Even if you’re passionate about snowboarding, chances are you aren’t passionate about some of the more “mundane” tasks associated with board maintenance. The good news is you can visit a snowboard shop in Westport to have your board cleaned, serviced, repaired, and ready for the slopes. To get the best performance out of your snowboard this season, visit the shop and have your board tuned. How often your equipment needs tuning depends on your skill level and slope conditions. In general, have your board every 5-10 days you spend on the slopes.

Snowboard tuning will improve board control and ease of turning for a smoother and more confident ride. Regular tuning will also allow your ski pro to identify early signs of damage that would otherwise go unnoticed. While you’re board is being tuned, look around the shop for boots, bindings, goggles, and other equipment that can help you get the most out ski and snowboard season.

There are a lot of factors to consider when buying a new snowboard, especially if you are new to the sport. No matter what your skill level is, a ski and snowboard shop in Westport can help you pick out the best new board to get the most out of the season. Some of the most important factors to consider when buying a new snowboard include:

Ability Level
For starters, consider your riding ability. Even if you’re a beginner, consider a higher spec board since you’ll be improving on a daily basis. Snowboards aimed at intermediate riders tend to be a little stiffer to cope with more aggressive riding, while advanced snowboards are constructed to give ultimate response, pop, and performance.

Riding Style
After you determine your riding ability, identify the kind of riding you’ll be doing most. Freeride boards are directional in shape and flex, more often with an oversized nose and shorter, stiffer tail to enhance float. If you are an advanced rider and enjoy jumping, spinning, and sliding, look for a freestyle board with true twin shape and flex to ensure the same ride regular or switch.

Length and Width
Snowboard manufacturers provide suggested weight ranges for their lengths; ideally, you should be somewhere around the middle to get the best out of your new board. Experts recommend your toes and heels overhand the edge by approximately 1.5 centimeters—more than this and you’ll get toe and/or heel drag, and much less and you won’t get the edge control you need.

Board Shape
The ideal board shape is largely determined by your riding style. Twin boards have a symmetrical shape and core, making them ideal for trick riding and freestyle artists. Directional boards have a longer nose and a shorter tail for great performance in a variety of different terrains and riding styles. A tapered shape means the board’s nose is wider than its tail. Tapered boards are great for speedy downhill snowboarding.

Ski & Sport of Westport is here to help you find all of the equipment and the apparel you need for your winter sporting excursions. We have some of the best snowboard and ski equipment in the area to help you prepare for your time in the mountains.

Not only do we sell and rent equipment for skiing and snowboarding, but we also service your equipment to ensure that it is always ready for use. Our entire staff is experienced and knowledgeable to give you the help you need to find the perfect products and services.

Whether you are an avid skier or you are new to the world of winter sports, we are here to help you find the right equipment and apparel for your needs. We are always here to help you find skis, snowboards, boots, and clothing that can make you more comfortable while you participate in your favorite winter activities.

If you are excited about hitting the slopes this winter, it is important to stock up on the right equipment for all of your needs. Keep reading for some tips on choosing ski boots that are comfortable and supportive enough to enhance your time on the slopes:

Choose the Right Store
Whenever you buy ski equipment, it is important to shop at a store that has a knowledgeable staff that can help you find what you need. Whether you are new to the sport or you have been skiing your whole life, a helpful staff is there to guide you toward the clothing and equipment that you need to be prepared for your time on the slops. Choose the right store that has the selection and the customer service that you need to find exactly what you want.

Try a Few Different Styles and Sizes
The only way to decide what is truly comfortable for you is to try out a few different kinds of ski boots. Work with the staff at the store to narrow down your selection and start compiling some boots for you to try. As you try on different styles, you can determine which ones feel the most comfortable and which ones do not work for you.

Close them Completely
You cannot accurately gauge how ski boots near Westport will work unless you close them all the way. Ask the store staff for help with the cuff clips and the toe clips so you can get the best idea about whether or not the boots will meet your needs.

Shop to Your Ability
There are different ski boots available for people of different ski abilities. It is important to choose boots that meet your ability so they give you the support you need to help you do your best on your slopes. Be honest about how well you ski so you can choose the perfect boots.

When you are shopping for ski boots in Westport , it is important to find a style that works well for your foot. Ski boots are tall, stiff, and angled forward, which might feel strange when you first put it on.

The first time you wear ski boots, they might feel restrictive. After you buckle the boots, you should set the heel to the back of the boot and move your toes away from the front. You should talk to the staff about how often you ski and where you ski so they can find the right kind of ski boots for you.

Check out this video to learn more about choosing ski boots. It the boots are too stiff when you are in the store, they will be even stiffer when you go outside.

There comes a time when you start to ski so much that you might start to wonder if you should continue using ski rentals or if you should just buy your equipment. Use this guide to help you figure out whether now is the time to buy or if you should continue renting:

Ski Boots
As soon as you know that you want to start skiing regularly, you should invest in a quality pair of your own ski boots. This ensures that your boots fit your foot well and that they give you the level of comfort and support that you need to feel confident on the slopes. If you do not have the right ski boots, it will be almost impossible to find the right skis. Visit a reputable shop that can help you buy the perfect ski boots for your foot. While you are shopping for your ski boots in Westport, you can pick up some other apparel that helps you stay warm on the slopes.

Skis
Some people prefer to buy their skis while others are comfortable renting them throughout the winter season. Deciding whether or not to buy skis is a personal decision. If you spend a majority of your time on the slopes during the cold months, you might want to invest in a pair of skis. When you go skiing often, it is much more cost effective to buy your own skis. If you tend to go skiing a few times during the year, though, it might be better to rent them. This allows you to choose different skis for different conditions without having to buy multiple sets.

Ski Poles
You might want to consider investing in ski poles. Just like your ski boots, it is important to find poles that feel comfortable for you. When you find the right sized poles, it helps you have better control on the slopes. Check out a quality equipment shop to find poles that feel comfortable for you. When you have the right poles, you can improve the way you ski.

Each individual piece of ski equipment that you choose will have an impact on your comfort, control, and enjoyment while skiing. Even the type of ski socks that you choose will make an enormous difference. To learn more about why ski socks matter when trying on ski boots, watch this video clip. And for the highest quality ski socks and other ski equipment near Westport , visit Ski & Sport of Westport before you hit the slopes this season.

Feet are always perspiring, so it’s best to put on a clean pair of socks right before you try on your ski boots. Even slightly worn socks will adversely affect the way your ski boots fit and feel. Dry socks, on the other hand, will allow you to accurately compare the fit of several different ski boots.

The first step to finding the right ski boots is to try on lots of pairs at a store that sells ski equipment near Westport . Ski boots should fit as snugly as possible without being uncomfortable. Your toes should touch the front while you are sitting, but then pull back when you stand up. If you are in a ski boot that is too big, your foot will shift, which puts painful pressure on your toes and shins. In this article, we will give you solutions to some of the common problems with ski boot fit.

Shin Pressure
Shin pressure, also known as shin bang, leaves painful bruises that can make it hard to enjoy your ski trip. Shin bang is the result of ski boots that apply uneven pressure, but it can usually be fixed with a simple boot buckle adjustment or a heel lift. Visit a ski equipment store to have your ski boot buckle and heel lift adjusted properly.

Heel Pressure
Heel spur, or pump bump, is a painful spot that forms on the heel because of uneven pressure within the heel pocket. A ski equipment store can grind a pocket in the shell and add padding to better hold the heel in.

Foot Pressure
If your feet ache after a day of skiing, it could be because you have stock footbeds. To fix this problem, visit a ski equipment store to get fitted for custom-built footbeds. Custom footbeds align with your feet so that your feet are supported in an optimal position within the boots. If you feel pain on the outside of the middle part of your foot, you may have ski boots that are too narrow. Buy new ski boots or stretch the shell of your current boots to make more room.

Toe Pressure
Do you feel a bump behind and on the outside of your little toe after a day of skiing? This is known as Tailor’s bunion, or sixth toe. A custom footbed, as well as a shell adjustment, will improve the way your boots fit.

Ski & Sport is a family owned ski equipment store located in Westport. With over 30 years of experience to offer you, Ski & Sport is the best place to get your outdoor equipment or ski gear near Wesport . Continue reading to learn more about Ski & Sport of Westport.

John Alberino opened Ski & Sport of Westport in 1976. John and Susan Alberino aimed to provide the highest quality customer service and the finest outdoor products. After 36 years of service, Susan passed the family business along to Pam and Gio in October 2012, who decided to move the ski store from New Canaan to Westport. At our new location in Westport you will enjoy the same level of quality, service, and tradition that this business was founded on. Pam and Gio have been on the slopes since they were little, and have a passion for ski apparel, equipment, and technical gear. Our knowledgeable and professional staff is waiting to assist you—visit our Westport store or call us for more information.

It’s not always easy choosing the right ski gear to bring to the slopes this season. The ideal ski gear will be lightweight, comfortable, suited to the climate, and easily adjustable. To shop from a great selection of high quality ski equipment in Westport , read this article.

Socks
Thin, warm socks are ideal for skiing. Look for skiing socks, which are made from a wool and silk mixture, from a reputable ski equipment store. Thin shocks allow you to feel the sole of your ski boot better than thick socks, resulting in superior control. Be sure that only socks go inside your ski boots, as extra layers can cut off circulation and desensitize nerves.

Boots
Ski boots are the most important item of ski gear to invest in. A good pair of ski boots will give you better control over your skis and enhance your comfort. Your ski boots should fit firmly, but not so tight that they cut off circulation or press against your nerves. Get your ski boots professionally fitted at a ski equipment shop.

Outerwear
Wear waterproof pants to avoid being wet, cold, and miserable on your next ski trip. Your jacket doesn’t need to be waterproof if you ski in a drier climate in Utah or Colorado, but should be waterproof if the climate is wetter. In any case, your ski jacket must be windproof—otherwise you could be cold on the ski lift and when you pick up speed on the slopes.

Underwear
Thermal underwear is ideal for skiing. You should wear it on the slopes even when it’s warm, as it is very effective at removing moisture from your skin. Avoid wearing thermal underwear made from cotton, as this holds moisture and can make you cold. Look for thin thermal underwear at your local ski equipment store.