Gearhead Training Materials:
UNLOCKED
Ski / Snowboard Training Resources
A.I. Companion Podcast - Ski Episode
Ski Bindings
A.I. Companion Podcast - Ski Bindings Episode
Ski Boots
A.I. Companion Podcast - Ski Boot Episode
Gearhead Training Videos
Ski Questions Checklist
What is their height?
What is their weight?
What is their skiing ability?
Where are they typically skiing - east coast or west coast? Both?
Are they more interested in groomers or soft snow?
Ski Length By Skier Height
Ski Length By Skier Weight
When to Size Up or Size Down Skis
Within the suggested ski size range there are several reasons to choose a shorter or longer ski. A shorter ski will be easier to turn but not as stable as a longer ski. A carving ski with a skinnier waist and a smaller turn radius can be skied at a shorter length than an all-mountain or freeride ski with a larger turn radius and fatter waist width. Rockered skis are easier to pivot between turns and can be skied slightly longer than comparable camber skis.
Reasons to size your skis shorter, closer to your chin:
You are a beginner or intermediate skier.
You weigh less than average for your height.
You like to make short, quick turns and seldom ski fast.
You want a carving ski with only camber, no rocker.
Reasons to size your skis longer, closer to the top of your head:
You are skiing fast and aggressively.
You weigh more than average for your height.
You plan to do the majority of your skiing off the trail.
You plan to ski a twin-tip ski.
You want a ski that has a lot of rocker.
Please note: Different ski brands don’t always measure length in the same way; so it's possible that a ski size from one brand may be a slightly longer or shorter than the same size in another brand.
Types Of Skiing
All Mountain
Versatile, all around skis. Great for skiers who want a ski that can go anywhere, but isn't specialized. A go-to for people who only have one pair of skis.
Carving
Specialize in carving turns on hard snow & groomers. Fun for skiers who prefer groomers or live on the east coast.
Park + Freestyle
For skiers who spend most of their time in the park. Generally have twin tips so skiers can ski backwards.
Waist Width
Waist width measures the width of the ski at the narrowest point, which is right under the foot. Narrower skis are better for gripping on ice, whereas wide skis do better in soft snow and powder. Smaller skiers can't weigh down skis as easily, so they should lean towards the narrower end of a given category, while heavier skiers should go towards the wider end.
Rocker & Camber - The Basics
Camber
Camber is the more traditional ski shape. When there's nothing weighing a ski down, only a small part at the front & back will be in contact with the ground. The middle of the ski will bow upwards.
When stepped on & tilted on edge, camber gives the ski a sense of pop, quick turning, and precision. Cambered skis also thrive on hardpack & ice.
Rocker
Rocker is a newer innovation. These skis bow up at the ends, and naturally sit with only the middle touching the ground. Full rockered skis are a less common style, but are super fun for skiing deep powder, since they can surf along and turn more easily.
Rocker Camber Rocker Flat Camber Mustache? Huh?
When rockered skis started becoming more popular, it made a lot of ski builders look at their traditional cambered skis way differently. A lot of ski designers have increasingly incorporated rocker into the tips & tails of their cambered skis, giving more of a "scoop" at the front and back. This helps the skis perform better in soft snow, while keeping most of the ski cambered for hardpack.
Rocker Camber
Rocker/Camber skis have a traditional camber underfoot, with a rocker only at the front. They may have a small rocker or a flat tail. These skis are great for all mountain, since they can hold an edge on hardpack, but still have good soft snow performance.
Rocker Camber Rocker
These skis are cambered underfoot, with a rocker at both the tip & tail. These skis are great for all mountain, but especially for skiers who plan to spend more time in soft snow than on groomers.
Flex & Ability
Flex measures how stiff a ski is. Skis for advanced skiers will be stiffer, while a beginner ski will be relatively soft. This can be super hard to judge online, since there's no consistent rating system, and a lot of it comes down to a user's personal preferences.
Bindings
Binding Checklist
What is their weight?
What is their skiing ability?
What model of skis are they using, and what is the waist width?
What type of boots are they using?
For kids: are they using kids or adult boots? Are they using kids or adult skis?
DIN - Release Settings
DIN, short for Deutsches Institut für Normung (German Institute for Standardization), is the scale we use to measure how much force is needed to make a binding release the ski boot. This is used to ensure that skis will eject in emergency situations. Below are charts for approximate DIN range based on the skier's weight and ability.
Adult Binding Chart
Junior Binding Chart
Brake Width
Brakes are the little metal arms that extend on each side of the binding, which help stop the ski if it is ejected. The brake width is determined by the waist width of the ski.
Brake width minimum = Ski waist width.
Brake width maximum = ski waist width + 15mm
For example, if a ski measures 85mm at the waist, the brake width range would be 85mm - 100mm.
Boot Compatibility
Boot lugs are the overhangs on the front & back of ski boots, which clip into the bindings. Lugs need to be compatible with the specific bindings. Remember to check whether the bindings are compatible with the boots - it'll be listed in the tech specs!
Junior Bindings
Junior and child boots are built with smaller lugs than adult boots and cannot be safely used with adult bindings.
Junior skis are also thinner than adult skis, and are typically not thick enough to accommodate adult bindings - the screws will drill all the way through & pop out the other side.
When working with kids and teens, make sure to ask what type of boots and skis they're using.
Are the lengths adjustable? Can I use multiple boots?
Bindings are drilled directly into the skis. They have a millimeter or two of adjustment, but generally they are set for one pair of boots & cannot be used with any other boots. Even if a customer has two boots with the same size, they may have a different boot sole length; we cannot guarantee that they will both be compatible with the same binding setup.
Boots
Boot Sizing
Boots are sized using a system known as Mondopoint. Mondopoint is basically the length of the foot in centimeters.
Boot & Binding Compatibility Chart
(See above in the Binding section for a rundown of different boot sole types).
Should they go to a fitter?
Ski boots are meant to fit very snugly, and each person's foot will fit better in certain models. Just looking at the width and length is often not enough to guarantee a good fit. In person fitters can look at their actual foot shape, and can give better advice about modifications that can be done to boots to solve certain issues.
Customers who are well served buying online:
People who are replacing a boot they've already owned
People who have been fitted in person & are just looking for a different source or better price
Beginners who are looking for a less high-performance fit
Customers who are prioritizing price over fit & are aware of the risks
Customers who may be better off seeing an in-person fitter:
Specific foot needs, like very wide or very skinny feet
Intermediate to expert skiers who are looking to improve
Skiers who have not purchased new boots in a while & are unsure of which brands or models will fit them
