What is the right equipment?
Having the great ski equipment is essential for skiers and snowboarders of all levels. Our sports partner La Glycerine Sport offers professional quality equipment and clothing for rent at preferred rates for the duration of your stay.
We recommend the Champion Start Kit which includes professional quality ski underwear – ski socks – ski gloves.
- Clothing: jacket: a good ski jacket needs to keep you warm and dry on the ski slopes. It must be at once weatherproof, breathable, durable and comfortable.
- Pants: Chances are, they will be used not only for skiing but also for sledding, snowboarding, skating and walking in the snow. Because of that, kids’ ski pants need to be warm and weatherproof enough outlast both a lengthy ski day and a lengthy snow day.
Underwear: Base layers help regulate the body temperature by moving perspiration away from the skin, which will help to keep you dry. Base layers come in many forms from T-shirts to tights to briefs and sports bras.
- Ski: Choosing the right skis depends on a number of factors, such as age/gender and skiing ability. All manufacturers make junior skis, some make expensive race skis or free-riders, as well as powder-snow skis. You can spend a lot of money on junior skis or you can get good recreational models at moderate prices. Once you determine the right length and style for your child, you can find really good ski deals online. If you buy skis, be sure to take them to a reputable ski shop to have the bindings mounted. Call ahead to see if the ski shop has techs certified by the manufacturer of the binding you bought. If you received the skis with bindings already mounted take them to the shop to have a binding test done and the correct DIN set for your child’s size and ability.
- Ski Boots: Having a pair of ski boots that fit and feel comfortable is essential. Ski boots transfer the movement, the “instructions” to the skis and are very important for safe and enjoyable skiing. Ski boots are the most important part of the skiing equipment. Aside from the fact that your child definitely will not enjoy his/her time on the slopes if the foot hurt or are cold, it is important to understand that boots are the key of the skiing performance.
- Poles: In downhill skiing, ski poles are important. In order to be effective, ski poles need to be lightweight and flexible, yet strong and sturdy as well. They also need to be sized correctly.
- Snowboard: In general, an all-mountain snowboard is the best bet for beginners, rather than a specialty board, which is harder to turn and balance on. Also, the longer a board is, the more difficult it will be to control. Choose a board that is the right length for your child’s size and snowboarding ability.
- Snowboard Boots: As the connecting point to the snowboard, boots are a vital piece of equipment. Make sure to get real snowboard boots (not moon-boots or hiking boots) that fit correctly to keep feet comfortable and warm. For most beginner snowboarders, soft snowboard boots are easier to control than hard boots. Boots have to be laced up tight to give your feet and ankles the support they need.
- Helmet: wear one at all time on the slopes. As is the case with many sports, a helmet is the most important piece of equipment when it comes to preventing life-threatening injuries. Our campers must wear one any time they go on the slopes. We will make sure to rent a helmet that fits properly and keep the chin strap fastened to keep it securely in place.
- Goggles and sunglasses: The sun’s rays are considerably stronger at high altitudes than they are at sea level, and when they bounce off the gleaming white snow, they can be a serious threat to your eyes. There’s no question that good ski goggles should be an essential on everybody’s skiing checklist, especially in the cold and high wind of mid-winter. Save those cool sunglasses for a little later in the season, and make sure your goggles and lenses are clean and clear.
- Gloves or mittens: Many ski or snowboard gloves include pockets for hand warmers to keep fingers nice and toasty.
- Wrist guards: Compulsory. Be sure to wear rigid wrist guards designed especially for snowboarding to protect yourself when you fall.