Nicola Damonte
Photographer
New to the Buyer's Guide photography team, he's worked with Skialper for years
Once you’ve chosen your skis, boots and bindings, your thoughts then turn to harnesses, crampons, ice axe and helmet, though perhaps not everyone, and not straight away. While it’s true that when starting out, especially for those transitioning from resort skiing who just want to start surfing some pow, the important thing is to get self-rescue equipment. It’s equally true, however, that the sport we love is a combination of two words: skiing and mountaineering.
They’re probably the element of your setup that’s evolved the most and seen the most crossover between disciplines. Which is why in general lighter bindings have adapted to make allowances for the trend for opting for wider skis, with hybrid drilling patterns and a greater selection of ski brakes. But the aspect that requires most scrutiny is the height difference between the front and rear pins.
They make more of a difference to technique than you’d think. Finding the right poles costs little but pays off big time. It’s the first upgrade to make to your setup when taking things up a notch. Here’s our selection of the best on the market, both telescopic and one piece.
The word ski mountaineering encompasses skiing and alpinism. The calling to head high, to reach summits, ridges and the most spectacular vantage points, and then don your skis, often inevitably requires you to use mountaineering equipment. In order to make the right choice, you need to understand how it works and know how to use it.
Probably The most accurate ski test out there.
