Everything you need to hit the slopes – learn from ski and snowboard experts at Ellis Brigham in Glasgow

Here’s all you need to know about kitting yourself out for a season of skiing and snowboarding.

Whether you fancy just the odd trip to the slopes or are a hardcore snow fiend, they have the equipment you need, and can also fix up your own gear to make it perfect for winter.

Boots, bindings and boards

Brad Watson works at The Snowboard Asylum (TSA) within Ellis Brigham Braehead and has knowledge of snowboards stretching back to his childhood.

He said: “I originally started snowboarding when I was about eight years old at a friend's birthday party. It’s funny to think that the sport has spiralled into my career and my passion. Also, that the birthday party was at the now closed Snow Factor, right next to the shop I now work in.”

The Snowboard Asylum works directly with the reps, the brand owners, and even the athletes to make sure what they are giving the right information to the customers.

Here is Brad’s advice on being fully prepared for snowboarding:

“When it comes to getting yourself kitted out with hardware boots are the number one. At The Snowboard Asylum, we will take you through the whole boot fitting process, checking which boots fit your feet well, what are appropriate for your skill level and what we can do to make the boots work even better – like heat moulding – so that they're comfortable while still delivering the performance.

“One big thing to look out for this year is the new generation of bindings. Bindings in the past have just been the glue that sticks us to the board, but now they play a way more important role in how we ride, with the added feature of getting in and out way quicker. There's multiple options to this including Step On by Burton with their new Highshot range of boots and Supermatics by Nidecker – an easy entry two-strap version and the new FASE system which is the next generation of traditional two-strap with quicker entry but zero performance loss.

“My personal favourite snowboard this year is the Signal Disruptor. It's a directional twin that is both playful and aggressive, it can handle freestyle fantastic, even when it comes to carving and off-piste. I have had so much fun on this board. A board to look out for this year Is the Jones Howler. It's great for hitting some max speeds on the piste but can float through off-piste with ease. The construction that went into this board and the features it holds really makes this something to look out for.”

Ski slope smart

Chris Wadsworth, Ski Department Supervisor at Ellis Brigham Braehead, has also been on the slopes since a young age.

He said: “I started skiing at the age of six (something to do in the summer on the dry slopes at the Glasgow Ski and Snow Board Centre in Bellahouston) and took to it immediately. From the age of about 14 I competed at a very high level in freestyle skiing until a few knee injuries put a stop to the fun.”

Chris became an instructor and coach, both in Scotland and for time at Park City in Utah.

Here, he explains how Ellis Brigham at Braehead can help you choose the right gear you need this winter from boots to bindings and on to the skis:

“Ski boot fitting is an essential process in our eyes. We look at the foot, the overall shape and stability of it, and after helping find the right boot we look at how we can customize it with things such as footbeds to hold the foot in the right place as well as moulding of liners and shells to make sure the boot is fully customized to you.

“This year we are very excited to offer new double BOA boots alongside traditional four buckle and the newer two buckle and bottom half BOA boots. These new fastening systems have opened up more boot options for people and have increased what we can do when boot fitting.

“As well as innovations in boots ski bindings have more safety. This hits home with myself having dealt with a few knee injuries in my time. The new Tyrollia Protector binding is offering an extra release settings allowing the heel piece of the binding to have the ability to release horizontally as well as vertically increasing its safety in reducing ACL injuries. This binding is giving people the option who have maybe thought they had hung up the boots for good.

“In terms of skis in the shop Nordica have been leading the way for recreational piste skiers. The double core systems in their skis give huge ability versatility. This technology was fairly new last year and has been improved and expanded on. We also cater for all types of skiers with a huge range going from piste to total backcountry skis.”

You can find out lots more by visiting the store or on their website here.