THE KIT DOCTOR
Here to help with all your kit and equipment conundrums, the Ski Club’s Henry John brings his experience to bear on your questions
Beginning to ski off-piste can be an exhilarating experience – you will never forget the feeling of your skis or board beginning to float in the powder for the first time. In this edition of the Kit Doctor, we discuss changes you can make to your set-up to ensure that as you stray further from the piste you stay comfortable and confident, so can get the most from your off-piste skiing.
Why should I choose a merino baselayer over a synthetic one?
Kat Perkins, Memberships
Merino wool is an incredible material that is both versatile and long-lasting. It keeps you warm in the cold and cool in the warm, and wicks sweat away from your skin incredibly well, even in thicker layers. A thin layer of merino is especially good for lower-level intensity exercise, such as skiing or hiking.
The complex construction of the fibre means it retains its warmth when wet, and it hosts a natural anti-bacterial effect that means it can be worn for several days in a row, something that really stands it apart from synthetic layers.
Saving weight by only having to take one or two pieces for a trip can be critical to ensure a successful multi-day tour – or for sneaking in under your luggage weight allowance!
What equipment do I need to begin
skiing off-piste?
Angus McIver, Ski Club Council
The first change you can make is upgrading your skis
or board. If you’re taking your first turns off-piste, you don’t have to go for ‘boats’ straight away – a good-quality all-mountain ski or board will be enough to help you learn to float in the powder while giving you a similar on-piste feel that you will be used to.
With skis these will have a width of between 80 and 100mm, depending on gender, variety or specific model. For snowboarders, a width of between 250 and 270mm tends to define ‘all-mountain’ boards. Whatever you tackle snow on, these will be longer and stiffer with a more defined rocker at both the tip and tail to offer superior float in powder, aid turn initiation and also help the ski/board plough through cruddy snow.
As soon as you begin to think about heading off-piste, you need to think avalanche safety. Away from the piste the avalanche risk increases – as such, you should carry an avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe at all times. You should also undergo training to learn how to use the kit properly, as well as how to understand avalanche risk to avoid triggering an avalanche in the first place.
Why is Gore-Tex recommended over other similar technologies?
Patryk Szymanski, Mountain Tracks
Gore-Tex is the brand name for a patented material called ePTFE, or ‘expanded polytetrafluoroethylene’. This is a sheet of plastic that has been stretched using great force to create a thin membrane that is waterproof, but with millions of pores to allow water vapour – such as sweat evaporating off your body – to escape.
Gore-Tex’s waterproofing and breathability is far superior to that of other technologies, and as a result Gore-Tex still dominates the market. It’s no coincidence you’ll see their name on the majority of top-end ski jackets and pants.
In addition, Gore works with brands to develop materials that will sandwich the Gore-Tex membrane, and will only issue Gore-Tex licences to designs and materials that meet their standards of quality. This, therefore, means there is an additional stamp of quality against any jacket that uses Gore-Tex, further separating it from other waterproof technologies.