Buyers Guide

Skis

There are hundreds of different skis on the market, all designed with a certain skier in mind. Buying a pair can get a little complicated and it’s often easy to get confused with technical jargon. Here at Snowtrax we like to make life easy, read our simple guide to help you pick the right ski...

Firstly we’ll run through the different things you’ll have to consider. You’ll need to decide what type of ski you want and you’re ability level. Then you’ll need to consider the shape of the ski, width under foot and the flex rating. Finally you’ll need to determine what size to buy?

Every ski we stock has been extensively tested. We try to provide as much information to help you make the right choice. Please read the descriptions carefully and look out for our ski tester comments. Try using our ski selector, a handy guide to narrow down the range to a few different options.

You can check out our full range of skis here.

GENDER

Firstly, are you female? A simple, but important question! Women have a different body build to men, with a lower centre of gravity; causing them to lean back more when they ski. They are also lighter than men. This is all taken into account when designing a female specific ski. The bindings are usually mounted slightly further forward and the skis are generally lighter with a slightly softer flex pattern. There are a large amount of women specific skis on the market, if you’re a female skier of any level it’s worth buying a women's ski.

SKI TYPE

Take your time, and read all the categories below. Try to define one or two types of ski that really reflects where & how you like to ski. Piste, Powder, Park or wherever you love to spend your time.

ON PISTE

As the name suggests, if you spend most of your time on piste then this is the ski to go for. In general piste skis are narrower underfoot with more side-cut so they turn and grip the snow quickly and precisely. Look at the turn radius of each ski; most piste skis will have a relatively small turn radius allowing short sharp turns. However, if you venture into fresh snow or dabble in a little off piste consider looking at an all mountain ski...

ALL MOUNTAIN

A very popular category, ideal for skiing a variety of terrain. Simply put, these are wider, fatter piste skis. They have the shape to offer excellent grip and response on the piste, with extra float for days when the snow is falling. Keep an eye on the width underfoot, fatter skis means more fun in the powder but slightly less manoeuvrability on the piste.

FREERIDE

For those that want to access the whole mountain and have a passion for skiing powder – Waist deep in the morning, then piste in the afternoon! A freeride ski is light, nimble, with plenty of surface area. The end result is a shape that works on the piste and offers control, manoeuvrability & floatation in powder. Most of these skis come as a “flat deck” without an integrated binding system; this keeps the whole set up much lighter which is great for the powder! Freeride skis are also ideal for setting up with a touring or telemark binding.

BIG MOUNTAIN

Super fat skis for the ultimate powder experience! If you spend most your time off piste and see the groomed runs as a way to get from A to B this could be what your after. Awesome fun and surprisingly agile on the piste! If you get a chance to test some of these go for it, one of the best decisions you’ll ever make!

FREESTYLE

Twin tip skis that are happy whichever way you point them! Freestyle is a big growth area in the ski world and has produced some of the most versatile skis on the market. Plenty of pop and snap make the skis lively and playful. They have an increased surface area, great for landing big airs, but also handy in the powder. If you love hitting the park then this is what you want, if not, it’s still worth considering as an alternative to a freeride ski.

RACE

For advanced and expert skiers who want extreme piste performance. If you’re a fast aggressive skier and stick to the piste, then this type of ski will be perfect. A tuned up piste ski with an aggressive shape for carving.

ABILITY LEVEL

Now there’s no need to go showing off here, buying a pair skis to suit your ability is very important. On the other hand, be realistic, don’t talk yourself down, you don’t want to have to upgrade after only a couple of weeks on the snow. If you’re unsure then please don’t hesitate to call one of our experts.

LEVEL 1 – JUST STARTING OUT

Skiing is new to you; you may have had some lessons on a UK dry or snow slope, or maybe 1 or 2 weeks on snow.

A ski with a softer flex rating will be ideal, usually a piste ski or freestyle ski to get you started. This is the first step up from a rental ski, offering far more enjoyment on the snow!

LEVEL 2-4 – INTERMEDIATE

2 – You’re still using a snowplough to stop & have discovered how to manoeuvre to the left & right. Sticking mainly to the nursery slopes at low speeds.

3 – You’ve started to link snowplough turns & are happy cruising down shallow terrain, exploring blue runs.

4 – You’ve mastered the basics & are confident on less challenging slopes. On more demanding slopes you’re cautious & often still use a snowplough to slow down.

For levels 2-4 a ski with a soft to mid flex rating will be suitable, offering easy turn initiation with more control at modest speeds. This will help you build on your technique & style. You’ll probably want to go for a piste ski, but don’t rule out a freestyle, all mountain or freeride ski with a softer flex pattern.

LEVEL 5-7 – ADVANCED

5 – You are now starting to develop your technique, occasionally using the snowplough for easy turn initiation. You’re happy skiing on easy red runs & turn up the pace on mellow blues.

6 – You’re perfecting your parallel turns on less challenging terrain, gaining in confidence on reds. You manage to get down most black runs.

7 – You are confidently linking parallel turns on most slopes with great technique. You can get down steep & icy blacks, but style goes out the window! You may even have attempted some slope side powder.

For levels 5-7 a ski with a mid to firm flex rating will be suitable, offering grip & control at a variety of speeds. This will help you maintain a smooth & fluid technique on all types of runs. You may want to consider an all mountain, freestyle or freeride ski. These will help if you’re skiing on piste whilst it’s snowing.

LEVEL 8-9 – EXPERT

8 – You’re happy to ski on any run in most conditions, maybe venturing into the powder without much worry. Skiing at high speed is not a problem & you have mastered carving turns.

9 – You’ll tackle anything that the mountain has to offer, steep icy blacks, off piste & may even unclip your skis to hike up & hit some fresh lines.

For levels 8-9 a ski with a firm flex rating will be suitable, giving you grip & control at high speeds. This allows you to burn down the piste without having to worry that the ski is going to feel twitchy & unpredictable. You should know what type of skiing you’re into, or maybe you’re up for a new challenge. You’re probably looking for an all mountain, freestyle or freeride ski; if you love the powder consider a big mountain ski.

LEVEL 10 – RACE

10 – Congratulations, you are a pro! You’re probably a qualified instructor or regularly participate in competitions.

You’re an expert skier who is looking for a set of stiff aggressive skis.

You’ll want to pick a race ski to give you the ultimate piste performance. Loads of grip at top speeds!

SKI SHAPE AND FLEX

SIDE CUT

The shape of a ski is shown by the side cut. This is the width of the ski at the tip, waist & tail. For example – 120/68/119 (178cm). This ski has a tip width of 120mm, waist width of 68mm & tail width of 119mm. The number in brackets tells you the length of ski that the measurements are applicable for, as the shape of some models will vary slightly over different lengths.

WIDTH

The width of a ski underfoot is shown as the middle number of the sidecut. Using the example above the width is 68mm. This measurement is an important indicator of how the ski will behave in powder & on piste. If it’s nice & wide underfoot then it will help stop the ski sinking, giving you more control in fresh snow. If it’s narrow then the ski will be ideal for short sharp turns on piste. Typically a width of 66-76mm will be found on a piste or race ski, anything between 76-98mm will usually be an mountain, freestyle or freeride ski & everything over 100mm will be a big mountain ski.

TURN RADIUS

The turn radius is an indication of how quickly the ski turns. The shorter the turn radius the sharper the ski will turn on piste. This is displayed along with the ski length; as the turn radius of a particular model will vary slightly depend on the length of the ski.

CAMBER PROFILE

The camber profile is the shape a ski has when viewed side on. Different types of camber change how the skis behave, for example a traditional camber profile forces your weight out along the skis and gives excellent edge hold and grip. Where as a rocker profile gives more float in deeper snow and a looser, catch free, feel on harder snow and park features.

FLEX

The flex or stiffness of a ski will vary depending on what the ski’s designed for. Stiffer skis will take more energy to flex but will reward you with outstanding grip. A softer ski is far more manoeuvrable at slower speeds, giving confidence & grip in icy conditions.

As a rule of thumb, a soft ski is great for a beginner & a super stiff ski is suitable for an expert. There are exceptions to this, if you want a freestyle ski for jibbing & buttering then you’ll want plenty of flex, also some advanced big mountain skis will be super soft for riding in deep snow. But as a general guide, stiffer skis will give stability at speed.

SKI SIZE

Before we move onto the size of ski you require, it is important that you know the type of ski. Each type of ski is specific & you’ll need to go for a certain length depending on the ski. For example, if you ski a race slalom ski in a 165cm, you may well need a 178cm freeride ski or a 185cm big mountain ski.

If you’ve followed this guide from the top, hopefully you’ll know what type of ski you’re after. The length you’ll need will depend on your weight, height & ability level.

Use this visual guide as an indication for the length of ski you need.

Total : Your perfect ski length will be the nearest size, although you may wish to adapt this for your own personal taste.

Still Stuck?

Then why not contact one of our experts. Call on 01202 499155 ext 2 or email us. By providing us with some basic information we can help you make the right choice. We’ll need to know your weight, height, skiing ability & a description of the type of skiing you enjoy. Let us know which skis you’re interested in & we’ll help you decide what to go for & what size.

To check out our full range of skis, please click here.

Buying a snowboard can be a bit confusing if you're not 100% sure what you're looking for. There's a myriad of shapes, profiles, and types to choose from. So, to make choosing your next snowboard a bit easier we've listed out what all the terms mean and what to look out for.

If you're looking for a bit more help just drop us an email or a call! As the UK's leading snowboard shop we're always happy to help! 
Call 01202499155 or email sales@snowtraxstore.co.uk

 

The Important Factors:

Height, weight, shoe size, and kind of riding you want to do.

Of the above measurements your weight is the most important. It affects edge hold and float, as well affecting the flex a little. Next is your height, which changes the centre of gravity relative to your base and your stance width.
Finally, the type of snowboarding you’d like to do defines other board characteristics like float, stability, flex, and shape.

 

Weight:
Your weight is important because each snowboard length has a fixed amount of edge contact, or “grip”. Too much weight on too little grip makes the board feel loose and more likely to wash out. As your speed increases the force required to change direction or stop also increases, So, it is important to make sure you have enough grip for your body weight.
On the other side, if you are too light for the amount of edge your board has then you will find it harder to make the board perform the way you want it to.

 

Height:
Taller people need a longer base in order to make them stable in relation to their centre of gravity. Additionally, taller people have longer legs and therefore require a wider stance width. Stance widths are adjustable but taking it to the extreme will make your use of the sidecut less efficient.
Traditionally, people would size a snowboard by standing a board up and checking that it came up to the chin. In reality different riding styles and board types means that this method is pretty limited.
For example; a snowboard for use in powder snow would be sized up a bit to allow for more float while one for beginners and freestyle riders may be sized down to aid manoeuvrability and rotational speed.

Shoe size(Wide Boards):
If you have larger than average feet for your height you may need to look for a board marked “Wide” or “W”. The added width in these boards means that you won’t end up dragging your toes or heels in the snow when leaning harder into turns. If you already have a snowboard in mind but you wear big shoes you can look out for boots with reduced footprint that may allow you to keep riding on a regular width board.

 

 

Snowboard Characteristics:

Length:
As mentioned earlier you can size your snowboard up or down depending on the type of riding you want to do, but as a beginner the most important factor is choosing a size that matches your height and weight. Longer boards have more edge hold and are more stable at speed. While shorter boards have less swing weight and feel more at home in the park.

Width:
Wider boards means more float. Some powder snowboards look way shorter than their resort focused counterparts but since soft powder doesn’t need edge grip you can get away with riding shorter, wider boards that give the same float as longer, regular boards.
There is a trade-off, however. Wider boards take more time and more effort to switch between edges on hard or pisted snow. Also, shorter boards lose some longitudinal (nose to tail) stability as you are decreasing the length of base in contact with the snow.

 

Flex:
Flex is massively important and is responsible for how a board feels and responds to input from the rider and the terrain.
As a beginner you will find it easier to use a softer flexing board. This will allow you to pedal and initiate turns with less force as well as being a more forgiving board when mistakes happen.
As you improve your riding and want to push more power through the turns you may want to go for a slightly stiffer board that can handle it and feel more controlled at speed.

•  Soft Flex:
  Ideal for jibbing and park riding where you want to get the most out of presses and butters. As softer boards require less force to bend they are easier to perform technical manoeuvres at lower speeds. Also Ideal for beginners still learning to control the board.

•  Medium Flex:
  Good for freestyle and all mountain riding. They have enough flex to allow for easy turn initiation while maintaining enough resistance to feel stable at faster speeds and steeper terrain. Still possible to ride park although your butters will be hard work. Medium flex is ideal for trips where you want to ride piste and powder in the same day on the same board.

• Stiff Flex:
  Normally found in freeride and carving snowboards. Stiff flex is designed to give you better response, edge hold, and control at speed on steep and/or icy slopes. The added stiffness means that the board is able to offer much greater edge hold at speed and provides a stable platform for carving. Additionally, stiffer boards are great for riding powder as they don’t deform with the snow surface and make for a much smoother ride when it gets chopped up!

 

 

Camber Profiles:

Exaggerated snowboard camber profiles for illustration. 

Camber profiles refers to the shape of the board when looked at from the side. There are several main types to choose from and each has merits and disadvantages.

Traditional Camber snowboard:
With the tip and tail raised a camber snowboard has the contact points touching the floor and a smooth arch up between them. Sort of like a bow. When you ride a camber snowboard the shape is squashed and tries to push back which ends up creating a good even pressure along the length of the side-cut. These snowboards generate lots of pop and have great edge hold. Generally good for most types of riding.

 

Rocker snowboard:
When looked at side on it’s more like a banana with the tip and tail contact points both off the floor. This profile provides a much looser, surfy, feel. Pretty much the exact opposite of traditional camber, this profile excels in the park and the powder where edge grip is less important. For beginners it also allows for easy turn initiation and a more forgiving ride as there is less chance of catching edges. The disadvantage is that with reduced edge hold comes less control and stability at speed. So, while it may be easier for most park features if you are looking to ride pipe then you may want to look for a snowboard with more grip.

 

Flat or Zero Camber snowboard:
Usually found in park or freestyle snowboards this profile is flat between the contact points. This allows it to be catch free like a rocker board but still have a bit of edge hold more like a camber board. There are some disadvantages though as these snowboards won’t be as stable at speed as traditional camber and won’t be quite as loose and surfy as a rocker snowboard. Flat boards can be versatile and depending on the construction can maintain pop better than rocker snowboards.

 

Hybrid Rocker Camber Snowboards:
These snowboard profiles cover every mix of camber and rocker and all in between. They generally tend to be a combination of camber and rocker with the ultimate goal of offering the best of both worlds. While some maybe a powder profile that also works on the piste, others might be designed to offer control for kickers and pipe with forgiving properties for rails, boxes, and landing spins.
Each manufacture has their own types so definitely check the manufactures specs on these snowboards.

 

Powder Profile:
Designed specifically for the soft stuff. Generally, these snowboards have lots of float in the nose and either camber, rocker, or flat between the bindings. Powder riding is more rear foot dominant, so most will have back seat camber offering a bit of control near the back binding. The overall design will be specialised for specific factors depending on if the snowboard is more for side country and in bounds or backcountry and off-piste.

 

For Beginners:

Everyone is different in how quickly they progress and what they want to achieve, but we can apply some general guidelines for selecting you first board.
1) Use the sizing charts and go for a snowboard that is in the middle of you recommended range.
2) Look for snowboards with softer flex ratings
3) Hybrid camber, or Rocker will be the most forgiving to begin with.

Beginner snowboards tend to be softer flexing with forgiving cambers but if you want one that’s a bit different you can also look to some of the high end park snowboards that incorporate those features too! 

 

When buying a snowboard, it is important to think about how much time on snow you are likely to have. Going to the mountains for 1 week a year means you won’t progress as quickly compared to if you were going out for the whole season!
To get the most from your snowboard look to choose one that you can progress with and that will help you get into the areas of the mountain you want to go!

 

We have 30 years of experience as a leading UK snowboard shop and our team are all experienced riders who are totally happy to talk about snowboards all day! So, if you are at all confused or need any extra information just give them a call or an email!  It will probably make their day!
 
sales@snowtraxstore.co.uk
01202499155

Click here for our full range of snowboards!

Buying ski boots is not something that can be done in 5 minutes. Unlike buying a new pair of shoes a ski boot requires a precise fit. Each model of boot has a different shape & will suit a certain foot type.

We highly recommend that you visit us in our Boot Lab to ensure you get the best possible fit.

We offer full analysis of your feet, free of charge.

A ski boot fitting will typically involve:

• Precise measurement of each foot & analysis of foot shape.
• Selection of a range of ski boots determined from the measurements taken, your skiing experience, weight, ankle shape and calf shape.
• Shell check to ascertain if the size is correct.
• Several suitable ski boots will be tried on for initial fit.
• An insole or footbed will usually be recommended; various options are available & will be discussed.
• The best fitting boot will then have the liner custom moulded to your feet; we may also stretch the shell as this point to offer a more customised fit.
• The boots then need to be broken in at home before hitting the slopes!
• Re fitting is free of charge & often only requires a few minor adjustments to enhance the fit & comfort.

This is why we recommend visiting us in The Boot Lab to purchase your boots!

All our ski boots are sized in Mondopoint. This is an international measurement that all boot manufactures use, therefore it is easy to compare one make to another. Below is a conversion chart you can use as a rough guide.

In an ideal world you should try on a few pairs of snowboard boots before you make your final decision. Sometimes this isn’t always possible but with all our boots being heat mouldable it makes sense taking advantage of this. New snowboard boots always take a few days, if not weeks to break-in but this can be done within 20 minutes in store by one of our technicians in our Boot Lab. At the same time they can advise how the boots should feel in terms of size and stiffness. Foot problems? No worries, further customisation can also be done with more supportive foot beds, heat packs etc.

If you can’t make it in store, no worries, your boots will mould in time to your feet, it just takes that bit longer. A few hints for the perfect fit are:

Start with your UK shoe/trainer size. - Your toes should be comfy whilst not lost in the boot.

Bend your knees and flex forward. Your toes come away from the end of the boot? This is good, we don’t want cramped toes. Lean on your heels and make sure your toes don’t pop out of the boot!

Get onto tip toes. Do your heels lift out the back of the boot? Up to 1cm is ok as this will be cancelled out by your binding ankle strap.

Still not sure? Take out the foot bed and put your foot on it. You will soon see if your foot overhangs the foot bed in length or width.

For more information on our boot fitting services, check out our Boot Lab.

For further advice please contact us. +44 (0) 1202 499155 or sales@snowtraxstore.co.uk

Snowboard bindings are often neglected but are arguably the most important part of your set up. They make the control interface between your boots and your snowboard, so there are several factors to consider when purchasing them. 

Your style of riding: 
We'll break it down into three categories: Park/freestyle, All Mountain, and Freeride. The different riding styles require the bindings to perform differently. Freeride, for example, requires a binding that can deal with loads of torsional force and have accurate power transmission between the rider and the snowboard for excellent edge hold on bigger terrain. Where as a freestyle binding would be designed for more flex to allow riders to twist and deform the boards during butters and presses. All Mountain bindings are somewhere in the middle, offering some compromises but over all offering a lot of versatility. 

If you're a beginner something too soft will make the board feel loose, so aim for a binding with mid flex that will give a bit of forgiveness while still offering good control. 

What size / brand snowboard boot you use:
Bindings come in various sizes to fit your snowboard boot. Each brand will list their compatible sizing with each binding - For example a binding might say "Medium (UK size 7.5-9)".
Sizing differs between brands so please check which size will fit your boot best. Some boots feature a reduced length (i.e. Salomon and Burton) making them size realistically a whole size down whereas some boots fit wider (i.e. 32’s and Vans) and need a bigger binding. 
When choosing your binding make sure the heel of the boot is snug in the binding and that there isn't an excess of room between the boot and the edges of the base plate.
For precise recommendations just contact our team and one of them will be happy to help point you towards the binding that suits your needs. 

What type of snowboard you ride:

As with your riding style; the kind of snowboard your using (flex,profile, and shape) will work better with some binding types than others. In general your binding flex should mirror your snowboard flex and compliment your riding style.
Stiffer snowboards require more strength to control so your binding will need to be able to transmit the required forces to the snowboard.So using soft bindings on a stiff snowboard will cause lot of wasted energy. Conversely, a stiff binding on a soft flexing snowboard are likely to reduce the flex and forgiveness of the board making it feel more jittery.  

Some snowboard brands specifically design their boards and bindings to work together but generally the method of fixing bindings to a board is universal across the industry which means you can take your pick. You may want a different brand of binding to your snowboard to utilise a quick entry system or to work well with a specific boot. If you are unsure you can email or call our team and we can go through the options with you - email sales@snowtraxstore.co.uk  or call 01202499155

Check out our full range of Snowboard Bindings right here!

Poles

Buying a correctly sized ski pole is important. Skiing with the wrong size can offset your balance & lead to poor technique.

Here’s a guide to size yourself up for the right length of ski pole.

1. Place your arms at your sides and hold your forearm out at a 90 degree angle (as if you were carrying a box).

2. Make sure that your upper arms are touching your sides, and your forearms are out in front of you, as if you were holding ski poles.

3. Make a fist as if you were gripping imaginary ski poles & raise your thumb into the “thumbs up” position.

4. Have a friend measure the distance from the top of your thumb to the floor.

5. If you don’t have someone to measure this distance for you, stand next to a wall & lightly mark the spot where the top of your thumb is. Then, measure from that mark to the floor.

6. Round this length either up or down to your preference.

You can check out our full range of ski pole right here!

Ski and Snowboard Helmets

Helmets are a must have piece of equipment for all skiers and snowboarders, no matter what standard you are. A helmet should fit snugly on your head but not so tight it gives you a headache! We stock a vast range of helmets for all head shapes & sizes. To see our full range, click here!

The most important thing when buying a ski or snowboard helmet is that it fits properly on your head. It should be comfortable and offer you the best protection. Follow our guide to get properly sized.

1. Wrapping a tape measure around your head from the middle of your forehead around the back of your head. This measurement will be your helmet size, usually in cm.

2. Upon receiving your helmet. Align the front of the helmet above your eyebrows and pull the helmet over the back of your head. If the helmet has an adjustable fit system ensure this is set at its largest setting.

3. Tighten up any adjustable system until the helmet feels snug.

4. Make sure there are no unwanted gaps between the helmet lining and your head. Make sure the back of the helmet does not touch the back of your neck.

5. The helmet should fit snugly, give your head a little shake you shouldn’t feel your head knocking around inside the helmet.

6. Make sure the helmet fits well with your goggles.

Remember, you only have one head, it’s worth looking after!

Jackets

One of the most important pieces of kit you’ll need to hit the mountains. A good ski or snowboard jacket is a vital ingredient to an enjoyable holiday. Whether you’re going for the first time or are a seasoned pro, your ski jackets is worth some investment.

Three key features of a jacket are that they are waterproof, windproof & breathable. The amount of protection a jacket can offer depends on its ability to perform these 3 functions. The grade & quality of fabrics used will determine how the jacket performs.

On top of this some jackets will have taped seams to avoid water penetration through the seams of the jacket. Garments can be critically taped, offering protection behind the most exposed seams, or fully taped, offering full protection. One of the most common questions we get asked is the difference between an £100 jacket & a £600 jacket. Well it’s simply the quality of the fabrics, materials & craftsmanship that goes into the jacket. Just by trying a jacket on you can feel the difference.

Our advice would be to spend what you can afford. All the jackets we stock have been tried & tested. If they don’t cut the grade then we don’t stock them. Have a think about the use you’re going to get out of your jacket. If you’re heading out for a season then it’s worth scraping together a few extra pennies, but if it’s a one week holiday in March then there may be no need to blow your budget. Please contact us if you’d like some more advice.

You can check out our full range of jackets right here!

Pants

It’s a similar story to a jacket, pant’s should be waterproof, windproof & breathable. Pants are often overlooked & bought as something that matches your jacket. It’s important to look the part, but getting a quality pant to protect you from the elements can make a big difference.

Word of warning for any snowboarders, you’ll be spending plenty of time sat on the snow & a cold wet bum isn’t going to add to leave you with a smile! Invest in a descent pant & you’ll be laughing at your mates!

The pants we stock have all been given a thorough test. If they’re found in our stores then they’ll do the job!

Check out our full range of ski and snowboard pants right here!