SKI FITNESS & GEAR GUIDE
Getting your body & your equipment ready is a vital part of the roadmap to more advanced skiing. This page is dedicated to ski-specific fitness and a gear guide to help you prepare like a boss.
Below is a ski preparation overview video which is a good place to start, then scroll down to find more videos on ski-specific fitness exercises, warms ups, first day back plans and one of my favourite follow-along flexibility routines. There's also a video on how to avoid a knee injury which I hope will help you - prevention is better than cure!
Then, the 'Prepare you Gear' section has info on how to choose skis, how to sharpen your edges and my current equipment and clothing lists, since I get asked about this a lot.
The gear section is a work in progress which I am still adding to - let me know if you have any particular questions or requests.
PREPARE YOUR BODY
PREPARE YOUR GEAR
I get asked what gear I use a lot, so here it is. The quality of equipment available these days is mindblowing - thanks and kudos to the brands involved!
OFF PISTE
Skis: K2 Mindbender Wayback 106
Backpack: BCA Stash Pro 40L
Boots: K2 Cortex 140 Zonal BOA
Jacket - Elevenate Pure jacket
Pants: Norrona Lofoten
Helmet: Julbo Hailot MIPS
Goggles: Julbo Photochromic 0-4
Bindings: Marker Duke
Transceiver: Mammut Barryvox S2
Shovel: BCA Dozer
Probe: Stealth 270cm
IN BOUNDS
Skis: K2 Mindbender 89Ti
Boots: K2 Cortex 140 Zonal Boa
Pants: Norrona Lofoten
Jacket: Kailas
Bindings: Marker Griffon
Helmet: Julbo Hailot MIPS
Goggles: Julbo Photochromic 0-4
POWDER SKIING
Airbag Backpack: BCA Float 25L
Skis: K2 Wayback 106
Boots: K2 Dispatch Pro
Pants: Norrona Lofoten
Jacket: Kailas
Bindings: Marker Cruise
Helmet: Julbo Hailot MIPS
Goggles: Julbo Photochromic 0-4
Transceiver: Mammut Barryvox S2
Shovel: BCA Dozer
Probe: Stealth 270cm
SKI TOURING
Airbag Backpack: BCA Float 25L
Skis: K2 Wayback 98
Boots: K2 Dispatch Pro
Pants: Elevenate PURE
Jacket: Elevenate PURE
Bindings: Marker Cruise
Skins: K2 Wayback
Helmet: Julbo Hailot MIPS
Goggles: Julbo Photochromic 0-4
Transceiver: Mammut Barryvox S2
Shovel: BCA Dozer
Probe: Stealth 270cm
Ski Poles: K2 Lockjaw Carbon
TRANSCEIVER, SHOVEL & PROBE
For anyone looking to start fresh and get a decent transceiver/shovel/probe combo - here is an excellent option.
This package has a robust metal shovel which is easy to assemble and has an extendable handle. The probe's have an excellent snap lock system which makes them easy to use. And of course the Tracker transceivers are easy to use and reliable.
BUY ONLINE (UK DELIVERY)
STASH BACKPACKS
For off piste skiing & snowboarding, These backpacks are ideal for carrying your transceiver, shovel and probe in a designated, safe and easy to get to pocket. They can also do ski or snowboard carry, external helmet carry and have a function so that walkie talkies can be held on the shoulder strap.
BUY ONLINE (UK DELIVERY)
AIRBAG BACKPACKS
Avalanche airbags significantly increase your chances of ending up on the surface of an avalanche rather than buried underneath it. Modern day airbags use an electronic supercapacitor system to inflate the airbag, which means the'yre quicker, lighter, smaller and can be recharged using a USB-c Cable. That means you can easily practise with it rather than just hoping it works.
BUY ONLINE (UK DELIVERY)
WALKIE TALKIES
(or 'talkie-walkies' as the French call them)
These make communication soooo much easier when off piste skiing & snowboarding and having a system where it is always clipped to your shoulder strap means it's always next to your mouth. I've tried lots of walkie talkies over the years and hand held ones always find a way into the bottom of your bag at some stage during the day.
BUY ONLINE (UK DELIVERY)
