We do not suggest taking your own snow, although it will not hurt some resorts this season. The universal ski list from Ostrov contains only the essentials, including painkillers and board games for those over 30. It has been proven from my own experience: it is much easier and faster to assemble according to the checklist.
Content
- Ski equipment
- Safety equipment
- Ski accessories
- Clothes
- First aid kit
- Hygiene supplies
- Important details
- Equipment carrying case
Ski equipment
- Snowboarding or skiing — depending on your preferences. Snowboarder, don’t be too harsh on the skiers: on a minimal incline or if necessary to pave the way, they are your best friends. As a skier, I advise you to remember that tolerance is the foundation of our time; who knows, maybe in a couple of seasons you’ll get on the board yourself. The equipment comes with fasteners.
- Boots — ski or snowboard boots.
- Poles — this item is relevant for skiers.
Should I bring my own or rent it?
It is easier for beginners to rent a board or skis and boots, and it is more comfortable to rent them directly at the resort, rather than take them from the nearest city. For those who have been riding for a long time and are used to their kit, it is more convenient and cheaper to take it with them, especially since many airlines allow you to carry a case with equipment for free when buying a ticket with luggage.
However, it still makes sense to go to a rental store to test a specific snowboard or ski model for the future. For example, if an experienced rider wants to try something new or is thinking about buying an additional board or pair of skis for certain conditions and terrain.
The cost of renting an expert-level kit at the Ryder Shelter in Sheregesh will cost 3,000 rubles per day, while the kit can be changed during the day. If chips and deep scratches appear on the equipment during testing, you will have to pay the repair cost. Renting a set of entry-level and intermediate-level equipment will cost 1800 rubles per day.
It is easier for beginners to rent a board or skis and boots, and it is more comfortable to rent them directly at the resort. Photo: DiandraNina/Shutterstock.com
How to save money at a ski resort
You can cut costs if you bring your own ski equipment, but an equally important expense item is accommodation. Ostrov and its GURU loyalty program will help with this: book hotels and apartments with a 10% discount and get pleasant bonuses!
Safety equipment
- Helmet is required. On a prepared track, you may encounter a rock or a vacationer who cannot control his speed. When driving off the highway, the probability of hitting a stump or stone hidden by snow, or even meeting a tree, increases dramatically. By the way, small athletes at most resorts without a helmet may not be allowed on the track.
- Mask — protects eyes from sun, snow and wind, as well as branches and other troubles, including accidental encounter with ski poles. I advise you to take spare lenses, believe me, they will be useful to you. The minimum set is transparent and yellow: for skiing in sunny and cloudy weather.
- Protection — for back, coccyx, knees, elbows, wrists. Her choice is a matter of riding style, self—confidence, the degree of body frost and personal preferences. Girls who are very cold can use protective shorts as an additional warm layer, at the same time saving from bruises. Beginners often limit themselves to elbow and knee protection, while experienced riders who are interested in drops and jumps can use back protection.
Avalanche equipment
We will separately highlight the equipment for harsh freeriders who plan to ride in a potentially avalanche-prone area. If you plan to ride only on the slopes, feel free to delete this item.
- A beeper or avalanche sensor is the very magic wand that tells you where to look for a person covered in snow. The sensor in the form of a small box is usually worn under the jacket using slings, placed on the side, below the ribs.
- The probe is a tool for probing snow, the length varies from 200 to 350 cm.
- A shovel — you can dig up a friend with your hands, but a shovel will be much more effective.
Protection, mask, helmet, and avalanche gear are usually also available for rent. If you need a specific model, it is better to check availability in advance.
We will separately highlight the equipment for harsh freeriders who plan to ride in a potentially avalanche-prone area. Photo: gubernat/Shutterstock.com
Ski accessories
- A screwdriver or multitool is used to quickly tighten or rearrange fasteners.
- A walkie—talkie is a convenient thing if there are several people in a group. It allows you not to get lost in the forest and quickly exchange news without having to take off your mitt and take out your smartphone.
- A small backpack for a walkie—talkie, food for a snack, a thermos, spare mittens, a screwdriver, and a spare lens for a mask. Ideally, he will have a waist belt and a chest brace to avoid dangling when riding. It is also convenient to rely on a backpack if the rider has gone off the track, is stuck in a snowdrift and cannot get up.
- Rescue blanket — just in case, from stopping the lift to finding the victim. It weighs practically nothing, but it is quite effective.
A rescue blanket. Photo: Pavlo Lys/Shutterstock.com
Clothing
- A skating kit can be trousers and a jacket, overalls and a jacket or a jumpsuit. When choosing, you should pay attention to the membrane parameters and the presence/absence of insulation. As a rule, snowboarders freeze less than snowboarders: where a guy will be comfortable in a suit without insulation, a girl will need an option with it. It is also important to have ventilation and a ski pass pocket. Skiers will have the same costume requirements. The main thing is to keep it warm and dry, and no snow gets inside.
- Thermal underwear set — top and bottom. Just a cotton T-shirt is not suitable, as it does not wick moisture and dries for a long time. I recommend choosing synthetics or, if frosts are forecast, wool. I’m taking a summer set made of synthetic and additionally fleece pants so that I don’t freeze on the lifts if it gets cold.
- Fleece jacket is an additional insulating layer, it is more convenient to use the option without a hood. If the weather forecast is cold, take a down vest as a plus.
- Ski mittens or gloves — it depends on what is more comfortable for you to ride in and what makes your hands less cold. Like the suit, they must be waterproof and windproof, otherwise there is a risk of frostbite on the hands. Ordinary woolen mittens or fleece gloves will not do. Some mittens have pockets for hot water bottles — a great option for those who are constantly freezing.
- Ski socks are long, tight—fitting, moisture-wicking, with different thicknesses and flat seams. In ordinary cotton shoes, your feet will quickly get wet and freeze.
A skating kit can be trousers and a jacket, overalls and a jacket or a jumpsuit. Photo: NewAfrica/Shutterstock.com
- Thick and thin buff, balaclava or balaclava — depending on your convenience. The purpose of this list item is to cover your throat, cheeks, cheekbones, and hair. I use a thin buff under my helmet to keep my hair out of my face, and a folded winter buff around my neck. On open lifts, it’s easy to pull it up to the mask, hiding your nose and cheeks from the wind, and on the descent, it’s just as easy to pull it down.
- Regular warm socks — for walking after skiing, going to the store and bar.
- Underwear — depending on your personal hygiene requirements and the opportunity to wash.
- Home clothes are what you will wear at the hotel.
- A swimsuit or swimming trunks are useful for going to the sauna or spa.
As for shoes, usually the winter pair in which you fly or otherwise get to the resort is enough. Optionally, you can take down or ordinary slippers to walk around the house, or special shoes for going out — it all depends on your habits and plans. Dancing shoes in the luggage for skiing — it also happens.
Spare mittens and a cap with a buff are not superfluous, so that when going on an après ski, you can wear a dry and clean one. A city jacket and jeans will serve the same purpose, besides, they are more comfortable to fly in than in a ski suit.
As for shoes, the winter pair in which you fly or otherwise get to the resort is usually enough. Photo: BLACKDAY/Shutterstock.com
Where and how to ride
We can’t leave you without a selection of places to ride.:
- Sochi
- Sheregesh
- Kirovsk
- Elbrus region
- Top 17 ski resorts in Russia
- Georgia
- Tsakhkadzor
Read harmful advice and do the opposite!
First aid kit
- Corn patch — for corns, cuts with a sharp edge and other ills.
- Analgesic gel— for example, based on ibuprofen. It is useful for treating bruises and bruises to yourself and your friends.
- Painkillers.
- Gastrointestinal medications.
- Antipyretic — for example, paracetamol.
- Cough remedies.
- For sore throat — tablets for absorption, lozenges or spray.
- Motion sickness remedies are optional, but remember that sometimes even those who fly by plane without problems get motion sickness in a snow truck.
- The disinfectant is hydrogen peroxide or, more conveniently, baneocin.
- Bandage, cotton pads, a pair of alcohol wipes.
You need to add those medications that you take regularly to the first-aid kit. Don’t forget that self—medication in the mountains is more expensive for yourself, and if you plan to take a non-standard or potent drug, it is important to consult a doctor.
You need to add those medications that you take regularly to the first-aid kit. Photo: Aleksey Matrenin/Shutterstock.com
Hygiene supplies
Everything is standard here:
- Toothbrush and paste, floss.
- Nail scissors, tweezers.
- Deodorant.
- Comb.
- Personal hygiene supplies, including shampoo and shower gel in travel formats, if you know they won’t be there.
- Hand and face cream — due to the cold and wind, the skin dries and flakes.
- Needles and threads of your primary colors.
- Hygienic lipstick or lip balm is useful even for seasoned bearded freeriders.
- Paper handkerchiefs.
If you wear lenses, don’t forget to take the required amount with you. But you can also ride with glasses — there are special OTG masks (Over The Glasses) for this. It is better, of course, to test them in advance.
Take personal hygiene supplies, including shampoo and shower gel in travel formats. Photo: SNeG17/Shutterstock.com
Important details
- Thermocup or thermos — ski masthev. It’s nice to ride the ski lift and drink hot tea, plus it makes it possible not to buy drinks at exorbitant prices on the slope. Thermocups are much more convenient, since you do not need to unscrew the lid and you can drink literally on the go. I recommend the Thermos brand — they are beautiful and keep warm for a long time.
- Charging for a smartphone, watch, walkie-talkie.
- Portable battery.
- Shoe dryer — in case there is not enough space for everyone in the drying room.
- Headphones, if you use them all the time.
- A few tea bags and a portion of sugar are useful for making tea on the way, at the airport and before a long transfer.
- Snack — bars, nuts, chocolate. On the road and on the slopes: if you stock up on a thermos, you can eat right on the lift and you won’t have to spend precious daylight hours visiting cafes.
- My favorite compact board game is Doble, and you can also draw cards. If you are renting a house or apartment, check with the owners, perhaps something is already in place.
- Turkey and coffee are optional if you plan to rent an apartment or a house and have no idea how to wake up at 7 a.m. without your favorite drink.
- Heated insoles and hot water bottles are important for those who are very cold.
A thermocup or thermos is a ski workshop. Photo: Iryna Inshyna/Shutterstock.com
Always with you
I always take a phone with loaded ski insurance, a bank card and a passport to the slope.
Equipment transportation case
It is convenient to pack a board or ski in a special case for transportation. Snowboarders can also put their boots, helmet, suit, some clothes, and even a thermos in it. Boots won’t fit into narrow ski covers, but you can try putting some clothes on. When checking in at the airport, it is rarely checked what exactly is inside the case. The main thing is that it meets the airline’s requirements in terms of weight — as a rule, the weight is limited to 20-23 kg.
It is important to connect the skis to each other, and put the snowboard sliding down. Then fix the skis or snowboard inside the cover with the ties. It is better to close the sharp edges, for example, with thermal insulation cut lengthwise for pipes, with a plastic or rubber hose.: This way, they will not cut through the cover and nearby clothes during transportation.
Everything that is not included in the case is put in the luggage — it can be a backpack, suitcase or bag. And a small backpack for skiing will serve as hand luggage on the plane.
It is convenient to pack a board or ski in a special case for transportation. Photo: 3d_and_photo/Shutterstock.com
Advice for snowboarders
If you plan to do freeride, invite a ski friend on a trip. Believe me, it may turn out that he will help you out. You never know, you’ll accidentally drive into a flat area or go the wrong way in the woods and get up. In this case, the skier will be able to clear the road, and you will be able to get out on a rolling track — proven by experience! A powerful skier will also be able to push the boarder before the start of the slope or extend a friendship stick if someone digs into a snowdrift or stands on a flat area.
More lists for God of lists! Use our ski checklist and write down further: Sheregesh, Priiskovoe, Krasnaya Polyana, Val-d’Iser, Zermatt, puhlyak, happiness… Take care of yourself and see you in the mountains.
Cover photo: anatoliy_gleb/Shutterstock.com
