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Articles tagged: advanced

Heli Skiing Colorado

There are two companies that offer heli-skiing in Colorado - Telluride Heli-Trax & Silverton Mountain Heli. Prices per person for a full day of heli-skiing start at $1395 with Telluride Heli-Trax, and $1190 for a 6 run trip with Silverton Mountain Heli.

FIS Alpine Skiing

FIS Alpine skiing is the top international competition involving a series of different alpine skiing events. The FIS Alpine Ski World Cup is made up of 5 different events; slalom, Giant slalom, super G slalom, downhill & the combined, which includes slalom and downhill.

Heli-skiing is exactly as it sounds. You climb into a helicopter kitted up with your skis and avalanche gear, and let the helicopter take you high up over the mountains, away from any notion of a groomed ski run or any other skiers.

Kite skiing or snowkiting as it is also known is, is a form of skiing in which you are attached to a kite and ski down the mountain, or straight off a cliff if you’re experienced enough! The kite allows the skier to get big air off jumps, and enables the skier to ski in areas of the mountain that would otherwise be inaccessible.

Parallel Skiing

Parallel skiing is the skiing technique used by intermediate to expert skiers, and is considered the best technique for skiing. Skier will generally transition from ‘snow plough’ technique of skiing to parallel skiing once they have reached the stage of skiing on blue runs, or when they feel comfortable keeping their skis parallel.

Tree Well Skiing

Tree well skiing is skiing off-piste amongst the trees. Skiers often ski close to the trees as they make their turns, just avoiding the dangerous tree wells. This can sometimes be done within the boundaries of a ski resort, but sometime skiers venture out of bounds for fresher powder though this is not advised without expert supervision and adequate equipment.

What is Cross Country Skiing?

Cross-country skiing takes place on flat groomed tracks, using skis which are longer, lighter and narrower than alpine skis. The skier propels themselves along using the grip under the skis. There are two type of cross-country skiing; skating and classic, which although they differ slightly in technique, are very similar in principle.

What is Ski Touring?

A type of skiing which involves hiking up the mountain on specially adapted skis, whereby the heel of your boot is detachable from the ski. This allows you to venture off-piste and away from the crowds of the ski resort. This can be riskier than normal skiing, as ski touring is often done out of bounds.

Best helmet for skiing

The best ski helmet is easier to define and decide upon than picking a new pair of skis. Ski helmets have progressively more and better safety technology included in each model as the price increases. This means that if you see a more expensive helmet from a reputable brand, there is a very good chance it is going to be a better helmet, and will keep your head safer than a cheaper and more affordable ski helmet.

Best off piste skis

The best off piste skis will help you to float in the deep snow while making turning effortless and easy. There are many ski brands which make top quality and fun off piste skis. The best brands to look out for when choosing off piste skis in my experience are Salomon, Rossignol, Head & Atomic.

Best thermals and baselayers for skiing

Ski thermals are an essential item for any ski holiday. They are specially constructed and made of very high-quality materials to ensure maximum heat is retained by the body, and moisture can be wicked away from the skin easily. Thermals can be made in a large range of different materials, each attracting a different price tag.

What is the best all-mountain ski?

All-mountain skis let you ski almost everywhere on the mountain, both on-piste and a bit of off-piste. All-mountain skis have characteristics of both carving skis and powder skis, which is why they are generally the broadest range of skis available, and the most popular choice of skis for holiday makers.