Fitting alpine skis can be a somewhat tricky process for some people. This is because the ideal length of alpine skis is determined by a number of important factors, including your height, weight, skill level, the difficulty of the terrain that you ski and your terrain preference. To complicate matters, within the past decade and with the advent of shaped, o… read more
Although many skiers quickly fall in love with alpine skiing, few enjoy the boot rental process. Simply put, rental boots hurt. Additionally, continually renting boots becomes expensive. However, your boots are your most important piece of ski equipment. If you consider the fact that skiing movements begin in the feet, you understand the importance of select… read more
Many factors come into play when choosing alpine skis. Although you will be faced with an abundance of choices, you'll need to consider your skill level and your terrain preferences, and your height and weight. This is not a decision that should be taken lightly. Anyone who has ever skied on a pair of rentals knows the problems associated with being on the… read more
Tuning your skis will keep them at optimum performance levels. How often you tune your skis will depend on how frequently you ski and how hard you are on your gear. Generally, if you ski over a rock or a tree, you'll need to tune your skis. If you are a recreational skier, tuning your skis at least once a year is a good reference point. Many shops offer tuni… read more
At some point, advanced skiers realize all skis are rock skis, meaning they are meant to be used in all conditions, and sooner or later, you will ski over a rock and ding the base. Depending on the level of damage done, you may be able to do a simple P-Tex repair at home. Part of doing the base repair includes preparing the base for the P-Tex with a wire bru… read more
Because skiing involves friction against the cold snow, optimal ski performance requires periodic waxing. In many cases, people will take their skis to be tuned when a good wax job would have done the trick. If you point your skis st… read more
Alpine ski bindings secure your boots to your skis and can keep you safe. Before you head out for the slopes, ensure that your bindings are properly adjusted for your boots. read more
Alpine ski racing is a challenging sport, which involves dynamic balance, agility and strength. Unless the racer wants to travel to the Southern Hemisphere in the off-season, on-slope training is limited to the winter months. As such,… read more
Telemark skis are also called free heel skis. Unlike traditional alpine skis, Telemark skis are not attached at the heel, which explains the term "free heel." read more
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Backcountry skiing is an exhilarating form of skiing that combines cross-country skiing with downhill skiing. Backcountry skiers climb slopes outside of ski-resort boundaries to access untouched terrain. The backcountry skier uses rand… read more
The freedom of sliding down snow-covered mountains as the powder flies past frosty faces is the epitome of passion. The process of making alpine skis is no less wondrous than the skiing itself. read more
Derived from the old Norse word "skio," meaning "a stick of wood," early skis were just that---long, straight wooden planks. Although high-tech materials and design dominate the market today, these tools for speeding downhill have anci… read more
Fernie British Columbia sits in a narrow southeastern valley by the base of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. From the main street of town you can look up and see the ski bowl of world class Fernie Alpine Ski Resort located only 3 miles aw… read more
Buying a pair of skis can be a difficult task, especially for those new to the sport. Luckily, Alpine skis (also called "downhill skis") can be divided into five types, one of which will easily match up with your interests and abiliti… read more
The importance of ski poles varies throughout a skier's learning curve. Beginners depend on poles as a source of security and an extra balance point. Intermediate skiers may be asked to do without poles in order to focus on ski positio… read more
Recent advances in alpine touring equipment have made it the preferred equipment setup for backcountry skiing. The bindings have gotten lighter, and the ability to lock the heels at the top of the skin up for downhill travel gives the… read more
This plush mountain resort in central Vermont, shares its name with the town in which it's located. The resort is one of the most popular in New England, spread across Vermont's highest peaks, including Mount Mansfield, the tallest in… read more
Alpine downhill skiing involves traditional runs on groomed terrain at lift-served areas. It also has varying levels of difficulty in which the skiers' heels stay locked into the ski bindings at all times. Various ski buying guides and… read more
Skiers comes in many different shapes and sizes, and so does the equipment involved. Alpine and cross-country skiing share similar types of equipment. But some key differences do exist between them. read more
You've already tried car and RV camping. You've camped at commercial campsites that had a convenient restroom and water supply. Now, you want to explore the road less traveled. Backcountry camping, also known as primitive camping, is a wonderful way to explore the remote...
Pismo State Beach, California, has many attractions and activities including camping, swimming, hiking and wildlife viewing. Birdwatching is one of the primary activities in the area. The park also has the largest over-wintering colony of monarch butterflies in the natio...
The first and most fundamental thing is never hike alone. There are too many situations, especially as an unexperienced hiker, where you may find yourself without anyone to help you. So the buddy system works and applies very much in hiking.
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