Holiday Mountain Ski and Golf Resort

Gear Guide

All About Beginners

Oh the mess of confusion as poles tangle into boots that tip over your skis, knocking the board into the tidy stack of helmets as your scarf gets caught on your goggles. Let us help you out.

Skiing & Snowboarding can be intimidating, to say the least.  If it's your first time, you might be plain terrified, if it's just been a while... you still might be dreading the memorable moment when one ski goes left, the other goes right, and suddenly, you're in the splits.  But really, we're all beginners once, and with our massive fleet of rentals, and a team that prides themselves in helping every skier and snowboarder be the happiest, safest, and most comfortable they can be, you'll be coasting down that mountain with ease and style!  If your thinking of purchasing equipment, plenty of shops in Winnipeg and Brandon offer demos where you can try out the latest gear before you invest.  If you're renting from us, 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, or even a beginner-at-heart - the technician is there to make your experience most enjoyable, not to judge you.  Remember, an expert at anything was once a beginner.

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.

SKIS:  Shaped skis are the wave of the future, and no one's looking back!  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 with ease.  Ask you instructor how to take advantage of the technology - you will not regret it.  For, as Leonardo Da Vinci once said, "When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return".

SNOWBLADES:  Primarily used for putting on the fancy moves: trick skiing, jumps and rails.  Now available for rent at Holiday - snowblades are essentially very short shaped skis.  They use regular ski bindings, and regular ski boots.

SKI BOOTS:  Most important thing to know about choosing boots?  Comfort.  The boot has got to fit your feet.  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 are what 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 correctly, poles will help with your stance and balance, as well as creating rhythm to your turns.  They also help you scooch your way 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 planning to ski or snowboard.  We respect each person's personal choice.  Should you choose to wear a helmet, we do have them available.  Fit is essential with a helmet - in fact, an improperly fit helment can actually cause injury!  When being fitted, be sure to tell the technician if you will be wearing a toque 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 down-hill winter sports.  Holiday Mountain does not advocate their use, nor 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.  The big question is, which direction do you snowboard?  Here's a tip: imagine 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?  That's called 'regular' or 'Mickey', as in the cartoon mouse.  Right foot forward?  That's called 'Goofy', as in the cartoon anthropomorphic dog.  Still can't figure out which way feels the most natural?  Don't worry, just ask an instructor for assistance.  We get this question all the time!

SNOWBOARD BOOTS:  Our rental boots have laces, not buckles, and are soft - made of leather and nylon.  They do not have plastic shells.  Just like ski boots, the most important thing is comfort.  Trust us on this one: make sure they fit your feet!  Tell the technician your shoe size and try them on.  If they don't feel just right, do not hesitate to send them back for a larger/smaller pair.  Your comfort is essential.

CLOTHING:  Manitoba winters are cold - be prepared.  The best way to dress for your day of skiing or snowboarding is to wear layers.  This way, you have the option to add or remove clothing as your body temperature heats up or cools off.  Up to 60% of the body's heat can escape through your head, so definitely ware a toque.  If you ware a helmet, make sure to pick a toque that will fit underneath it.  Gloves or mittens are essential - hands are the first thing to touch the ground when you're catching yourself from a fall.  Sunglasses or goggles are great for sun, snow, or wind protection.  We recommend avoiding jeans (denim) and cotton as an outside layer since these materials dry very slowly and will not keep you warm when wet.  Make sure you've got a good water-resistant outer layer: that means ski pants and ski coat.  And let's not forget the toes!  Wear a nice warm pair of socks, you won't regret it.  We don't allow backpacks on chairlifts, so we ask skiers and snowboarders to please leave yours in a locker.  They can get caught on the lift and cause problems in case of an evacuation.  We also do not allow people to carry a child on their back on our hills.  It is very dangerous for you and the child.  Remember, over-dressed is always better than under-dressed.  You can always take off a layer.  Once you're all dressed up, you'll be ready for a great snow day!

IN CASE OF INJURY:  Although our goal is to promote safe skiing/snowboarding, occasionally accidents do 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 have not taken a lesson from a professional.  However accidents do 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.