Equipment Requirements

Ski Boots – should be well-fitted, flexible, front entry buckle type boots (no rear-entry boots!) 

Skis – all racers should have one pair of soft-flex skis. Skis should be race-ready: bottoms flat filed, edges sharpened, tips and tails de-tuned and waxed for snow conditions and snow temperature. A ski tune-up clinic may be held during the early part of the season. Coaches will also provide advice on ski preparation throughout the season.

Goggles – are Strongly Recommended for all practices and races. They help protect racers’ eyes from the gate poles and the keep out the elements. Clear goggles are strongly recommended for evening practices. Tinted goggles are beneficial on sunny race days. 

Helmets (with hard ear flaps) – Eastern Massachusetts Buddy Werner League REQUIRES the use of helmets at all League Sponsored events. All racers are required to wear an appropriate alpine ski helmet. Helmets for racers 8 and up MUST have hard ear flaps. (Note, this is a feature that is specific to race helmets, and is for the safety of the racers who will encounter gates.) Helmets for racers 12+ must be FIS approved. Look for a sticker such as this one:

FIS_sticker

Clothing – Weather appropriate clothing should be worn to all practices and races. Please remember that the temperatures on the chair lift and on the hill are colder than in your backyard. Layering works best. A sports bag with extra layers and a second pair of gloves, ski socks, etc. is most helpful. Hand and foot warmers often come in handy (for racers and spectators!) Many SWRT racers choose to wear G-Suits for racing. This is not a requirement. For those who do wear G-suits, side-zip snow pants are recommended for warmth pre- and post-race.

SWRT-branded jackets and G-Suits are typically ordered in the spring for the following season, however many used items are traded and sold among team members at the start of the season.