Having the right equipment is really important for your ski instructor training. Whether you’re looking to buy new skis and/or boots or use your own, here’s everything you need to know about skis and boots for your instructor training.
How to Become a Ski Instructor
Best Ski Boots for Instructor Training
Your ski boots are the most important pieces of ski equipment that you’ll ever own. Boots should be well fitting and the right stiffness for your ability and style of skiing.
Research can help you pick out a pair of skis, but for boots it’s well worth seeing a good boot fitter at a quality ski shop.
If you want to get the best from your ski instructor training, ski boots should be your first and more important piece of equipment.
Are your Current Ski Boots Good Enough for Training?
Your boots can make a huge difference to your comfort and your ski performance. Those current boots might feel great, you might have had them for years and they’re just so comfortable. But it’s highly recommended to be certain that your boots fit really well and are right for you, before starting your ski training. See the info below to find out if your current boots are a good option, if not, it’s time to look for a new pair.
Ski Boot Fit
Let’s talk about ski boot fit first. You’ll definitely want a good quality pair of well-fitting ski boots. Any gaps or pressure points will result in a lack of power and control transferring into your skis, becoming a weak link in your skiing and likely resulting in some pain. When training, you’re going to be learning more refined movements and gaining more feeling and feedback in your feet. If your boots aren’t up to scratch, you’ll realise this quick and have to work much harder.
It’s also likely that you’ll be spending more time in your boots than ever before; an average training week can be up to eight hours a day in your boots for up to five days. If there’s any pressure points or foot movement/rubbing happening, it’s so much easier to fix the cause than to deal with the results.
Ski Boot Type
Now onto the type of ski boot. Like skis, your boots are designed for things like racing, park skiing or freeride to name a few. Without getting too technical, boot stiffness plays a major role here. For example, race boots will be in a stiffer range for more power transmission, park boots might be softer to cushion landings. All decent ski boots have a flex rating, usually written on the side. This number gives you an idea of how stiff the boot is.
If you’re a very strong skier, you might want to look into a recreational race boot. If you’re ability is lower, you’ll want a mid to high performance regular ski boot. Your weight and leg strength also play a factor here. There can be so much more to talk about for boots as they will be your most personal piece of ski equipment for your instructor training. So, the best advice is to head to a ski shop with a good boot fitter to talk over your options. They’ll start by looking at your foot shape and then run through boot options for your ski ability level and goals.
How to pass a ski instructor exam
Best Skis for Instructor Training
There is absolutely nothing stopping you from training to be a ski instructor and even passing exams on any ski type. You will however have more fun and get more out of your ski training with the right equipment.
Below we’ll look at the ideal type of ski for the job. If your current ski equipment, or any that you’re thinking of buying, is similar to this, that’s great! If you have something vastly different then you’ll want to consider other options.
Type of Skis
Let’s start with the ski type. Piste, carving or race skis are your best choice of equipment for a ski instructor training course. These skis are fairly narrow and have a directional shape. You can also use what’s known as an all mountain or “frontside” ski, but be careful not to choose a ski that’s too wide, you’ll want something that’s built mainly for piste performance rather than off piste.
Piste/Carving Skis
Back to the ideal ski; the carving, piste or race ski. This is best for you because level one and two ski exams are heavily piste focused. This type of ski will give you excellent stability and manoeuvrability to improve your own skiing. A carving/race ski will allow you quick changes from edge to edge. Along with this, they are shaped to cut a rounded turn. You’re simply going to have an easier time using this type of equipment for your instructor training course.
All Mountain/ Frontside Skis
If you’re a one ski does it all kind of skier, then you might want to consider an all mountain ski for your training. These types of skis are great for those that only use one ski for everything. Look for frontside all mountain skis. This means they are great for on piste and a little off piste too. They definitely aren’t wide powder skis.
You’ll get the best of both worlds from an all mountain ski which are orientated to more on piste performance. Look for skis around the 80mm width for a great all mountain training ski. If you can’t commit to piste/carving skis, then all mountains are great equipment for your ski instructor training.
Ski Radius, Stiffness, Camber?
What about radius, camber, stiffness or other technical elements of skis? You don’t have to be an expert on these things for ski instructor training. Although it’s definitely recommended to take an interest so you can learn what works best for you. This is where personal preference comes into play a bit more but if you’re not up to speed on ski characteristics, you can take a look at the ability level the ski is aimed at. Match this closely to your own ability and you can’t go too wrong for your training.
Most piste and all mountain skis will be traditional camber, which is highly recommended for ski instructor training. This provides a good amount of edge contact to the snow. Many skis of this type also have an early ride/nose rocker. This means the front of the skis have a slight raise, helping to float in powder. Avoid skis that have an aggressive full rocker. A more traditional ski design is the best ski instructor equipment for training.
A Day in the Life of a Ski Instructor
Can I Use Park Skis for Ski Instructor Training?
Finally, what about park skis for ski instructor training? While not strictly the most ideal choice, park skis can still be a decent option for you if that’s what you already have. Most park skis share similar shapes and widths of carving and all mountain skis. Take note of the stiffness of the park ski though. Some are very soft and will not be an effective ski for your training.
You’ll be learning how to show some performance in your skiing and a ski that’s too soft is like having low air in your car tires. If, however you only have the choice of park or powder skis, a common setup for many, we’d recommend the park skis any day.
Are your Skis in Good Condition for your Instructor Course?
If you’re in luck and your current pair of skis are a good option for your ski instructor course, it’s worth checking their condition. Have they been sitting in your garage for months? When were they last serviced? To set yourself up for success and have the best time on your training, sharp edges and good bases are important.
If you’re unfamiliar with ski equipment maintenance, don’t worry at all. Ski shops will be happy to take a look at your skis and advise you on any touch ups required. You can of course do it yourself and again, it’s a great thing to take an interest in, even at a basic level.
A well-maintained pair of skis will simply slide easier and hold steady on steep slopes. It’s more fun when you feel the skis effortlessly glide over the fresh snow and also when you can feel a strong edge carving the snow.
A Day in the Life of a Ski Instructor
When it comes to training as a ski instructor, your equipment is important. Well fitting boots and great skis will make all the difference on your instructor training course. It’s likely that you’re going to be spending more time in your gear than ever before. So make sure that you’re setup for success so you can have the best time this winter.
Got some questions about ski equipment? We’d love to help. Get in touch with us and we’ll help you choose the right gear.
