When going to buy skis, many count on the help of the seller, but he may pursue selfish goals. Stores often advise you to purchase expensive models, describing the advantages and referring to the quality of the brand, and sometimes they offer goods that have been left in the warehouse.

Before purchasing, you should familiarize yourself with the types of equipment in order to have a rough idea of ​​how to choose equipment.

The selection method depends on the purpose of the purchase - conquering mountain slopes, walking in the park or hunting.

For an adult

Those who want to exercise with health benefits should choose running products. winter leisure: They are suitable for walking on flat terrain. The length should be 15-25 centimeters greater than the skier’s height. If you are going to go skiing, buy classic models - 20-30 cm longer than your height.

Choosing skis according to your height is not the only condition. Products vary in firmness, so consider your weight. The larger it is, the stiffer and longer the products are required. You can check the stiffness using a sheet of newspaper folded in half twice.

1. Place newspaper under the central part of the ski - the block, and stand on one foot.
2. The newspaper should press against the floor. Otherwise, you need softer products.
3. If you are standing on two feet, the gap between the center of the ski and the floor should be 0.6-1 mm. The larger it is, the stiffer the skis.

To the child

Children's models are made not of wood, but also of plastic. The plastic is slippery, so notches are a must so that you can only move forward. It will not be possible to choose products for growth.

Child's height and ski length:

• up to 125 cm – 5 cm longer.
• 125-140 cm – 10-15 cm longer.
• from 140 cm – 15-30 cm longer.

Choosing sticks

For comfortable skiing, you need poles 25-30 cm shorter than the skier’s height. For young athletes, whose height is no more than 110 cm, a difference of 20 cm is sufficient.

How to choose alpine skis

If you have to choose products based on height, add 10-20 cm to it - this will be the ideal length.

To the child

Dependence of ski weight and length:

• up to 20 kg – up to 70 cm;
• up to 30 kg – up to 90 cm;
• up to 40 kg – up to 100 cm.
• from 40 kg - choose products as for an adult - based on height indicators.

Models for children are divided into 3 categories according to their rigidity. It is best to choose products of the middle category - children master the elementary category very quickly, but the expert category requires experience.

No need to buy skis for growth. For safe skiing, the equipment must fit. There are other ways to save:

• use rental services;
• buy used products.

If a child decides to take up mining seriously skiing, then buy quality products that match your level of training, weight and height.

How to choose skate skis

The skating move is more difficult to perform than the classic one. The athlete has to push off the snow with his feet harder, so such products are made harder. You can choose skate skis made of wood, but plastic ones will be comfortable and durable. If products for classic skating are sanded, then skate ones are rubbed with paraffin to make them glide better.

You can choose models with skating according to the principle of plus 10 cm in height. The poles should be elongated - 10 cm less than the height. Consider the weight of the products - the heavier they are, the more difficult it is to ride.

To choose the model with optimal stiffness, stand on both feet and measure the gap from the center of the ski to the floor - it should be 3-4 mm. If you cannot try on the product at the time of purchase, place them with the bottom sides facing each other and squeeze. If there is no gap left, then you should choose a stiffer model.

Why do we love winter? For the pre-holiday bustle, New Year holidays, home gatherings with a cup of tea. And also for the opportunity to run several kilometers through creaking snow, slide down a steep hill in the nearest copse, and breathe in the frosty air. But lest bad equipment spoil you winter walk, choose your skis correctly.

Choosing ski equipment requires a competent approach. You can, of course, consult with the seller, but it’s better to delve into the issue yourself and buy skis that won’t let you down on a difficult trail.

What types of cross-country skis are there?

According to their intended purpose, skis are divided into elite racing, training, walking, children's, junior, and hunting. By style of skating – classic, skating, universal.

• Classic style - skis move parallel to each other. More suitable for walking this way soft skis with a long and pointed toe.
• Skating style - the rider moves on the crust, as if on skates or rollers, pushing off from the snow internal part skis. In this case, take hard skis.
• When shopping for sports equipment, decide what you prefer: leisurely classical style walks or high-speed skating?

If you like to change styles, buy a combi - a universal model.

How to choose cross-country skis by height

When choosing skis, the material from which they are made is of no small importance. Buy plastic skis, unlike wooden ones, they do not need to be resinized, they are lighter, glide well, and are durable. True, they cost more.

To make skiing comfortable, choose skis according to the rules.

• Stand up and raise one arm up. Take the ski and place it vertically against your outstretched arm. If the sharp end of the ski touches the middle of your palm, the ski is suitable for you.
• Measure your height and add 25 cm to the result. The resulting number will determine your ski size.
• Size skating skis determined by the formula: human height plus 10-15 cm, and universal ones are taken 15 cm longer than a person’s height.
• Check the stiffness of the skis. Fold them with the sliding surface inward and squeeze them with your hand in the center. If there is a gap of 1.5 mm between the skis, the rigidity is normal.
• Don't forget about ski poles. For classics, they should rest against your armpits; for skates, they should touch your shoulder.
• Sports boots are also selected depending on the style of skating: classic - low models with soft soles, for skating - high ones with a hard cuff.
• Install the simplest fastenings - automatic ones.

Important: To glide, lubricate skate skis with paraffin; sand classic skis, and then coat them with a holding lubricant.

How to choose children's skis

For a child who is already skiing, buy plastic models with small notches. They will improve the glide of your skis, will not slow you down when running, and will help you hold on while descending the mountain.

• For children from 3 to 6 years old, choose skis equal to the height of the little champion. Don't buy sticks. Let the child first understand the principle of sliding and learn to move without falling without support.
• At the age of 6-12 years, the length of the skis is equal to the child’s height plus 15-20 cm.
• For teenagers, skis are selected based on the chosen style. For skating - short skis, height plus 10 cm, with poles up to the shoulders. When purchasing a classic set, add 25 cm to the child’s height, and sticks up to the armpits.
• Only use child bindings on your skis. For kids - soft straps, for first-graders - semi-rigid, from 9 years old - hard.

Having picked up your ski kit, you can safely go on a ski trip. Such a walk will distract you from everyday worries, improve your mood, and help you stock up on health and positivity for the future.

Fedor Tikhonov, journalist and master of sports in ski racing, talks about all the subtleties and nuances that you should pay attention to when choosing the perfect pair of cross-country skis.

Cross-country ski racing is not only perfect way spend the weekend, but also a powerful cardio workout that involves absolutely all muscle groups. In just one hour of skiing you will burn whole 700 calories(for comparison, you will only burn 540 calories in an hour of running). And in order for skating to be a pleasure, it is important to choose the right equipment - this is what we will tell you about now.

Skis come in two types: for skating and classic skiing. In sections, children are usually taught the classic move first - the skis are pointed straight forward when moving, the main emphasis is on the arms, so the load on the legs is minimal. It’s still easier for an amateur to start with skating, which requires the participation of not only arms, but also legs. With this move, the skier pushes off the track with his foot at an angle to the direction of movement, which from the outside resembles skating.

Skis also differ from each other depending on their quality and purpose - there are top models, there are a little simpler ones, and there are models that, in principle, are intended exclusively for tourism. The difference is primarily in materials, weight, performance and external characteristics. Meanwhile, the quality of gliding and the number of calories burned largely depend on these indicators. But here, of course, it is important to be aware - if last time If you skied at school, then choosing a top model is unlikely to make you go faster than if you preferred a simpler option.

Ski size

So, you came to the store, and the first thing you need to pay attention to when choosing cross-country skis is the size. The correct length of skate skis is calculated according to the principle: your height plus 10-15 centimeters, classic skis - your height plus 20-30 centimeters. At the same time, keep in mind what longer skis(even within these ranges), the more technical skill you will need to have while riding. People with a height of 190 centimeters and above can safely take the maximum sizes: for skate skis it is approximately 190 centimeters, and for classic skis - 207-210 centimeters.

Ski stiffness

The second most important indicator is rigidity. To determine it, there is special equipment - a flextester. But since it is not available in all stores, you can get by in these two ways:

1. Carefully place the skis with the sliding surface against each other and squeeze them with one hand in the center (under the block). If you have enough wrist strength to squeeze them almost until the sliding surfaces touch (almost - this is with a gap of 1.5 millimeters for classic skis and 2 millimeters for skate skis), then these skis are ideal for you (it is believed that the strength of the wrist is proportional to foot pushing force). In this case, the skis should compress smoothly throughout the entire compression stroke and all the way at the end. It is worth noting that this method is only suitable for classic skis, and to determine the stiffness of a pair of skates, you need to squeeze them with both hands so that the gap between the skis does not exceed 2-4 millimeters. Did it work? So they are suitable.
2. Place the skis symmetrically on the floor (for example, on a thin hard carpet, so as not to damage their surface) and stand on them (you can wear regular shoes), evenly distributing your body weight on both legs. In this position, the last should not come into contact with the floor from three centimeters below the heel of the boot and up to 20 centimeters above the toe of the boot. If you pass a sheet of paper under the block, then it is within these limits that the sheet will move freely under you, and above and below the indicated boundaries, on the contrary, it will get stuck. If you transfer your body weight to one leg (this is called “crushing the ski”), then the block should almost completely touch the floor (there will be a gap of about 0.5 millimeters).

Ski poles

With how to choose ski poles, everything is much simpler - they are also divided into top, medium and low models and have different gradations of quality. The more expensive and professional the stick, the lighter and stronger it is. But despite its strength and lack of vibration when repelled, it can easily be broken by a blow from a sharp object. This often happens in races when a sideways and often accidental ski strike actually cuts off a piece of the pole. However, cheap amateur poles can be broken by any professional simply by pushing hard at the start. The size of skating poles is selected as follows: your height minus 20 centimeters for skating skis and your height minus 30 centimeters for classic skis. At the same time, the size of the poles may vary slightly depending on your readiness - for example, professionals such as Petter Northug often choose the highest possible images (within reasonable limits, of course).

If you choose skis for walking or for a child for physical education, then you are on the right way. From the article you will learn how to choose the right skis based on height, material and other characteristics, what to pay special attention to, and what can be ignored.

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

How to choose cross-country skis

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

1. classical,
2. ridge,
3. combined.

Classic skis

Our grandfathers and grandmothers rode in the classic style, sliding along two parallel tracks, but it has not lost its relevance. The classic style is best suited for the beginner skier.

Length

Skis for classic skiing should be 20-30 cm longer than your own height. For beginners, you can choose a slightly shorter length, then it will be easier to control them.

Rigidity

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

The stiffness must be selected depending on your weight. The heavier the skier, the greater the stiffness should be.

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

1. put your skis on the floor;
2. place a sheet of paper under the middle;
3. stand with both feet on both skis, there should be a gap to the floor and the sheet of paper will move freely;
4. stand with both feet on one ski, it should completely touch the floor, and the piece 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 intended for.

With and without notch

Skis for classic skiing can be with a notch on sliding surface and without her.

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

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, also called free style. The skier makes skate-like movements, pushing off inner surface skis With its help you can develop the highest speed.

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

Skis for skating are selected a little shorter and stiffer than for the classic style.

Length

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

Rigidity

The stiffness should be approximately twice as high as for the classics. If you press the ski with your hand to the floor, there should be a gap of 1.5-2 mm.

All-mountain skis

As the name suggests all-mountain skis This is something between classic and skate. This applies to both the parameters of choosing skis (average length and stiffness) and the style of mixed skiing.

Length

All-mountain skis should be 15-20 cm larger than the skier's height.

Let's summarize: cross-country skiing suitable for flat terrain; for beginners it is better to choose classic ones with notches, and for advanced ones universal ones.

Table on how to choose ski length according to height

Skier's height	Classic skis	All-round skis		Classic walking poles	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.

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

Advantages of plastic skis:

• they are stronger and therefore more durable than wooden ones;
• snow sticks to them less during the thaw;
• more speedy.

The most reputable companies producing plastic skis are Atomic and Fischer. You can buy equipment from them, both for beginners and for beginners. professional sports. You can also highlight domestic ski manufacturers “Karelia” and “Tisa”.

How to choose the right skis

Alpine skiing is very different from cross-country skiing, both in design and in the method of selection. Their main purpose is to descend from mountains, developing high speeds.

Remember right away if you are new to skiing, then you can’t choose professional alpine skiing. They are designed to develop very high speeds, which you as a beginner may not be able to handle, which will lead to injury.

Length

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

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 downhill for several years now and have achieved good results, then you should have skis that are 10 cm shorter than your height.

For a professional, skis as long as 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 it 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 stiffer they should be.

The one with the least rigidity is suitable for a beginner, as they are easier to control.

Hard and medium-hard skis are suitable for professionals and people who have been skiing confidently from the mountains for several years. Since they are designed for sharp turns and high speeds.

Another parameter that is worth paying attention to when choosing alpine skis is their structure:

• carving;
• classic.

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

1. Externally, both skis should be absolutely identical and not differ in width, length and weight.
2. Look at the skis from the side; the curve of the sliding surface should be smooth.
3. The longitudinal groove on the sliding surface should be straight, without any wobble.
4. There should be no scratches, cracks or other defects on the sliding surface.
5. Place the skis with the sliding surface facing each other and squeeze them as tightly as possible with your hands. The rigidity should be the same. The socks should remain closed.
6. Find the center of gravity of the skis, it must coincide, 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 is an important part of ski equipment that you cannot do without.

Ski poles must be:

• durable;
• hard;
• lungs.

Poles, like skis, are selected depending on the height of the athlete. For lovers of skating, the poles should be 15-20 cm less than the owner’s height, and for classic skaters, 25-30 cm less than the owner’s height.

You can’t buy poles for a child “to grow into,” as he will get tangled in them and it will be uncomfortable to ride.

For an amateur, aluminum ski poles are quite suitable.

It is better to choose handles from a non-slip material such as cork or leather with anatomical grooves for the fingers.

It is better to choose supports for poles with a reverse cone (the safest) rather than with feet (the most inconvenient when riding).

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

How to choose hunting skis

Hunting skis are designed for movement on loose snow by hunters or fishermen with additional load. Therefore, unlike running ones, 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.

The best hunting skis Made from maple or birch, they are more wear-resistant than spruce.

Preparing skis before use

After you have bought skis in a store, you need to prepare them before using them for the first time.

Plastic

1. Wipe the treated surface with a rag soaked in turpentine.
2. Apply melted paraffin using movements from toe to heel, only on the area under the shoe.
3. Heat with an iron preheated to 200 degrees. And let it dry for several hours.
4. Excess cooled paraffin must be carefully removed.
5. Upon completion of all processes, wipe the sliding surface with a synthetic cloth.

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

Wooden

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

Before you start choosing the quality characteristics of the skis themselves, you need to decide what style you will ski. There are two types of skis: skate and classic. Skating is more complex in terms of coordination and requires more time to master than the classic one.

Ski length

Once you have determined your style of movement, you should consider that ski boots There are also several types: skating, classic and duathlon (for movement with a skate and classic). The same goes for the size of ski poles.

Length of poles for skating = height - 20cm, for classic skating = height - 30cm.

Ski length for skating = height + 10-15cm, for classic skiing = height + 25-30cm.

Ski stiffness

Skis have an important factor that determines 60% of their sliding properties: stiffness. Classic skis are softer than skate skis due to the fact that full contact of the entire ski with the snow is required for pushing off. Stiffness works like a spring that returns your effort and turns it into inertial skiing. If we consider the pressure of the skier on the ski during repulsion, then on classic skis the main pressure falls on the central part of the ski under the block, but on skate skis the picture is different, the pressure under the block is minimal and the main load falls on the toe and heel of the ski. The remaining 40% comes from the quality of the plastic sliding surface, matte sanding and paraffins. In stores there are special machines for determining the stiffness of skis and selecting them directly for your weight.

How to choose skis for your weight?

There are several other ways to determine the stiffness of skis for your weight. It is necessary to place the skis on a flat floor and stand on them with both feet so that the toe of the boot coincides with the center of gravity of the ski. Then shift your body weight to one leg. To check, take a piece of paper and place it under the block. For classic skis, when you are fully on your push foot, the sheet should be pressed firmly to the floor. For skaters, move a little in the toe area of ​​the boot. If the sheet of paper moves freely, then the skis are too hard for you.