It would seem that the answer lies on the surface - contact a consultant in the store. However, it is far from a fact that in the pursuit of profit you will not be sold expensive and, of course, high-quality skis that will be so fast and uncontrollable that a trip to the emergency room after a winter holiday is guaranteed.

How to avoid becoming a victim of marketing traps? How to choose the right skis? What parameters to pay attention to first of all? All questions will be answered by our article.

Main types of skis

If a person skis only during short winter weekends, then it is rather difficult to navigate and choose the right sports equipment among a huge assortment. Therefore, you need to know what types of skis exist and understand what kind of riding and skill level they are intended for.

All skis can be conditionally divided into several categories. Let's consider them in more detail.

Depending on the level of skill, skis are divided into the following types:

• Professional;
• Amateur;
• Tourist;
• For children and teenagers.

Depending on how you ride:

• Mountain;
• Cross-country.

The last two categories of skis have a broader classification, as they are suitable for different disciplines. Therefore, which skis are better - mountain or cross-country - we will determine using a comparative review.

Alpine skiing has the following classification:

• Skis for ski-cross. Designed for professionals and lovers of extreme driving. They are agile but unstable. An athlete must be able not only to stand well on skis, but also to quickly respond to changes in the situation. Such skis are made of the most durable material.
• Carving skis. Maneuverable and easy to handle. Slightly tapered in the middle. Allows the skier to take turns easily. Requires special riding skills.
• Fan carving skis. Designed for experienced skiers who love skiing without poles. The speed of such skis is small. They are controllable, since an elevated plate is provided between the boot and the ski itself.
• Freestyle skis. Suitable for snowboarders. These skis have a curved toe and heel. This form allows the skier not to fall, but to move on if he landed with his back to the track.
• Skis for a ski tour. Stable, non-slip, well controlled. Designed for areas where there is no lift. Riding on such skis is as safe as possible if the athlete has skiing skills on level B tracks.
• Skis for freestyle backcountry. This isfairly wide skis that are designed for driving on snowy and uncleared terrain. The handling of such skis is as high as possible. They are stable and strong.
• Freeride skis or with slim waist. The width of such skis is 80 mm. Suitable only for professionals, as they are very fast, poorly controlled and require special skills to drive on the highway.
• Wide skis. They have a wide middle, nose and heel. Designed for skiing during the thaw. Do not sink in the snow, maneuverable.

Based on the above classifications, it can be concluded that skiing aimed at professional athletes or for those amateurs who have already mastered the basics of skiing on entry-level tracks.

Cross-country skiing is divided into only two groups:

• For classic move. These are long smooth surface skis that are covered with a special protective layer. This layer prevents the ski track from slipping backwards.
• For skating. Short skis that have a slight rise in the center. This design contributes to the stability of the athlete when climbing the mountain.This type of ski is suitable for tourists who like winter walks in the forest or mountain slopes. They require basic riding skills.

Also, hunting skis are a separate category, which are divided into camus and bare skis. These products are designed for riding in a forest area where there are no cleared trails and there is a possibility of falling through the snow. They are stable, not too fast and manageable. Not suitable for classic mountain skiing.

Key characteristics of skis

The physical parameters of the skis determine how they behave while riding. Therefore, if you do not know which skis to choose - fast or more obedient - you should familiarize yourself with the parameters that affect the speed of movement:

• Ski length. This is the main characteristic that affects the speed of the skier on the track. Therefore, it is worth remembering that the taller and heavier a person is, the longer he needs skis. Long skis don't sink in the snow, they go fast and are more aggressive. The shorter the skis, the more obedient and easier they are to manage.
• Rigidity. This is a criterion that indicates the degree of flexibility of the ski. Each equipment manufacturer has different stiffness indicators. And the higher this indicator, the more aggressively the skis behave. Soft skis enter the turn more smoothly, but only if the person's weight is not too large. Rigid skis enter the turn more sharply, but their degree of stability is higher. For beginners, buying skis with a high degree of rigidity is not recommended. Such skis will go badly and constantly “throw” the athlete a little forward.
• turning radius. Often on skis you can find a numerical marking (from 10 to 20 m), which indicates the speed at which the ski turns. The smaller it is, the faster the pair of skis will turn. For beginner skiers, it is worth choosing equipment with an indicator of 14-16 meters. Teenagers take skis with a turning radius of up to 20 m. Professionals can choose the most agile pair.
• Equipment geometry. Such a characteristic as the shape of the ski is often misleading even for experienced athletes. Therefore, many beginner skiers often wonder how to choose skis in shape. Skis with a wide toe are more stable and turn easily. Products with a narrow toe make it easier to change edges. A narrow heel forgives mistakes, a wide one requires skill. The middle or waist of the ski affects flotation. For beginner skiers, it is worth choosing a waist from 68 to 75 mm, for professionals - up to 70 mm.

How to choose skis taking into account the weight and height of the athlete?

Each manufacturer of winter sports equipment has its own table of the ratio of the length of skis to the weight and height of a person. You can find out how to select skis and sticks from the universal table.

Human height (cm)	Classic ski length (cm)	Walking ski length (cm)	Ski length for skating (cm)
150	170-180	165-170	165
155	175-185	170-175	170
160	180-190	175-185	175
165	185-190	180-185	180
170	190-195	185-190	185
175	195-200	190-195	185
180	195-200	195-200	190
185	200-205	200-205	190-195
190	205-210	205-210	195-200
195	205-210	205-210	200-205

It is worth noting that 5 cm should be added to the length of classic skis. For skating skis, it is recommended to add 10 cm. Walking skis should be 15 cm longer than indicated in the table.

Skier height (cm)	Classic pole length (cm)	Length of skating poles (cm)
150	120-125	130-135
155	125-130	135-140
160	130-135	140-145
165	135-140	145-150
170	140-145	150-155
175	145-150	155-160
180	150-155	160-165
185	155-160	165-170
190	160-165	170-175
195	165	175

When choosing ski poles classical style skating, it is worth considering the fact that their length should be 25 cm less than the height of the athlete, and the length of the poles for skating style should be 20 cm less.

Children's skis are selected not only taking into account the weight and height of the baby, but also the age. The detailed parameter table is as follows:

Age (years)	Height (cm)	Weight, kg)	Ski length (cm)
3-4	94-102	14-16	70-90
5	110	18	90-100
6	115	21	95-105
7	120	23	100-110
8	130	26	110-120
9	135	29	115-125
10	140	32	120-130
11	150	36	130-140
12	155	41	135-145
13	160	46	140-150
14	170	51	150-160

However, in addition to the length of the skis, it is worth considering such an indicator as the width. For kids aged 3 to 6 years, it is recommended to buy wide skis with a round toe. They are more stable and manageable.

At school age, the child already acquires the skills of caution. Therefore, skis for schoolchildren are a little narrower - about 5-7 cm.

Teenagers buy skis taking into account the style of skiing. Therefore, if a student likes to ride faster and can handle the controls, the width of the skis may be less than 5 cm. If the teenager is not confident in his abilities, he is skiing for the first time, then the width of the skis should be up to 10 cm.

When choosing skis for extreme species Riding should take into account the following recommendations:

• Freeride skis must be 15 cm taller than a person.
• The length of skis for breaking is calculated by the formula: skier's height minus 15-20 cm.
• The formula for determining the length of skis for a ski tour is as follows: a person’s height is minus 15 cm. If a person is dense, then 10 cm is added to the height.
• The length of freestyle or universal skis: the height of the athlete minus 15 cm.

Therefore, if you still do not know how to choose skis, the data table will help you solve this problem and purchase the right equipment.

What is the best ski material?

Finding out how to choose the right skis is impossible without an overview of the materials from which they are made. All alpine skiing according to the type of material is divided into wooden and plastic.

• Wooden ones are made from birch, ash, beech, pine and elm. It is these types of wood that are suitable for the production of skis. Wooden ones are cheaper than plastic ones.
• Plastic are produced using two technologies: cap and sandwich. The first technology involves the use of a foam core and a plastic coating. Sandwich technology is based on the use of a wooden base and a plastic coating.

The choice of wooden or plastic skis is everyone's business. However, it is worth considering some nuances that will help not to make a mistake with the choice of material.

• wooden skis under the influence of moisture are subject to deformation. They cannot be used during a thaw. In severe frosts, they do not slide back like plastic ones. Wooden skis are stable, docile and suitable for both beginners and professionals.
• Plastic skis are more flexible, break less often, and are not subject to deformation. They are faster and more agile. The only drawback is that in severe frost they go back.

Recommendation for athletes who used to ride wooden skis.If you decide to buy plastic skis, do not rush. Rent equipment. After wooden skis, plastic ones will seem naughty. Therefore, in order not to regret the purchase later, make sure that plastic products are suitable for you.

How to choose skis for a beginner athlete? To begin with, it is worth figuring out whether you will ride on a cleared track or on snow-capped mountains. For classic descents, skis without a notch, that is, smooth, are quite suitable. However, special mixtures must be applied to them, without which the skis will not glide normally. If you want to conquer a snowy peak, then notched skis are the best. They do not need to be lubricated and are more stable in the snow. However, keep in mind that notches in warm weather can play a cruel joke. Snow will stick to them and the ski will simply stop sliding.

It is also worth paying attention to the level of rigidity. You need to lean the ski with the smooth side against the other ski and see how much it bends under the influence of force. The gap between the skis should be no more than 1 cm. If it is not possible to compress the skis, then it is better to take softer products. Beginners are not recommended to take skis high level stiffness.

TOP 10 best ski manufacturers

There are a lot of ski manufacturers. Therefore, when buying winter sports equipment, beginners and even experienced athletes are faced with the problem of choice. But if you highlight the TOP-10 the best manufacturers skis, the circle of "candidates" for the purchase will be significantly reduced.

According to Snow magazine, the top ten ski manufacturers are as follows:

• Fischer;
• Rossignol;
• head;
• Atomic;
• Blizzard;
• Salomon;
• Volky;
• Elan;
• nordica.

The average cost of quality racing skis- from 200 to 400 dollars. Inexpensive domestic skis from brands like STC or Sorsu can be purchased for $50. amateur models famous brands cost between $80 and $100.

Recommendation.If you are a beginner skier, buy products domestic production. You will be able to keep within the small budget, having received quite worthy quality. And when you gain experience and sports training, you will understand for yourself which skis of what stiffness, width and length you need to choose in the future. The only exception in this case is weight. Guessing the stiffness of Russian skis, if your weight is more than 70 kg, is quite difficult. Domestic skis are often an order of magnitude tougher than foreign ones.

What is the difference between domestic and foreign-made skis? The quality of top models of world brands for Russian manufacturer so far unattainable. Expensive branded skis are mainly intended for high-end competitive skiers. They are manufactured at specialized factories, as a rule, in the countries where the manufacturer is located. The design of such skis is quite complex and is modeled on a computer. All developments are carefully tested by qualified athletes. Only high-quality expensive materials are used in the manufacture, often taken from the aerospace industries, where they have received high praise. That is why domestic skis cannot this moment compete with foreign ones. But if you are not a professional skier, but a simple lover of winter skiing, choose domestic products - of sufficient quality, but at the same time affordable. Good luck on the ski!

Perhaps you will be interested

Sports stores are so full of goods that it is quite difficult for a beginner to choose the right quality skis. The buyer, having seen different models of sports equipment, is lost in the choice and cannot decide on the material of the equipment: wood and plastic. To make the right purchase, you should learn about some of the features of plastic and wooden products.

Comparative analysis of plastic and wooden skis

If you carefully study the information about skis on the site http://brt.by/production/telehany/ski/, then we can conclude that all skis are divided into several categories: for adults, teenagers and children.

This division is not accidental, since skis have different lengths, thicknesses and coatings. Maneuverability, the speed of movement on the descent of the skier depends on these indicators. However, in addition to the above indicators, plastic and wooden products have their own differences, namely:

1. sliding speed. Plastic skis glide well even in the thaw. Snow does not stick to artificial turf, while wood is very sensitive to changes in temperature and moisture.
2. Wear resistance. In order for wooden skis to glide perfectly and not be scratched, they should be regularly lubricated with special substances. Plastic mechanical damage does not threaten.
3. Moisture resistance. Wood under the influence of moisture can be deformed. As a result, the slip coefficient is reduced, and it becomes difficult to use wooden skis.
4. Time frame of use. Wooden skis - perfect option for winter walks. However, with the approach of warming, they should be packed until next winter. Plastic, unlike wood, glides perfectly even at a temperature of +0 degrees.
5. Price. Wooden skis are cheaper than plastic ones, and therefore the demand for them is much higher.
6. Education. Experts recommend that beginners buy wooden skis, as it is with their help that you can quickly and without injury learn various riding techniques. Plastic slides strongly and it is quite difficult to learn how to manage such skis.

Considering such features of the above two sports products, right choice skiing depends entirely on the desires of the person. Therefore, if you already have experience skiing or snowboarding, you are attracted to high-speed riding, you want to go on vacation in the second half of winter, when warming is possible, then buy plastic skis that not only glide well on the snow, but are also suitable for use. in extreme winter conditions. However, if you want to learn how to ski professionally, feel calm on any slope, then your choice is wooden models.

Skiing is a popular winter pastime. Who doesn't like a leisurely ski trip through a snow-covered winter forest? But for skiing to be enjoyable, they need to be chosen wisely. How to choose the right cross-country skis?

Before choosing skis, you need to decide what you need them for. Because skis are very different - for tourists, athletes, for amateur athletes, for hunters or for lovers of extreme sports. All skis are divided into cross-country and mountain. In this article, we will talk about how to choose cross-country skis.

How to choose the right skis

Cross-country skiing is done in two ways (styles). The first one is classic. Anyone who has skied at least once knows about him - with such skiing, the skis move parallel to each other. Classic skiing requires softer skis, with a long and pointed toe.
The second way of skating is skating, or free style. In this case, the skier moves on skis, as on skates, starting from the snow. inside skis. In this case, the skis must be rigid.
There are also fans of skating both classic and skate style- I exist especially for them universal skis which are suitable for riding in any way.

Which skis to choose: plastic or wooden
First, let's choose the material from which the skis are made. They can be plastic or wood. Wooden ones are much cheaper, but they are very outdated and are rarely found in stores. Such skis must be tarred before skiing - so that the tree does not absorb moisture. Plastic skis have come to replace wooden ones - they glide better, they do not need to be lubricated. In addition, they are much lighter than wood, stronger and more durable.
Therefore, to the question - which skis are better, the answer will be unequivocal: plastic.

How to choose the size of skis for height

For skiing to be comfortable, it is very important that the skis are the right size. Choosing skis by height is very easy - there are two main ways:
The first way to choose skis is to measure your height with your arm outstretched. And subtract 10 centimeters from this number.
The 2nd way to choose skis for height is easier - just add 10-15 cm to your height. To be more precise, here is a table by which you can determine the length of skis and poles depending on height:

Height, cm	Ski length, cm	Stick length, cm

Always choose skis according to your height. This is especially important for children. It happens that parents buy them skis "for growth" bigger size, because of which the child is very uncomfortable to ride on them.

How to choose ski hardness
The optimal stiffness of skis directly depends on the weight of the person. Therefore, when buying skis, you should carefully approach the issue of their rigidity. It is very easy to check the skis for the required stiffness right before buying. To do this, stand on the selected skis on the floor in the store. Directly under the boot, between the skis and the floor, there should be a place so that a sheet of paper can crawl through there. If the sheet does not fit through, then the skis will be too soft for you. Then stand on one ski with both feet - in this case, there should be no space between the ski and the floor. Otherwise, the skis are too hard for their wearer. That's how easy it is to choose the desired stiffness of the skis.

How to choose ski boots
Ski boots are selected according to the style of skiing. For example, for skiing in the classic way, ski boots should be low and with soft soles. And for skating, the boots are taller and stiffer. For lovers of the universal way of skiing, the so-called combi boots have been created, these are boots of medium hardness that are suitable for skiing in any style.

We hope our advice will help you choose the right skis, and skiing on them will be a pleasure!

Hunting skis are well suited for fast movement across the field and forest in winter, which, unlike sports ones, do not fall through the snow. With them, fishing at this time of the year will be successful and safe. Such skis must be selected according to the weight and height of the hunter. Also, when buying them, you need to pay attention to the material of manufacture and design features.

Material

Hunting skis must be durable, in which case they will withstand any load and will not let you down even in the most difficult conditions. At the same time, it is important that this piece of equipment be light and tire the hunter as little as possible. To choose the right hunting skis, you first need to pay attention to the material. They are made from wood and plastic.

There are two types of wooden skis:

• made from a single bar;
• made from veneer.

Veneer skis are lighter and more reliable, they bend better, so you should give preference to them.

Maple and birch for maximum strength. Skis made from them are suitable for hunters who need the most reliable equipment. Those who value lightness should choose skis made of spruce or aspen. At the same time, aspen skis are less durable and cheaper.

Wood skis have less kickback than plastic skis and don't slide down as much when going uphill. Their main disadvantage is that they become very heavy in the thaw, making it difficult to move across the landscape. Unlike plastic, wood is a living material, so when buying skis made from it, you need to inspect especially carefully. They should not have bundles, kinks or knots. Wooden skis are recommended for use at temperatures from -10 to -30 degrees.

plastic skis

Plastic hunting skis are not far behind wooden ones in terms of strength and lightness, they do not require lubrication before each hunt. They glide very well and thanks to this they allow you to move quickly. But this quality is also a disadvantage at the same time - when descending a mountain, too high speed develops, and climbing a hill becomes difficult due to a strong rollback.

Plastic skis are primarily suitable for hunting on flat terrain. Rollback can be reduced by applying special mastics. Also, to prevent it, special notches are made on the lower surface of the skis, but they only work on dense snow. On loose snow cover, crust or ice, they are ineffective. It is recommended to use plastic skis at temperatures from +5 to -10 degrees.

Camus and combination skis

There are three types of wooden hunting skis:

• golitsy;
• kamus;
• combined.

Heads are the easiest option. Such skis have a serious drawback - they roll down when climbing a slope, and recoil interferes with movement on a flat surface. To avoid slipping when moving up, these skis are equipped with aluminum plates with clamps. Before climbing uphill, they are taken out by their fixations, after which they rest against the snow and prevent rolling. Also for this, brushes made of coarse bristles are installed on the skis, which are placed at an angle of 45 ° to the surface and create braking that prevents backward movement.

Camus skis are devoid of the disadvantages of golits. Kamus is attached to their lower surface - a special lanyard, which is made from the skins of a deer, elk or horse. It improves their performance and makes driving on snow easier and more comfortable. Kamus skis are stable, they do not give a kickback when walking fast and do not slip down while climbing uphill, snow does not stick to them.

Soft and quiet kamus, which does not creak when moving, is made from deer skins. the best driving performance possesses a skin made from skins taken from the legs of a horse. Elk skin is extremely strong and durable. When choosing such skis, you need to pay attention to the direction of the wool. In the middle part of the hair should lie parallel to their edges.

Combined skis are an intermediate option between the first two. Their working surface is partially trimmed with kamus. From the bottom side, pieces of skins are glued onto them. Which hunting skis to choose depends on the purchase budget and the preferences of the hunter. Golitsy is cheap, but it is very inconvenient to move around in them. Camus and combined skis are more comfortable in any conditions. They can also be made with your own hands by gluing or sewing the skins to the bald spots.

Ski sizes

After choosing the material, you need to determine the required size of the skis. A table is not needed for this - it is better to calculate it using a formula. 35 g of the hunter's weight together with equipment should fall on 1 cm2 of ski area, in which case the skis will not fall through, and movement on snow will be comfortable.

The required area must be divided by their width to calculate the desired length. For example:

• if the hunter weighs 95 kg, and his clothes, gun and equipment - 15 kg, the total mass is 110 kg, or 110,000 g;
• dividing 110,000 by 35, we get 3143 - this is the required minimum ski area in centimeters;
• dividing 3143 by 20, we get 157 - this is the minimum suitable length for skis with a width of 20 cm.

There are other parameters to consider when choosing a size. The greater the growth of the hunter, the greater should be the length of the skis. Wider models should be preferred if hunting in a region with snowy winters. In this case, instead of 20 cm wide skis, you can use 22 cm or 24 cm skis.

Long and narrow skis are suitable for use in open areas, while short and wide models make moving through the forest as comfortable as possible.

Mounts

It is also important to know how to choose fasteners. Usually they have to be bought separately. They must securely fix the footwear used for hunting - boots, boots, felt boots, high boots and others - and at the same time make it possible to quickly release the foot if necessary to get off the skis or in the event of a fall.

There are three types of fasteners:

• simple - made of leather or canvas straps tucked into slots that are located along the edges of the skis. They cover the toe of the foot;
• soft - consist of a strap that covers the toe of the leg, and an additional strap that runs along the back of the foot above the heel;
• semi-rigid fasteners look like a metal plate. The leg rests against it and is fixed with a special spring, which is stretched by a special lever and fastened in the toe area.

The choice of one or another option is determined mainly by the preferences of the hunter. If possible, it is worth trying on all types of mounts before buying to determine which ones will be more convenient for you. When choosing, you need to pay attention to the size and length of the puffs. They must securely fix the footwear used for hunting without squeezing it.

On sale you can find models that are lined with stocking bags made of durable fabric. They are worn on the legs and tied below the knees. In skis with such bindings, you can move silently, because thanks to the stockings, the snow does not get under the shoes and does not creak.

With good hunting skis, you can quickly move through winter landscapes. They do not fall through the snow and do not slide down while climbing uphill. They can cover long distances, thanks to this, the chances of successful hunt increase. The purchase of this item of equipment should be approached carefully, paying attention to the material, size and design features. Choosing hunting skis is not an easy task for a beginner, but it is easily solved if the hunter knows what to look for. good skis can faithfully serve for many seasons and will not let you down even in the most difficult conditions.

Greetings blog readers! Winter this season is changeable, someone pleases with an abundance of snow, and someone - not so much. If your area is always full of snow, it is worth considering such physical activity as skiing.

Buy good kit- not as easy as it seems. In the article I will tell you how to choose skis so that they please you for a single season. We will talk about cross-country and mountain models, as well as hunting and children's models. It would seem that it’s easier - you come to the store and the consultant will select the right option. But, as practice shows, you do not always know what to answer sellers' questions. Therefore, before going to the store or when buying on the Internet, you need to know the basic parameters by which skis are selected for walking.

Most often, lovers of a healthy lifestyle opt for cross-country and walking skis. They are inexpensive, suitable even for those who take the first steps in winter sports. Let's first talk about how to choose the right skis for an adult, and then consider how to choose them for a child.

By the way, do regular blog readers remember our health marathon? Let me remind you a little about him. Thanks to him, last spring, for the whole month, my children and I overcame distances on skis around the lake every day, which is almost five kilometers, cutting several circles a day.

Now you can get out of the mode of celebrating holidays and take care of your health again. Try to master skiing or remember physical education lessons at school! I promise you will love it!

For a beginner, professional options are useless. Why overpay if you are going to ride mainly on weekends?

Cross-country skiing for beginners is usually selected according to the following parameters:

• Material.
• Rigidity.
• Riding style.
• The weight and height of a person.

Completely wooden products are becoming less and less common today. More often on sale are plastic models with a wooden core. All-plastic products are usually more expensive. For a novice lover of an active lifestyle, standard options are suitable - plastic + wood. They are light, durable and slide well.

Also, manufacturers today offer products with notches under the block. This addition is more common on children's kits. Why are notches needed? First of all, such models are designed for a classic move so that the foot does not slip back. Such inventory can not be lubricated. What are the downsides? Notches are not suitable for skating, the speed of riding will be lower, you will be more tired.

But if you are not chasing records and are not going to master skating, notched solutions are fine for you.

What is your riding style?

Second important point, with which you should decide before buying - the style of riding. On sale today you can find the following options:

• For a classic move.
• For skating.
• Combined.

If you run only "classics", then choose the appropriate kits. If sometimes you skate or plan to master it, take a closer look at the universal options. Of course, it is difficult to achieve sports records on combi models, but they are quite suitable for walking.

If you only skate and do not like the traditional move at all, then choose skating. If finances allow, you can buy two sets. Then the enjoyment of riding will be higher. For amateurs and beginners, I advise you to watch training lessons on skating:

What is the visual and technical difference between the models for the “skate” and the “classics”?

• Skate skis are shorter and stiffer.
• Skate toes are shorter and rounder.
• Skate models are more durable.

The edging for classic models and for skating is also different. Combined options combine the characteristics of both modifications. A beginner can take a closer look at such products.

After you have decided on the style of riding, choose a kit according to weight and height. People with average weight are the easiest. But athletes with a large physique will have to choose more carefully. For "heroes" products must be of high quality, not cheap and durable.

For a classic move, the length of the skis is usually calculated as follows: 20-25 cm are added to their own height. Products that are equal to height or slightly higher are suitable for the “skate”. The easiest way to navigate the tables. For example, there is such a table by height:

According to such tables, it is easy to choose skis. But as practice shows, sometimes these recommended parameters can be violated. Focus on yourself. If there is an opportunity to try out different sets at the box office or borrow them from friends, take advantage of this. Remember the length that provides the most comfortable ride and choose such kits. For example, short skis sometimes easier to manage, especially on descents.

Hardness and softness

An equally important parameter when buying skis is their stiffness. Here you need to focus on the weight of the athlete. The selection of the desired model according to the weight of a person is as follows:

• Stand on the skis with both feet in the block area. If there is a distance between the floor and the block, then such a model is not rigid enough.
• Stand with both feet on one ski for some distance. If there is no clearance between the sliding surface and the floor, it will not work either. Choose a product with less rigidity.

Why pay attention to this parameter? The fact is that too soft skis will make it difficult to move along the track, and too hard skis will slip. Yes, and the return will obviously not please you. In a word, being a beginner and picking up products with inappropriate rigidity, you are unlikely to fall in love with ski trips.

Sports are supposed to be fun, so don't ignore this technical specification. For a classic move, it is better to select models with medium and low stiffness. And for the "horse" in any case, you need more rigid products. If, when skiing "classic" at the moment of repulsion, the ski does not bend to the end, then the equipment is not selected correctly.

We select sticks

It turns out that sticks also need to be selected according to height. For the "classic" sticks up to the armpits are suitable. But for the "horse" it is better to choose longer models. For free style, choose sticks 15-20 cm smaller than your height. The handle and loop should also be comfortable. It is important to free your hand at any time. The risk of injury is especially high on slopes in the forest, when the stick can get stuck in the roots of trees. Therefore, the stick should be easily removed from the hand.

Also, the weight of the sticks affects the comfort of riding. Modern sticks are light and durable, choose them.

Also, when buying, pay attention to boots and bindings. Shoes for skating, freestyle skating are usually high. Modern boots are warm and comfortable. A beginner can pick up shoes in a budget option. It is better to measure them in a woolen or other warm sock, so that even in a light frost you can not deny yourself walking.

Soviet-style mounts, 75 mm, can still be bought in inventory stores. They were replaced by more convenient options: NNN, SNS, NIS. For a classic style, you can still get by with more affordable 75 mm mounts, but for “combi” and ridge models it is better to opt for modern solutions. Enjoy more riding. The mount will not touch the snow, which will positively affect the speed.

The choice of a ski set for a child must also be approached responsibly, despite the fact that he quickly grows out of it. When buying a kit for a child, pay attention to the following parameters:

• For a preschooler, skis should be short.
• After 7 years, follow the formula: height + 10-15 cm.
• The height of the sticks should be slightly above the chest.
• For the youngest skiers, soft bindings based on straps and elastic bands and semi-rigid ones are suitable.
• For schoolchildren, you can already buy hard bindings with special boots.

Today in stores you can find ready-made kits for little skiers. Bindings can be both for ordinary shoes and for special shoes.

How to choose a set of skis

Alpine skiing is even easier to pick up than cross-country skiing. Choose kits for beginners, focusing on your weight and height. Another important parameter: riding style. It is better for a beginner to opt for universal models of medium width. Universal models are marked all-mountain.

A novice conqueror of the mountain slopes can choose inexpensive models, especially if you can’t often go to a ski resort during the season.

forest skiing

Hunting and forest skiing is suitable for those who like to walk on virgin lands, in winter hiking and hunting and fishing.

Such wide skis are wooden and plastic, with notches. The latter are not so sensitive to moisture, however, more slippery than wooden products. Plastic skis are lighter than wood skis, but are more suitable for warm weather. When it's cold, they roll back.

On wide skis you can go on an exciting hike through the taiga. Read about the amazing place -. You can ride there only on wide models.

You can’t really focus on the height of forest skis, but shorter models are better in maneuverability. When choosing hiking kits, more attention should be paid to bindings. Cable semi-rigid mounts are better than straps.

And in conclusion, watch an informative video on how to choose skis:

I hope these simple tips have helped you choose skis for winter walks. Get up on skis with the whole family, teach children to healthy lifestyle life! We usually have a lot of snow in Siberia, you can ski for several months in a row, which is what we use. I will be glad to your responses and questions!