YES Pros’ SKI PICKS for 2023/24 Season
What skis should I buy?
That’s probably the question we get asked more than any other and rightly so, as having the right equipment makes for a more enjoyable day out on the slopes. The best advice we can offer is to:
Try before you Buy!
Demo various skis to find your perfect fit. We recommend Evo Whistler Village Sports; you can demo different skis for three days, with the cost deducted from your purchase.
Let them know you’re part of YES, and they will hook you up with some great deals, like a 20% discount on all soft goods and exclusive discounts on skis at their 5 Whistler locations.
When choosing your ideal ski, take into account:
Program and Conditions:
Consider the specific program you’ll be part of and the skiing conditions.
Waist width:
This balances grip and float.
- 68-80mm: Suitable for on-piste/groomer skiing.
- 80-92mm: Ideal for all-mountain programs (YES recommended). Great for technical training and powdery free-ski days.
- 92-105+mm: Better for soft or variable conditions, but may limit performance in an instructor program.
Sidecut/Turn radius:
Aim for a medium-radius sidecut, which is ideal for an instructor program (14-16m).
Profile:
Look for a ski with an early-rise tip and flat tail, especially suitable for an instructor program.
Without further ado… we present to you… YES Pros’ ski picks 2023-24!
FOR THE LADIES
On-Piste/Groomer
ROSSIGNOL NOVA 10 TI
Carve out another best day on the women’s Nova 10 Ti. Expert and advanced frontside skiers will appreciate the ski’s precise feel and powerful edge control. A light swing-weight and smooth turn imitation provides fatigue-free agility for playful turns and effortless carving performance.
Other comparable options include: Rossignol Forza 70D, Head Absolut Joy, Blizzard Thunderbird
All Mountain
ROSSIGNOL EXPERIENCE W 86 / 82
Push your skills. Explore more. The women’s Experience 82 Basalt ski brings a lightweight build and predictable edge control for all-resort skiing. The flex is tuned to deliver a relaxed feel and effortless carving. An paulownia wood core reduces overall weight, while basalt layers absorb vibration for a smooth ride. The confidence-boosting control of our Drive Tip design works with the sidecut and full sidewall construction for smooth turn initiation and a powerful edge through the entire turn. An 82mm waist balances a quick feel edge to edge with the width to handle varied conditions.
The women’s Experience 86 Basalt ski is all resort, all the time. The flex is tuned for intermediate and advanced skiers who enjoy aggressive performance and blends a lightweight build with a smooth ride for carving across the entire mountain. An 86mm waist adds versatility and stability across changing snow conditions.
Other options include: Völkl Blaze 86 or Kenja 88, Blizzard Black Pearl, Atomic Maven 86, Nordica Santa Ana 84
Free-Ride
ROSSIGNOL RALLYBIRD 92
A true all mountain freeride ski. Built women-specific but never watered down, the all new RALLYBIRD range packs the progressive power, precision and freeride versatility to rally across any terrain and conditions with absolute confidence. Explore and ride inbounds and out with lightened swing weight and playful agility courtesy of our iconic Air Tip technology and lightweight paulownia wood core. Skin tracks, boot packs, resort days, the possibilities are endless. Also comes in a 102.
Other options include: Nordica Santa Ana 93 or 98, Atomic Maven 93, Blizzard Black Pearl 97, Völkl Secret 96 or Blaze 94
FOR THE GENTS
On-Piste/Groomer
ROSSIGNOL FORZA 70D V-TI KONECT
Full-speed carve and full angulation for expert skiers. The Rossignol Forza 70D V-TI Skis set a new standard for advanced carving. Oversized dimensions combined with Supersize Sidecut support aggressive angulation and maximum control through high speed arcs. Matched with race-proven construction, this innovative shape lets you roll between turns with full engagement and maximum fun factor.
Race-Proven Dampening PEFC certified Poplar Wood Core limits vibration for race-proven stability with a focus on sustainability.
Other options include: Atomic Redster, Blizzard Thunderbird
All Mountain
EXPERIENCE 86 / 82 (Ti or Basalt)
All resort. All the time. The Experience 86 Ti ski responds with energy to every ask for a high-performance all-resort feel. Titanal layers, a wood core and an 86mm waist create a versatile and stable platform for charging across changing snow conditions. The confidence-boosting control of our Drive Tip design works with the sidecut and full sidewall design for smooth turn initiation and powerful edge control through the entire turn.
The Experience 86 Basalt offers the same experience with a less stiff ski, blending a lightweight build with a smooth ride for carving across the entire mountain. A paulownia wood core reduces overall weight, while basalt layers absorb vibration for a smooth, quiet feel. An 86mm waist adds versatility and stability across changing snow conditions.
Other options include: Völkl Kendo 88, Atomic Maverick 86, Head Kore 85, Blizzard Brahma 88
Free-Ride
ROSSIGNOL SENDER 94
The true all mountain freeride ski. When fresh tracks beckon, the new Sender 94 Ti delivers a blend of lightweight agility and damp downhill performance to set you free to explore and ride inbounds and out. Its light swing weight courtesy of our iconic Air Tip technology keeps it playful while the lightweight paulownia wood core keeps your mind open to skin track and boot pack possibilities.
Other options include: Blizzard Rustler 9 or 10, Atomic Maverick 95 or 100, Nordica Enforcer, Völkl Mantra 102
SUMMARY:
Everyone is different so remember to TRY BEFORE YOU BUY to find the ski that works for YOU. Enjoy the turns and see you on slopes!
YES Pros’ SKI PICKS for 2022/23 season
What ski should I buy?
That’s probably the question we get asked more than any other… and rightly so, as having the right equipment makes for a more enjoyable day out on the slopes. The best advice we can offer is to….
Try before you Buy!
Demo a variety of skis. Try different brands, different models, even different lengths, to find the one that works for you. When you find the right one, you’ll know!
We recommend Evo Whistler Village Sports and their demo program. They have a great demo fleet and knowledgeable staff that can assist you in finding the ski that’s right for you. Tell them you are with YES and they will hook you up with a great deal.
The team at YES are eager to help and we have selected the top skis for both men and women for this season. They are all in the all-mountain/freeride category and have a good size platform underfoot. They are the perfect happy medium in one ski! Great for the technical training and for those powder free ski days.
Here are some factors to keep in mind when choosing your ideal ski. Don’t forget to consider where and what kind of conditions you will be skiing in. For example, a powder ski which is 130 underfoot with rocker will be a challenge to demonstrate the technical requirements for the CSIA Level 1 and 2 so this is not the ski to buy for the Instructor Program. (However it might be a great option for a powder ski if you want to have second pair!)
Waist width:
Look for a medium-width waist to balance between hard-snow grip and soft-snow float. It also depends on conditions and your preferred surface
- 68-80 is suitable for groomers
- 80-95mm is optimal for all mountain (recommended)
- 95-105+mm will be better for soft or variable conditions, however this may be too wide to effectively perform the technical skills you need to pass the CSIA certifications.
Sidecut/Turn radius:
Your options will generally have a medium radius sidecut that makes it easier to carve a variety of turn shapes. A radius between 14-16 is ideal for CSIA programs.
Profile:
Most modern all-mountain skis feature traditional camber and some form of rocker (usually early-rise tip), which gives you easier handling and turn initiation in variable conditions. We recommend an early rise tip (not full rocker) with a flat tail for CSIA programs. For powder skis with a big rocker tip, the general rule is to go up a size for stability but demo first to be sure.
Without further ado… we present to you… YES Pros’ ski picks!
FOR THE LADIES
Rossignol Experience 82
Every turn. Any terrain. Across the resort. The women’s Experience 82 Ti ski responds with energy to every turn for a high-energy, all-resort feel. The flex is tuned for intermediate and advanced skiers who enjoy aggressive performance. Titanal layers, a wood core and an 82mm waist combine for the power to handle perfect morning groomers and skied up afternoon conditions. The confidence-boosting control of our Drive Tip design works with the sidecut and full sidewall construction for smooth turn initiation and a powerful edge through the entire turn.
Blizzard Black Pearl 88
Redesigned with input from our Women2Women program and Blizzard’s engineers, the Black Pearl 88 shines as bright as ever. The result is confidence and just plain fun whether skiing groomers, softer snow off-piste, bumps, trees and everything in between. We designed the Black Pearl 88 not just for the best days on the mountain, but for every day. A lightweight construction, smooth profile shape and camber underfoot make the Black Pearl 88 a go-to for today, tomorrow and the day after that, too.
Völkl Kenja 88
If you don’t want to choose between piste and powder, between moguls and groomed carving slopes, then the Kenja 88 with its revised geometry is the perfect partner for every occasion. This all-mountain freerider with state-of-the-art build is suitable for female skiers who value performance but don’t want to be confined to piste or terrain. Its impressive carving performance is due to the three different radii in the 3D Radius Sidecut. Different parts of the ski are involved at different speeds and as the edges are engaged and disengaged, helping it manage different turns, terrains and forces perfectly. The tip and tail rocker makes initiating turns smoother and forgives mistakes on slopes deep with powder or crud. The centre radius is shorter by a metre, allowing the ski to be steered with noticeably less effort. With the Kenja 88 beneath your feet, you can take on everything the mountains have to offer.
HEAD Total Joy
The Total Joy makes the entire mountain a playground with its lightweight construction and easy-turning design. A light yet strong construction includes Graphene, which has a high strength-to-weight ratio. The wide shovel with Allride rocker adds maneuverability without sacrificing stability for a versatile ski at home in a variety of terrain.
FOR THE GENTS
Rossignol Experience 86
All resort. All the time. The Experience 86 Basalt ski blends a lightweight build with a smooth ride for carving across the entire mountain. A paulownia wood core reduces overall weight, while basalt layers absorb vibration for a smooth, quiet feel. An 86mm waist adds versatility and stability across changing snow conditions. The confidence-boosting control of our Drive Tip design works with the sidecut and full sidewall construction for smooth turn initiation and a powerful edge through the entire turn.
Blizzard Brahma 88
We define all-mountain as a skier who doesn’t color in the lines. It’s more of a philosophy, a sense of freedom to ski whereever you want on the mountain. The Brahma 88 will give you the ability to seize the snowpack throughout the most frigid temperatures and firm conditions. The Brahma 88 utilizes its TrueBlend Woodcore, two sheets of metal and reduced rocker profile for a better grip on harder snow but is versatile enough for a variety of snow conditions. This ski will take the energy you give it and transfer that power into the snowpack, so you can rip down the mountain with confidence and ease. As the day’s smooth terrain gets eaten up by hungry skiers, the Brahma has the backbone to ski efficiently through chopped up crud, which means you’ll be skiing longer (and stronger) than everyone else. Enjoy the day – all day, ski the Brahma.
Völkl Kendo 88
This is an all-mountain freerider with a state-of-the-art build that can be used for so many different things by experienced skiers who relish powerful turns on any terrain and on any piste. Like the new Mantra and Kenja, the Kendo 88 comes with revised geometry and a one metre shorter centre radius in its 3D Radius Sidecut. The key is that the three different radii combined in one ski make for enormously versatile cornering. The new 16 m radius in the middle further increases its radius variability. Thrills await if you love tight turns cut fully on the edge. This ski encourages a sporty, intuitive style on groomed slopes, but also provides the manoeuvrability you need to get through challenging terrain. Less force is required too, thanks to a shorter centre radius. This season, the Kendo 88 also features Tailored Carbon Tips and a Tailored Titanal Frame. So if it wasn’t clear already, there can now be no doubt that fun is the Kendo’s middle name.
FOR EVERYONE
On-piste
Rossignol Hero Elite MT
Designed for passionate racing fans and on-trail skiers, the Hero Elite Multi-Turn TI is an accessible yet solid, race-inspired on-trail ski. Our race-proven Line Control Technology (LCT) complements a 74mm waist width and versatile multi turn sidecut for optimized quickness, precision and power. LCT eliminates counter-flexing to offer maximum stability and optimized trajectory for total line control.
HEAD Supershape e-Rally
The Supershape e-Rally is the perfect hybrid ski for the experienced versatile skier who likes the flexibility to ski wherever the day takes them. It features HEAD’s innovative EMC technology, which reduces vibrations and increases stability for an overall smoother ride, as well as Graphene for optimized weight balance distribution and control. If you’re looking for a versatile ski, the e-Rally will take good care of you around the mountain.
Off-piste/powder
Rossignol Sender/Rallybird Series
Any terrain. All conditions. All in. All the time. Blurring the boundaries between frontside and freeride. Precision and playfulness. The all-new SENDER and RALLYBIRD ranges offer unrivalled performance for unlimited access across any terrain. Push your freeride aspirations further. Ride free.
GRAVITY FIRST
All in. Full gas. Always fast. This is the gravity first mindset. Building upon our flagship freeride design, SENDER is now a complete family of all-mountain freeride skis with award winning heritage: progressive power, technical precision, and absolute versatility.
READY TO RALLY
First chair to last. Always ready to rally. Built women-specific but never watered down, the all new RALLYBIRD range packs the progressive power, precision and freeride versatility to rally across any terrain and conditions with absolute confidence.
SUMMARY:
Everyone is different so remember to Try before you Buy to find the ski that works for YOU. Enjoy the turns and see you on slopes.
YES Pros’ SKI PICKS for 2021/2022 season
What ski should I buy? Yep it’s probably the question we get asked more than any other… and rightly so! Having the perfect ski for the program and one that is right for you is important.
People often choose skis like they choose a race horse – by the colour! While this will always guarantee you have a cool looking ski it doesn’t mean that the ski is the right tool for the job or for you. For example a powder ski which is 130 underfoot with rocker won’t allow you to demonstrate the technical requirements for the CSIA Level 1 and 2 so this is not the ski to buy for the Instructor Program (however it might be a great option for a powder ski if you want to have second pair).
To determine the best ski for you we need know your ability, aggressiveness, weight and height. All skis have been designed to perform differently in various terrain. Feeling a little overwhelmed? Never fear! The team at YES are eager to help and we have selected the top skis for both men and women for this season. They are all in the all mountain/freeride category and have a good size platform underfoot. They are the perfect happy medium in one ski! Great for the technical training and for those powder free ski days.
At the end of the day the best advice we can offer is to go demo a variety of skis, try different brands, different models, and different lengths within each model to find the one that works for you. When you find the right one, you’ll know! We recommend Evo Whistler Village Sports for all your ski and accessories needs, tell them you are with YES and they will hook you up with a great deal. Evo Whistler Village Sports also has a great demo program where you can try before you buy.
Without further ado… we present to you… YES Pros’ ski picks!
FOR THE LADIES
Rossignol Experience 82
Every turn. Any terrain. Across the resort. The women’s Experience 82 Ti ski responds with energy to every turn for a high-energy, all-resort feel. The flex is tuned for intermediate and advanced skiers who enjoy aggressive performance. Titanal layers, a wood core and an 82mm waist combine for the power to handle perfect morning groomers and skied up afternoon conditions. The confidence-boosting control of our Drive Tip design works with the sidecut and full sidewall construction for smooth turn initiation and a powerful edge through the entire turn.
Blizzard Black Pearl 88
Redesigned with input from our Women2Women program and Blizzard’s engineers, the Black Pearl 88 shines as bright as ever. The result is confidence and just plain fun whether skiing groomers, softer snow off-piste, bumps, trees and everything in between. We designed the Black Pearl 88 not just for the best days on the mountain, but for every day. A lightweight construction, smooth profile shape and camber underfoot make the Black Pearl 88 a go-to for today, tomorrow and the day after that, too.
Atomic Maven 86 C (also available the 93 C)
Developed, tested, and validated in North America, Maven is Atomic’s new all-mountain women’s ski designed for strong and playful skiing in any terrain and snow condition. Featuring construction technology used by the world’s top female racers and pro freeriders, Maven blends both ends of the tech spectrum to create a ski that rips groomers, floats in powder and effortlessly weaves through trees. This all-conditions versatility delivers an extra boost of confidence to explore beyond the usual!
Rossignol Black Ops Stargazer
Answer the call of fresh tracks on the women’s Blackops Stargazer. Lightweight agility and confident downhill performance come together to set you free to explore and ride inbounds and out. Vibration-dampening tech carries you through every carve, while a light swing weight keeps it playful. Skin track, boot pack, resort days, the possibilities are endless. Escape the piste and ride free.
Blizzard Sheeva 9
Lady shredders of the world, rejoice. The Sheevas allow you to take on terrain with a degree of playfulness and grace that will make you feel a whole new level of confidence in your skiing. Built with a women’s specific construction developed through our Women to Women program, the Sheeva 9 is an all-mountain freeride ski that loves everything the mountain can throw at it. Whether nabbing the first tracks in untouched snow, tackling afternoon crud, or linking turns down groomers, the versatility of the Sheevas deliver performance, stability and good times.
FOR THE GENTS
Rossignol Experience 86
All resort. All the time. The Experience 86 Basalt ski blends a lightweight build with a smooth ride for carving across the entire mountain. A paulownia wood core reduces overall weight, while basalt layers absorb vibration for a smooth, quiet feel. An 86mm waist adds versatility and stability across changing snow conditions. The confidence-boosting control of our Drive Tip design works with the sidecut and full sidewall construction for smooth turn initiation and a powerful edge through the entire turn.
Blizzard Brahma 88
We define all-mountain as a skier who doesn’t color in the lines. It’s more of a philosophy, a sense of freedom to ski whereever you want on the mountain. The Brahma 88 will give you the ability to seize the snowpack throughout the most frigid temperatures and firm conditions. The Brahma 88 utilizes its TrueBlend Woodcore, two sheets of metal and reduced rocker profile for a better grip on harder snow but is versatile enough for a variety of snow conditions. This ski will take the energy you give it and transfer that power into the snowpack, so you can rip down the mountain with confidence and ease. As the day’s smooth terrain gets eaten up by hungry skiers, the Brahma has the backbone to ski efficiently through chopped up crud, which means you’ll be skiing longer (and stronger) than everyone else. Enjoy the day – all day, ski the Brahma.
Atomic Maverick 88Ti (also available the 95Ti)
Developed, tested, and validated in North America, where every mountain attracts a different type of skier and a style that requires unique characteristics in an all-terrain ski, Maverick is the ski that unites all mountains and skiers. Featuring construction technology used by the world’s top racers and professional freeride skiers, Maverick blends both ends of the spectrum to create a ski that is both pure groomer performance and playful in the powder. Groomers, steeps, trees, bumps, you name it – with the Maverick 88 TI the entire mountain becomes yours.
Rossignol Black Ops Escapers
Ride free. Fresh tracks to hardpack, the Black Ops Escapers is your ticket to ride the whole mountain. It brings an effortless, responsive feel to go anywhere the snow takes you, inbounds or out. The Rossignol Black Ops Escaper Skis are built with a Pauwlonia wood core complemented by Diago Fiber and Damp Tech laminates and offer the versatility to cruise or charge at will. Fly beyond the boundaries, roll through mixed conditions without hesitation and let your skiing soar in the bumps and trees with the Black Ops Escapers – your spirit will thank you.
FOR EVERYONE
Rossignol Hero Elite Plus
Designed for passionate and versatile skiers, the HERO ELITE PLUS+ Ti is powerful, stable and perfectly balanced, blending race-level technology with enhanced on-trail comfort. The Line Control Technology (LCT) meets a wider 78mm waist width and wider sidecuts for optimized comfort, precision, balance. LCT eliminates counter-flexing for maximum stability and optimized trajectory through the turn for total control of your line.
Summary:
- Waist width: Look for a medium-width waist to balance between hard-snow grip and soft-snow float. It also depends on conditions; 80-95mm is optimal for all mountain, 95-105mm will be better for soft or variable conditions, however this may be too wide to effectively perform the technical skills you need to pass the CSIA certifications.
- Sidecut/Turn radius: Your options will generally have a medium radius sidecut that makes it easier to carve a variety of turn shapes.
- Profile: Most modern all-mountain skis feature traditional camber and some form of rocker (usually early-rise tip), which gives you easier handling and turn initiation in variable conditions.
Enjoy the turns!
Hot Tips for Finding Accommodation
10 TIPS TO FIND HOUSING:
- Message All those with Housing Offers
- Check “Message Requests/Other Inbox”
- Advertise in our “In Search Of Housing” Section (Comment thread), Pique Newspaper, Craigslist, Kijiji, Bulletin @Gone & Blenz Cafe!
- Score a Job w/ Housing!! (Hostels/Hotels, Whistler Blackcomb, Building Caretaker or Nanny Job, Work for a Hotel that has staff housing, More & more offer Housing – view jobs online!
- Mountain Country Property Management Seatoskyproperties,com, RideOnWhistler, etc
- Team up w/ others to increase options!
- Be prepared: References/Resume, etc.
- View a few places (if possible) but be flexible & Act quickly! If still posted, still apply!
- Network w/ Friends, Family or Co-workers, Who can give you a Personal Referral!
- The greatest selection of long-term housing available is in April/May or after Summer, places for Sept. 1st. From then onwards there is less & less, for many reasons! Hopefully with these tips, being awesome & keeping positive, you will find a sweet place!!
Thanks to Whistler Accommodation Facebook page for the hot tips.
2018/2019 Pro Ski Tips
While you are here pursuing your dream of skiing Whistler Blackcomb, obtaining your CSIA, Avalanche and Park riding certifications, what we know from experience is that having the right gear matters. A lot!
With that in mind, we’d love to offer you the expertise of our local ski shops. They have a complete selection of skis, boots, and accessories tailored for your time in Whistler and the expert advice from the shop staff will put you in the right equipment for the season. YES Improvements long standing relationships with local ski shop owners provides you with the villages lowest equipment costs and the best overall value. Of course, all of this designed to help you be your best this season.
Here are our ski recommendations for this year. They fall into the all mountain category and are good for skiing everything you want here at Whistler Blackcomb. If you would like more piste oriented skis, we have recommendations for you on those. Please email me if you want those recommendations forwarded to our advisor.
Rossignol
Experience another best day, every day, in any snow conditions. The all-new EXPERIENCE 84 Ai W is the perfect mens and women's all-mountain ski whether carving perfect groomers or exploring mixed snow and terrain. Our race-developed LCT combines with new Air Tip VAS for the best snow contact and line control, while the freeride-inspired profile allows you to drift and release turns with ease. These skis come as a package, skis and bindings all in one. This is great value for your money.
Blizzard
At 88mm underfoot, the super versatile Brahma puts the fun into every type of snow condition and terrain the mountain has to offer. The Brahma is your ticket to truly own the mountain.
For women, one of the all time best selling skis is available is two widths:
The Black Pearl 78mm
Nimble, lively and stable, the Black Pearl 78 is the narrower sister of the Black Pearl 88. With a 78 mm waist and a women's specific Carbon Flipcore W.S.D. construction, the Black Pearl 78 offers a responsive and stable ride with performance that belies it's lightness. Early rise in the tip and tail with camber underfoot makes this ski quick edge-to-edge with confidence inspiring edge grip for frontside skiing in hard or variable snow conditions.
The Black Pearl 88:
As the world's best selling women's ski, the Black Pearl 88 shines as the versatile, all-around ski offering the ultimate ride through all types of terrain. With an 88 mm waist, and a women's specific Carbon Flipcore W.S.D. construction, the Black Pearl 88 performs on groomers, in the trees, through bumps and in powder. Its lightweight construction, early rise tip and tail, and camber underfoot make this ski a go-to for ripping female skiers as well as those looking for the confidence to up their game
Salomon
If you're the type of skier who understands the soul-awakening feel of perfectly connected carves on uncut corduroy then the Salomon XDR 84 Ti Skis + Warden MNC 13 Demo Bindings is your setup. The XDR 84 Ti boasts the latest and greatest design technologies. From the carbon/flax layup to the incredibly adaptive All-Terrain Rocker 2.0 profile, these snow sliders let you nimbly navigate the trees and open up the throttle on the groomers. Grab the new Salomon XDR 84 Ti Skis + Warden MNC 13 Demo Bindings and re-experience the joys of ripping on piste.
Womens
The Salomon QST Myriad 85 Skis are a great choice for the established front side skier looking for a light and smooth performer to "do it all" with ease and style. The All-Terrain rocker works well in any conditions, with enough tip rocker to handle those deep fresh days and camber underfoot to provide security on hard snow.
Get In Shape for the Slopes
Now that summer is fading (or spring is starting if you're in the Southern Hemisphere) it's a great time to start getting in shape for the coming winter. You want to be able to make the most of your trip, and working out now will help you look better, feel better, be able to perform better on the mountain and most importantly reduce your risk of injury.
The YES pros have been doing "dryland training" for a month already – focussing on strengthening the core, back and leg muscles in particular to help them perform better on the slopes. They are also doing regular cardio / interval training to promote overall fitness. They know from many years on the hill that being in the right shape is what will allow them to ski or ride 150+ days in a season without injury.
We are please to share with you an awesome work-out program called SKIRAD (Ski Ready and Avoid Damage) which has been put together by our friends at BackInAction Physios here in Whistler. And it's good for boarders too! You can do most of these moves at home or in your local gym, no special equipment needed (although a roller is useful for sure). Once you are familiar with these moves it should only take about 15 minutes to complete so no excuses!
You can download all the details here or check out the helpful videos here.
Should I bring my gear from home?
This is one of our most commonly asked questions – should I bring my gear from home or should I wait until I get to Whistler?
Perhaps you've seen a great deal in your local ski or snowboard store. Or you already have some gear that was perfect for you last trip when you skied in the Southern Hemisphere or Europe. Or maybe you suspect that the in-resort prices will be higher than anywhere else. You are making a significant investment in yourself with your trip to Whistler, so we strongly recommend getting the right gear to make the most of it! To do this we advise you to make your purchases here in Whistler. There are a lot of reasons for this, including making sure you have the right tools for the program you’re completing (our in-resort experts are on hand to help you out!), being able to trial equipment before you buy, and having easy access to the place you bought the boots / skis / board from if they need adjusting.
Over the years, we’ve learnt a lot about success. What it takes. What it looks like. What it feels like. In this post, we’re sharing what we've learned about the right fitting boots and how they impact your success. (For ski recommendations, see our Pros 2017/18 best picks here).
Your success is the main reason. For a good portion of this coming season, you'll be pushing your limits and perhaps pursuing your goals and dreams to be an instructor. You'll be on your skis or board and in your boots for many hours here on Whistler Blackcomb ((Yay – #1 ranked ski resort 3rd year in a row!). Without a doubt there are no shortcuts when it comes to boots. Have you ever had sore or aching feet, cold feet, numbness, or worst of all, blisters or sore shins from your boots? Or maybe you've found that your comfortable new boots need to be tightened a lot after the first week of wearing them? Then you know how this can impact both your performance and fun. You want to love the boots you are in this year!
Selecting boots is more involved than selecting skis or boards. That’s because everybody’s foot is different and everyone needs something a bit different from their boot. Once you start looking at properly at boots, (past the colours and styles!) you will see there are different widths, volumes, purposes and designs. For that reason, we have our very own resident ski boot fitting pro, Barry Allison of Skiconnexions to help you out. He’s also one of our top dogs on the hill as a Level 4 Instructor, so he knows exactly what you are experiencing!
With over twenty years of skiing and boot fitting expertise, Barry will get you into the right boot. His promise. 😉 He’ll assess your foot, help you select the boot that will fit it best, then build you a great footbed and customize your shells if necessary (BTW – it's almost always necessary!) When you’re done with the fitting process, these boots will be YOUR boots. You will guard them with your life, take them as carry-on luggage, be so dependant on them that you might forget your phone when you leave the house but not your boots! We are super happy/stoked that you chose to ski/ride with us this season. To get yourself on the right track right out of the gate, please book your boot fitting appointments, starting November 10th, via info@skiconnexions.com.
Do I really need to have my boots fitted professionally?
Boots are, by far, the most important part of your equipment.
At the beginning of every season, we see many of our clients arriving in Whistler with ski boots they’ve purchased at home, only to find out that they have a fitting issue. Of greatest concern are boots that are too big, have serious pressure points, and/or have alignment problems.
As a way to alleviate these problems, we suggest you wait until you are in Whistler to purchase new boots and get a professional fitting at Ski Connexions with Barry. As a YES Improvement ski pro, Barry knows the importance of boot fitting first hand. Your boots are the contact point between you and your skis, and good fitting boots allow you to achieve your best performance comfortably.
Barry will ensure you are in the right boot and take care of all of your fitting concerns before you even hit the snow. This will ensure that your first day in new boots is a positive experience. If any problems arise during the course of your stay, you are only steps away from the Ski Connexions workshop and Barry’s expertise.
If you have any doubt, ask the majority of Whistler’s top skiing professionals where they get their boots fit, and they will tell you: Ski Connexions!
To book an appointment for your arrival, email Barry at: info@skiconnexions.ca
