A Buyer’s Guide for Beginners

By Alex Kochon

If you’re among the 24.6 million Americans who recreated outdoors last winter, according to the Snowsports Industries of America’s latest report, you’re in good company as winter sports options continue to expand. Maybe you’re contemplating a new setup to add to your quiver, like alpine touring or backcountry skis or maybe even a fat bike. Maybe you’re trying to convince yourself to come out of the house this season and try skiing for the first time, whether it be downhill or cross-country. Or perhaps you’re looking to buy your kid a snowboard but have no idea what you’re looking for or how much it’s going to cost.

Whatever the case, you’re not alone. Whether you’re looking to get on the slopes, or into the backcountry away from the crowds, below you’ll find a basic breakdown to hopefully get you started in figuring out what you want or need – and where to find it. While rentals are encouraged for first-timers, for the sake of this “buyer’s guide,” here is list of local retailers – also Adirondack Sports advertisers – and beginner-oriented information for preparing yourself before heading into the shop.

Alpine Skis – The most popular winter sport of the lot, with about 13.6 million participants in 2020-21, alpine skiing is a gravity sport that’s best learned with some instruction. 

What do I need? Skis, bindings, boots, poles, and helmet strongly recommended. How much is this going to cost? Generally, an entry-level package of skis and bindings will cost between $350-450, boots $200-300, poles $30-50, so you’re looking at $600-800 for everything. Complete and youth packages are typically cheaper.

Considerations: Ski length is going to depend on the skier’s height, weight and experience or level of athleticism. Beginners can expect skis that come up to their chin or nose, intermediate skiers typically have ski lengths that reach their mouth or eyes, and advanced skiers can go from around the eyes to the top of their head. For boots, beginners should opt for a soft flex (50-70 range for women and 60-80 for men) to build good habits and form. Make sure the bindings are compatible with the soles of the boots you choose (alpine vs. GripWalk soles). Beginners should seek skis that are narrow and designed for groomed trails, especially for the Northeast, where the snow is typically firm. Intermediate skiers can progress to stiffer skis for all-mountain skiing and softer, wider skis if they plan to ski primarily powder.

Local shops for sales: Alpine Sport Shop (Saratoga Springs, appointments recommended for ski fitting and purchases), High Adventure Ski Shop (Latham), High Peaks Cyclery (Lake Placid), Inside Edge Ski Shop (Queensbury), Play It Again Sports (Latham, sells new and used equipment), Willard Mountain (Greenwich).

Snowboards – Who says two-plankers have all the fun? Nearly eight million snowboarded last winter, making it the third most popular winter sport (after alpine skiing and sledding). What do I need? Snowboard, bindings, boots, and helmet strongly recommended. Cost: An entry-level adult board will be around $300-350, bindings $110-180, and boots $120-200, so $550-750 total. Complete and youth packages are typically cheaper.

Considerations: Before you head into the store, think about the terrain you plan to snowboard (all-mountain or just the park?) and where you plan to ride. Like skis, boards are selected based on height, weight and rider experience. Beginners or less-experienced riders should opt for shorter boards, but juniors who are still growing might consider a slightly longer board they can grow into. For snowboarding in the Northeast, look for a flat camber (vs. a rocker) that will provide more grip and forgiveness in firm conditions. Beginners should seek boots and bindings with medium/soft stiffness, or flex.

Local shops: Alpine Sport Shop; Play It Again Sports; Willard Mountain.

Cross-Country Skiing – What’s old is new and cool again. If you’re looking to avoid long lines, spend less than you would alpine or snowboarding, and be less afraid to fall, Nordic skiing might be your style. There are options for classic or skate technique, and backcountry, but most newcomers opt for recreational touring. What do I need? Skis, bindings, boots, poles. Cost: For a waxless-ski setup designed for groomed trails at XC ski centers, groomed parks or golf courses, touring skis and bindings cost around $300, boots $100-200, and poles $25-50, so around $500 total. For a backcountry touring setup (wider, heavier, with metal edges), expect closer to $550-600.

Considerations: Like downhill and snowboarding, you should think about where you plan to ski and how fast you want to go. If you’d like to go at a leisurely pace, touring is for you. Faster-moving, intermediate to advanced skiers will opt for classic and/or skate skiing (lessons recommended to learn the techniques for each). Skis are generally chosen based on weight and height, and if you’re worried about staying upright, it’s a good idea to look for touring boots with ankle cuffs for extra stability. 

Local shops: Alpine Sport Shop, High Peaks Cyclery, Inside Edge, Play It Again Sports, Garnet Hill Outdoor Center (North River), Lapland Lake XC Ski Center (Northville).

Snowshoeing – The fifth most popular snowsport last year, snowshoeing is a great way to make the most of a snowy winter and exercise with your four-legged friends (who aren’t typically welcome at ski areas) closer to home. What do I need? Snowshoes, poles recommended for hiking. Cost: $100-200 for a pair of lightweight, recreational snowshoes.

Considerations: Like Nordic skiing, snowshoeing is actually a diverse sport with several different subcategories, including racing, backcountry, trail walking, and mountain hiking. If you visit the website for local snowshoe manufacturer Dion and NeviTREK snowshoes website, you’ll find these options plus the choice of preassembled or customizable snowshoes (pick the frame size, bindings and cleats): dionnevitrek.com. Before you shop, it’s best to consider what you’re using them for. Are you planning to snowshoe on packed-out trails (snowmobile trails or where others have gone before you) or break trail in deep snow? 

Do you need extra traction for winter hiking? How simple or intricate do you want the bindings to be? Dion and NeviTREK offer three cleats (standard, deep and ice) and three bindings (Easy-Fit, Quick-Fit, and Secure-Fit) for different conditions and preferences. “In the Northeast, the ice cleat is the go-to because it’s traction if you need it, and if you don’t, it’s not going to be a problem,” explained Dion founder Bob Dion. “The standard cleat is not much traction and you have to be on flat, sticky snow and be fairly heavy. And if you’re lighter, you need more traction.”

For bindings, Easy-Fit is ideal for mellow recreational use and particularly easy to get in and out of; Quick-Fit is best for frequent snowshoers and all types of terrain; and Secure-Fit is recommended for bushwhacking, hunting, and more extreme use. As for frame size, recommendations vary slightly based on height and weight, but the smaller snowshoe you can get for your needs, the better.

Local shops: Alpine Sport Shop, Black Dog Outdoor Sports, Dion Snowshoes for running/hiking/backcountry and NeviTREK Snowshoes for recreation (both are made in Pownal, Vt.), Garnet Hill, High Peaks Cyclery, Lapland Lake, Mountainman Outdoor Supply Company (Saratoga Springs and Old Forge), Play It Again Sports, St. Regis Canoe Outfitters.

Fat Biking – While we can’t cover every outdoor winter sport, it would be remiss to leave this one out. Winter fat biking is number six on the popularity list and it’s attracting more cyclists who want to keep rolling year-round. What do I need? Fat bike and helmet recommended. Cost: $300-2,000. It really depends how much you’re going to use it and what kind of quality you’re looking for.

Considerations: How experienced are you? How often do you plan to ride? Will you go on mostly trails (snow or dirt covered) or roads? How much does the weight of the bike matter to you? Local shops: Adirondack Ultra Cycling (Schuylerville), Evergreen Bicycle Works (Fort Edward), Grey Ghost Bicycles (Glens Falls and Saratoga Springs), High Peaks Cyclery, Placid Planet Bicycles (Lake Placid), Rick’s Bike Shop (Queensbury), Tomhannock Bicycles (Pittstown). 

This guide is meant to be a starting point for those considering buying new beginner equipment. The costs are a rough estimate and can vary greatly depending on inventory availability, markup or markdown. Keep it simple, dress properly, and enjoy the winter outdoors!

Alex Kochon (alexkochon@gmail.com) of Gansevoort is a freelance writer, editor, and outdoor-loving mom of two who enjoys adventuring in the Adirondacks.