You love getting out into the mountains skiing or snowboarding, but feel lost anytime people start talking about equipment. The jargon! The tech! It’s overwhelming to learn on your own and ski/snowboard stores don’t feel like the most welcoming spaces to get the information you want and need. That’s where we come in.

This workshop is for you if: you’ve been renting a snowboard and are now looking to buy, you’re thinking about upgrading your skis from the second hand ones you got off Craigslist last season, or maybe you’re happy with your set up but you just want to learn more about the gear you have.

This workshop will cover:

- basics of boot sizing, fitting and features

- ski and snowboard specifications, technology and construction

- binding specifications, tech, and compatibility

- maintenance and storage tips.

- When it comes to skiing, we will answer questions like, what size and shape of ski is best for me? How do I know the difference between an all-mountain ski and a piste ski? How do I know if my boots fit properly? When do I wax my skis? What the fuck do all those numbers on skis and boots mean?

- When it comes to snowboarding, we will answer questions like, what size and shape of snowboard is best for me? What’s the difference between rocker and camber? What binding angles should I have? Which boot lacing system should I choose?

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Originally filmed on: November 3rd, 2021

You love getting out into the mountains skiing or snowboarding, but feel lost anytime people start talking about equipment. The jargon! The tech! It’s overwhelming to learn on your own and ski/snowboard stores don’t feel like the most welcoming spaces to get the information you want and need. That’s where we come in.

This workshop is for you if: you’ve been renting a snowboard and are now looking to buy, you’re thinking about upgrading your skis from the second hand ones you got off Craigslist last season, or maybe you’re happy with your set up but you just want to learn more about the gear you have.

This workshop will cover:

- basics of boot sizing, fitting and features

- ski and snowboard specifications, technology and construction

- binding specifications, tech, and compatibility

- maintenance and storage tips.

- When it comes to skiing, we will answer questions like, what size and shape of ski is best for me? How do I know the difference between an all-mountain ski and a piste ski? How do I know if my boots fit properly? When do I wax my skis? What the fuck do all those numbers on skis and boots mean?

- When it comes to snowboarding, we will answer questions like, what size and shape of snowboard is best for me? What’s the difference between rocker and camber? What binding angles should I have? Which boot lacing system should I choose?

‍

Originally filmed on: November 3rd, 2021

Gillian Leake is an ex-seasonnaire who spent over a decade of her life living and working in ski resorts all over the world, before settling in Vancouver in 2017. Her snowsports industry career kicked off in ski and snowboard rental and retail stores in the USA, Canada, and Queenstown, New Zealand, where she quickly moved into a management role running one of the country’s largest on-mountain rental shops, at The Remarkables Ski Area.

Gillian has National Certificates in Snowsport Equipment and Alpine Resort Operations through Skills Active, New Zealand’s industry training organisation for sport, exercise, and recreation. In 2014 she became a Skills Active Registered Assessor in order to train, assess, and award students with snowsport industry certifications recognised by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority. Gillian is also an SBINZ Level Two certified snowboard instructor.

As a woman working in a typically male-dominated industry, Gillian is passionate about empowering others with knowledge and breaking down the barriers that can prevent womxn from getting into snowsports. She has written and delivered training on ski and snowboard equipment to hundreds of people over the years, fueled by her love of snowboarding, skiing, and nerding out on gear!