There are a host of technical details about skis, boots, bindings and poles. However, if you are buying skis for the coming ski season, here are three basic suggestions:

1. Buy from a sales person who skis. Better yet, see if the sales person has tested the products for the manufacturer. This may seem like a strange criterion but there is such variability and ‘personality’ to the present day skis that experience with the product makes a significant difference. Sales people who ski or who are product testers are passionate about the sport and do pay attention to the details. (And yes, sometimes the passion turns to madness.) Find that sales person who has the experience and who will take the time to help you select the best equipment for you. What is suitable for you may not be the most recent, high tech equipment.

2. What equipment is best suited to you depends, in part, on your ski experience and your level of fitness. Here is where you have to be very candid and forthright. Tell the sales person exactly at what level you are comfortable. Ski equipment has been improved vastly, even over the last few years. Knowing your skill level and factoring in your fitness are important variables. It will be meaningful to your level of enjoyment - and also important to your safety. You want to have the best possible fit between your skiing skills and what the equipment can do for you.

3. What do you plan to do with the equipment? If you just plan on a few outings during the ski season, then your equipment needs are different than someone who is on the slopes daily. Are you planning to stay at your level or are you taking lessons to challenge more difficult slopes? These are the type of questions that your sales person should be asking. The equipment should match what you intend to do on the slopes. This may seem like an obvious factor. However, if you are thinking of improving your skiing skills, the equipment can help with the learning process. If you are pleased with your current skill set, there is very little gain from purchasing equipment that is designed for higher performance. In fact, that may work to your detriment and be highly counter-productive.

As you can see, it does take some time to make this purchase. Set aside the time and be a patient consumer. The most expensive equipment does not mean that it is best suited to you. There are many things to consider and you want to find the best individual fit between you and your equipment. And, if the sales person is rushing you through the process, then you know that you have not found the right shop yet. People who really understand the sport will take the time with you.

Catherine Forsythe

[tags]ski, equipment, fitness, experience, safety[/tags]