any of your outerwear, opt for waterproof jackets and pants. Common waterproof technologies include Gore-tex, Dry.Q and AscentShell just to name a few. The important feature of all these technologies is that they keep out 100% of the wind and wet, but allow for the water vapor your body is producing to escape keeping you dry, warm and comfortable.
Jackets and pants come in insulated and shell (non-insulated) varieties. Which you go with will vary depending on your use. Generally speaking, if you typically ski at the resort and do exclusively lift-serve skiing, getting a jacket and pants with some light insulation can be a good option. You can boost the warmth of both by boosting the weight of the layer you wear under them.
If you often, even occasionally, head for the uphill trails or venture into the backcountry, we strongly suggest getting a waterproof shell jacket and shell pants. These non-insulated items will keep the wet and wind out but won’t hold in any more heat than you need. You can have an insulated mid-layer stashed in your backpack you can put on when you get ready to head down the hill to keep you warm.
Pro Tip: Maximize your comfort and versatility by dressing in layers like described below when you head to the mountain.
Base Layer - Start with a synthetic material or merino wool base layer against your skin, both on your upper and lower body. Avoid long underwear that contains cotton. White the latter will get wet and stay wet leaving you damp and cold, synthetic materials and merino wool will move the water vapor you are producing away from your skin keeping you feeling dry and comfortable.
Related items: Baselayer tops and bottoms.
Mid (Insulation) layer - Add a mid-layer between to trap warm air and create a warm bubble between you and outdoors. You can vary the weight of this layer to control for the conditions on the day. During warm spring skiing, a light fleece layer might do the trick. Whereas in the depths of February a beefier down or synthetic lofted layer might be required.
Related items: Mid-layers.
Shell layer - Now throw a shell jacket and shell pants on top to keep out the elements and you are set to go.
Related items: Shell tops and bottoms.
Gloves
It sounds silly, but make sure your gloves are all complete sets. Things happen. It’s worth making sure before you get to the hill. Gloves should fit well to prevent gaping that can allow snow to get inside.
When shopping for gloves, just with ski jacket and snow pants, go with waterproof gloves or mittens for all the same reasons. Gloves touch down in the snow even more than jackets and pants do. So it’s important they can keep your hands, or the hands of little ones dry. Nothing takes a ski day from great to disaster like cold, wet hands. Good quality gloves that fit well work best to protect your hands and keep you active throughout the day.
Socks
It can be the small things that make all the difference. Cotton is a no no inside your boots. Synthetic materials and merino wool rule when it comes to socks. Go with socks that come up over your calf to avoid weird pressure spots created by wrinkles and overlapping material inside the boots. Cushion or no cushion is a personal preference, but a little cushion on the toe and heel is never a bad thing.
Neck gaiters and balaclava
Not everyone has these items in their bags. If you do, make sure they are clean and still in good shape for the season.
If you’ve never tried wearing a neck gaiter or a balaclava in a more extreme cold made from synthetic materials or merino wool, consider getting one each of these inexpensive items. Both help keep you warm and comfortable, especially in windy or snowy conditions.
Neck gaiters pull over your head and wrap loosely around your neck creating kind of a “seal” in the neck opening of your jacket to prevent cold wind and snow from entering the toast, dry environment you’ve created around your body.
Balaclavas cover your whole head and can even cover your mouth and nose for added protection and warmth on the coldest of days.
Related items: Headwear & Neckwear
Tip #2
Inspect your existing gear
If you already have skis, boots, snowboard and poles, it’s important to inspect your equipment ahead of each season, get a tune up and make any necessary repairs before you head to the mountains.
Skis
Most importantly, be sure to have your bindings tested and adjusted by a certified ski service center. Doing so will ensure your bindings release or hold fast when you want them to. Change in skier weight, height and ability all will affect how the binding release is calibrated. So it is important to have your bindings checked before every season. We need your boots to adjust the bindings. So be sure to bring those along.
Get your skis or board tuned-up. A well done tune will get the edges sharpened for precise, predictable turns and control. And if your bases took a hit or two from early season or spring rocks, have those gouges tended to. Is there any delamination at the tips or tails occurring on older skis? Sometimes this can be patched to prevent further damage.
A tune-up will also have fresh wax applied to the base. Waxing the base is less about making the skis fast. It’s more about getting more glide out of your skis or board. This means less poling or kicking when the trail levels out. Wax also protects the base against damage.
Getting a tune-up at the start of the season, and even a tune or two mid season, is an inexpensive way to protect your investment.
Related article: How to Choose the Right Skis for You
Boots
Check that your boots still fit and are comfortable. I might sound silly, but our feet do change over time. And while your street shoes are very forgiving of small changes in the shape of your foot or a newly forming bunion, hard plastic ski boots are not.
Put on your favorite ski sock and buckle up your boots. Wear them around the living room for 15-20 minutes and make sure everyone is still happy together. If you are feeling pressure or pain in a particular spot, bring your boots in and we can work with you to find a solution.
A less common issue with boots is excessive wear on the toe and heel lugs. The lugs are the parts of the boot that engage directly with the bindings to hold the skis to your feet. When these parts of the boot get worn to a particular point, typically from walking in the boots on concrete in the lodge or in the parking lot, adjusting the bindings can become an issue.
When you bring your skis in to have bindings checked, we will inspect your boots as well. So be sure to bring them along.
Related article: How to Choose the Perfect Ski Boots
Poles
The little appreciated pole. Forever leaned against the car, only to fall in the mud in the parking lot. Be sure to pay our unsung friends some attention. Make sure they are not bent or cracked, and that the baskets, grips and straps are all intact.
Tip #3
No equipment? No problem!
If you are new to skiing and don’t have equipment, or if you need new skis or new boots, the best thing you can do is talk to the pros. And we’re here to help. Come in to any of our 5 locations. We’ll get educated and help you pick the right gear for your needs.
Check out these great resources:
How to choose the right skis for you | Ski Sizing and Buying Guide
How to choose and size ski boots | Ski Boots Size and Fitting Guide
How to Try-On and Evaluate the Size and Fit of SKi Boots | A step-by-Step Guide
Alpine Touring Ski and Boot Buyer’s Guide
Ski Finder - Let us help you love your choice
Adult ski rentals at Gorham Bike & Ski
Tip #4
Prepare your body
There is nothing quite like sore legs, sore feet or fatigue to ruin a good ski day. Preseason conditioning is one of the best ways to prepare your body for ski season and prevent injuries on the slopes.
When should I start?
It’s a good idea to begin training six to eight weeks before the start of ski season. This will give you enough time to feel the benefits of the work you are doing.
What should I train?
Skiing and snowboarding require a combination of muscle strength, balance, endurance and cardio. It’s best to incorporate these elements into your workout routine, even if you split them between days.
How often should I train?
Two or three times each week should yeild benefits for most.
Sample workout
There is no shortage of videos on YouTube with pre-season workout examples. Here is a link to one we liked because she hits on a good set of exercises you can do without equipment and she took it outside. Being outside is always great! But mostly we liked it because of the dog.
Tip #5
Get back to basics
Learning to ski or snowboard is no easy feat. If you’re new to the sport or are getting back into it after a hiatus, start with easier runs to help you learn and master basic skills and get used to your equipment.
Even if you ski 30-plus days a season, don’t be afraid to throw in a couple drills on some easier terrain at the beginning of your first few outings. Doing so will help reinforce skills and movement patterns that may be rusty after a summer off.