Our goal at The Adventure Junkies is to help you get started in snow sports. So if you are attempting to learn on your own, we are here to help! Whether alone or you wanting to learn at a faster pace than your teacher is providing. In this article, you’ll learn how to master a safe stop on skis.

TECHNIQUES TO STOP ON SKIS

SNOW PLOW STOP

The first technique any beginner will learn is the snow plow. Think or your skis in the shape of a pizza slice on the snow, with the noses of the skis almost touching in front. The key word here is ‘almost’ touching. If the noses of your skis cross over (common for beginners), you will lose balance fast. And find yourself needing to practice those safe ski crashes sooner than anticipated!

When in a snow plow position on the slope, the inside edge of your skis should be pressed into the snow by your ankles. This will keep you stationary on the slope as you prepare for the next step. As a skier, it always helps to think of yourself as a car. The next steps will explain how to set off and stop your new makeshift snow vehicle.

ACCELERATION

To set off, you need to shift the weight on your skis. Move your ankles simultaneously to move the pressure on the inside edge of your skis to the center. This will leave your skis lying flat and you’ll begin to slide forwards at a natural pace.

BREAKS

To ‘hit the breaks’ on your skis, you now need to apply the pressure on your inside edges. Be sure to again do this in a simultaneous action. Applying pressure more on one ski first will cause you to turn fast and lose balance. This is often referred to as “catching an edge”. The edge of your one ski becomes caught in the transition as the other continues. This in turn then sends the rider toppling over. Getting this correct will bring you to a gradual stop.

Practice this snow plow stop again and again. Then in no time, you’ll be able to apply the pressure on and off your makeshift breaks and accelerators with ease. This will make you start and stop in a safe and controlled fashion. Resulting in no more falling practice required!

RIDE OUT EACH TURN

Once you have learned how to move forwards on skis, it’s not uncommon for beginners to lose control of their speed. Often they are unable to lose enough speed to stop themselves without losing control. If you have learned how to turn on your skis, finishing each turn is an alternate way of stopping yourself. Regardless of whether it is a snow plow or parallel turn.

The idea is to picture your turns as a series of C-Shapes on the slope. Advanced skiers will ski in an S-Shape as they continue downhill and maintain speed. But beginners can continue each turn as it turns slightly up the hill. Doing so will reduce your speed, and if you have enough room on the slope, it will gradually bring you to a stop.

If you are short on room then as you are riding out your turn, you can adjust this method. Applying the snow plow stop from above is a great way to control your speed. This will reduce your speed and help to bring yourself to a halt.

PARALLEL STOP

The parallel stop is also known as the ‘Hockey Stop’ . This is the most frequent used method of stopping on skis. It’s only achievable once you are able to ski parallel. Parallel skiing is when you have your skis side by side. Or if we were to go back to the fast food references – they will now look like two french fries and not a pizza slice.

You must first decide when coming down the slope which direction you will stop in. For this example, I will explain the process as if I was turning onto my right downhill ski. As you perform a short turn to the right you’ll place all your body weight over your right ski now facing downhill.

While beginning to do this, you should begin to extend your legs to stand, as if looking over a garden fence. This will flatten your skis and make turning far easier. The more weight you apply to your chosen downhill ski the better. As the quicker, your ski will find itself in the correct position (in this scenario the right). Allow your other ski to follow so your skis remain in a parallel position.

The final step is to lean into the slope behind you to apply pressure on both of your ski edges. As you do this, be sure to bend your knees to keep balance. Do this while holding an upright torso and look downhill with your upper body following. This posture will work against your edges pressing into the snow, bringing you to a quick stop. All without continuing to slide to the side of the slope. The result will be a clean and precise stop.

This is highly effective when on beginner slopes. Particularly as you find yourself needing to dodge out of control slope-side newbies. Beneath is a great tutorial from ‘Ski School By Elate Media’. It runs through the process of a hockey stop in a clear manner.

VIDEO: FOOT ROTATION / HOCKEY STOP – TIPS FOR INTERMEDIATE SKIERS

PRACTICE – THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP

Practice. Then practice some more. You will find each of the above guides will not only improve your balance, and your confidence on the slopes. You will safe with the knowledge and ability to execute emergency and gradual stops. It will be a skill you’ll always use throughout your days on skis.

It is always best to learn these skills with either an experienced skier or an instructor. But for the days where your budget is a little tighter, you can still practice these tips. Learn your speed control on some easy nursery slopes first of all. Then move on to attempting to learn your turns and more intermediate skills. In no time at all, you’ll be flying down the slopes with grace and be the envy of all the other newbies!

HOW TO SAFELY FALL ON SKIS

Now that we’ve talked about three techniques of how to stop on your skis, it’s important you understand how to safely fall. Every advanced skier knows to master any winter sport will need consistent patience. This and the ability to get back up each time you fall. The latter is always easier when you are of course still in one piece!

The greatest freestyle skiers will fall daily in practice. Despite this, they can repeatedly get straight back up. Whereas many beginners will injure themselves after a mere slide in the snow. They will gain injuries after a gentle fall, regardless of their masses of safety gear.

The main trick to falling is to minimize the impact on your body. Landing on a single body part will always be painful, but knowing the correct way to fall will reduce injury. Knowing how to spread out the surface area of an impact can reduce the damage caused by a bad fall.

Attached below is a fantastic video by ‘Stomp It Tutorials’. Using martial arts skills, it explains ways of spreading out this surface area of impact.

 VIDEO: HOW TO CRASH ON SKIS

The post How To Stop On Skis: A Beginners Guide appeared first on The Adventure Junkies.

Selecting the best ski camera to suit your needs is always a challenge. But you can relax because The Adventure Junkies have created this easy guide to choosing cameras for you. Also, we will provide you with an understanding of the features each camera has to offer. 

For more of our top ski gear recommendations, check out the Best Ski Waxes.

Reviews - The Best Cameras for Skiing

GoPro Hero5 Session

Specs

• Best For: Overall
• Weight: 0.28 lbs
• Waterproof?: Yes

BEST FOR A SMALL AND LIGHTWEIGHT SKI CAMERA THAT’S SIMPLE TO USE

PROS: Waterproof up to 10 metres, it is certain to withstand heavy snow conditions

CONS: You can only adjust settings via your phone, (a downside to the one button system)

View at Amazon

TomTom Bandit

Specs

• Best For: Overall
• Weight: 0.41 lbs
• Waterproof?: No

BEST FOR SOMEONE SEEKING GOPRO STYLING WITHOUT THE PRICE TAG

PROS: Compatible with GoPro Mounts for better action capturing

CONS: A rather heavy action Camera

View at Amazon

GoPro Hero5 Black

Specs

• Best For: Screen
• Weight: 0.26 lbs
• Waterproof?: Yes

BEST FOR A LEADING DESIGN WITH AN ALL-ROUND GREAT PERFORMING SKI CAMERA THAT INCLUDES EXCELLENT EASE OF USE AND QUALITY

PROS: The image stabilisation never fails to impress, and the water resistance will work perfectly in snowy conditions

CONS: As the leading action camera on the market, it is very expensive

View at Amazon

Veho Muvi K2 Pro

Specs

• Best For: Screen
• Weight: 0.20 lbs
• Waterproof?: No

BEST FOR A LONG LASTING BATTERY OF UP TO 3 HOURS WITH GOOD IMAGE QUALITY

PROS: Bought with accessories included in the price

CONS: Not the easiest to use when on the slopes, you will have to stop to set up the camera with multiple buttons and switches to operate

View at Amazon

HTC Re Camera

Specs

• Best For: Budget
• Weight: 0.15 lbs
• Waterproof?: Water Resistant

BEST FOR A SKIER LOOKING TO MULTITASK ON THE SLOPE, WITH EASY OPERATION

PROS: A one handed design for ease of use

CONS: Water resistant will keep out the snow, but will struggle if you want to use this camera in diving activities additionally to snow sports

View at Amazon

HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST SKI CAMERAS FOR SKIING

VIDEO QUALITY

When purchasing your action camera, the image quality should always be a consideration. A common mistake is to jump at purchasing a high resolution. First, you need to check how well it will operate.

The majority of action camera’s will film in 4K resolution. This is the resolution to seek if you are looking for incredible video footage. The important thing to watch out for is the frame rate the resolution works off. A good quality 4K camera will have a frame rate of at least 30 fps (frames per second).

In more budget brands, you will see 4K resolutions paired with a frame rate of 15 fps. Avoid low frame rates if your budget permits. As the video will come out staggered and shaky upon playback. If you are on a budget when purchasing a ski camera, there is an alternative to 4K resolution with a frame rate of 30 fps. An excellent compromise is a ski camera that shoots in 1080p HD resolution with a frame rate closer to 60 fps. The image quality won’t be as high but the playback will still provide good quality video.

STILLS QUALITY

It goes without saying that a picture is useless when pixelated and blurry. If you want to remember the moment you landed your first 360 off a giant freestyle park kicker, you need a good MP rate. A useful tip from us here at The Adventure Junkies is to look for a model that shows how many megapixels the camera has. These days the top brands will have a camera of at least 16 MP. But a lesser ski camera; will often not advertise their camera’s mega pixels. This is as their camera can’t compete with the competition on one of the key features.

IMAGE STABILISATION

A good action camera can handle exactly what the name suggests, being in the action! Be it a groomed slope run or racing down the off-piste. The latest technology in ski cameras is good image stabilization systems. Any good ski camera will advertise it’s ability to keep up with your fast pace. An excellent image stabilization to look out for is ‘gyro’. This technology is named and modeled after Gyro Camera Stabilizers that keep a shot in your favorite movies level no matter the terrain.

WATER RESISTANCE

A water resistant ski camera will always be a good idea when adding to your winter gear selection. The snow will often spray, fall and crash into your ski camera as you document your time on the slopes. So it is best to have an action camera ready to function in these conditions. A few years ago you had to buy a waterproof housing case to have a waterproof action camera. These days, however, brands are doing their best to create cameras that are ready to be submerged in H20. If you are more adventurous on the mountains, you won’t go wrong with a good water resistant ski camera.

MOUNTS AND ACCESSORIES

The majority of brands now offer mounts and accessories for their ski cameras. This is following in the steps of market leaders GoPro. Mounts and accessories create a variety of footage. They also make being hands-free while you film a lot easier. No more will you be practicing to balance one-handed while holding your selfie stick!

Helmet camera mounts are great starting choice for beginners. They help you capture clear shots of you and your friends riding. Chest harnesses are better for experienced skiers. Beginners will tend to film the floor as they need to improve their posture. Once they have mastered an intermediate stance, a chest harness is a good buy.

SIZE AND POCKET-ABILITY

You will notice we have included the weight of each ski camera in our review section below. This is due to the knowledge that a camera that is easy to put away is sometimes the best feature to look for. A sleek design to minimize the time you spend getting your camera out and packing it away is a great feature. There is only one real downside of some small sized ski cameras. This is that they may not have mounts or waterproof casing that fits them due to their unique size.

EASE OF OPERATION

SINGLE BUTTON USE

These are the latest in ski camera technology advances. The idea is that when using the camera, you only have to use one button to shoot, pause, and turn the camera on and off. These cameras can be fantastic for simple operating. But this feature often results in a lack shooting styles and options, such as slow motion or playback.

PHONE APP CONTROL

Many ski camera brands are now designing their models to combine with your phone. This great option allows a range of operational features. Such as playback, instant video downloading and shooting options. Even a regular track on your cameras battery life! There is a downside of this feature, though. You will have to take your phone out before the start of every run. This is not only time, but also phone and ski camera battery consuming.

The post Best Cameras for Skiing of 2022 appeared first on The Adventure Junkies.

In this piece, you will find a list of various tips to help get you started in your new winter mountain sport. We will cover everything from the things to master first before you conquer the slopes. How to avoid injury, and even what gear you should be purchasing.

TIPS ON GETTING STARTED

RESEARCH THE RESORTS YOU WANT TO TRY

When you know skiing is the next sport for you, research where you should go first. Look into the best resorts for beginners. There are endless options all across the world. Annual Skiing available worldwide. Europe, Australasia, Asia, North America, and even Central America all have resorts. Look for friendly areas, with wide and groomed slopes. Also, see how many beginner on-piste runs the area offers.

BOOK AN INTRO TO SKIING TASTER LESSON

The best way to get started is to take an introductory lesson to skiing. These can also be on indoor and dry slopes worldwide. If you can’t find anywhere to practice near you, consider taking a lesson on your first day of your skiing trip. Lessons can sometimes be pricey, but the knowledge will be invaluable.

WATCH LOTS OF BEGINNER YOUTUBE TUTORIALS

Thanks to the pioneers of the 21st Century, browsing the internet has never been easier. Make the most of YouTube. You will find countless YouTube tutorials for beginners to Skiing. Learning from a pro or instructor for free is a great resource for practicing your winter sport.

WARM UP TECHNIQUES

Before you hit the slopes, it is important to warm up first. Skiing is the same as any other sport. If you go hard before loosening your limbs, your body will suffer for it! The Warren Smith Ski Academy have created a great guide to warming up before hitting the slopes.

VIDEO: SKI FITNESS – PRE SKI WARM UP

HOW TO PROPERLY PUT ON YOUR GEAR

SKI HELMET

Make sure that when you put on your ski helmet you do it the right way. This means to adjust your chin strap so it fits. Not too tight and not loose. Be confident it won’t fall off if you topple over on the slopes. If you are wearing ski goggles pay attention to whether they have a snap-back strap. If they do, they can be worn under the helmet. But most helmets are designed for ski goggles to be worn over the top of them.

SKI SOCKS

It’s easy for beginners to think the snow will be really cold. They then double up on socks and don’t realize their mistake. If you wear more than one layer of sock you risk your feet overheating and sweating. When this happens it is easy for your feet to blister. You also will experience colder feet as the moisture in your socks starts to freeze. Spend time looking at ski socks and find a good pair that will stay up, and support your terrain and learning.

SKI BOOTS

It is often tricky to get ski boots right the first time when you don’t know how they should feel. Ski boots should be tight around the shin, but not crushing your leg. The bottom of your ski boot doesn’t need to be as tight. The main purpose of the buckles on the foot is to make your boot water resistant and keep snow out. Fasten these so that they are comfortable, don’t feel the need to suffocate your feet!

It is also a good idea to get boots with a low flex that feels soft. Beginners should avoid flexes of over 80 on their boots. Women should look for a flex of 50-60. Men should consider flex in their boots of 60-80.

SKI POLES

The majority of ski poles come with a handle strap. It is important to put your hand through this correctly to avoid losing your poles in falls and mishaps. Bring your hand through the strap from underneath. Then lower your hand to grip the handle. When you slide down the hill, the pole will now follow you no matter how you fall. To understand this better, put your pole on the opposite way and note how you can pull it off your wrist with ease.

SKIS

When putting on your skis  you need to place them parallel across a flat part of the slope. Press the back lever of your bindings down. Now make sure you have no snow on your ski boots (as this jams in the binding). Then place your toe at the top of the inside of your binding and shift your body weight onto your heel. The back lever will snap up and your ski boot will become secure in your skis.

THE ESSENTIAL BIOMECHANICS OF SKIING

POSITIONING

When you are skiing you will find your position changes all the time. For beginners, the key thing to focus on is having your knees bent and legs parallel. Another option is to have your legs ready in a snow plow position, with the tips of your skis almost together. The bent knees are there to help you absorb any bumps and moguls you may ski over.

STANCE

You will need to be leaning into the skins of your ski boots. This will improve your balance and control as you ski on all the slope terrain. Picture yourself ready to dive into a swimming pool. You lean forward not back. You need to always be ready to set off.

FLEX & GAZE

Your entire body must be ready for action. Besides bent knees, have your elbows bent at an angle of roughly 75 degrees in front of you. This will allow your poles to fall into the correct position on their own. With your body weight central on your skis, look straight in front of you. You need to always see the slope in front, not your feet!

CORRECT USE OF POLES

HANDS POSITIONING

With your arms at either side holding your poles, lift your forearms so they are in front of you. Aim for an angle of around 70-80 degrees (shy of a right angle). Keeping your poles in front of you in this way will shift your body weight forward. This subtle change will improve your control of your skis as your toes near the tip of your ski boots.

ONLY SUBTLE WRIST MOVEMENT

If you are holding your poles correct, you will only need to move your wrist when skiing. If you start waving your arms around, you will lose balance. Practice the motion of planting your poles only moving your wrists several times. It should look like you are ‘walking your skis’. Soon this will be a natural movement and you will find it easier to use your poles in more advanced maneuvers.

LOCK TORSO

Keep your torso in the direction it is going. A common mistake is to twist your body when skiing downhill. Doing this will put your arms in the wrong place. You will lose balance and control, struggling to regain the correct stance.

THE FIRST THINGS TO PRACTICE

LEARN HOW TO STOP

This should always be the first thing you master. Once you can start and stop safely on skis you won’t endanger yourself or anyone else on the slope. Don’t attempt any busy or hard runs until you have learned this skill.

DON’T GO TO FAST

A common phrase in younger skiers is ‘just bomb it’. When you haven’t learned good control of your skis, make sure you go at your own pace. Take your time and increase your speed over time. Avoid going home in an ambulance on your first day!

ROUND OFF TURNS

Don’t be afraid to complete your wide turns. It takes practice to narrow these turns and be able to complete short turns downhill. This is a great way to keep your speed under control. If you find yourself unable to slow down when finishing a turn, you likely didn’t complete the one prior.

SLOWLY PROGRESS TO PARALLEL

You will find the more you ski in a snow plow, the more your body will position your feet in a more parallel stance. When you feel your feet wanting to progress to parallel, then learn this step. Don’t attempt it before you have full control of your skis.

WARM DOWN TECHNIQUES

As important as it is too warm up, it is important to warm down. During skiing, your body will use a lot of physicalities. Without taking the time to release some tension after a ski session, you will risk gaining sore limbs. These sore muscles will interfere with your ability to enjoy your following ski days. The Warren Smith Ski Academy also created a useful tutorial on how to stretch after a ski.

VIDEO: SKI FITNESS – AFTER SKI STRETCH

WHEN YOU FALL

KNOW HOW TO FALL

The key to keeping your injuries to a minimum is to spread out the impact area. Avoid landing on singular limbs. A larger surface area will absorb more of your fall.

KNOW HOW TO GET UP

Whether your skis are still on off will not matter. When you have fallen, you need to position your skis, parallel across the slope (not downhill). Next, dig your poles in behind you to counter your balance as you push up into a standing position. From here you can ski off into a new turn with ease.

KNOW HOW TO GET YOUR SKIS BACK ON

When you lose a ski in the powder, it can be a nightmare for beginners to get it back on. The trick is to put on your downhill ski first. Once this is on, it is much easier to stand into your uphill ski. Remember to kick off any excess snow from your ski boot, and you won’t have any trouble getting your bindings on.

PRACTICE

SLOPESIDE

This will always be the best place to practice your skiing. You can’t beat learning on an actual mountain. The terrain and conditions will reflect what you will face when you skiing on your own or with friends.

INDOOR SLOPE

These are starting to become more popular worldwide. Indoor ‘real snow’ slopes are a great substitute for the mountain if you live far away from resorts. Or if you want to stay in form during the summer, these indoor slopes will help you keep your ski game!

DRY SLOPE

These outdoor slopes are usually made of neveplast or snowflex materials. They replicate the texture and feel of snow. Dry slopes are a great way to practice all year round regardless of the weather.

AIRBAGS

When you are new learning tricks for the park safety should always first. If you have access to a foam pit or air bag on your slopes, this is a great way to practice. Once you are landing the tricks well, take them to the park for real.

TRAMPOLINES

If you are learning spins and flips, trampolining is a good way to practice. You can master your rotation so you can ‘feel’ the correct speed before trying them on the snow. Most centers will also have a foam pit or airbag for big tricks too. Make the most of these and then progress to a slope-side airbag before showing off your skills at the park.

The post 28 Awesome Skiing Tips For Beginners appeared first on The Adventure Junkies.

The Adventure Junkies has created an easy guide for you, to not only buying an avalanche beacon but a useful know-how to spotting key features to look for in your new piece of kit. Regardless of whether you consider yourself a backcountry touring pro, or a rookie of the mountain, we can help you choose the right kit to enjoy your snow time safely!

For more of our top snow sports gear recommendations, check out these popular articles: 

Avalanche Shovels | Avalanche Probes

Reviews - Avalanche Beacons

Backcountry Access Tracker 3

Specs

• Best For: LED Search
• Can Mark Transmitters: No
• Search Strip: 164ft

BEST FOR OPERATING IN REFINED SEARCHES FOR FAST SINGLE VICTIM RECOVERY

PROS: An incredibly fast beacon that proves great with advanced users

CONS: The marking function (signal suppression) only lasts for 60 seconds before automatically referring to the nearest beacon

View at Amazon

Ortovox S1+

Specs

• Best For: Overall
• Can Mark Transmitters: Yes
• Search Strip: 196ft

BEST FOR A STYLISH FLIP TRANSCEIVER THAT FITS NEATLY INTO THE SUPPLIED HOLSTER

PROS: Self test option checks battery, transmit and recieve function at the start of the mountain day

CONS: Very expensive like it’s competitor the Mammut Pulse Barryvox

View at Amazon

Backcountry Access Tracker 3

Specs

• Best For: Budget
• Can Mark Transmitters: Yes
• Search Strip: 164ft

BEST FOR BEGINNERS TO USING AVALANCHE BEACONS THAT NEED A STRONG AND EASY TO USE DEVICE

PROS: Despite being designed for novices, it proves extremely fast in finding single victims

CONS: Due to it’s target market of novices, it lacks a lot of the advanced features

View at REI

Arva Evo4

Specs

• Best For: Budget
• Can Mark Transmitters: Yes
• Search Strip: 131ft

BEST FOR EASE OF USE AND GOOD PERFORMANCE FOR BUYERS ON A BUDGET

PROS: Given its ability to mark features and transmitters it is a very low price

CONS: A somewhat bulky design and poor search strip range compared with competitors

View at Backcountry

Ortovox Zoom +

Specs

• Best For: LED Search
• Can Mark Transmitters: No
• Search Strip: 131ft

BEST FOR EASE OF USE, WITH A SIMPLE DESIGN AND VERY FRIENDLY TO BUDGETS

PROS: Attractive design for the more fashion conscious ski and snowboard tour fan

CONS: No flagging/marking features are included, poor search strip range

View at Amazon

HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST AVALANCHE BEACONS

RECEPTION RANGE & ANTENNAS

As climates change mountains are getting more and more unpredictable. So when looking to buy an avalanche beacon, it is always wise to seek one that works well. Be it in multiple burials that need a fast search, or finding a beacon that is easy to understand and use in a rescue. Having a strong set of ski wear and gear can be useless if you aren’t cautious and prepared when skiing off piste. A ski helmet will only provide protection from the initial impact of an avalanche slide. It is the beacon that will rescue you from the burial.

RANGE

The range of your avalanche beacon will determine how far the signal can search at any one time. The majority of high-performing beacons will feature a range of 160 ft (50 meters) or more. With some beacons being able to cover up to 190 ft (60 meters). When considering the range, it is also worth considering the search width you will be using. This is due to some widths being more effective than others in various situations. For unpracticed beginners, a long range is usually more beneficial.

ANTENNAS

Most avalanche beacons have multiple antennae. The benefit of this is that a single antenna will only be able to search a very limited reception range. Whereas two antennas or more will instead be able to perform a more effective and quick search. This is great in severe conditions where time is running out. The higher market rated beacons will often feature three antennae. This feature will allow your device to search in three directions at once. Such as left/right, up/down and forward and behind.

SEARCH STRIP

WIDE STRIPS

These will help you search the danger area faster. But the downside of doing so can result in completing your search without locating a signal. It is best to seek a device that is able to switch between a narrow and wide search strips. This option allows you to tailor your needs to suit the conditions and scenario before you. If you are a beginner with a device that can switch, practice will be necessary. Practice  will always be crucial for beginners unsure of when to use narrow or wide search widths.

NARROW STRIPS

The opposite to a wide search strip; is a narrow strip. Narrow strip are proved far more time-consuming. Experts will argue a narrow strips is far more accurate in locating mountain signals. When buying an avalanche beacon it can be a good plan to choose a device capable of this feature. But be sure to take it out and practice! Doing so will speed up your search process and maintain a high accuracy.

MULTIPLE BURIAL FEATURES

In bad avalanche conditions, it is rare that you will be facing a single burial. As a result of this experts have designed marking features. Multiple marking systems will seek several victims at once. A rescue team can mark several locations. This allows you to dig for more than one victim at the same time. As you dig, the beacon continues to search the location for other victims.

DISPLAY

The display of your avalanche beacon is an often overlooked aspect. But when you are in low light conditions and an emergency, this can be a vital trait of your avalanche beacon. A good beacon will have a bright and easy to read display, some featuring backlights to their screens. This way despite poor visibility, reading your beacons signal won’t be an issue. Whether you are in the dark or a blizzard!

EASE OF OPERATION

It is easy to overlook the simplest functions of an avalanche beacon. Yet these will be the most time-consuming in a crisis. One of the most common and overlooked flaws can your gloves. Many gloves are not compatible with touch screens and small buttons. Check if your beacon is operational while wearing your winter gloves. Removing your gloves during a search is time-consuming and risks the survival rates. Struggling to operate your beacons controls is dangerous in a dire avalanche scenario!

COMFORT

Most avalanche beacons come with a strap or harness. It is always a good idea to try these out before a sale. Most mountain equipment stores will be happy to show you not only how these fit, but how to wear them. Avoid a harness that holds your beacon in an uncomfortable position. This could be pressing on your chest or too far to the side for easy access. This is not suitable for the quick and reliable access you will need in any avalanche scenario.

SIZE & DESIGN

This goes hand in hand with the comfort of the avalanche beacon you choose. Be careful not to select a beacon that is bulky and heavy, or additionally to light and fragile. These devices are durable when made well. They shouldn’t be uncomfortable as you operate them. Find a design that is durable, whilst being a weight you can support with ease. Take the strap and harness into consideration, if these come with the beacon.

The post Best Avalanche Beacons of 2022 appeared first on The Adventure Junkies.

We tailor the socks suggested in this piece according to optimum comfort, design and performance — all while offering something unique that makes them stand out in different capacities for any lover of the mountains and snow sports. We also provide a list below of each product’s features and why they are important before considering any ski sock purchase.

For more of our top ski gear recommendations, check out the Best Long Underwear for Skiing. 

Reviews - The Best Ski Socks

Smartwool PhD Medium

View Women's Version

Specs

• Best For: Overall
• Heated: No
• Thickness: Medium

BEST FOR RIDERS LOOKING FOR AN ALL ROUND HIGH PERFORMING SKI SOCK

KEY FEATURES: Uses two types of elastic to keep the sock in place

PROS: Mesh venting provides a unique breathable design, while maintaining anatomic fit

CONS: Light cushioned shin won’t provide the most protection

View at Amazon

Wigwam Snow Sirocco

View Women's Version

Specs

• Best For: Budget
• Heated: No
• Thickness: Medium

BEST FOR BLUEBIRD CONDITIONS WHEN THERE IS LESS POWDER ON PISTE

KEY FEATURES: Comfortable due to wool design

PROS: Budget Friendly at an affordable price

CONS: Slips and folds easily which can cause blisters

View at Amazon

Smartwool Performance Zero Cushion OTC

Specs

• Best For: Ultralight
• Heated: No
• Thickness: Lightweight

BEST FOR ULTRALIGHT SKIERS

KEY FEATURES: Shred Shield™ technology helps reduce the wear caused by your toes, body-mapped mesh zones enhance breathability in areas where heat is prone to build up

PROS: Breathability

CONS: Poorer durability compared to thicker and heavier weight alternatives

 

View at REI

Darn Tough ThermoLite OTC

View Women's Version

Specs

• Best For: High quality synthetic
• Heated: No
• Thickness: Medium

BEST SYNTHETIC CHOICE

KEY FEATURES: Guaranteed for Life, undetectable seam fusion

PROS: Ventilation system

CONS: Cushioning underfoot is a bit prone to moisture retention

View at Amazon

Dissent Ski GFX

Specs

• Best For: Compression
• Heated: No
• Thickness: Medium

BEST COMPRESSION-STYLE SKI SOCK

KEY FEATURES: Memory and shape retention, seamless toe

PROS: Touring-specific compression design

CONS: Price

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Icebreaker Plus Med

View Women's Version

Specs

• Best For: Overall
• Heated: No
• Thickness: Medium

BEST FOR ALL DAY MOUNTAIN USE, WITH NO STINK AT THE END OF THE DAY

KEY FEATURES: Designed with odor resistant materials

PROS: Cushioned shin and toes

CONS: Extra padding and thickness create a tighter, less flexible fit

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Smartwool Ultralight

Specs

• Best For: Budget
• Heated: No
• Thickness: Ultralight

BEST FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE SKI SOCK FOR AN AFFORDABLE PRICE

KEY FEATURES: Made with two elastic to keep the sock perfectly in place during heavy use

PROS: Top performers in the ultralight range of socks, designed for the maximum anatomical fit

CONS: Ultralight cushion does not offer the best protection against boot sores

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Pure Athlete High Performance

Specs

• Best For: Overall
• Heated: No
• Thickness: Lightweight

BEST FOR WARMTH IN THE COLDEST CONDITIONS

KEY FEATURES: Fusion of two fabrics creates a constant enhanced warmth

PROS: Arch support to reduce fatigue in this area

CONS: Not as flexible due to focused protection areas

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Darn Tough Vermont 5 OTC

Specs

• Best For: Overall
• Heated: No
• Thickness: Medium

BEST FOR THICK SOCKS TO PROTECT YOU IN HEAVY SNOW CONDITIONS

KEY FEATURES: Created in temperatures of -40 degrees in Vermont with a focus on warmth

PROS: Lifetime Guarantee, if sock fails within first 8 weeks they will replace

CONS: They will create too much heat on warmer days

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Zensah Infrared

Specs

• Best For: Comfort
• Heated: Yes
• Thickness: Medium

BEST FOR A NATURAL HEATED SKI SOCK, NO APPS OR BATTERIES REQUIRED

KEY FEATURES: Designed with materials that produce natural infrared rays to create warmth

PROS: A far more affordable heated sock design

CONS: While more affordable than Lenz’s heated sock, they are still quite expensive

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HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST SKI SOCKS

COMPRESSION

Many ski socks are now designed with compression in mind, squeezing the important muscles to improve comfort and performance. The purpose of any high-performance ski sock is to improve your blood flow and feet circulation. This not only improves warmth but will also reduce muscle fatigue. Typically compression ski socks will be made using nylon to create a tight fit. The only downside to consider is that compression socks do not have the same soft texture as regular ski socks. This is due to their intensive design.

VENTILATION

As all seasoned mountain adventurers can tell you, ventilation is vital to feeling comfortable. Many ski salopettes and jackets are made with zippers to increase the cool air flow to your body when exercising. Well made ski socks will also consider this factor. Feet can get wet and form blisters and sores from snow getting into your ski and snowboarding boots, they also get wet from your feet sweating in socks that are too thick. Aim to find socks that feel breathable.

SHIN PADDING

Shin padding is the extra form of defence against the common red marks and bruises that form on your shins after a day out on the mountains. No matter the skis or snowboards you select, and regardless of the quality of the bindings, all riders experience these red marks without proper protection and padding. Finding socks that offer a layer of thin padding incorporated in their design will provide this prevention to discomfort, that can ultimately affect your ability to stay out of the slopes as long as you want to.

WARMTH

While most people would assume a thick sock would result in the warmest feet, different types of wool and textiles can effect this norm. Compression plays a big factor, with some brands of compression socks proving warmer results than their thick designed competitors. Another new type of ski sock is the heated ski sock, designed to heat the feet via a controllable app that works effectively on command, like a foot or handwarmer. When it comes to factors to look for when buying gear, keeping your feet warm in icy conditions will always be essential.

LENGTH

An ideal ski sock is both above your ski boot, but below your knee. If your sock is too long, it will make folds around your knee joints. A short sock will allow your boots to wear on your skin. Both factors will cause some rather uncomfortable riding.

GENDER SPECIFIC

While the majority of ski socks are sold as unisex, you can find women’s ski socks with unique features to support the female anatomy. For example, the sock is typically shorter due to the difference in leg length between genders. When it comes to looking for a comfortable fit all around, considering the socks specific gender can prove beneficial.

WEIGHT

Ski socks will mainly be labelled in one of three common categories. These are: ultralight, lightweight and midweight.

ULTRALIGHT

Ultralight socks are becoming increasingly popular on the mountains. Socks have been getting thinner and thinner over the decades, with the aim to create breathable attire with a perfect anatomical fit that will additionally fit perfectly into your boots. Ultralight brands offer a tight compression with the aim to increase your ankle stability, enabling you to tackle the trickiest of on or off piste endeavours. Be it in thick powder or icy moguls.

LIGHTWEIGHT

Purchasing a lightweight ski sock is ideal for the rider who wants to upgrade his gear, without breaking the bank. All the technology and design that goes into ultralight socks results in an expensive product with the majority of brands. Lightweight socks offer the same design considerations but with a slightly thicker approach and not as much focus on the anatomical benefits. This typically will result in a more affordable ski sock.

MID-WEIGHT

Mid-weight socks are the thickest of the three, with extra cushioning provided for riders who are keen to log in hours on the mountain but want the most protection to their lower leg and feet. Rather than just the shin, mid-weight socks often offer a cushioned padding to the forefeet and heels as well. These are also great for freestyle riders for suffer many knocks and bruises while learning and mastering new manoeuvres.

GENERAL FIT

As outlined in all of the features above, the overall comfort and fit of your ski socks are crucial. Additional factors can include the thickness of the sock and its mobility. Finding a compression sock can be great for feeling warm and improving blood flow but if it is so tight you can’t move your ankle freely it may be time to consider another type of ski sock.

TYPE OF SOCK

TUBE SOCKS

The most basic and budget-friendly ski and snowboard sock available is the tube sock. These socks are elasticated to prevent them falling down your legs, offering a more simple comfort. The main downside of these socks is that they won’t feature a specific design for each individual left or right foot. They rarely offer a gender specific design trait such as a shorter leg length. However, they are arguably the best choice for someone looking to try skiing or snowboarding for the first time, who isn’t looking to practice regularly.

ERGONOMIC SOCKS

Ergonomic socks are the socks that regularly include many of the features listed above. Not only are they shaped anatomically, but they will feature a specific design for each foot for ultimate comfort and performance. They have specific shaping took into consideration around the arch, instep, toes and ankle. These are the socks to choose if you are seeking the potential for a big difference in your ability on the slopes.

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