It’s not often we get to find ourselves enjoying a new sport as an adult. For most of us, those ballfield, gridiron or soccer pitch glory days ended in high school. Yet one only needs to be young at heart to enjoy skiing.
While skiing does require some essentials (a mountain and skis, for instance), it’s a sport that individuals of all ages can enjoy. Whether you’re 12 or 62, the thrill of the wind whipping across your face as you glide effortlessly down the mountain is unmatched.
Of course, any skiing adventure to the slopes near the Main Line region requires the right gear. We spoke to Brad Buckman of Buckman’s Ski and Snowboard Shops in King of Prussia, Ardmore and Montgomeryville to get a deeper insight into what kind of gear the beginner skier needs to get to the top of their game.
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Skis
One of the main takeaways: don’t treat your skis like an iPhone that needs to be upgraded every year. Buying a set of skis is like buying a car. There aren’t many changes in the newest models each year, so take a discount and buy the previous year’s equipment.
The newer you are to skiing, the more flexible and soft you’ll want your first purchase to be. Skis are made like a sandwich. Different materials are pressed together on top of each other to create a mix perfect for each individual. Where rental skis will have a higher ratio of foam, purchased skis might have a higher ratio of wood. This means non-rental skis are a little more stiff, allowing them to be used for more intense activity.
Buckman also recommends that customers look out for ski waist width, noting, “when the ski is narrower, it’s just easier to ski. It’s quicker edge to edge, [and] it’ll make for an easier and quicker turn.”
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Overall, 75 to 78mm is the starting point to look for at the narrowest width. This option from Rossignol a good starting point for men or women. For slightly more experienced skiers, these 84mm skis from MooseJaw make for a good buy.
Locks
Of course, if you’re going to be spending that much money on a good pair of skis, you’ll want to keep them safe. Buckman talks about how frequently he hears horror stories of people buying their first snowboard or pair of skis and leaving them on the rack outside while they go in for a hot beverage, only to find them missing upon their return.
Don’t forget to lock up your skis. A $20 investment on a good lock seems like cheap insurance for a product worth several hundred dollars.
Neck Warmers
Though the Main Line area hasn’t faced the bitter cold that more northerly regions of our country see so often, you’ll be surprised by just how much the wind bites at the top of the mountain. Even for true beginners who are renting or skiing for the first time, it’s foolish to hit the slopes without some kind of scarf or neck warmer.
“A lot of times [beginners] just give up because they’re cold,” Buckman says.
He personally uses this neck-up when he’s on the mountain. It’s a wise way to spend your money that’ll keep you enjoying yourself on the mountain for even longer this winter.
Rentals
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For those just looking to test out skiing this winter, Buckman’s offers rentals at a reasonable cost. If you’re headed out to Spring Mountain in Schwenksville, which is a great place for beginners and less than an hour from the Main Line, stop at Buckman’s King of Prussia location along the way to pick up your equipment.
Related: Where to Go Skiing Near the Main Line This Winter
