Frequently Asked Questions

Assessing your skiing ability can be a daunting process. Below there are ten levels of performance to help you to select your skiing ability. These ten categories have been separated into four simple categories: Recreational, Advanced and Expert.

Recreational Level: 1-4/10

1.  You are a First Time Skier OR you’ve skied once but are not yet able to do a snowplough on a gentle nursery slope.

2.  You have skied at least once before. You can make changes in direction and stop using snowplough on gentle slopes and prefer to ski at a slow pace around the nursery slope area.

3.  You are able to link snowplough turns and have left the nursery slope; you have tried skiing on easy Blue runs but they remain a challenge to you.

4.  You link your snowplough turns consistently perhaps finishing your turns with the skis parallel or you may have instead have a wide parallel stance most of the time while skiing. With your new found mobility you have started to explore the mountains, but you are cautious where you travel since you prefer groomed green and blue runs.

Intermediate Level: 5-6/10

5.  You are now exploring many of the groomed runs on the mountain in a wide parallel stance, but may have to use snowplough if you feel you are getting into trouble on steeper slopes. You’ve noticed that things become easier when you travel faster and enjoy the confidence of being more in control by doing a series of turns. You may have tried an easy Red run, and you may have come across Moguls in your travels, but at this stage would not choose to ski on them.

6.  You are a much more confident skier now that your skis are parallel most of the time; this is because you are skiing faster and linking most of your turns. You have felt the ski carve and enjoy using the shape to help you change direction. You are now able to travel at different speeds on Pisted runs. You can ski all Green and Blue Runs and are feeling much more confident on Red Runs, you may even have tried a Black Run, and you are now choosing to experiment with easy moguls.

Advanced Level: 7/10

7.  You are now skiing with strong parallel turns in various conditions and you have now developed your ability to turn long and short radius turns. You enjoy the feeling of carving your turns and the speed it brings. You are more accomplished at skiing Black Runs and feeling more comfortable in the Moguls but you want to improve. At this stage you want to learn about different types of terrain such as Off Piste and how to ski them. You are ideally looking for skis or boots that will help you to excel both On Piste or off or even in the terrain park.

Expert Level: 8-10/10

8.  You are a confident skier who has skied in may resorts and you are much more aware of different equipment. Because of your experience you may a) be someone who wants to do high speed or carving for most of the day, OR b) be looking to develop your all mountain Freeriding skills and want to further to explore what Off Piste has to offer, OR c) want to explore the Pipe and Terrain Park and you are looking for a product that will help you to learn tricks easily.

9.  You can vary your turn shape on a given run and vary your skiing. You have the ability to ski On and Off Piste; but you also know where you prefer to spend your time because you’re trying to improve those skills and perhaps or considering instructor training or skill specific coaching. You may currently own a pair of Piste skis but are looking for a more specific pair for Freeride or Twin Tips. So you either a) mainly ski Off Piste and may have even hiked for your turns so you are further looking to develop your Freeride and Off Piste skiing ability, OR b) you have been exploring everything the mountain has to offer from Powder & Bumps to Pisted Runs – You like a little bit of everything and want to be able to do it all, OR c) you want a high performance product that allows you to confidently ski fast on mainly Pisted Runs, but has the ability to venture elsewhere, d) you now know your way around the Pipe & Park and want a ski that is going to allow you to focus on improving your tricks.

10. You are a top level skier who can ski in all types of terrain and conditions and may: a) hold a professional instructors certification or you actively compete in events in the park & Pipe OR b) you are someone who mainly skis in the back country, has Avalanche safety and mountaineering experience and tend to ski big mountain runs Off Piste.

What are Piste skis? As the name suggests, these skis are designed to perform on the Piste (groomed runs). That’s not to say that you couldn’t have some fun after a fresh snowfall, but really the skis are set up to help you progress your skiing towards perfect carved turns.

What are Piste Prestige skis? The pinnacle of smooth, fast carving skis; these skis will let you dominate the fast lane or sit back and enjoy the view. Usually based on race ski construction but tuned to be slightly less demanding and more versatile.

What are Freestyle skis? Freestyle is the “new-school” style that is currently the coolest thing in skiing. The skis are all twin tip for easy spins and fakie (backwards) moves. Take a pair to a terrain park and see what’s possible. The latest generation of freestyle skis also work well in deep snow due to increased surface area, opening up even more possibilities to invent new tricks.

What are Freeride skis? The all-terrain ski, perfect for people who want to go everywhere that snow can take them. Largely designed for 50% off-piste / 50% on Piste skiing, the increased surface area gives greater floatation in deep snow, while the side-cuts are deep for stable carving and quick response on the Piste.

What are Race skis? For the skier that likes to ski hard and fast with complete confidence and control, and demands absolute performance from their skis. Race skis provide fantastic edge grip and confidence for skiing at speed but require energy and constant technical input to get the best out of them. Mainly designed for skiing On-Piste, they are ideally suited to expert skiers and racers.

What are big mountain skis? If you dream of floating through a bowl of deep fresh powder or like nothing better than riding the backcountry waist high in snow then you should seriously consider a pair of Big Mountain skis. Fat and wide, they are designed to give maximum floatation Off-Piste, but do let you ride On-Piste, especially if you want to charge hard and carve long radius turns.

1.  Always ensure that you are in complete control of your speed at all times and be aware of other skiers around you

2.  Always look up the Piste before you ski across the Piste in order to avoid skiers who are progressing down the Piste.

3.  Skiers ahead of you always have right of way

4.  Never ski alone Off-Piste

5.  Always take a local or area map with you when you are out on the Piste

What should I wear?  Base layers are an important part of your clothing when skiing, especially when the weather is extreme. Base layers are generally closer fitting clothing layers and they trap the heat generated from your body; loose fitting jumpers or pullovers will not necessarily keep you warm as they allow the air to move around your body more freely thus causing you to lose body heat.

Gloves or Mittens? Both are acceptable, however, mittens are widely regarded as keeping your hands warmer than gloves as your fingers are kept close together and are therefore able to generate more heat for your hands. For extra warmth you should also consider wearing hand warmers.

Goggles or Glasses? Both provide good protection for your eyes, however, goggles tend to be the preferred option for most because they allow you to see the variations in the snow, especially later on in the day when vision is less. Goggles also allow you to see more easily when it is snowing and we recommend that you always take a pair with you if you opt to wear glasses during the day.

1.  Put on special Skiing socks or at least the thick socks that you would wear when you would go out Skiing. Do not try your Ski Boots with regular socks or even two pairs of socks. You might not think so but the added thickness of the socks matter a lot when it comes to the size and fit of your Ski Boot.

2.  Your toes should lightly touch the front end of your Ski Boot when you stand straight. However, your foot should move backwards pressing your heel into the heel cup when you bend your knees and your toes loose from the front of the Ski Boot.

3.  Make sure that you feel no single pressure points or other painful spots. If you feel them now already, you will definitely feel them when they come under the added pressure of actual Skiing.

4.  Make sure you feel an evenly distributed snug fit all around your foot not only at the soles of your feet but also on top. The same goes for the upper Ski Boot. Make sure your ankles and calves are connecting well to your Ski Boot but not too tight. Make sure your muscles in your calves are not restricted in their movements.

5.  Check that you have firm support around the instep of the Ski Boot, around the ankles, and lower legs. They should stop you from bending these body parts too much. You should be able to bend your ankles forward with increasing support as you bend them further.

6.  Make sure that you can bend to your natural limit and no further. Likewise, bear in mind that as you bend forward, you should feel pressure evenly distributed along your shin and not on a few single spots.

7.  Listen to the salesperson or to the Ski Boot fitter. Give him/her some comments on what you really feel about the Ski Boots you are wearing. He/she can give you more pointers in finding the appropriate pair for you.