Ski resorts / Gear

Ski and snowboard gear guides

Equipment choices for ski and snowboard trips, with clear rent-or-bring advice, checklists and sources for the standards that matter.

Gear category

Protection

protectionSki and snowboard protectors: back, impact shorts and wristsBack protectors, impact shorts and wrist guards almost never appear in resort rental fleets, so buy the pieces you need at home and pack them.Bring

Gear category

Hardware

hardwareSki bindings: DIN settings and compatibilityWhat the release value does, which soles fit which bindings, and how to choose between resort rental and bringing your own skis.Depends

hardwareSki boots: flex, last width and getting a good fitOwn the boots, rent the skis. How flex, last width and mondo sizing work, plus how to pack boots for the flight.Bring

Gear category

Clothing

clothingLayering for skiing: jacket, pants, base layers and socksBuild a three-layer system you can sweat in on the climb and sit in on the lift, and fly with everything soft while the resort supplies the hardware.Bring

Gear category

Safety

safetyAvalanche safety kit: beacon, probe, shovel and airbagThe transceiver, probe and shovel trio is the minimum for off-piste travel, an airbag pack adds survival odds, and flying with a gas cylinder takes airline approval.Depends

Gear category

Planning

planningRent at the resort or bring your own ski gear?Own the gear that touches your body, rent the gear that flies badly.Depends