You are here: Equipment tips
Move back to: Rental
Common: Links Jobs Impressum Contact us

Ski-school Karl Maier - Rauris - Equipment tips

Info for buying, renting & care of skis & board

Find some helpfull information for the "right" wintersport-equipment as well as hints how to take care of them.

Generally it isn´t so important to have the fastest ski, the most up-to-date and coolest outfit (that´s more important for the apres-ski ;-) ). The most important is to have fun, either on the slope or off-piste, either on skis or on a snowboard. And you only have fun, when your equipment is in good condition and safe!

Let´s start with the tips:

Skis and Snowboard

• Hand your skis/snowboard in to a professional to get it waxed and the edges done, because then skis or boards are a lot easier to turn and have more grip on harsh snow. If your skis lack wax the coating dries out, the skis are harder to turn.
• Skis and snowboards from our own rental in the ski-school will be waxed and egde-tuned every week. And of course we check the bindungs for full functionality.
• If you consider purchasing your own euqipment, make sure you get expert advice. There are various ski- and board-types, depending if you are beginner, intermediate or pro, if you prefer skiing on the slope or off-piste, if you like long or small turns, ...
• On your journey to your hoiday-destination, put your skis / board into a ski-bag. Else road-dust could settle on the coating of your skis. Store your skis in a dry room over the summer.

Poles

• Poles should have a wrist-loop.
• Don´t continue using poles with broken plates or ripped loops, get them fixed.
• Don´t use heavily bent poles. They could break easily.

Bindings

• Bindings should be checked and adjusted by an expert every year.
• On the slope: Clean your boots before you step into the binding (wipe the boot on top of the front-binding).

Ski- and snowboard-boots

• When trying the boots, always put on both of them and walk around a little in them. You will feel when the hurt.
• With open boots the toes may touch the front a tiny bit; they should not when they are closed.
• Always keep the buckles closed when you are not waering your puts, when you are storing them.
• Don´t leave your boots outside or in the cold car overnight. They are easiert to put on when they are warm.
• Concerning snowboard-boots you will mostly find soft-boots nowadays. Make sure they are not too big.

Helmets

• Especially for children helmets are very important. In our ski-school you can rent helmets for children as well as for adults.
• If you want to buy your own helmet, make sure it fits you well and you like the look. (At the end you should wear it.)
• Try the helmet on.
• Your visibility shouldn´t be restricted because of the helmet.
• Bicyle helmets are NOT suited for skiing!
• Don´t wear thick hats under the helmet. If it´s could, use thin hats or masks.

Goggles and sun-glasses (Eye-protection)

• Protecting your eyes from sun-rays (UV-rays) is very important.
• Snow reflects about 95% of the light - sun-rays are reaching your eyes from everywere.
• Look for good quality of the lenses/glasses. (UV-400-protection)
• Look for the CE-logo: It garanties the minimum european standards.
• They should be comfortable to wear.
• For people with glasses: There are special goggles where you can still wear your glasses.