Equipment – Members Area
EQUIPMENT
Welcome to the Equipment area.
This is advice on all the stuff you need to think about for your course.
You might already have most of your gear, so this section will help you confirm it’s right for your course and also remind you of some handy extras that will make life easier in resort…
SKIS AND BOOTS
We recommend you have your own boots and skis for the course – hiring for the full course can get expensive.
But there is a lot of information out there – so check out the dedicated advice page below to see what you should aim for.
You can also read blogs that give advice on the skis that are out there this year.
POLES
You will need poles, and the easiest way to measure the is hold your elbow in by your hip, turn the pole upside down and hold it under the basket. If your elbow is at 90 degrees you are holding the correct length pole!
But a chat with a ski shop will always help you work out what you need.
You can buy off-piste poles (with bigger baskets and some that are adjustable for ski touring) but a standard pole is also fine.
OFF-PISTE EQUIPMENT
Even if you aren’t doing an off-piste module, we think it’s really important to have your own off-piste gear. That means an avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe.
That’s not because you will need it for ‘normal’ training, but because it’s important equipment to have if you plan to ski off-piste in the future. After all most ski instructors will ski off-piste recreationally even when they aren’t teaching off-piste.
All our courses cover an introduction to offsite safety and skiing – so trainees will need to rent kit for those days.
And it’s also equipment that lasts for years and can save lives. So well worth the investment.
Look at the pro-deal packages to find out more.
SOCKS
Look for thin, good quality ones. Wearing thick socks (or 2 pairs!) will cause your boots to rub and not fit properly and could reduce blood flow, actually making your feet colder. You can also keep your feet warmer by making sure your boots get dried every night.
SKI JACKET & PANTS
Make sure you check the waterproof rating – good quality ones should be at least 10,000. Lined pants with thermals underneath are the best way to stay warm.
Gore-tex is the best quality in terms of being water resistant.
THERMALS & LAYERS
Buying good quality thermals is just as important as a warm jacket. Winter thermals made from natural wool fibres are more expensive than synthetics but make a massive difference to keeping you warm and wicking away sweat. Check the labels before you buy to make sure. Thermals work best when they’re tight fitting. Layering is also important for keeping warm. A thin micro fleece can be a good idea, alongside long sleeve t-shirts.
HELMETS
Helmets are compulsory. They are good at keeping your head warm and, more importantly, in tact. Removable ear flaps are good when it’s warm. Geek gaps (space between the top of your goggles and helmet) are not only a mountain fashion faux pas but can also leave skin exposed and a very cold strip across your forehead – so make sure your goggles and your helmet fit together well…
FACE MASK
To avoid frost nip (the mild version of frost bite) on very cold days bring a face mask or a bandana or “doo-rag” to cover the gap between your goggles and top of your jacket.
GOGGLES & SUNGLASSES
There can often be flat light days (when there is no bright sunshine) during the course. If you are buying goggles try to get ones with both clear/orange lenses for when it’s snowing and reflective lenses for spring sunny days. If you wish to bring sunglasses too then they are handy for sunnier warmer days.
GLOVES
Mitts are the warmest type. Thin silk liners are advised if you suffer from cold hands. Gloves are very personal and spending a lot of money on gloves will not guarantee you will have warm hands!
SKI SERVICING KIT
This is not essential but it is highly recommended, and will definitely save you money in the long run.
It is really important to keep your skis in the best condition to get the most out of training. We set up a ski servicing station on all our courses; so a work bench with clamps and an iron so you can easily keep your skis nice and sharp.
At the start of the course we show you how to service your skis, so it is really good for you to have a basic ski tech kit with you to use through the course. A basic kit means files, file guides, wax and p-tex for minor repairs – ideally your own clamps and iron too.
You don’t need a full set up – just a few files and guides and some wax is enough to get you going – we often have a bench and some clamps in the accommodation.
You can find deals on ski servicing kit through Fluid Lines in the Pro-Deals section.
A GOOD BAG
A good rucksack is really handy for carrying any extra kit to the slopes. On most courses we leave bags with extra layers, snacks and drinks and perhaps lunch in a room on the mountain.
In Saas Fee we recommend a boot bag rather than a rucksack. Most trainees and coaches walk to the lift and head up the hill in normal shoes, then switch to boots at the top.
SLIPPERS OR INDOOR SHOES
This might not be the fist thing on your list, but it’s dead handy…
In resort you always take your shoes off when you enter the accommodation – after all they’re usually wet and covered in snow.
So a pair of indoor shoes or slippers that stay dry and never get used outside are a really handy thing to pack.
BASI MANUAL
Everything with BASI is now online including the manual which is on the BASI App. If you would prefer a hardcopy of the manual then you can order one direct from BASI for £22 (before your course starts) and they will sent direct to your home address. You will be using them a lot through your course so it’s well worth considering.
A FEW OTHER THINGS….
Passport
A must for obvious reasons…
Bank / credit card
One that will let you withdraw money at non-UK cash points (or outside of your home country if you’re not British). Mmake sure you contact your bank in advance to say you will be using it abroad or they might put a hold on your account when you start using it abroad. This is a standard security thing and you usually need to inform them to start using your card again.
Mobile phone
Check with your provider for packages for texting/calling abroad so that you don’t get stung! You may want to buy a foreign SIM card in the country of your course and we are very happy to advise you on this.
Fitness clothing
Remember to bring trainers and clothes for running and doing fitness training.
Camera/video camera
We’ll be issuing prizes for the best photos/blogs/video edits during the course! So if you’ve got a camera that’s a massive benefit…
Laptop / tablet / music player
Keeping entertained and is invaluable. So being bale to plug-in and zone-out is important.
International plug adaptors
It’s a great idea to bring a power bank from your home nation and also an international adapter – so you can plug into a Swiss socket and still use your home nation electrical equipment.But remember that Swiss plugs are usually different from most of the rest of Europe.
If not you can buy adapters in resort too – they’re usually more expensive though.
Sun cream
A goggle tan is one thing – burning is another… So make sure you’re protected.
Personal First Aid Kit
Essential for dealing with any cuts or blisters.
The countdown is on …
#startyourjourney
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