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.
