Ski Boot Flex Rating Explained: What the Numbers Actually Mean
That number stamped on the cuff of your ski boot — 90, 110, 130 — tells you roughly how hard the boot is to bend forward at the ankle. Higher...
Ben West |
Willi's Ski Shop Blog
Expert Ski & Snowboard Tips, Gear Guides & Mountain Stories
Whether you're gearing up for your first day on the slopes at Seven Springs or preparing for another unforgettable trip. Explore expert articles covering ski and snowboard equipment, boot fitting, tuning and maintenance, apparel, mountain travel, resort guides, and winter sports history. Backed by the knowledgeable team at Willi's Ski & Board, our blog delivers practical advice, buying guides, and insider tips to help you choose the right gear, improve your performance, and make every day on the mountain your best yet.
Ski Boot Flex Rating Explained: What the Numbers Actually Mean
-
Ski Profile Explained: Camber, Rocker, and Everything In Between
Set a ski on the floor and look at it sideways. That side-on shape — where the ski touches the ground and where it lifts away — is its profile,...
Ben West |
-
Care and Maintenance of Waterproofing Fabrics After PFAS Law Changes
"Forever chemicals" earned that nickname. PFAS—the fluorinated compounds that made outdoor gear waterproof for 80 years—don't break down. They accumulate in soil, water, and living things.
Kjerstin Klein |
-
Neck Gaiter vs Balaclava vs Shellaclava: What’s Right for You?
Three face coverings sit on the counter. A neck gaiter, a balaclava, and a hybrid that Turtle Fur calls a Shellaclava. They cost about the same. They all claim to...
Kjerstin Klein |
-
Understanding Mondopoint & Boot Lasts: A Bootfitter's Starting Point
You're standing in the shop holding a ski boot, and someone asks, "What's your Mondo size?" You nod like you know, but deep down you're thinking: isn't it just like...
Ben West |
-
The History of Atomic Ski Company: From Austrian Workshop to Global Domination
We stock Atomic skis at Willis for one reason: they're performance-tested by the world's best racers. More importantly, Atomic embodies something we understand at our core: Austrian heritage, craftsmanship, and an...
Ben West |
-
How to Store Your Ski and Snowboard Gear for the Off-Season
The lifts have sadly stopped spinning, the last slushy laps are behind you, and your gear is sitting in the mudroom (not the garage, right?) waiting for... what, exactly? How...
Ben West |
-
Leki Trigger Grip Poles and Gloves: How the System Works and Why It Matters
Your poles tangle around your wrist in a fall. Your strap slips when your gloves get wet. You fumble with the loop in the lift line and your hands freeze....
Ben West |
-
How to Choose Ski Poles: Length, Material, and Style by Discipline
Your ski poles matter more than you might think. They're not just something to hold or use for balance—the right pair will let you plant with confidence, navigate flat sections,...
Ben West |
-
How to Buy Ski and Snowboard Gloves and Mittens: A Complete Buying Guide
Numb fingers. There's not much else that will ruin a day on the mountain faster. And it's almost always avoidable. The gloves or mittens you choose make an enormous difference—but...
Kaylen Wilson |
-
What Your Ski Shop Actually Does When They Wax Your Skis
What Your Ski Shop Actually Does When They Wax Your Skis Most skiers treat a wax job like an oil change — they know it needs to happen, they drop...
Greg Klein |
-
Why ZipFit Liners Outlast Your Boots | Willis Ski and Board
Your ski boot shells can handle 400 to 500 days on the mountain. The plastic doesn't quit. But the foam liner inside? It can start packing out around day 70....
Greg Klein |
-
New To Willi's -- Alashan, Alp n Rock, Helly Hansen
Diving in to the new brands you will find at all Will's locations.
Ben West |
