Selection of ski poles and boots for yourself. How to choose the length of skis for height: choose the right size! How to choose cross-country skis for beginners

If you choose skis for walking or a child for physical education, then you are on the right track. From the article you will learn how to choose the right skis for height, material and other characteristics, what to look for Special attention and what can be neglected.

what do you need skis for (walking, cross-country for competitions, downhill, for hunting, etc.);
your level of skiing (novice amateur or professional);
your physical parameters (weight and height).

How to choose cross-country skis

Cross-country skiing is chosen depending on the preferred style of skiing. There are three styles:

classical,
skating,
combined.

Classic skis

Our grandparents still rode the classic style, sliding along two parallel tracks, but it has not lost its relevance. The classic style is best for the beginner skier.

Length

Skis for classic move in length should be 20-30 cm more than their own height. For beginners, you can choose a slightly shorter length, then it will be easier to manage them.

Rigidity

If you have seen skis, you know that they are arched and if you put them on the floor, then their middle will not touch it. The more difficult it is to push the ski to the floor, the stiffer they are.

Rigidity must be selected depending on your weight. The heavier the skier, the more rigidity should be.

You can check the correct selection of skis for stiffness in the following way:

put your skis on the floor;
put a sheet of paper under the middle;
stand with both feet on both skis, there should be a gap to the floor and a sheet of paper will walk freely;
stand with both feet on one ski, it should completely touch the floor, and the sheet of paper will be pressed to the floor and you will not be able to pull it out.

Following the above example, choose the stiffness of the skis. Some manufacturers indicate what weight they are designed for.

With and without notch

Skis for the classic course can be with a notch on the sliding surface and without it.

Skis without notches are suitable for any weather, for long walks and fast rides.

They are more difficult to ride as they can slip backwards. To eliminate this deficiency, special ointments are used.

This is a new style of skiing, it is also called free style. The skier makes skating movements, pushing off the inner surface of the skis. With it, you can develop the highest speed.

For skating style, a compacted wide track is ideal, but you can do without it, then you won’t have to count on high speed.

Skis for skating pick up a little shorter and harder than for classical style.

Length

For skating, the length of the skis should be 10-15 cm longer than the height of the skier.

Rigidity

Rigidity should be about twice as much as for the classics. If you press the ski with your hand to the floor, then a gap of 1.5-2 mm should remain.

Universal skis

As the name implies, universal skis are something between classic and skating. This applies to both ski selection parameters (average length and stiffness) and mixed skiing style.

Length

Universal skis should be 15-20 cm larger than the height of the skier.

Summarize: cross-country skiing suitable for flat terrain, for beginners it is better to choose classic notched ones, and for advanced universal ones.

Table how to choose the length of skis by height

Skier Height	Skis for classic skiing	Skis are universal		Sticks for the classic move	Skating poles
150	170/180	170	165	120	130
155	180	170/180	170	125	135
160	185	180	175	130	140
165	190	185	180	135	145
170	195	190	185	140	150
175	200	195/200	190	145	155
180	205	200/205	190/195	150	160
185	205/210	205	195	155	165
190	210	205	195	160	170
195	210	205	195	165	175

Ski material

All skis are made of wood or plastic.

Earlier plastic skis were rare and expensive. Now, on the contrary, most people ride on plastic.

Advantages of plastic skis:

they are stronger, respectively, more durable than wood;
snow sticks to them less during a thaw;
more speedy.

The most reputable firms producing plastic skis are Atomic and Fischer. You can buy equipment from them, both for beginners and for professional sports. It is also possible to highlight domestic manufacturers skis "Karelia" and "Tisa".

How to choose the right skis

Alpine skiing is very different from cross-country skiing, both in design and in the way it is chosen. Their main purpose is to descend from the mountains, with the development of high speeds.

Remember immediately if you are new to mining skiing then choose professional skiing it is forbidden. They are designed to develop very high speed, which you, as a beginner, may not be able to handle, which will lead to injury.

Length

The size of skis is selected not only depending on the height of the skier, but also on his professional skills. The shorter the skis, the easier they are to manage.

If you are a beginner skier, then the length of your skis should be 20 cm less than your height.

If you have been skiing from the mountains for more than a year and have achieved good results in this, then you should have skis 10 cm smaller than your height.

For a professional, skis with a length of his own height are suitable.

For women, it is better to reduce the above length by another 5 cm, and for people with above average weight, on the contrary, increase by 5 cm.

Rigidity

The basic rule for choosing the stiffness of alpine skis is that the higher the professional skills and weight of the skier, the more rigid they should be.

A beginner will approach with the least rigidity, as they are easier to manage.

Hard and medium hard skis are suitable for professionals and people who have been skiing confidently from the mountains for more than a year. Since they are designed for tight turns and the development of high speeds.

Another parameter that you should pay attention to when choosing skis is their structure:

carving;
classic.

Carving skis differ from classic ones in that they look like fitted ones, i.e. the ends are wider than the central part. They are more stable than classic ones, so they are recommended for beginners.

Outwardly, both skis must be exactly the same and not differ in width, length and weight.
Look at the skis from the side, the curve of the sliding surface should be smooth.
The longitudinal groove on the sliding surface should be straight, without any wobbles.
The sliding surface should not have any scratches, cracks or other defects.
Put the skis with the sliding surface to each other and squeeze them as hard as possible with your hands. The hardness should be the same. The toes must remain closed.
Find the center of gravity of the skis, it must match, a deviation of no more than 1.5 cm is allowed.

How to choose ski poles

After choosing skis, you may be faced with the question of choosing ski poles. This an important part ski equipment, without which you can not do.

Ski poles must be:

durable;
hard;
lungs.

Sticks as well as skis are selected depending on the height of the athlete. For lovers of skating, sticks should be 15-20 cm less growth the owner, and for the classics 25-30 cm less height.

You can not buy sticks for a child "for growth", as he will get confused in them and it will be inconvenient to ride.

For an amateur, aluminum ski poles are quite suitable.

Handles are best chosen from non-slip material, such as cork or leather with anatomical recesses for the fingers.

It is better to choose a support for sticks with a reverse cone (the safest), and not with paws (the most uncomfortable when riding).

For children under 7 years old, choose the length of the sticks to the armpits, with a blunt tip.

How to choose hunting skis

Hunting skis are designed to move hunters or fishermen with additional cargo on loose snow. Therefore, unlike running shoes, they should not be long and narrow, but short and wide.

The average length of hunting skis, regardless of the height of the skier, should be about 175 cm.

Best hunting skis made of maple or birch, they are more wear-resistant than spruce.

Ski preparation before use

Once you have bought your skis from the store, you need to prepare them before using them for the first time.

Plastic

Wipe the treated surface with a cloth soaked in turpentine.
Apply melted paraffin in toe-to-heel movements, just under the boot.
Warm up with an iron heated to 200 degrees. And let it dry for a few hours.
Excess cooled paraffin must be carefully removed.
At the end of all processes, wipe the sliding surface with a synthetic cloth.

The above procedure must be carried out at least once a year.

Wooden

Sand the sliding surface with fine sandpaper.
Apply a special resin from a sports store to a sliding surface and heat it with a blowtorch or a special burner.
Wait until the resin is absorbed and repeat the previous paragraph 3-4 more times. The skis should darken, but do not overheat so that the wood does not begin to char.

Ski poles are an important attribute of skiing, which is why their choice must be approached wisely and competently. For more comfortable riding, it is important to be able to choose the type, material and shape, as well as to choose the right height that suits your own height properly.

A lot depends on the material. Various metals and alloys can be used in the manufacture, but there are the most common ski pole materials that are sold most often in sports stores. The material for each part is taken differently, so four positions need to be considered.

Shaft

Shaft - the basis of a ski pole. The most important selection criteria for this case will act strength and weight. Lightness and wear resistance depend directly on the composition, so each of the points should be analyzed separately.

1. Carbon composite

This option will be one of the best. Products, in which carbon composite is the leader, are light and rigid, as well as durable and comfortable. Poorly conduct cold, which means that the hands of the skier will remain warmer. On the market, models with a similar characteristic are very expensive.

2. Aluminum

The golden mean is aluminum. And all due to the fact that in products that contain aluminum, they combine both light weight and reliability. They conduct cold well, which is why hands can freeze faster and stronger. Also, this type of stick is very rigid, which is why elasticity is in question: the sticks bend, but do not break. The bending process itself brings the sticks closer to wear each time, but do not worry - the shelf life of these materials is very long. It is worth remembering that this option is not cheap and can cost a pretty penny.

3. Carbon

It is considered the easiest among most options. It is rarely sold on the market from pure material, third-party impurities are most often added, which directly affects the pricing policy of the model. Buy sticks with a similar composition most often.

4. Composite

Half-breed from the world of ski poles. It contains both fiberglass and carbon composite. Prices vary depending on the quantity of one of the characteristics: a high concentration of carbon composite makes the model more expensive. Flexible, but quickly fail.

5. Fiberglass

The best among the worst. It has a low cost, but is a poor choice for connoisseurs and professionals. Such products break critically quickly and most often do not withstand falls and bumps, which happen quite often during skiing, especially when studying with beginners.

Handle

A handle is a holder or handle, usually fitted to the skier's hand. Prices vary depending on the convenience of the handles, their adaptability to the palm and fingers.

The handle should lie comfortably in both hands. The most popular and comfortable handles consist of rubber and cork. The slots in the holder are also important, in which the fingers should not slip much both on the bare hand and on the palm of the glove.

Lanyard

Lanyard for ski poles is a special loop in order to hold the pole more comfortable and easier. For the cheapest models, this is a practically useless accessory, while for expensive ones, it is a whole auxiliary tool (trap).

The noose lanyard is common among those who do not put the distance of the palm and the hilt above all else. A more complex lanyard - a trap, is used among those who need a strong girth.

The softness of the lanyard determines whether the hand will be rubbed while riding. Do not forget about this, as this is an important criterion, especially if you ride without gloves and mittens.

The length of the lanyard should be such that the skier's hand rests on it, and not on the handle. It is best to choose a lanyard with an adjustable length.

support ring

And also "snow rings" and "paws" are below all protruding parts. An important criterion for the support ring is its size. Beginners often use wide feet because of their greater stability. In this case, a smaller size is suitable for professionals, because because of it the snow ring does not interfere while skiing.

But the size of the support ring depends not only on the professionalism of the skier, but also on the snow cover itself: large paws are used on loose snow. They produce snow rings, both plastic and leather, wooden.

Tips for ski poles

The tip is the sharp end of the stick. Some manufacturers produce products with interchangeable tips, which can later be replaced with third-party ones. For beginners, most often pick up versions without the use of metal, thanks to which it is almost impossible to get hurt. Experienced skiers prefer to use carbide and metal tips.

Types and varieties of ski poles

Read about what types of cross-country skiing exist. Now let's talk about the types of sticks.

Sports

First of all, they perform the function of movement.

The support ring is small, aimed at experienced skiers.

The shape is cone-shaped, narrowed towards the bottom. Manufacturers try to pay attention to the balance of the skier, so the sports variation of the poles has a light end, which is why the load eventually moves to the handle area.

Tourist

They have one thickness around the perimeter, which reduces the fragility of the product.

Large diameter support ring designed for loose snow.

Ski

Initially, they perform the function of balance to maintain balance when climbing and descending mountain slopes.

Such products have a telescopic shape used for slopes of different steepness.

Cross-country (flat)

Used to move across the snowy plain, perform the function of repulsion.

The view depends on the type of run.

Probably from this article it will turn out something like: Tips from experienced skiers. Having a rich personal skiing experience, of course, you can consider yourself an expert in choosing cross-country skis.

To understand what kind of skis you need, answer yourself a series of questions.

1. Political issues:

1.1. What style of skiing do you prefer (skating or classic)?

1.2. Where are you going to ski on a well-groomed track or on a soft loose forest track?

1.3. What are the goals of your skiing (sport highest achievements, mass sport, fitness, rare family outings)?

2. Economic issues:

How much money are you willing to spend on skis?

Technical questions:

Are you ready to objectively assess your professional ski training and special power?

Are you ready to honestly look at the scales and admit your honestly acquired baggage?

Are you ready to measure your height without standing on your toes?

I will not give you specific advice by answering every question for you. The choice of skis will be yours, but the advice of an expert should help you with this.

So! Modern cross-country skis are plastic skis. Their advantages over wooden skis are indisputable in almost no parameter (if plastic skis are chosen correctly). As the ancient skiers used to say: “Skating on plastic is a pleasure, but on pieces of wood it is an overstrain!” And you can't argue with that. Yes, on cheap wooden skis, there is practically no recoil to the rear, as well as moving forward. Maybe someone, in terribly cramped circumstances, left children's skis on the balcony. For a kid, up to two years old, who skis exactly (without a sliding phase), this may be enough. But, we are with you, we try to love ourselves and not deny ourselves anything. So it's plastic.

Plastic cross-country skis are available as classic, skating and combi (for mixed movement). Speaking professionally frankly, combi skis are usually classic skis with a shortened nose and slightly more rigid weight deflection. Because cross-country skiing simply cannot be half skating. One of the most important differences between skating and classic skiing is that skating, in the area of the weight deflection are not compressed to the end. But, do not despair, if you need universal cross-country skis, buy classic skis or combi (regardless of the name) you can always ride them with skating, and on a soft track (due to less weight deflection, socks and heels are less buried in snow) it can turn out even better. Means for right choice classic skis, the following should be taken into account. Choose skis according to the table that every sports store probably has, But:

You can choose cross-country skis individually according to the rule: the higher your height, the greater your weight, the better your physical fitness and the wider your step, the higher the skis. Do not try to buy short skis, even if it is easier to shove them into the interior of your car. The nature of the ski sliding on the snow is such that the longer the ski, the more straight it goes (for this, there is a groove in the middle of the sliding surface of the ski dividing it into two parts for stability and better straightness of movement). Less chatting, wobbling - higher speed.

Well, I think it’s also clear about the choice of ski width. The more your weight and the softer the track, the wider the skis are needed.

The length and width are understandable. How to choose cross-country skis by weight? Well, firstly, professional skis (like Fischer RCS Carbonlite skis) are tested at the factory and are already sold with weight markings, and amateur skis (like Fischer LS skis) are produced for the “average” person, i.e. the higher the skis, the greater the stiffness weight deflection. To understand how important it is to choose skis by weight, let's turn to the nature of ski sliding on snow. And the appointment of the weight deflection of cross-country skis. So, the aforementioned weight deflection for classic cross-country skis is used to ensure that the correctly selected ski hold ointment applied under the weight deflection (hereinafter - KLODKA) does not interfere with ski sliding. When we evenly lean on both legs while sliding down a hill or pushing with both hands at the same time. The ski block smeared with holding ointment, due to the weight deflection of the ski, should not touch the snow. As soon as we transfer the weight to one ski, the weight deflection is compressed, the holding ointment sticks to the snow and allows us to push off from it and make a sliding step with the other foot. There is an old grandfather method. Place the pair of skis to be tested on a flat surface. Place a piece of paper between the floor and the surface. If you stand on one ski, then under your weight the piece of paper should not move between the ski surface and the floor surface. If you stand on two skis at the same time, the piece of paper under the block should move approximately at a distance of two of your feet. Mark on the ski with marks extreme points. This is the block, or weight deflection, of your skis. When skiing classics, you are obliged to smear this area of cross-country skiing with holding ointment (now there is also a special self-adhesive tape against recoil), unless of course you bought skis with a notch under the block. Often manufacturers call these notches on STEP or CROWN skis.

Notched skis are a separate issue. BEHIND, that they do not need to be smeared. AGAINST, then the notch does not always work. Leading ski manufacturers, such as Fischer, produce the same series of skis with and without notches. (For example, Fischer LS classic skis are not notched, and Fischer LS CROWN are notched.) Notched skis are good on evenly rolled, ironed tracks. There are such tracks in Europe and in those places in Russia where the preparation of the tracks is carried out with the help of special retracks. Retraks mill the track before laying and only after that they lay it. The result is a ski track without a hitch. In our provinces, most often there are all sorts of bumps, pits and tubercles on the ski track, which will create problems with both repulsion and glide for notched skis.

Watching how fast professional skiers and biathletes on TV seem to be flying, you naturally want to try this style of skiing yourself with skating. A beautiful style of skiing requires not only certain technical skills, but also special skating skis. These skis have high torsional rigidity and a weight deflection that is not fully compressed. In skating skiing, the dynamic qualities of the ski are used to the maximum. The table will help you choose skis by size: (although everything said above about the individual choice of ski length also applies to skating skis.)

The economic advice is simple:

Choose classic skis according to your professional level (professional, workshop, amateur, touring). If you are without special training stand on professional skis, I think the recoil will torture you;

Choose skating skis for as long as you have enough money, there is no return on skating skis, and you will get great pleasure.

p/s. Table of selection of cross-country skis by height.

Man's height	Skis for classic style	Combi skis	Skis for skating
150	170-175	160-170	160
155	175-185	170-175	170
160	180-190	175-185	170-175
165	185-190	180-185	175-180
170	190-195	180-185	180-185
175	195-200	190-195	185 -190
180	195-200

Skiing is the most common winter sport in our country. But good skating depends not only on physical training skier, but also from well-chosen equipment. Today we will talk about how the physical parameters of an athlete - height and weight - affect the nuances of choosing skis.

How to choose skis for height?

There are certain aspects to choosing skis by length. They differ depending on the type of products, which can be classic, skating or walking.

Skis of the first category, classical, in length should exceed the height of the skier by 20-30 cm.
Skate models should be 10-15 cm larger than the athlete.
Worthy of special attention pleasure(they are combined) skis, which are very popular among fans of this winter sport. They are selected 15-20 cm longer than the height of their owner.

Beginner skiers who do not know how to choose the size of skis should remember that short skis are much easier to manage. But people with extensive riding experience can afford to buy long models. Moreover, such skis provide maximum glide.

How to choose a ski size?

To understand how to choose the size of skis, you should pay attention to the special size table. Read it, or better yet, print it out and take it with you. sporting goods store. She will show you how to size for skis and buy equipment that will be comfortable to use. Only with this approach to the choice of purchased skis will give a lot of positive emotions while skiing on winter snowy paths.

Human height (cm)	Classic ski length (cm)	Walking ski length (cm)	Ski length for skating (cm)
150	175	170	165
155	180	175	170
160	185	180	175
165	190	185	180
170	195	190	185
175	200	195	190
180	205	200	190-195
185	205-210	200-205	195
190	205-210	200-205	195
195	210	205	195

How to choose skis by weight?

There is nothing complicated here either. All that is required is to weigh yourself and compare the result with the ski size table:

! Please note that many manufacturers have their own ski size tables for height and / or weight, which differ from those given in this article.

It is also important to remember that the weight of the athlete has a direct impact on the level of rigidity of the products. The larger it is, the stiffer the skis should be. To select skis by weight, measure their stiffness level using flex tester. Skis are installed on a special board or on a flat surface and stiffness is measured using the device. This indicator can also be determined by squeezing a pair of skis with your hands. For more information on how to conduct a "manual" test yourself, see our.

How to choose skis and poles for height?

The above describes in detail how to choose the right skis for height. But when choosing equipment, it is important to pay attention to sticks. Unlike skis, the length of the sticks should be 15-20 cm less than the height of the athlete. If the skier is in excellent physical shape, the length of the sticks can be slightly increased. But, in any case, the minimum length of the sticks should not be below the shoulders, and the maximum - below the ear. Besides:

you can’t buy sticks “for growth” (especially if you are purchasing equipment for a child);
you should not buy sticks with miniature supports - the so-called "paws".

Now you know how to choose skis for height and weight. Arm yourself with a size chart - and go to the sports store!

Perhaps you will be interested

With the onset of the most fabulous and magical time of the year, it would be worth considering what you can do with yourself in winter? What is only worth playing snowballs, sledding, skating and, of course, skiing. Why not implement best moments of the past? Today, the shelves of shops with ski equipment are clogged with various products, so the question is more acute than ever: how to choose skis, mountain or cross-country?

How to choose the right skis: we decide on the style of riding

Before you go shopping in a specialized store, you should decide what style of riding you own.

If you're new to skiing and want to get a pair of skis to explore the winter forest, then most likely your skiing style is classic. This style is inherent in almost all people who start skiing.

The second style is skating. A skier in this style resembles a skater, pushing off inside ski tracks from snow. This view implies a wide track and dense snow.

Having set yourself the goal of how to choose skis for a beginner, do not try to appropriate the riding style of a pro, as it will be problematic to move through a snowy forest on skis for skating.

Going to the mountains: what skis to choose?

Skis for skiing in mountainous areas are called mountain skis. According to the target audience, they are of several types:

professional- the name speaks for itself, this species designed for professionals. They are marked with the English word "Sport". For buyers of such skis, there is no question of how to choose the right skis. These are people who have been riding for years and have professional riding skills. Professional alpine skis are very light in weight, but the most expensive in price;

amateur skiing- this type of ski is also sports and is marked "Fitness". Such skis should be chosen by people who ski not so long ago and do not consider themselves professionals in skiing. They are much heavier in weight than professional skis, but also more affordable;

tourist or "Touring"- this type is designed for long and difficult tourist trips. The width of tourist skis is much larger than the rest, as well as the weight, which sometimes reaches 1.5 kg. In their structure, they are more rigid, often come with notches to avoid slippage;

pleasure- they are a bit similar appearance with tourist skis, but are lighter in weight. Intended recreational skiing for short rides over short distances on snowy plains, beginners can choose them;

children or teenagers- this type is marked with the word "Junior". They are often made of plastic, skis of this type have fasteners under regular boot. Such skis are light and comfortable for a child to ride, it is a pleasure to choose from the range of this series of skis.

How to choose skiing according to a person's height

Before choosing skis, pay attention to their length or, as they say, size. If a person is a beginner and is not confident in his abilities in skiing, then it is better to take skis at the rate of minus 20 cm from the person’s height.

A person with an average level of training should pay attention to skis, the length of which is 10 cm less than his height. Professionals choose alpine skiing according to their height or 10-15 cm less.

Choosing the right cross-country and skating skis

Purchase ski equipment only in specialized stores, check for certificates of conformity of goods to European standards.

Before proceeding with advice, how to choose skis cross-country and skating, it is necessary to clarify what kind of ride they are suitable for. Cross-country skis are designed for fast skiing. short distances, they are light, smooth, sliding.

Skating skis are the toughest, their main visual difference is that they do not have a corner bent up.

How to choose cross-country skis

Cross-country skiing should be chosen according to individual parameters, such as: height, weight, professional skills and, of course, financial capabilities.

Cross-country skis are selected at the rate of +15, 20, 25 cm to a person's height.

The weight of skis and poles should not be too large. Cross-country skiing involves a fast pace of skiing, pay attention to these parameters, as they are very important.

How to choose skate skis

Skis for skating must be rigid, since when moving, the block of the ski track must spring back and push the skier forward. This type has a blunt, not bent toe, and the length of the ski track should exceed the height of a person by 17-20 cm.

Determine hardness. Place two ski tracks vertically, with the sliding surface towards each other and, squeezing the pads with all your might, look at the gap between them. If the clearance is 3-4 mm, then these skis will suit you. If only 1-2 mm, then it is better to refuse the purchase due to insufficient rigidity.

How to choose skis by height? The table will help determine the length of skis and sticks for skiing an adult.

How to choose skis and poles for the height of the child

Children's and teenage skis should first of all be soft, which will allow the child to quickly learn to ride and get the most out of riding. Many parents, in an effort to save money, purchase skis for their children for growth.

Longer skis are harder to manage, the child may not be able to cope, and this will push him away from the desire to ride. When choosing skis for a child who is just learning to ride, you need to calculate the size of the skis according to the weight of the child: if the weight is about 20 kg, then the length of the skis should be 70 cm, 20-30 kg - it is better for the child to buy 90 cm skis.

« How to choose skis child so that he does not get injured while riding them? This question worries many parents. If the skis and equipment are chosen correctly, then the child will feel comfortable on ski run and the chance of injury is greatly reduced.

It should be noted that it is not at all necessary to buy expensive skis for a child to ride. Children grow up and are often not advanced professionals in skiing, the feeling that loved ones are nearby and doing a joint activity is much more important for them.

This table will help you choose the right length of skis and sticks for skiing a child:

Making the right choice: wood or plastic

wooden e is a classic and ecological type of ski, proven over the years. The disadvantages of wooden skis include the fact that they are not as slippery as plastic ones. In addition, they weigh significantly more.

plastic skis more practical and modern. They win in operation under various weather conditions and snow conditions. If snow makes it difficult to ski on wooden skis at above zero temperatures, then plastic will pass this test with a bang.

In addition, plastic skis are durable, they do not deform like wooden ones from moisture and dampness.

Take it, tell your friends!