Ski and snowboarding season across the United States mostly starts in December. Some lucky parts of the country get snow dumps much earlier than that, but whether your slope season starts earlier or later, are you getting ready for the ski season?
This short and sweet post is for those who want to make the most of the ski season.
Before reading further, do you know we have an awesome Ski Weekend in New York next February that is perfect for beginners?
Table of Contents
Are you ready for the Ski season if you are not in shape?
If you think you are in shape, do this short 15-minute workout video below. If you struggle to finish it, then you are not in shape. And if you feel sore for days after, then you are not quite in top shape! Repeat the workout twice a week for a month before hitting the slopes and your muscles will thank you for it after a fun day on the mountain.
Check on your snowboard or ski gear
If you have your gear, check that they have gotten a good wax for the season and do not need repairs. If you do want to buy your own ski and snowboard gear, read my tips below.
Which ski and snowboarding gear should you invest in first?
Plain and simple, your boots should always come first. I struggled a lot last season when learning how to snowboard and I later realized that my boots were the reason why my feet hurt. Not having boots perfectly sized to your feet can make or break your experience. If you can, avoid buying online without making sure of the fit. Walk in the new boots with the socks you plan to snowboard with for 15 minutes. They should feel snug and it’s ok if they pinch a little. Get the boots heat-molded; most shops do that for free when you buy from them, and the initial snugness will adjust to a perfect fit.
For a better understanding of how your boots should feel, watch this video guide –
Watch this guide for snowboard boots fit –
Watch this guide for ski boots fit –
Where to buy used ski and snowboarding gear at the last minute
My go-to spot is Facebook’s marketplace. Use the local pickup option to avoid scams, check the spec of the gear, and make sure it’s not worth 10% of the marketed price. To avoid buying stolen gear, I prefer to buy combo deals where it comes with a bag or the like…and if it’s from a seller that has a random number of boards and skis for sale, it might be stolen items.
Always negotiate if it’s worth the effort. If the seller doesn’t budge, keep looking. I typically start the conversation with “Are you open to negotiations?” Some say no, but most say yes and I have gotten some sweet deals this way.
A great example of a deal I once negotiated was a Burton snowboard + bag + bindings at $120. The seller knocked it down to $90. Burton had the same board for sale (used also) at $180 without all the extras.