For hunters, winter is a special season that promises rich prey. Who hasn't heard stories about winter hunting with a dog taking the trail of a connecting rod. Or about finding a bear's den, when you had to boldly stand at its entrance, so as not to miss when the beast suddenly appeared, to prevent it from attacking the hunters themselves or climbing back into their hole. Equipment for the season is prepared in advance. Purchased first hunting skis, without which winter fishing becomes impossible.

Cross-country or skiing skis are not suitable for hunting. Their length and shape does not allow them to hold the hunter's weight in deep snow, move between trees, among bushes and dense undergrowth. This requires special, specialized equipment. It is made from wood or plastic.

Plastic

The design of hunting skis includes a plastic casing and a combined core made of wood and polyurethane foam. In terms of strength, they are not inferior to wood, due to the addition of carbon fiber threads. Such runners are fast, maneuverable, durable, and do not require additional care.

One of the disadvantages of plastic snowshoes is poor handling when moving on hilly terrain. Due to the fact that the plastic is very slippery, it becomes difficult to climb the slope, and it is dangerous to go down. To fix it, manufacturers use a system of notches that prevent the runners from rolling back.

Wooden

Traditional skis for fishermen, well controlled in areas with deep loose snow, fresh crust. They are used both on the plains and in areas with difficult terrain: hills, ravines, forest areas. In the manufacture of skids, wood species are used, the wood of which has high strength, such as birch, aspen. This allows you to make them thinner and lighter.

Skids must be lubricated before each use. by special means improving glide.

Types of wooden skis

To improve handling when overcoming hills and other hills, fishermen use certain improvements. According to their presence, wooden hunting skis are divided into three types: golitsy, kamus and combined.

Golitsy skis

Holits are called ordinary plastic or wooden skis, without camus. They are used all over the world. Before the trip, they need to lubricate the sliding surface. And wooden ones are also its annual tarring. Fishers note their only drawback - slipping back when climbing a steep slope. This is especially felt when you have to hunt in the forest, where trees and dense shrubs do not allow you to move with a "ladder". To overcome this shortcoming, manufacturers make notches on the sliding surface, and experienced hunters put special aluminum clips or brushes with hard bristles.

Camus

In the Siberian regions and in the North, kamus skis are common. There is an assumption that the technology of lining with skins was invented by the Russians. Camus is the skin of an ungulate animal, taken from the lower part of the legs. Adhered to the lower, sliding surface with pile towards the heel, it improves handling on rough terrain. Allows you to easily slide forward, but prevents slippage when climbing hills. On such projectiles, it becomes possible to overcome small hills without losing speed.

Hunters call deer the best kamus, but they use the skins of elk, horses, and roe deer. Industrial enterprises do not produce this type of product. The exception is limited batches of small firms. The main part of such equipment is handmade.

Kamus takes the brunt of the load. At home, using this advantage, the hunter can make a wooden blank much thinner than required for bald wood. This means it will be easier, which is important for long transitions along snowy trails. The only drawback of skins is that, when wet in mud, it becomes very heavy.

Combined

Craftsmen try to combine the advantages of both types in one product and minimize their disadvantages. This approach has led to the emergence combined skis. During their manufacture, a strip of skin 8 cm wide is glued to the middle of the sliding surface. Moreover, it can be located both along the entire length, and only in the bow.

Which hunting skis are better: wooden or plastic

To answer the question: which hunting skis are better, wooden or plastic, an analysis of the feedback from hunters who used both types will help. Most fishermen prefer wooden ones. They note such shortcomings of plastic shells:

• slip when climbing even a small hill;
• loudly "shoot";
• heavy weight (approximately 3-4 kg pair).

But plastic also has its fans. The main advantage, outweighing all the disadvantages, they call the lack of sticking of wet snow. This is especially true in the spring-autumn period and in climatic zones where winters are accompanied by frequent thaws. In addition, they behave well not only on loose snow, but also on ice-caked crust. They are easier to care for than wooden ones, they do not need to be lubricated, they do not deform from drying out.

Experienced hunters, to eliminate the slippage problem, glue a strip of skin along the slip cavity.

A few words about fasteners

Fasteners are made from various materials:

• tarpaulin;
• leather;
• plastic;
• metal;
• the cloth;
• transport tape.

According to the method of fixing the fasteners are divided into 4 types:

1. Simple. Toe loop that is easy to slip your foot through. The diameter of the ring must be adjusted so that the foot enters it up to the second phalanx of the thumb.
2. Soft, in addition to the toe loop, have additional fixation of the foot above the heel. This is useful when climbing hills, as well as when advancing in difficult weather conditions.
3. Semi-rigid are a plastic base with two straps holding the forefoot and one heel strap.
4. Rigid ones are characterized by the fact that the fastening system not only holds the toe, but also the heel on the surface of the lining. Rigid mounts are not used for hunting skis, because sliding with such a fixation of the leg is impossible. When stepping on loose snow, they hold short snowshoes well on the foot.

How much do hunting skis cost

Prices for commercial and hunting golitsy of domestic producers start from 1500-2000 rubles. And, as a rule, do not exceed 5000-7000. In some cases, when equipment is ordered for individual sizes, the price can increase to 15,000 rubles. Kamus products are much more expensive, from 15,000 and more. Depending on which skin is used and how completely the sliding surface is covered.

For products of foreign manufacturers will have to pay more. So, a pair of the Finnish company Karhu Jakt will cost no less than 25,000 rubles, and Peltonen Nanogrip is hard to find cheaper than 30,000 rubles. Accurate information about how much imported hunting skis cost can only be found at the time of order, as it is affected not only by the selling price, but also by the exchange rate on the day of sale.

How to choose

You need to choose fishing skis depending on weight, height, physical form, weather conditions, terrain. So, in the forest it is easier to manage short ones, and on the plain, long ones will provide faster movement.

Attention! The standard rule used by hunters is 30-50 square meters per 1 kg of weight. see supports.

It is important to bear in mind that the weight of the skier is considered together with the full set of equipment. Thus, it turns out that if an equipped man weighs 100 kg, then the total surface area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe skis should be from 3000 to 5000 square meters. cm.

The maximum length of the projectile should not exceed the height of a person, the minimum - up to the outstretched arm. The wider the skis, the shorter they should be. If it is supposed to drive on loose deep snow, the canvas is chosen wide, narrower on hard crust.

Model manufacturers

The main supplier to domestic stores is the Mayak ski factory. This company registered the trademarks "Hunter", "Taiga", "Forest", "Taiga", "Rybatskie".

"Hunter" and "Taiga" are produced using the same technology in two versions: wooden and wood-plastic. Their width is 150 mm. Rostovka from 145 cm for the "Hunter" and from 90 to 185 cm for the "Taiga".

"Forest" are made only from birch and aspen. For the convenience of moving through the forest, the width of the runners is less than that of the "Taiga" and "Hunter". It is 110 mm.

"Taiga" are designed for movement in deep loose snow due to the increased width (from 180 to 235 mm) and the design of the bow, which provides floating. The length of the runners is 125-190 cm Despite the massiveness of these shells, their weight does not exceed 5 kg, because only birch and aspen wood is used for their manufacture.

"Rybatsky" are focused on small transitions. Their length is 125cm and width is 110mm.

Russian stores offer products from enterprises with a smaller scale production, for example:

1. Irbis, runners are made of birch, their width is 15 mm, size is from 155 to 185 cm.
2. Polisend, manufactures skis under the trademark "Winter" in two versions: with skins and without. The width of the runners is 20 or 22 mm, the length is from 110 without skins, from 135 to 150 with skins.
3. The Poskryakov company produces aspen heads, 124 to 190 cm long, 18-22 mm wide. Camus and combined are produced in limited quantities. Horseskin is used as a skin.

Hunting skis of foreign manufacturers in domestic stores are presented in a small assortment and are mainly sold by prior individual order.

How to store

Before leaving for winter fishing, hunting or hiking in the snowy taiga, you need to treat the sliding surface with special lubricants. After each use, it is necessary to clean the runners from snow, wipe them with a dry rag. For long-term storage between seasons, it is required to clean the ski belt from grease residues. Wooden ones must be tarred with birch tar or wood stain. Special resin can be purchased from hunters and anglers. The better you tar hunting skis, the longer they will last. Kamus is recommended to be wrapped in a cloth soaked in kerosene to protect against moths. Then, they need to be connected in pairs with sliding surfaces inside, inserting a wooden spacer between them, 5 cm in size and sent to a dry room, where they should be fixed in vertical position so that they do not touch the floor.

Attention! Do not store skis near heaters and in direct sunlight.

With all the variety of hunting skis, the main criterion for evaluating them should be ease of operation and reliability. We must not forget to carefully check the equipment before each exit. After all, a breakage of a canvas or fastening in deep snow, tens of kilometers from housing, can cost not only production, but also human life.

Skiing does not require special and long-term training, it is available to almost everyone (from a child to an elderly person).

This great way for the prevention of many diseases and health promotion.

Skiing will strengthen the cardiovascular and respiratory system, will give the necessary load to almost all muscle groups and help to lose excess weight. In addition, skiing strengthens nervous system, promotes psychological relief. To ride with pleasure, you will need the right sports equipment: skis, poles, boots.

How to choose skis

If you are thinking about whether to buy or rent skis, know that learning to ski on your own is much easier, because you get used to the equipment pretty quickly. If you rent new skis every time, the training will be longer and more difficult.

How to choose skis?

When choosing skis, the emphasis should be on the amount of money that you are willing to spend on them. The price depends not only on the material from which the skis are made, but also on the use of new technologies in their production. Companies such as "Elan" and "Pale", for example, are very expensive and will certainly set you apart from other skiers. Cheaper, domestic options do not look so advantageous, but they fully cope with their functions.

In no case should you save on a purchase. The higher the technical class of skis, the better and more comfortable they are, so outdated options for alpine skiing will not suit you.

All skis are divided into soft, medium and hard. Also, skis vary depending on the sport and type of trails.

Beginners should choose soft skis, they will help to keep on the turns correctly, ride both on virgin soil and on soft snow. However, such skis are not very comfortable on ice, when skiing at high speed, on a track full of bumps.

It is better not to take medium hard and hard skis for a beginner. They are designed for fast descents and sharp turns.

When choosing skis, it is very important to choose the right size for them. In this case, you should take into account not only your height, but also your weight.

How to choose skis by height

When choosing skis for height, you should focus on your physical fitness.

So, if your physical data is far from perfect, you are not confident in yourself, then it is better to choose skis whose length is 20 centimeters less than your height. For a more advanced skier who is improving his skills, skis should be chosen 10 centimeters shorter than height, for professionals, the length of skis can match or exceed their height.

Women should choose either special skis for the fair sex, or shorter than the above calculated data by another five centimeters.

For people of a very large build, the length of the selected skis should be increased by at least 5 centimeters.

Recently, there are practically no traditional wooden skis on sale. They are quite expensive, and caring for them is quite difficult. Plastic skis are gaining more and more popularity.

When choosing plastic skis, the main criterion is the weight of the skier. The reason for this is simple - they are very slippery and for classic movement they need a holding ointment that will help the skis stick to the snow during the push.

How to choose plastic skis? First you need to put the ski on the edge of the ruler and find the center of gravity, moving back and forth. Mark the found place with a pencil.

Then the skis should be put on the floor or any other flat surface and stand on them so that the nose of the ski boot is next to the marked center of gravity. In this case, the body weight should be evenly distributed on two skis.

After that, it is worth inserting a sheet of paper into the gap between the skis and the feet and moving it back and forth along the ski. It must move at least thirty centimeters in both directions.

After the manipulations done, the body weight should be transferred to one leg. At the same time, the ski should clamp the paper sheet. If the paper sheet can still be moved while standing on it, then your skis are great. If you stand on two legs, and the sheet of paper moves with difficulty, then the skis are small on you.

When choosing skis, it should be borne in mind that they differ significantly for mountain and cross-country skiing.

How to choose skiing

The choice of alpine skis for beginners and progressives is significantly different from professional models. They are specially designed for ease of learning, forgiving some mistakes in skating, do not require perfect technique skiing.

In addition, all alpine skiing is divided into skiing classes into karting (for skiing on prepared slopes), universal (for skiing in places without special tracks), skis for big sport. Kart skis should be 20 centimeters shorter than you, they are not suitable for skiing in deep snow. The choice of skis for the universal type of skiing is made according to the standard ski selection scheme.

Choosing skis

In any case, the choice should be stopped on a wider version of the ski, which provides a stable speed of descent and stability on the track.

How to choose cross-country skis

Choosing cross-country skiing it should be borne in mind that there is a classic, skating and combined style of cross-country skiing. Cross-country skiing should start with a classic move.

When choosing skis under classic move on a good track, you should take into account that their length should exceed your height by no more than 20 - 30 centimeters, and even less for beginners. In For skating fit skis longer than you by 10 - 15 centimeters. On a soft track, skis should be taken longer (15 or 20 centimeters taller).

How to choose ski poles

Like choosing any other ski equipment, the choice of ski poles is very important.

Ski poles consist of a handle, a shaft, a hand loop, a tip and a foot. The materials from which the sticks are made also vary. Aluminum sticks are quite suitable for an amateur.

For a more stable ride, a beginner should choose a shaft that is narrowed down. In this case, the center of gravity will shift upward.

The required stick length will directly depend on the style of skiing: for classic skiing, you should choose sticks 25 or 30 centimeters below your height, for skate style the difference with height should be about 15 - 20 centimeters.

When choosing a pen, you should focus on convenience. Non-slip materials (leather or cork) are much more comfortable than plastic. Top part handles should be wide - this makes it easier to rely on sticks. There are also anatomical handles with recesses for the fingers, they are very comfortable.

During the movement, the skier's hand should rest on the loop, and not on the handle. Therefore, sticks should be "try on". To do this, it must be placed vertically, pressing the elbow to it. In this case, the angle between the shoulder and forearm should be 90 degrees (plus or minus two centimeters).

It is desirable that the diameter of the stick is 6 - 8 centimeters. In this case, it will be possible to ride on any type of snow.

The tip of the stick is better to choose with a reverse cone (it is the safest), and for icy slopes, the tip "ice crown" is perfect.

Ski clothing

Your comfort, safety and, of course, your health will depend on choosing the right ski clothing. Clothing should be light, loose, elastic, layered, non-slippery and very warm.

Choosing clothes for skiing

All materials must be windproof and waterproof. An ideal option would be a specialized suit made of fleece (or other synthetic material) and membrane fabric with a hood. It is advisable to use thermal underwear that removes moisture from the body.

The trousers of the suit should be with elastic bands at the bottom so that snow does not get under them and the wind does not blow. You can use special pads on the elbows and knees, which will make the suit more durable. In order not to get lost against the backdrop of snow, it is better to stop your choice on suits of bright colors with reflective elements. This is especially true for skiing.

When choosing gloves, preference should be given to leather options or products made of high-quality synthetic material with good insulation.

Wear a warm, tight-fitting hat on your head. Socks should be strong, high (end above the shoes), fit the leg well.

As you can see, choosing skis is not such an easy task. The selection of each of the components of the equipment does not tolerate haste. When choosing skis and poles for them, you should always think about the future: do you want to become a professional, or will you ride for pleasure all your life. Also pay attention to whether you plan to ride on mountain slopes or ride on flat terrain.

If you can’t decide which skis to buy, some advise plastic, others wooden, and still others racing. But they also need sticks, fasteners ... How to be?
With such a variety that we see today in stores, it is easy to get confused. Recall that skis are plastic and wooden. Plastic ones are lighter and therefore faster. The “plastic” has other advantages: they get a better “skate” ride, they do not need to be lubricated with ointment, and besides, they can even ride on melted snow. There are ski models with a corrugated sliding surface, but they are more likely for professionals.

But let's take a closer look at the cross-country and mountain riding styles.

Cross-country skiing

One of the styles of skiing is familiar to anyone who has ever skied. This is a typical, classic style of skiing, in which the skis move parallel to each other. Skis for this style are taken soft, with a longer and sharper toe.
Another style of skiing is skating, or as it is also called free style. The movement technique is clear from the name - the skier moves like a skater, pushing off the snow inner surface skiing. Of course, this style requires several other conditions. The skis themselves should be stiff and shorter than classic skis. In addition, the track for skating style skiing must be very well packed and wide.
Off the track, of course, it is more convenient to move in the traditional style. But there is a third style of skiing that cross-country skiers prefer - this is universal. Universal skis just right for riding in any of the first two styles.

Skiing

- carving. This is a style of skiing in which the skier turns on the turns, using the edges of the skis in all phases of the turn. These skis are called carving, or "fitted" - for a deep cutout on the sides. This style is carried out on prepared slopes;
- fan carving (extreme carving). This style is more difficult than the previous one, most often the skier is controlled without poles. The technique is about the same, but the skier makes "small radius" turns, almost lying sideways on the track. The peculiarity of skis for fun-carving is that they have an additional step-up plate that increases the distance between the ski and the boot. This style also requires well prepared slopes;
- ski tour. This is a calm style that involves skiing on slopes that are not equipped with lifts and other technical means. The skier goes up on skis equipped with special devices - skins that prevent slippage;
- ski cross. According to this style, competitions are held for speed along a track with turns and drops, which is also equipped with jumps. Ski cross-country skis have high requirements for maneuverability, strength, etc.;
- freestyle. Having arisen quite recently, this style is very popular, as it hides a lot of interesting things. Freestyle can be practiced on special stadium slopes, on halfpipes (these are artificially created inclined half-pipes in the slope for training skiers and snowboarders). The style includes jumping, tricks on the walls of the halfpipe, moving forward and more; skis of a special shape are used, for example, twin-type skis, in which both the toe and the heel are curved, which allows you to continue moving, even turning around or landing with your back to the slope;
- freestyle backcountry. The difference is that this style is used in a snowy field, on virgin soil, and skis are used with a wide waist;
- freeride. This style requires high skill and skiing, its essence is skiing on various terrains off the track (virgin lands, jumping from rocks, mounds, etc.). Skis are required wide, with a waist width of more than 80 mm;
- extreme. An even more difficult type of freeride. Highest level skill, as skating takes place on dangerous slopes, including those covered with forests, jumping from cliffs, etc.;
- virgin skating. This is riding on deep untouched snow (“powder”). Powders are required for this style - these are the widest skis (110 mm), soft and with a large turning radius.

After you have decided on how you will ski, you need to understand how skis differ, what you need to pay attention to when choosing skis.

Skis are divided into several groups:

1. By target audience

When choosing skis, you must first of all proceed from the purpose for which you are purchasing them. So there are several types:
Professional skis (Sport). Skis of this class are purchased by people who have been firmly on the track for more than a year. They are the most expensive and, moreover, are lightweight. One of the manufacturers (Rossignol) produces professional skis, which also differ in the expected state of the snow.
Amateur skiing (Fitness). Such skis are also sports, they should be purchased by those who are just starting to ride, as well as those who ride constantly, but recently, and cannot yet call themselves a professional. They are slightly heavier, lighter and cheaper.
Tourist (Touring). The name of this type speaks for itself. If you want to take a tourist trip on skis, you should choose them - they are ideal even for long journeys. Touring skis are wider than other types of skis and heavier (as a rule, the weight of such skis is more than 1.5 kg), more rigid, and notches are often made on the lower surface - they help to avoid “slippage”.
Very similar to backcountry touring skis. They are also wide, often made with notches, moreover, they are also more wear-resistant.
Walking skis are somewhat similar to tourist skis - they are also wide, they have notches (this allows you not to apply lubricant), but they are much lower in weight - up to 1.5 kg, since they are mainly used for easy, short walks .
Children's and junior skis (Junior). For this target group, skis are most often made of plastic. They have fasteners for a regular boot, which can be adjusted. Such skis are specially balanced for the weight and strength of children.
In addition, there are also commercial (hunting) skiing. It is not necessary to explain what kind of skis they are, it is only worth noting that these are the widest of all types of skis.

2. By way of transportation

This group has only three types - by the number of styles plus a combined one.
Classic (“Classik”, “Cl”). The most familiar way, in which the skier slides along two parallel tracks, knurled with skis.
Skate (“Skate“,”Sk). This type is new, and not so long ago came into use. As the name implies, the skier moves on skis like on skates on a specialized track or without it at all. This is the fastest style.
Combined. Movement in one way or another, depending on the possibilities and desires.

3. By type of building

Skis according to the type of structure are divided into classical And carving. Classic skis straight, while carving looks "fitted", i.e. taper towards the center and widen towards the ends of the ski. These skis are comfortable for beginners as they are more stable.

4. By pad type and weight deflection

This classification is just typical for professional skis. Focuses on:

on soft dry snow (soft)- soft skis with a long block;
for plus and hard skiing (hard)- hard skis with a short block;
for transitional weather (medium)- the average between the above types.

5. By material

Skis are made from two materials - tree And plastic. Today, it is plastic ones that are in great demand, and there are few places where you can buy wooden skis. The fact is that plastic skis have many advantages over wooden ones. They are stronger, more durable - they do not delaminate and do not get wet, but at the same time they are lighter, faster. You can ride plastic skis even in a thaw - in this case, you need to use liquid lubricant and smear it on part of the ski under the boot (load area). In other cases, it is not necessary to lubricate the sliding surface of the ski.
Wooden skis are good if you are just starting to ride them or are going to put a child on skis. In the future, it is better to give the choice to plastic skis. Their models are constantly being improved. The latest achievement was the introduction of cap technology, in which the side and top surfaces of the ski are not glued together, but are fastened together with a single plastic cover.
The leading firms are Atomic and Fischer. Both amateurs and professionals ride skis of these companies. First of all, they introduced the cap design described above.
In addition to these firms, there are others that have long and firmly established themselves. Among domestic companies, Tisa and Karelia are engaged in the production of skis. Of the foreign firms, one can single out Volkl, Blizzard, Head and the French Rossignol.

How to choose “your” skis

If you are buying skis for a child, pay attention to their rigidity. On too hard or too soft skis, the child will not be able to ride. It is also desirable that the skis be “fitted” (narrower in the middle) for greater cornering stability. Do not buy skis for growth. If finances do not allow, it is better to take a used one or use a rental.
If you have chosen wooden ones, which are much cheaper, then before you ride, you need to tar such skis well - tarred wood does not absorb moisture. This is done as follows: a layer of any ski ointment is applied to the sliding surface, and then, in order for it to be better absorbed, the sliding surface of the ski should be held a little over a gas stove or heated through foil with an electric iron.

It is very important to choose the right ski size. There are two ways - choose any. The first - 10-15 centimeters are added to the height of the skier. The second - you stretch your arm up and subtract 10 centimeters from this length. It is better for beginners to choose shorter skis - a “skate” move, and that’s all basic technique they are much easier to learn.
The price of skis largely depends on the materials and “stuffing”. For professional racers, there are models worth up to a thousand dollars. For amateurs - from a hundred to two hundred. For walks, you can even buy inexpensive and solid skis.
Ski poles should be chosen so that it is comfortable to hold them in your hand. The length of the sticks is also selected individually - approximately at the level of the shoulder line. But they are different. At one time, bamboo was produced, then reed, then metal. Today, sticks made of modern materials are on sale - carbon-plastic and plastic. They are very light, comfortable, but require careful handling.

The skier's clothing must be loose and not restrict movement. Best waterproof sport suit, which at the same time can protect you from the wind. To keep your hands warm, pick up warm mittens and do not forget about a scarf and a hat.

Store plastic skis as follows: paraffin, then tie at the toe and at the heel and insert a spacer under the cargo area. Keep at room temperature, in a dry place.

Well, now, forward, on the ski track!

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 professionally manage skis, feel calm on any slope, then your choice is wooden models.

Regardless of whether you need skis for sports skating or family, it is important to choose the right equipment in order to spend time comfortably. you should choose in accordance with certain canons, properly care for them, store equipment until the next trip, then the service life will last for years.

Ointment "on holding" excludes the roll of equipment back. It should exceed the air temperature by about three degrees. Lubricate under the block, which starts from the heel of the athlete's boot and rises 20 cm from the toe.

Lubrication technology:

• if old grease is present, remove it with a plastic scraper;
• wipe the place of the block with a dry cotton cloth;
• rub the prepared surface with a cork lid;
• put the ointment "for holding", rub it with the same stopper, repeat 2 times.

In case of sudden changes in temperature, to correct the problem of excessive braking of snowmobiles on the move, you can apply a “glide” agent on top of the “hold” ointment.

Plastic and semi-plastic notched skis do not need “holding” lubrication.

Ointments for inventory processing

Ointments should be selected in accordance with weather conditions, as well as the material for the manufacture of sports equipment.

Types of lubricants:

1. Solid. For their application, the sliding surface of the equipment must be warmed up.
2. Liquid. They are applied in a thin layer. After drying, the surface should be well polished.
3. Gel, spray. The application technology is complex. Most commonly used in professional sports.

Regardless of whether wooden or plastic skis, lubrication is necessary to improve the quality of sliding, the safety of the surface of the equipment.

How to properly lubricate plastic skis: important tips

• before applying the ointment, the surface of the equipment must be cleaned of dirt, old grease and dried well;
• solid ointment should be applied in two or three layers, carefully rubbing each of them with a cork, cool at street temperature for half an hour;
• with the classic style of skiing, the bow or stern follows, depending on the task;
• the lubricant must be isolated from moist air and snow, otherwise the properties are lost.

With proper care and timely lubrication, sports equipment will serve its owner for a long time.

We store plastic skis correctly

For long-term use of plastic skis, you need to take care of the conditions for the preparation and storage of sliding equipment:

1. Remove any dirt with a damp cloth. Wipe dry, dry.
2. With a cotton pad soaked in gasoline, remove the old grease.
3. Grind the lower surface of the scraper inventory (metal scraper), strictly in the direction from the bow to the stern. Hold the scraper at an angle of no more than 20°.
4. After rough leveling of the surface, it is necessary to walk on it with sandpaper. Wipe with a cotton pad soaked in gasoline.
5. Rub the equipment with fresh paraffin, go through the iron to melt it.

Important! The temperature of the iron must not exceed 180°C to avoid damaging the sliding surface. Leave to cool for at least an hour.

1. Metal elements should be treated with Vaseline. Leather - shoe polish.
2. After all the manipulations, connect the ends of the sports equipment with rubber bands or special clips. Lay a special spacer or foam between the pads of two skis to avoid deforming the equipment.
3. It is preferable to store in a dark niche, a cabinet at room temperature, excluding sunlight.

How to choose the right skis

The right choice sports equipment- half success successful winter walk. To understand which skis are better: plastic or wooden, you need to know the advantages of both materials. How much plastic skis cost is directly related to the purpose of skiing and the chosen brand.

Sliding with skating style is different from the classic one. The track for him is wide and knurled, the classic sliding takes place on a beaten, narrowed surface. The equipment is made taking into account the intricacies of the track and the impact of the athlete on the equipment.

How to choose cross-country skis

The choice implies a clear knowledge of their application. The name of the species is reflected in the passport of sports products:

1. Pleasure skis are suitable for quiet park walks, without turning on the speed mode, tricks. Great option to start exercising.
2. Racing is chosen by professionals. They are the narrowest in width among all species, capable of developing high speeds, make stunt turns.
3. Tourists promote sliding on virgin snow. These are the widest plastic skis among others, able to easily carry the weight of a tourist on powder.

There is also universal equipment, but it can behave unpredictably during the trip. Choose skis depending on the style of skiing and experience in this sport.

Classic

Classic skis require periodic lubrication, so keep a set of “hold” and “glide” ointments with you for all occasions.

Length

The length of the sliding equipment should be calculated according to the following scheme: the height of the skier plus 25 cm. Ski poles: the height of the athlete minus 30 cm. Try to choose equipment based on individual parameters, then the walk will be comfortable.

Rigidity

Rigidity depends on the condition of the snow and the weight of the person:

• soft snowmobiles are suitable for driving on fresh, airy snow cover;
• rigid - for movement on heavy, wet snow;
• medium stiffness snowshoes are designed for medium temperatures.

When choosing the stiffness of equipment, start from your weight class. The bigger, heavier the rider, the stiffer the snowmobile should be.

With and without notch

Sports equipment with notches has advantages over conventional snowmobiles:

• the price of such an addition does not differ from others;
• the presence of notches does not allow the skier to slide back, taking on the functions of the “hold” ointment;
• work well at different temperatures, except for a thaw. When the melted snow freezes, they can’t cope with the ice crust, you can’t do without a “holding” ointment.

Important! One disadvantage of the notches is the effect on the speed, it is reduced. This product is well suited for a beginner athlete for easy walks and mastering the basics of skiing.

For skating

There are no notches, they are more difficult to manage, they have high rigidity, shorter length.

Choose equipment for active sports necessary, taking into account all the features of this skating.

They can be made of different materials: wood, plastic, semi-plastic (wooden with plastic coated soles). best brand in skating it is considered Fischer, Russian-made.

Length

The length of the product should be selected according to a slightly different scheme: the height of the skier plus 10 cm. With this type of skiing, the length of the skis is lower than usual, since when moving, skis can run into each other with the stern parts.

Sticks: human height minus 10 cm.

Rigidity

Stiffness is easy to check in the store. To do this, fold the equipment with the soles to each other and squeeze. The gap remaining between the pads of the goods should not be less than three millimeters. This indicates a strong rigidity of the product. The smaller the clearance, the lower the rigidity.

Universal

All-purpose snowshoes are suitable for riding in any sport, but for professional riding it is still better to choose equipment for a certain style.

Length

The length of the universal ones is the same as for the skate ones. For a child, mini-snowmobiles are selected in the same way. Do not buy teenage snowshoes "in reserve", in such equipment the children will be uncomfortable.

In order to look decent and feel comfortable when skiing, you should purchase a ski suit and sports equipment that matches the style of the trip. In the store, take an interest in the novelties of the season, they usually surpass their counterparts in quality.

Proper ski care right choice lengths and stiffness to match your riding style for a smooth ride and long life.