Sport

What to look for when buying skis?

What to keep in mind when choosing skis? These few rules will help you choose the right model for you!

Published

3 years ago

March 5, 2021

Dominic Lyon

You need about 3 min. to read this post

The current season, despite an abundance of snow, is not necessarily conducive to skiing. Spending money on good skis should be an investment for several seasons. How to choose the right skis? What should you pay attention to? We suggest

What kind of skis do we need?

Unfortunately there is no single type of ski. Among each group we can distinguish equipment for beginners, intermediate and advanced ski lovers. We divide skis mainly into:

downhill skis,
cross-country skis.

It is worth mentioning that nowadays we choose mainly carving skis, i.e. waisted skis. It is a modern and appropriately shaped type of ski, which is intended to support the skier especially during downhill runs.

Downhill skis

There is a distinction between different types of downhill skis. The most common types of such equipment are:

Easy: fairly short skis that are characterized by high flexibility. This makes them very comfortable to ride. Therefore, this type of ski is suitable for skiing on well-maintained commercial slopes. Good equipment for people who are just starting out with downhill skiing. They are also sometimes marketed as skis for ladies;
Allround: equipment that is stiffer than easy skis. What does this mean? These skis can be used on smaller moguls and less popular slopes. Many stores base their range on these models. However, this does not mean that beginners should choose them. It is certainly not easy to get started with these skis;
All cross: or all mountain. These skis are longer and wider than allround skis. After some practice, these skis are suitable for skiing off-piste;
Race and Race FIS: intended for accomplished skiers who want to achieve good results. They are a great choice for those who want to test themselves in competitions – even at amateur level

Cross-country skis

You can create cross-country trails for yourself just about anywhere as long as enough snow falls. While you can learn the basics even on downhill equipment, using such skis as cross-country skis for an extended period of time is a bad idea. What distinguishes cross-country equipment? It is longer by at least 30 cm. They are also narrow. All this is to distribute the weight of a person differently on a snowy trail. We distinguish between skis:

for classic cross-country skiing: they have slight marked edges,
skating skis: they have clearly defined edges in order to take advantage of the cutting ability of the snow

What do I have to consider when choosing skis for myself?

It is of course mandatory to choose one of the above-mentioned types of skis, but among them there are often quite big differences. Going to a store with such equipment, we should pay attention to:

the length of skis – of course, the equipment should be neither too short nor too long. It should be matched to our weight and height. Downhill skis for beginners should be long and light. Longer skis make it more difficult to turn – for beginners this is an advantage;
sidecut – Beginners are advised to use skis with a small sidecut. This improves stability;
rocker – for beginners a ski which is as close to the ground as possible is recommended;
price – how much are you prepared to spend on skis? This largely depends on how often you run or ski downhill on them. It’s a good idea to visit a professional ski store and get expert advice.

Photo by Christian ter Maat/Unsplash

Related Topics:cross-country skis skis skis

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Food

Relieve the symptoms of DOMS, or delayed post-workout muscle soreness, with foods rich in antioxidants, first of all watermelon, which contains citrulline. This non-protein amino acid helps reduce soreness and accelerate muscle recovery. Pineapples, ginger rhizome and cherry juice also have strong anti-inflammatory properties.

Curcumin and trance

The curcumin contained in the perennial herb has analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. It also has strong antioxidant properties. Curcumin promotes faster muscle recovery after strenuous exercise. Analogous effects are shown by Omega-3 fats and cod liver oil.

Milk proteins

In 2017, a study was conducted that proved that milk-based protein nutrients remove pain caused by micro-damage to muscles and connective tissue, including from overly intense training. Protein nutrients in concentrate or isolate form contain 40 to as much as 90% milk proteins. Milk proteins consumed in the form of nutrients not only reduce DOMS symptoms, but also prevent them.

Warm baths and Epsom salt

You can also prevent the feeling of discomfort by providing warmth to your muscles immediately after your workout. You can apply a towel wetted in warm water to your body, use a thermos, or even better: indulge in a warming bath. If you opt for a bathtub, add a little Epsom salt to your bath, which relieves inflammation and pain caused by too much training. Such a bath will not only relieve pain, but also affect your mood.

Impact of cold

It turns out that cold compresses are equally helpful in removing post-workout muscle soreness. Cold compresses eliminate swelling and calm the nervous system. Use bags of ice or frozen products. However, avoid direct contact of ice with the skin. If your body is up to it, soak in a tub of cold water.

Massages

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Repeat workouts

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After a workout, the body needs relaxation and relaxation exercises to even out breathing and calm the heart rate. Calm exercise after a workout will give your muscles an uninterrupted blood supply to remove lactic acid and prevent sourness. Instead of exercising, you can go for a walk or jog on a treadmill for 10 minutes at a brisk pace.

main photo: unsplash.com/Karsten Winegeart