Gear guide
Equipment Guide
The right equipment amplifies good technique. The wrong equipment fights you every turn. Here's how to choose gear that matches your level and goals.
Gear guide
The right equipment amplifies good technique. The wrong equipment fights you every turn. Here's how to choose gear that matches your level and goals.
Your skis are the biggest factor in how you experience the mountain. Width, length, shape, and stiffness all affect performance.
Best for: One ski for everything — groomers, bumps, light powder, trees
Level: All levels
The best first ski for most people. Handles 80% of conditions well.
Best for: Groomed runs, edge-to-edge precision, speed on hardpack
Level: Intermediate to Expert
Narrow waist = quick edge-to-edge. Struggles in deep snow.
Best for: Deep powder, off-piste, backcountry
Level: Advanced to Expert
Wide waist floats in deep snow. Heavy and sluggish on groomers.
Best for: Terrain park, jumps, rails, switch skiing
Level: Intermediate to Expert
Twin-tip design for landing and skiing backwards. Softer flex for playfulness.
Best for: Uphill skinning + downhill skiing
Level: Advanced to Expert
Lightweight construction with touring binding compatibility. Performance compromise vs resort skis.
The single most important piece of equipment. Ill-fitting boots ruin everything — technique, comfort, and your desire to keep skiing.
Best for: New skiers, casual skiing, comfort priority
Soft flex forgives mistakes and is easy to walk in. Won't transmit precise inputs.
Best for: Improving skiers, all-mountain skiing
Good balance of comfort and performance. Most popular range.
Best for: Aggressive skiing, carving, moguls
Stiff enough for precise control. Requires good technique to use effectively.
Best for: Racing, expert-level performance
Maximum power transmission. Unforgiving — poor technique gets amplified, not dampened.
Bindings connect you to the ski and release you when you fall. Correct DIN settings save knees.
Best for: Light skiers, beginners, cautious skiing
Lower DIN = easier release = safer for beginners. Will pre-release at high speeds.
Best for: Most recreational skiers
Covers the widest range of skiers. Good balance of retention and safety.
Best for: Aggressive skiers, heavy skiers, racers
Higher retention prevents unwanted releases at speed. Must be properly set.
Often overlooked, but proper pole length and technique affect your balance and rhythm in every turn.
Best for: All resort skiing
Fixed length. Aluminum or carbon. Baskets sized for packed snow.
Best for: Touring, varied terrain, sharing between family members
Telescoping. Heavier than fixed. Useful if you ski different terrain types.
Best for: Deep snow days
Larger baskets prevent poles from sinking. Swap onto existing poles.
Non-negotiable safety equipment. Modern helmets are light, warm, and ventilated — there's no reason not to wear one.
Best for: Lightweight, ventilated, everyday skiing
Polycarbonate shell fused to EPS foam. Lighter. Less durable after impact.
Best for: Durability, park skiing, aggressive skiing
Separate ABS shell over EPS liner. Heavier but handles multiple minor impacts.
Best for: Enhanced rotational impact protection
Inner liner rotates slightly during angled impacts. Reduces brain injury risk. Worth the upgrade.
Protect your eyes from UV, wind, and snow while providing the contrast you need to read the terrain.
Best for: Overcast, snowy, flat light conditions
Enhances contrast in flat light. Essential for visibility on grey days.
Best for: Variable conditions, the one-lens solution
Works in most conditions. Best single lens if you can only have one.
Best for: Sunny days, high-altitude glare
Reduces brightness. Useless in flat light — you won't see terrain features.
Best for: All conditions in one lens
Photochromic auto-adjusts to light. Quick-change systems let you swap lenses in seconds.
What to expect to spend for a full setup (new):
$500–800
Previous season skis, basic boots, used gear. Good for beginners testing commitment.
$1,000–1,800
Current-year all-mountain setup with good boots. The sweet spot for most skiers.
$2,000–3,500+
Top-tier skis, custom-fitted boots, carbon poles, MIPS helmet. For dedicated skiers.
💡 Pro tip: Spend 40% of your budget on boots. A $200 ski with a $400 boot will outperform a $400 ski with a $200 boot every time.