Boots
While many beginner skiers first look at skis when shopping for gear, experienced skiers know ski boots are the most important piece of equipment, and will apply 50 percent of their gear budget to boots. Boots range in price from $300 to $800. Custom built boots, like the DaleBoot, can run more than $1,000 (as of March 2010). Most manufacturers, such as Nordica, Salomon, Tecnica, and Head, offer different flex indexes for the same boot, so you can customize to your level. Advanced skiers and racers generally want stiff boots with a flex of 120 or higher. Recreational skiers want softer flexing boots, with a flex of 100 or lower, that will be comfortable for skiing all day. Skiers who specialize in moguls or terrain parks often want something in between so it is stiff enough to provide support at high speeds but not too stiff to cause shin pain when landing big air or slamming bumps.
Skis
When choosing a ski, many considerations are at play. The side cut of the ski, and its turning radius, determine whether it is more agile and designed for many turns, or better and straight-lining groomers. Longer-turning-radius skis are better for speed with fewer turns. Another factor to consider is the dimension of the ski at the waist and the tip. Skiers who mainly ride on hard pack slopes in the East will prefer a narrower waisted ski, generally 70mm to 80mm. Skiers in the Rockies and West Coast looking at an all mountain ski will be better off with a ski that is 90mm to 100mm at the waist, and up to 130mm at the tip. Skiers who primarily ride deep powder will want something greater than 110mm at the waist, with a rocker shape that floats up on the snow, and a tip width up to 160mm.
Ski construction is another factor. Skis have either a wood or a foam core. Both perform well, but feel different on the snow, and it is a matter of personal preference as to which to choose.
Skis range in price from $400 to $1,200 per pair. You can often get skis at a discount by waiting until the end of the season to buy.
Accessories
Size your ski poles by bending your elbow at a 90-degree angle and grasping the pole upside down with your hand under the basket; the pole should touch the floor. Adjustable ski poles are ideal for backcountry skiing. You can lengthen them for the uphill climb and shorten the poles for the ski down. As a bonus, several adjustable ski poles come apart to create an avalanche probe pole.
Ski goggles come with a variety of lens colors, with different measurements for visible light transmission (VLT). A higher VLT number indicates the goggle is better for low light conditions. Some lenses adjust the VLT depending on the light conditions, making them ideal for skiers in a variety of conditions. Goggles are also available in prescription formulations for those who need corrective lenses.
