Buying skis. Prices for equipment

What to look for when buying skis:

When choosing alpine skis, attention should be paid to the following things: the length, width and width of the waist (the narrowest point in the middle) of the skis, the material from which the skis are made and their weight, rigidity, strength, and also the so-called “arc radius” (Sidecut and Turn Radius).

The width of mountain skis is measured in millimeters. The width of the “waist” is one of the key characteristics. Skis with “waist” from 73 to 90 mm are ideal for skiing on the pistes. The narrower the “waist”, the more maneuverable the skis, meaning the faster they move from turn to turn. Accordingly, the wider the “waist”, the better they are to ride on deep snow. Such skis are ideal for freeriding.

The rigidity of skis depends on the number of layers of metal and their width: the more layers of metal and the wider the ski, the more rigid it is.

The “radius of the arc” of mountain skis is measured in meters. This affects how sharp the turns will be. The smaller the cutout radius (11-13 m), the easier it will be to perform frequent and rapid turns. The larger the radius the smoother the turns.

And, finally, the lighter the ski, the easier it is to manage. Lightweight skis are good for beginners.

Women’s skis are shorter and less heavy, they have lighter bindings, and their weight is around 4-5 kg (pair). Men’s skis are longer and heavier (their weight is from 5 to 7 kg). Freeride skis are often even heavier.

The length of the skis depends on which style of riding you prefer. The most common standards for skiing on slopes are: for men (weight 60-100 kg and height 160-190 cm): 165 cm for lovers of short rotation, 170-175 cm for a medium and large arc. For women (weight 40 – 80 kg and height 150-180 cm) – respectively 155 cm and 165 cm.

___________________________

Skis & boots in Andorra. Prices in euro €

Skis Children’s skis and boots Mountaneering skis Alpine skis boots Mountaneering skis boots Rossignol Pursuit 100 – from 105 HELLO KITTY ET + fastening E TC45 J75

TECNOPRO – from 77 Völkl VTA 80 – from 195 Dalbello – from 149 F1 EVO M SCARPA – from 299 Nordica S2 – from 198 INDY + fastening FASTRACK2 4.5

K2 SKIS – from 106 Hagan – from 295 Salomon – from 149 Scarpa – from 369 Roxy Kaya 77 – from 269 Dinastar – from 107 Atomic Backland 78 RED – from 279 VECTOR 100 X SMU

HEAD – from

179 Hagan – from 399 Fischer RC4 Superior RC – from 328 Roxy Bonbon C5 – from 119 Ski TRAB ALTAVIA 70 – from 341 Lance SX 70 W – from 259 Fischer – from 399 Rossignol Famous 6 – from 359 Völkl Race tiger – from 149

GOLD FISH X Series Movement – from 452 Lance SX 100 – from 299 SYBORG

LA SPORTIVA – from 410 Atomic Vintage 80 CTI W – from 403 PUNX JR II + fastening FFG 7 ATOMIC – from 115 Atomic Backland UL 78 – from 499 TRINITY 110 VACUUM

FISCHER – from

323 BACKLAND CARBON

ATOMIC – from 465 Nordica S4 – from 415 Atomic Vintag Girl – from 152 Dinaster – from 599 Tango – from 360 SPECTRE 2.0

LA SPORTIVA – from 448 Head Super Joy – from 449 K2 SKIS SHREDITOR 85 JR + fastening FASTRACK2 7 – from 167 DNA DYNAFIT – from 629 Salomon X MAX Race 120 – from 389 PDG DYNAFIT – from 509 Atomic Vintage X 80 CTI – from 453 Head boots – from 78 Fischer – from 799 Tecnica Mach 1 – from 399 SYNCHRO

LA SPORTIVA – from 528 Nordica S5 – from 469 *REDSTER JR 40 ATOMIC boots – from 85 REDSTER CLUB SPORT 130 ATOMIC – from 419 BACKLAND ULTIMATE ATOMIC – from 539 Fischer RC4 WC RC – from 495 *Lance boots – from 89 C LINE 13+ VACUUM FULL FIT FISCHER – from 439 PROCLINE CARBON LITE

ARCTERYX – from 648 Head Totral Joy – from 495 *Fischer boots – from 98 Atomic Redster S7 – from 530 *ATOMIC boots – from 99 Nordica S6 – from 559 *ALLTRACK PRO 80 W ROSSIGNOL boots – from 183 Atomic Redster S9 – from 683 *VECTOR EVO 90 W HEAD – from 199 Srockli Laser GD RSP – from 1079 *X MAX 110 W

SALOMON – from 263

___________________________

What to look for when choosing a snowboard?

As when buying mountain skis, to choose the right snowboard you need to consider several factors. The type of snowboard depends not only on the level of the snowboarder but also on the discipline they prefer (freeride, freestyle, back-country, border-cross), as well as their height and weight.

Some general tips are:

– Beginner snowboarders tend to have shorter rather than longer boards

– For all mountain riding (powder and pistes) go for a longer board which will offer more stability and speed

– Freestyle or park riders often go for shorter boards which are easier to spin and manuver

A basic size chart looks like this:

Rider Height (cm) Rider Weight (kg) Snowboard Size (cm)

147 50 – 55kg 128 – 136

158 55 – 60kg 139 – 147

168 63 – 70kg 149 – 157

178 75 – 80kg 159 – 167

188 80 – 88kg 160+

A ‘short’ snowboard is one which when standing upright would reach your collarbones or chin, and a ‘long’ one reaching above eye level. Everything in the middle tends to be fairly universal.

How to choose the right width? The width of the snowboard is determined by the size of the foot. When sized correctly the snowboard boot should hang ever so slightly over the edges of the board. This position enables the border to moderate the pressure on the board using their ankles but isn’t going to mean the boots hit the snow when their turning causing them to fall. As a side note, make sure the boots chosen are the correct size as this can make a huge difference to your performance when riding.

Some additional factors to consider are the shape and rocker type of the board. In general, a snowboard with one end ‘pointed’ will be more typically used by free riders, whereas completely symmetrical boards are found in the freestyle zones because of their ability to be ridden easily in either direction.

Cambered snowboards are the most typical ones found on the market and liked by park riders and freestyles as they have lots of ‘pop’ and are very reactive. A rocker snowboard (or reverse camber) on the other hand is favoured by powder lovers who want less pressure in the middle of the board to stop them sinking.

As mentioned earlier, boots are very important when it comes to this sport. Although they’re famous for being much more comfortable than ski boots (which is generally true), if the boot is too comfortable it may mean that it’s not the right size. Before trying on any boots most stores will measure your foot in centimetres. This determines the size that you need. Be careful though, because although most centimetre sizes are universal, the shoe sizes are not. This means that you may be a size 37 in Burton boots, but a 39 in Nitro boots. Once you’ve been measured up, the next step is to try them on. Two factors need to be checked when trying the boots on:

1. Is your heel tucked nicely into the back of the boot? E.g. if you lift up your heel does your boot come up too, or is your heel moving freely inside the boot? If it’s the second, the boots are too big and you need to move down a size. If it’s the first, things are looking good.

2. If you stand upright, is your big toe just touching the tip of the boot? If it’s not, again the boots are too big. If the big toe is touching, it should also mean that when you bend your knees you can no longer feel the tip of the boot anymore.

If all this is right then it means that although snowboard boots aren’t that comfortable for walking down the street, they should be perfect when riding and when you’re legs are bent, providing good grip and the best control of the board.

___________________________

Snowboards & boots. Prices in Andorra in euro €

SNOWBOARD SNOWBOARD BOOTS ASYM FB HEAD SPACE C3 GNU – from 315 GROM BOABURTON – from 112 CARBON CREDITGNU – from 379 GROOMER FT W 16THIRTY TWO – from 113 First Call Salomon snowboard – from 396 86 FAST TRACKTHIRTY TWO – from 119 CAMEL TOEBATALEON – from 405 MINTBURTON – from 169 EIKI PROLOBSTER – from 405 LIMELIGHTBURTON – from 224 GLOBAL WARMERBATALEON – from 449 IVY BOASALOMON SNOWBOARD – from 246 DEEP THINKERBURTON – from 498 SYNAPSE FOCUS BOASALOMON SNOWBOARD – from 309 BANANA MAGIC

LIB TECHNOLOGIES – from 629 MALAMUTESALOMON SNOWBOARD – from 335

___________________________

Masks and helmets. Wear & clothes. Related goods. Prices in euro €

MASKS, HELMETS, GOGGLES CLOTHES & WEAR RELATED GOODS & ACCESSORIES Mask Julbo June – from 44 Jacket (W) Colmar – from 207 Pants (W) Head – from 180 Ski thermals (W set) North Face – from 70 Ski thermals (M set) Salomon – from 110 Mask Sinner Toxic – from 54 Jacket (M) Salomon – from 205 Pants (M) ICEPEACK – from 119 Thermal socks MONNET (W) – from 16 Thermal socks X-Socks (M) – from 21 Mask A-FRAME 2.0 OAKLEY – from 146 Slim Jacket (W) AVORIAZNEWLAND – from 116 Slim pants (W) CATCH ME PANT WSALOMON – from 189 Ski gloves Salomon (M) – from 116 Ski gloves (W) North Face – from 119 Mask FOVEA CLARITY COMP AD EDPOC – from 199 Ski vest (W) M GORDON LYONS VESTTHE NORTH FACE – from 73 High waist ski pants (W) ESTEE BOGNER – from 499 Ski bags – from 30 Snowboard bags – from 43 Mask and helmet CARAT LE VISOR HMALPINA– from 123 Kids ski pants (M) ESTATE YOUTH PT B SNPTQUIKSILVER – from 80 Kids ski pants (W) BACKYARD PT J SNPTROXY – from 117 Ski back protector– from 49 Helmet UVEX Race – from 180 Kids ski vest (M) FUSION SÖLL – from 59 Kids jacket (W) LES ANGLESNEWLAND – from 149 Balaclava BUFF – from 9 Balaclava North Face – from 22 Helmet ARTIC SL SPINPOC – from 220 Jacket (M) MAMMUT – from 199 Jacket (M) ALPINE ACTION JACKET COLUMBIA – from 167 Sunscreen 50 – from 12 Helmet HEAD – from 229 Ski bib (M)м DNA M RACING SUITDYNAFIT – from 198 Backpacks Salomon – from 149

_______________________________________

Look here for more information on shopping in Andorra

Look here for “Cons and Pros” for ski resorts of Andorra