Skiing for Women

Skiing is an accessible sport that can be enjoyed by men, women and children alike. Unlike football or netball, skiing does not have a reputation for belonging to a particular gender. The experience of skiing is largely the same for both men and women, with mixed groups taking ski breaks and enjoying the slopes together. There are certain situations, however, when women may have specific concerns with regards to skiing. Many women grapple with the decision of whether to ski when pregnant, for example. Others struggle to ski when experiencing a particularly heavy or painful period. For the most part, though, amateur women’s skiing is characterised by its equipment, its social scene and its role models.

Women’s Skis

These days, manufacturers of women’s ski wear and equipment spend a great deal of time, energy and money researching and creating ski products for the female customer. Women’s skis, for example, are now much more than pared down, decorated men’s skis. A wide variety of top sheet designs are now available, catering to all tastes. Women’ skis are also structurally different from men’s. For the most part, women’s skis are softer and lighter owing to the lower muscle mass of women. The tops of women’s skis are usually shorter, easing the process of turning. The waists of the skis are usually further forward in order to complement women’s lower centres of gravity. Bindings, too, are often less weighty. Despite their lighter features, women’s skis can still be impressively powerful. Leading designs enable women to tackle a wide range of ski conditions, speeds and stunts.

Ski Wear for Women

Ski shops, snow outlets and online stores also stock a diverse assortment of ski wear, designed specifically for women. Female snow sports fans can choose from a variety of brands, colours and cuts, enabling each shopper to find a salopette or ski suit that is both comfortable and flattering. Luxury make up brands have also been keen to get in on the action, with many design houses offering products such as high end sports sunglasses and SPF lipsticks and foundations.

Ski Breaks and Classes for Women

Ski breaks are becoming increasingly popular amongst groups of professional women. Rather than taking a trip to a sunny island, many women are clubbing together to share chalets with friends and enjoy more adventurous, sportier holidays.Many ski resorts offer female-only ski classes and courses and there are a number of prominent female ski instructors. Such services are ideal for those women who would feel more comfortable learning to ski in a same-sex group, as well as those simply looking to make some firm friends through snow sports.

Women’s Skiing Online

Women’s skiing is perhaps most strongly represented online. There are several all-female skiing forums on which women share technical tips, health advice and experiences related to skiing. Forum members discuss topics as various as the best eco-friendly ski resorts and the worst bruises!

There are also a number of websites dedicated to women’s achievements in professional skiing. Role models such as female Olympic skiers are profiled and interviewed, important events are reviewed and the skiing industry is examined.

If you are a woman with a passion for skiing, it is important to remember that a bright red SPF lipstick or a strong interest in the world’s current leading female skier is not mandatory. Indeed, as a woman, there is no reason why your experience of skiing should be any different from that of a man. If you love fashion or enjoy networking with other women, however, skiing is a diverse industry where there are plenty of opportunities for women to make the sport their own.