waist width and suitable terrain. For beginners, a relatively soft board is easier to use, control and improve on. Advanced skiers should use relatively stiff skis because they need to apply more force to the skis in order to glide
Skiers typically use routes that have been constructed and maintained specifically for cross-country skiing, using well-defined grooves in the snow, or tracks, to ski. Classic skis utilize a grip zone underfoot - either sticky wax or a built in fish-scale pattern - to provide traction, along...
a pretty sturdy tail for stability, and a medium to slim waist width for snappy turn initiation. And for those still learning the ropes, it’s a good idea to size down length-wise to make the skis nimbler and easier to handle. The ...
Testing & Renting Skis & Snowboards It’s easy to obsess over every measurement and material of different ski and snowboard models when looking at them on a computer screen, but there is absolutely no substitute for some real-time on the snow. So, once you’ve narrowed down the candidates ...
Lessons, he intimately understands now, have the potential to cut a significant amount of time and pain from the learning curve. But more than that, lessons help beginners understand the rules of the mountain. Like trail etiquette for hikers, ski etiquette helps keep everyone safe on the hill...
Tips for beginners (like me): I recommend going with a guide, like I did, your first time out (or any time out in an unfamiliar area). Most guide services can also rent AT skis and boots, which are expensive to buy yourself at first. More importantly, guides know where to go and ...
A good backcountry ski pack is tough, offers a means of carrying your skis if you need to, a mid-sized capacity, and a sleeve or compartment that’s made specifically to hold your shovel, probe and other avalanche rescue tools for quick access. Beyond that, you may be interested in ext...
We Tested 175 Skis. These Are the Models We're Most Excited About for 2026. We Put The North Face’s New PFAS-Free Gore-Tex Gear Through the Wringer. Here’s How it Performed. Outside+ Join Outside+ to get access to exclusive content, thousands of training plans, and more. Learn ...
Stand Up Paddling: Techniques For Beginners How To Stand Up On The Board Learning to get on to your board is best done in shallow water. Put your board in water that roughly comes up to your knees and place your paddle across it, just ahead of the center. ...
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