There is nothing more thrilling than swooshing down a freshly powdered slope on a crisp and cold winter day, while night skiing or in a terrain park. As you crouch lower and angle your skis for the final approach the wind is whipping your hair straight back and pulling tears from your eyes and you think, as you squint your eyes and brush your hair from your cheeks: wouldn’t ski goggles be a better solution than periodically rubbing your face? Ski areas in Massachusetts such as Ski Bradford can provide this rush of adventure.
Skiing, as with most extremely fun and popular activities, is not without danger. However there is a plethora of proper safety equipment that is inexpensive, significantly lowers the risks and simultaneously makes skiing more enjoyable. Here are the top three pieces of safety equipment that any skier or boarder, from beginner to advanced, should invest in.
Ski Mask – Although commonly associated with bank robbers and purse snatchers, ski masks do serve an important purpose on the slopes. It is designed to cover your neck and can be pulled up to comfortably cover your chin, mouth and nose as well. Ski masks protect these sensitive areas from wind burn and the cold and help keep your body warm. They are commonly made from acrylic, cotton, or fleece and come in a variety of colors and shapes to fit every style and taste.
Ski Goggles – Ski goggles shield your eyes from the sharp wintry wind and cold but also protect them from the harmful UV rays of the sun. Even though the sun is weaker and seems less powerful during the winter months, it can still cause sun burns and make seeing difficult when it is being reflected off of all that sparkling white powder. A good pair of goggles will protect your eyes in the winter just as sunglasses do in the summer, make seeing easier despite the glare and provide another layer to trap heat and block out cold.
Helmet – Probably the most important piece of safety equipment available, a helmet’s benefits are innumerable and multi-faceted. First and foremost, a helmet’s hard outer shell protects your head and the important stuff inside of it. It is a first defense against routine tumbles down the slopes and the occasional accident on the terrain park. The inner cushy lining of a helmet also keeps your head warm and heat from escaping, and provides the necessary padding that minimizes the effects of bumps and bangs that a simple hat just can’t compete with. Helmets are available in various patterns, colors, designs, shapes, and sizes to suit every individual, but no matter the style every helmet puts safety first.
There are other forms of safety equipment that are available for specific purposes, but these three articles – ski masks, ski goggles, and helmets – are the base from which you can build up your equipment collection and the most important materials you need, aside from the skis or board themselves, to prevent injurious as you practice more and improve.
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