The ski boots and bindings and not the skis themselves that form the most essential part of your ski set up.
While you may think that your skis are the controlling factor in how you handle the slopes, you would be mistaken.
Your ski boots and bindings are far more important.
The ski boots and bindings are the instrument by which a skier maneuvers his or her skis.
While the make and model of the skis determine how fast you go and how well you can take turns, they are rendered pointless without a good pair of ski boots and bindings attached to them.
The forever alternating forces of weight and balance are transferred from your body to the skis through the ski boots and bindings.
Here are some details on what you should look for when selecting ski boots and bindings.
Ski Boots Unlike your normal shoes, ski boots will be worn in mainly frigid and damp weather.
Because of this, it is crucial that you are properly fitted for the boots.
Be sure to measure the width of your foot as well as its length - your foot's width matters when it comes to ski boots.
A good fit is when your boots are snug around your feet and calves without being too tight.
Besides its size, another important component of a ski boot is its flex.
Flex is the resistance the boot has on bending, and it determines the level control a skier has over his or her skis.
Experienced skiers typically choose low flex boots since it allows more control, while beginners choose boots with higher flex as they are more forgiving.
The condition of the course and the type of run you want to go on also plays a role in what level of flex you require.
Slopes with hard snow and lot of turns are best tackled with low flex boots, while soft snow and mogul runs are better managed by high flex boots.
Ski Bindings Another integral part of any ski gear setup, ski bindings are what links the boots to the skis.
Designed mainly as a safety device, bindings give the skier full control over the skis while at the same time shielding them from the considerable forces it takes to control the skis.
Additionally, ski bindings will automatically release the boots from the skis if they suddenly become trapped while moving.
You can buy bindings separately and connect them to your skis, or just buy skis with built in bindings.
Although you can buy skis without bindings, choosing the right kind of binding can be a needlessly complicated process.
The best option here is to buy skis with integrated bindings as this eliminates any worries of incompatibility.
The ski binding's release mechanism is regulated by its release setting.
Release settings are rated in DIN numbers, and are calculated by taking a number of different variables such as your height, weight, and skiing style.
Your ski bindings have to match these variables, otherwise you risk injury.
Try to get a binding with a DIN number in the medium range, as this allow for modification in the future.