What Gear do I Need for a Ski Season?

What ski boots should I get for my ski season?

Well, in truth, the answer is simple. It all boils down to what ski boot suits you best. Take the time to get your feet properly measured and try on multiple pairs. As someone with various seasons’ experience, my advice is to get the boot YOU find the comfiest.

Another thought to take into consideration is how stiff your boots are. On the side of most ski boots, there is a number usually ranging from 55 to 140 – this number refers to how stiff the boots are; this is called the “Flex Index”. Here’s where it gets tricky, you want the boot to be stiff enough to support you when skiing aggressively but soft enough that they don’t cause pain in the shins. I would recommend a medium to stiff flex for a ski instructing season – anything from about 85 to 120, depending on how aggressively you ski and how heavy you are.

 

 

 

What skis should I get for my ski season?

During your training to become a ski instructor, you will learn the fundamentals of high performance, technical skiing (skiing like a ski instructor). Therefore, it will be advantageous to get a solid pair of skis that you can develop your skiing on. A good pair of all-mountain skis that are easy to carve on would be appropriate. If you already own skis and they are in good condition, stick with them. Getting to know the skis before the start of the season may give you the upper hand, but equally, you will gel with new skis fast due to the amount of time on snow. See what skis we recommend

Getting 2 pairs of skis if possible has its benefits too. A pair of carving skis may be indispensable on those freshly groomed runs but may not perform as well in knee-deep powder. That’s where a secondary set of powder skis come in. these will help you glide over the snow, through the trees on those fantastic powder days.

Another thing to take into consideration is the length of the ski. The skies relation to your height and weight significantly impact your performance. This is why we have to pick the right length of the ski. Here are some measuring tips to help you choose your ski!

 

Reasons to size your skis shorter, closer to your chin:

• You are a beginner or intermediate skier.
• You weigh less than average for your height.
• You like to make short, quick turns and ski fast.
• You want a carving ski that can turn tighter.

 

Reasons to size your skis longer, closer to the top of your head:

• You are skiing fast and aggressively.
• You weigh more than average for your height.
• You plan to do most of your skiing off the trail.
• You plan to ski a twin-tip ski.

 

 

 

 

Keeping warm

Destinations such as Canada can reach temperatures above -40°C. Therefore, it will be wise to pack warm clothes. Here are some things to pack for YOUR ski season!

 

On the slope:

• Ski Jacket
• Waterproof salopettes
• Thermals – leggings and tops
• Buff/neck warmer
• LOTS of warm ski socks
• Thick Gloves
• Glove liners
• Fleeces

 

 Off the slope:   

• Hats
• Warm jumpers
• Other gloves
• Warm trousers
• Snow boots
• Thick socks

 

 

 

Other essentials

Now you have your skis, boots and warm clothes, let’s delve into some other essentials you will need. 

• Ski poles
• Helmet – Most resorts require you to wear a helmet as an instructor
• Goggles – with extra lenses if you have them
• Rucksack
• Sunglasses
• Ski maintenance kit – mainly just wax to keep those skis in good condition
• Sunscreen

 

 

These will make life easier!

Now you have all the essentials, here are some items that will make your life easier out on the slopes:

 

• Portable charger – your phone will lose charge faster than usual due to the extreme cold.
• Hand warmers
• Boot warmers
• Ski edge sharpener – this will keep your skis performing to a high standard
• Action camera
• Face coverings – this is down to personal preference. Still, part of your role as a ski instructor is coming into contact with many different people. Therefore, you may want to protect yourself from covid to avoid those long days in isolation!

 

Are you ready?

Find out more about our amazing Ski & Snowboard internships.

… and get packing!

We can’t wait to meet you!