Gear Guide
All About Beginners
Everything you need to know about skiing & snowboarding and all the gear that goes along with it!
Skiing & Snowboarding can be intimidating for first-timers, and even for those re-entering the sport after a few years break. With all the new equipment and technology, where do you start? Before you go out and purchase new gear, try some out. Holiday Mountain has a massive fleet of rentals, of all types and sizes. Lots of shops in Winnipeg and Brandon offer demo's where you can try out the latest gear before you invest. Tell the rental technician your size and ability level, and our experts will set you up with the appropriate gear. Don't hesitate to tell us if you are a beginner, the technician is there to make your experience more enjoyable, not to judge you. We were all beginners once! Improperly fit equipment can sabotage your best efforts to learn a new sport. The wrong gear can make you frustrated and may not provide the results you were expecting. When filling out the rental forms, be truthful about your height, weight and ability level. This information is vital to providing you with the best possible equipment and first time experience.
LEARNING YOUR SPORT: The quickest way to improve is through mileage and instruction. Ideally, you learn the right techniques and build on them. New skiers and snowboarders should definitely take a lesson with a professional. There are a few national governing bodies within Canada that certify instructors: the Canadian Ski Instructors Alliance, the Canadian Association of Snowboard Instructors and the Canadian Ski Coaches Federation. Be sure to request a Nationally Certified Instructor when purchasing a ski or snowboard lesson. These people take extensive courses in levels one through four and re-certify every 2 years to ensure that they are keeping up with the current industry standards.
If you are unsure of which runs to try out - always check the trail map. All runs are designated a color which corresponds with the International standard for marking slope difficulty. Green circle indicates a beginner run. Blue square is intermediate. Black diamond is expert. Orange indicates varied freestyle terrain. Even if you are a practiced skier or snowboarder, it is always a good idea to take a warm-up run on one of the easier slopes.
SKIS: Shaped skis are the wave of the future, and are now sold by all the shops. Holiday Mountain's entire rental fleet is shaped skis. (as known as side-cuts) They have an hourglass shape narrow in the center, wider at the tip and tail. Shaped skis are designed to be used in shorter lengths than the old straight skis. Ask a technician what size your skis should be, according to your height and ability level. If you have skied in the past, and never tried these new skis, you are in for a treat. The technique for using these skis is slightly different (easier) and you will be flying down the hill in no effort. Ask you instructor how to take advantage of the technology.
SNOWBLADES: Now available for rent at Holiday, these are basically, very short shaped skis. They use regular ski bindings, and regular ski boots. They are primarily for trick skiing, jumps and rails.
SKI BOOTS: The most important thing to know about boots is that they are comfortable and fit your feet. Nothing else matters if they are not comfortable. Wear only 1 pair of socks in your boots. Do not tuck your pants inside the boot; the only thing inside your ski boots should be your feet and a pair of socks. Fit should be snug, and your heel should remain in place when you bend your knee and ankle. Remember the boots will stiffen in the cold. Tell the technician your shoe size and try them on. Do not hesitate to send them back and ask for a larger/smaller pair. Your comfort is essential.
SKI BINDINGS: Bindings hold your boots to the skis and are designed to release during a fall. Bindings have a "DIN" setting on them. (Deutsche Industrie Norm.) This number is determined by a technician according to your neight, weight and ability level. Do not attempt to change the DIN setting on your own skis without the help of a professional. These settings are essential to the safe use of your bindings.
POLES: When holding the poles in your hands, your elbow should be bent at a 90 degree angle. When used corrently, poles will help with your stance and balance, as well as creating rhythm to your turns. They also help you get to the bottom of the lift! Ask your instructor to show you how to pole plant and get the most out of your poles.
HELMETS: Holiday Mountain adheres to the position of the Canada West Ski Areas Association and recommends that partents and children educate themselves about the benefits and limitations of helmet use when making a decision. We recommend personal choice. Should you choose to wear a helmet, we do have them available. Fit is essential with a helmet, it must fit correctly to be of any help. Imporpertly fit helmets can actually cause injuries. When being fitted, be sure to tell the technician if you will be wearing a towue under your helmet, so that the size can be adjusted accordingly. We do NOT allow the use of non-snow sport helmets such as bicycle or hockey helmets.
WRISTGUARDS: At this time there are no medical studies that demonstrate the effectiveness of wrist guards in this particular application. Holiday Mountain does not advocate their use, and does not offer them for rent.
SNOWBOARDS: We offer all-mountain boards for rent. They are versatile and have a tip on either side of the board for use in either direction. If you are trying to determine which directin you snowboard, imagine this: Tom Cruise sliding across the kitchen floor in his socks, Risky Business style... when you do it, which direction are you facing? That is the way you should snowboard. Left foot forward is regular (or Mickey, as in the old Mickey Mouse Cartoons.) Right foot forward is called Goofy. (yes for the cartoon character!) Tell your technician which way you would like your board set. If you are still unsure, ask an instructor for assistance. Don't worry we get this question all the time!
SNOWBOARD BOOTS: These have laces not buckles, and are soft boots made of leather and nylon. The rentals at Holdiay are this type and do not have plastic shells. The most important ting to know about boots is that they are comfortable and they fit your feet. Nothing else matters if they are not comfortable. Tell the technician your shoe size and try them on. Do not hesitate to send them back and ask for a larger/smaller pair. Your comfort is essential.
CLOTHING: The best way to prepare for your day of skiing or snowboarding is to wear layers. You then have the option to add or remove clothing depending on the weather. Up to 60% of the body's heat can escape through your head, so wear a toque. If you wear a helmet, be sure to get an appropriate toque that fits under your helmet. Sunglasses and goggles protect your eyes. Gloves or mittens are essential. Try to avoid those made of cotton, because once tehy are wet they will not provide much protection from the cold. Above all, wear ski pants, not just jeans! Denim does not provide adequate protection and you will be very cold. Don't forget your coat, and a good warm pair of socks. Backpacks are not allowed on the chairlifts; please leave yours in a locker. They can become caught on the lift and cause problems in case of an evacuation. Please do not put your child ina pouch on your back. It is very dangerous for you and the child, and is not allowedon our hills. Now that you are dressed up you are set for your snow day.
IN CASE OF INJURY: Although our goal is to promote safe skiing/snowboarding, occasionally accidents to occur. To minimize your chances of being injured, take a lesson with a professional. At Holiday Mountain over the last 3 seasons, 77% of our accidents where skiers/riders who had never take a lesson from a professional. However accidents to happen. Here are some important safety tips in case you witness an accident:
- Act quickly. If you witness an accident, time is precious.
- Your first action is to prevent further injury. The international signal for a skiing accident is a pair of crossed skis approximately 10 meters uphill from the accident site. This tells others to avoid the area and signals the snow patrol. If the injured person is lying in as area that is not easily seen from above send someone uphill to divert traffic.
- Send someone to notify patrol or a resort employee.
- Clear the area of sight-seers. Do not move the injured person. Do not remove any of their equipment.
- Once patrol arrives, they are in charge. Spectators are not welcome at an accident scene. Ask patrol if you can be of any more assistance, if not, please leave the patrol to do their job. In case of a collision, please wait at the bottom of the hill to give a statement to patrol once they are finished.
- Do not speculate on the potential injuries.
- The most important thing you can do is ski & ride responsibly. Follow the Alpine Responsibility Code, and take a lesson.