The widely held image of skiing is one of glamour, thrills, and stunning scenery. However, if you want your ski experiences to actually resemble the fantasy, you will need to be well-informed, prepared, and vigilant about the many practical issues and risks, too.
As you might expect, Ski Exchange’s ski gear experts in the UK are well-placed to advise on the various “real-world” problems that can occur with ski equipment.
Some of those potential issues aren’t necessarily often talked about – so, let’s spotlight a few of them.
- Foggy lenses and cold eyes
Given that the whole point of wearing ski goggles is to protect your eyes, it won’t make much sense for you to invest in overly cheap goggles that don’t achieve this.
You’ll know your ski goggles aren’t up to the job if they fog up very easily, or if they allow in a lot of potentially harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays.
That’s all the more reason for you to seek out goggles that incorporate 100% UV protection and anti-fog features, such as double lenses or vents.
- Malfunctions with your ski bindings
Ski bindings, of course, are among the most critically important equipment for skiing, given that they connect your ski boots to your skis.
If your ski bindings are working well, their release mechanism will activate in the event of a fall, releasing your boot from the ski in a controlled manner.
Unfortunately, you might find at some point that your bindings fail to release when you need them to do so – leaving you with a twisted knee – or they might even pop off unexpectedly, causing you to tumble.
The good news is that there are various things you can do to minimise the likelihood of such binding malfunctions.
These steps include making sure your bindings are properly aligned and secured to your ski, as well as regularly cleaning your bindings to guard against any dirt or snow buildup that could affect the mechanisms.
- Bent or damaged pole shafts
If you’re using aluminium poles that have sustained minor bends, you might be able to apply gentle pressure in the opposite direction to straighten them.
In the event of the bend being more severe, or if you’re using carbon poles that are showing signs of bending, the most advisable course of action is to replace them.
Other problems can also arise with ski poles, such as the straps failing to secure properly, or the grips loosening. So, you may need to make other interventions from time to time, such as using a suitable adhesive to re-glue the grips, or adjusting the length and fit of the straps.
- Your ski boots being too stiff or too soft
There can be various potential symptoms of your ski boots being overly stiff or soft. Indicators of too much stiffness, for example, can include difficulty flexing your ankles, muscle fatigue, and/or sharp pain or pressure in your foot, shin, or ankle.
As for if your ski boots are too soft, this might manifest in such problems as difficulty maintaining balance, and/or a lack of edge control (in other words, you may find it hard to put your ski boots on edge and carve turns, particularly if the snow is firm).
Ski boot woes like those described above, sound like a job for our own professional ski boot fitting experts at Ski Exchange. We offer one of the world’s finest ski boot fitting services, so you won’t regret booking an appointment with us!
Our experts are available at the other end of an email inbox…
If you have any other questions about ski equipment or the right products for your needs on the slopes, please don’t forget that it’s easy to contact our ski gear experts in the UK via email.
With our advice and guidance, we can help ensure you make the best decisions on all things ski equipment, at your first attempt!