If you’re a skiing novice, you might be wrestling with questions like, “Isn’t skiing an expensive sport? How much do I need to spend on equipment?” “What do I need to prepare for skiing?” “Where should I go skiing?”
NO, NO, NO! When skiing for the first time, you don’t need to buy too much equipment. Don’t think that skiing requires a head-to-toe investment, and don’t assume that the more expensive the skiwear, the better. Don’t believe you have to spend a fortune to enjoy skiing.
Because you might really not be suited for skiing, you might ski once and never go again, or you might buy a pair of skis only to find out that snowboarding is your true love! So, it’s better to experience it first and decide on equipment later.
Now you might ask, “If I don’t buy equipment, how do I go skiing?” Let me share a money-saving tip with you—rent or borrow skiing equipment. Once you’ve learned, adapted, fallen in love, and decided, then go ahead and make your purchases! Almost any ski resort offers equipment rental, and you can check prices on their official websites or inquire by phone.
So, you don’t need to buy any of these! Just go to the ski resort, and you can rent them. Usually, renting a full set costs $20-40 per day.
Now, let’s learn how to correctly choose safe and suitable equipment at the ski resort. Choosing the wrong equipment might result in some unexpected falls!
Equipment Guide
Rent a Snowboard
Be honest about your skiing experience; don’t exaggerate.
Truthfully and modestly tell the staff about your skiing skills. Otherwise, you might end up with a snowboard you can’t handle.
Understand the Snow Conditions
Check the weather and snow conditions at the ski resort in advance. Ask the staff or check the website. Choose the appropriate snowboard based on the current snow conditions.
Inspect the Board Edges
Avoid selecting a board with dents, burrs, or dull edges.
Check the Base of the Board
Ideally, every rented snowboard should be waxed before use. However, there might be exceptions, so carefully inspect and choose a board with a uniformly glossy base, without dents or scratches.
Choose the Right Board Length
Snowboards for off-piste or backcountry skiing are generally longer than those for on-piste skiing. Shorter boards are easier for beginners to control. Beginners should not choose a board longer than their collarbone, and intermediate skiers should not exceed the length of their Adam’s apple.
Select a Safe Helmet
While children at ski resorts typically wear helmets, many adults don’t. Some even think only professional athletes wear helmets. However, for beginners, Wild Child strongly recommends wearing a helmet! Don’t skip it just because you’re worried about ruining your hairstyle. Don’t assume that since you’re skiing slowly as a beginner, falling won’t cause any harm. Even on the gentlest slopes, hitting your head can be as painful as hitting a rock, or even result in an injury. Especially for beginners who haven’t mastered how to ski and brake, wearing a helmet is a must!
Little Tip: After buying your ski pass, be sure to check the equipment rental information on the ski resort’s official website. If you pre-book equipment rentals, some ski resorts may offer discounts!
Apart from the hardware equipment for skiing, the rest is up to us. Such as skiing clothes, skiing pants, skiing goggles, gloves, scarves, and warm base layers.
Skiwear & Ski Pants
“Ski clothes and pants must be expensive!” They are indeed not cheap. However, for first-time skiers, if you can borrow from friends or family, that’s the best. But if you can’t borrow, don’t wait until you arrive at the ski resort to buy. You can choose non-professional but reliable waterproof tops and pants. Wild Child suggests novice skiers avoid wearing jeans because, well, you’ll find out why when you fall!
Ski Goggles
Due to the strong sunlight reflecting off the snow, ski goggles are essential for protecting your eyes. Whether renting or buying new ones, try on goggles that fit your head size well, offering protection from intense sunlight and wind.
Novice skiers don’t need to buy the most expensive ones; having an expensive pair won’t make you look cooler on the ski slope.
Helmet
While children at ski resorts typically wear helmets, many adults don’t. Some even think only professional athletes wear helmets. However, Wild Child strongly recommends novice skiers wear a helmet! Don’t skip it just because you’re worried about ruining your hairstyle. Don’t assume that since you’re skiing slowly as a beginner, falling won’t cause any harm. Even on the gentlest slopes, hitting your head can be as painful as hitting a rock, or even result in an injury. Especially for beginners who haven’t mastered how to ski and brake, wearing a helmet is a must!
Gloves, Scarves
It’s easy to imagine that for the first time skiing, you’ll spend a lot of time falling. So, if you wear regular gloves, they’ll probably get all wet. Wild Child suggests preparing a pair of waterproof gloves, which can be easily purchased for $20-30.
The purpose of a scarf is to keep warm and block the wind. However, wear the scarf inside the skiwear to avoid it fluttering in the wind and bothering others.
Clothing Base Layer
The base layer is a highly recommended and worthwhile purchase. The primary function of the base layer is to wick away sweat. Skiing is a high-intensity activity, and regular cotton base layers tend to retain moisture, making you feel colder. Therefore, having a snug base layer that absorbs sweat, dries quickly, and adds warmth is essential. So, purchasing a fitted base layer is necessary.
Clothing Mid Layer
Typically, skiers wear a thin fleece between the base layer and the outer skiwear. This ensures comfort in any weather. However, for beginners, you can wear whatever you like as a mid layer. An old wool sweater or fleece is a good choice. This way, you can control how much you wear, regardless of the temperature.
Ski Socks
On such cold days, should you wear your thickest socks? This is a misconception. Modern ski boots are well-designed. Wearing slightly thinner socks not only allows warm air to circulate around your feet and boots but also lets your toes have better sensation, improving control.
Backpack
Spending money on a backpack is actually a way to save money. Put some cold clothing, a water bottle, chocolate, or energy bars, and a sandwich in the backpack. This way, you might save money on lunch. An ideal skiing backpack should have crossed shoulder straps and a waist fastening. But if you’re only planning to ski once, borrowing a small hiking backpack will do.
Sunscreen
Some boys might scoff at this suggestion, thinking that they don’t need sunscreen in winter. However, the sunlight in snowy areas can be more intense than in summer. So, it’s recommended for everyone to apply sunscreen with SPF30 or above. Don’t let your skin get sunburned after a day of skiing; it’s not worth it.
Ski Insurance
Before going skiing, check your insurance to see if it covers skiing-related incidents. If not, it’s advisable to purchase insurance to ensure a worry-free skiing journey. If it’s not covered, it’s better to buy insurance to protect yourself and your family.
Rent/Borrow a Full Set of Skiing Equipment
Actually, this should be the first step. After deciding on your skiing vacation, call the ski resort to inquire about their equipment rental offerings. Then decide what to borrow from friends and what to buy. Our goal is not the most expensive but the best!