Gear that gets
you on the snow.
Start with fit, working equipment, and the right helmet. These starting points come from the team’s gear guide. Build your setup around your experience, fit, and the events you’ll race.
Choose your gear guide
New to racing? Start here.
You don’t need a full collection of race equipment to begin. Start with well-fitting boots, suitable skis and bindings, poles, and a helmet that meets the rules for your events.
| Item | What to look for | Your next step |
|---|---|---|
| Boots first | Boot fit is the guide’s top priority. Choose a snug, supportive fit rather than extra room to grow. A dedicated race boot is not the starting point for every new racer. | Visit a professional boot fitter with your ski socks and explain that you’ll be racing. Have pressure points addressed rather than accepting pain. |
| Starter skis | The guide recommends carving-oriented all-mountain skis, rather than wide powder or park skis. Its starting reference is under 100 mm at the waist and a 12–18 m turn radius. | Use those numbers as a conversation starter, not a universal prescription. Confirm length and suitability for your size and ability before buying. |
| Bindings & poles | Bindings must suit your boots and skier profile. For an initial pole-length check, hold an upside-down pole just below the basket; your elbow should bend about 90 degrees. | Have a qualified ski technician check compatibility and set and test the bindings. Do not choose or change release settings from an online guide. |
| Helmet | A snug fit without a bulky hat underneath. For GS, you need hard ear coverage and the visible FIS RH 2013 label. | Try it on with your goggles. Avoid used helmets with unknown impact history, and read the current helmet rules below. |
| Goggles | Plan for both bright daylight and low light. The guide recommends a clear/night option for night skiing and a spare pair in case goggles fog up. | Check that your lenses suit the day’s conditions and work with your helmet. Keep a dry backup in your bag. |
| Layers | Clothing that keeps out wind, snow, and water, with layers you can adjust to stay warm and dry. | Pack waterproof outerwear, insulating and moisture-wicking layers, ski socks, and spare dry gloves. Use suitable clothing you already own. |
Experienced racers: refine your setup.
Build on last season. Review what fits, what needs service, and which upgrades will help your next stage of racing.
Care for the skis you have.
The guide recommends regular tuning and waxing, with weekly care for returning racers adjusted to conditions. Learn the team’s tuning routine before investing in tools; 2026–27 clinic dates are not yet published.
Choose SL and GS skis deliberately.
The guide favors a slalom ski as a first race-specific upgrade. GS skis and stiffer FIS race skis are more specialized. Choose them with coaching input about your technique, size, and events—not just the label.
Match extras to the event.
Slalom chin, pole, and shin guards serve a different purpose from GS equipment. A padded race suit can be a later upgrade for competitive racers. Confirm what you need before building a second setup.
Revisit your boot fit.
As technique develops, a lower-volume, stiffer race boot may offer more precise control. Work with a boot fitter on flex, fit, and adjustments rather than choosing the stiffest model.
Set up for each discipline.
The guide recommends dedicated slalom poles with guards and a separate pole setup for GS. Confirm compatible chin guards and other protection with your coach before training gates.
Check your whole kit.
Review helmet fit and certification, worn equipment, and bright- and low-light goggles. Replace what no longer fits or works before adding a race suit or another pair of skis.
The team’s full gear guide.
Read the detailed advice for new and returning racers, including ski selection, boot fitting, tuning, and protective equipment.
Read the full 2024–25 guide online
Download the SWM Gear Guide · PDF2024–25 edition · 2 pages. Coaches’ direct contact details have been removed from this public copy. This is an earlier-season reference: discounts, shop services, and tuning-clinic plans are not confirmed for 2026–27. Use current OISRA rules for helmet requirements and a qualified technician for binding selection and settings; the guide’s binding-range advice is not a release-setting instruction.
Check the helmet before you buy.
Giant slalom (GS)
OISRA requires hard ear coverage and a permanently attached FIS RH 2013 label. The label must remain visible at the back of the helmet, not hidden by the goggle strap. Without it, a racer cannot participate in GS.
Slalom (SL)
Soft ear coverings are allowed, but the helmet still needs the manufacturing certification specified by OISRA. Helmets are required for on-snow training and racing. Helmet-mounted cameras and novelty attachments are prohibited.
Source: OISRA race rules, April 2026 revision, section E.5.f. Read the full requirements before purchasing. For chin guards and other event-specific protection, confirm the setup with your coach.
Gear up in the right order.
Review what you already have.
Coaches or a ski shop can help with an equipment review. Start with your boots, skis, bindings, and helmet to see what’s ready to use and what needs attention.
Prioritize fit.
Choose equipment that fits you and your skiing. If your bindings are used, have them inspected by a qualified ski technician.
Check with coaches on specialty gear.
Before choosing SL/GS skis, a race suit, or gate protection, ask your coaches what suits your experience, training, and events.
Buy, rent, or reuse?
Can I buy used skis?
Used equipment can stretch a budget. Check length, condition, binding model, boot compatibility, and whether a shop can service the bindings before paying. Marketplace listings are not a fit or condition guarantee.
What about rentals?
Compare seasonal rentals with buying, especially for growing athletes. Confirm that the equipment is suitable for racing and that the rental agreement allows it. A recreational rental package may not include a GS-compliant helmet.
Hillcrest Sports is a local starting point for equipment and rental inquiries; availability and terms vary.
Can I reuse a helmet?
Check its condition, fit, certification, and manufacturer’s replacement instructions. Avoid a helmet with an unknown impact history. A visible sticker alone does not tell you whether a helmet is undamaged.
Which season pass should I buy?
We recommend the Mt. Hood Meadows All Access pass for 2026–27, since we train mostly at Meadows.
The Fusion Pass is a good optional addition if you expect to opt into extra training days at Skibowl and Timberline.
For races at Skibowl and Timberline, reduced-price racer tickets are typically available on race day. Follow the team’s instructions for each event’s ticket price and purchase process.
Southwest Mountain Ski Team · Packing list
Pack for a full mountain day.
A general packing guide; add anything in the day’s team instructions.
On the snow
- Skis, boots, and poles
- Correct helmet and goggles
- Ski socks and base layers
- Insulating layer, waterproof jacket and pants
- Gloves or mittens and neck covering
- Required event-specific protection
In your bag
- Lunch, snacks, and water
- Spare dry gloves and socks
- Extra warm layer
- Sunscreen and lip protection
- Dry clothes and shoes for the trip home
- Charged phone and meeting instructions
Before you leave
- Confirm location and meeting time
- Check lift-access instructions
- Review road and weather conditions
- Confirm your ride and pickup plan
- Label your equipment and bag
- Read any last-minute team updates
Paperwork & race rules.
Use OISRA’s forms resource page for the sports physical and special eligibility forms, and the official race rules for competition requirements. Team registration instructions and deadlines belong on the season page; they are not yet posted for 2026–27.
Resources checked September 26, 2026. Retailer guides explain equipment; OISRA is the source for race requirements.
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