Gear Tips

The Five Most Important Pieces of Ski Equipment You’ll Ever Own

By Allen Smith, 12-20-10

	Powder cords are an inexpensive way to keep track of your not-inexpensive skis.

It’s easy to name the top three items you need for a successful day of skiing: skis, boots and poles. But did you know there are a few things that can ruin your vacation faster than leaving your boot bag at the baggage claim?

Here are some tips snow pros recommend to their students for a happy, safe ski trip. Most cost less than $20.

Skis are expensive. And, they don’t sell them in singles – so if you lose one, you have to buy an entire new pair. That’s why it’s so important to keep a pair of powder cords handy on days when the snow gets above your boot tops. Powder cords are brightly colored strips of fabric that you attach to the outside of your ski brakes. Stuff the rest of the cords up into the snow cuff of your pants and you’re ready to ski waist deep powder. Should one of your skis come off, it’ll be easy to find by following the end of cord back to its origin – your expensive skis. You can find powder cords in a variety of colors at your local ski shop for less than $10.

When the powder snow gets sticky, it’s almost impossible to get it off the soles of your boots. And even just a little snow on the bottom of your ski boot can cause your foot to incompletely lock into your binding, causing premature crashes. Instead of using your credit card to scrape the snow off the bottom of your boots (which can get broken and instantly put an end to your credit capabilities while away from home), buy a boot scraper and keep it in your parka pocket. It’s also great for getting kids on their way.

Many resorts have already begun converting from paper to plastic lift tickets. Plastic lift tickets are easier to print, can be replaced and often contain radio frequency chips to keep track of how many miles you’re logging. But where do you keep them? The easiest way to wear a plastic pass is at the end of a lanyard around your neck. Many resort shops also sell small neck wallets - small enough to stay out of the way, but large enough to hold your ski pass, a credit card and some extra cash – every thing you need for a day’s skiing. Another handy way to deal with your pass and locker key is by using a retractable pass holder. Passes are clipped onto your belt, hold short spools of string and can be reeled out away from your body – just like a set of janitor’s keys.

If you’re planning on skiing in the back country or in the remote bowls at a large resort, a Leatherman tool can be a lifesaver. Leatherman tools are handy for making small, temporary fixes to broken bindings or can help snowboarders make impromptu binding changes.

Most skiers who ski new, unfamiliar resorts should carry ski maps – lots of them. Not only will they help you find your way back to the lodge, they’ve been used as boot first aid items by ski instructors for years. For instance, if your rental boot is too large, you can stuff a few trail maps around the inside of your boot shell to create a custom fit. You can also use trail maps as instant cants. Traditional cants are thin layers of plastic that are mounted onto your boots or skis to help correct problems with knock knees or bowlegs that sabotage your edging. If you’re miles from nowhere (or just too lazy to walk back to the ski shop), slide a small portion of a ski map underneath your ski boot until you can get the problem fixed correctly.

One final note: NEVER, NEVER, keep your cash, credit cards and room keys in the same pocket where you keep your handkerchief or tissues. The first time you pull out your handkerchief to wipe your nose, out goes your cash or room keys for someone else to find.

Like this story? Get more! Sign up for our free newsletters.