If rental boots are leaving you with sore calves every weekend, it might be time to buy a properly fitted boot for yourself.

When you go skiing, you will be wearing your ski boots for around seven hours a day, so they have to be comfortable. This means going to the trouble and initial expense of having boots properly fitted--and it applies to serious skiers whatever boot width they wear. According to Southern Ski, "

Cross-country skis are one of the most iconic and most popular varieties of skis. These skis are the narrowest and longest, and are ideal for cutting through un-groomed backcountry fields and steep ski tracks alike. Unlike other varieties of skis, cross-country skis have an unfixed heel for greater control.

Ski goggles are invaluable when you're out in the snow, protecting your eyes from the wind, debris and sun glare. But fogging is a common problem and can become a hazard while you're skiing.

Just because your ski boots are waterproof does not mean that the liners will never get wet. In fact, ski boot liners not exposed to wet snow still encounter moist, sweaty feet. Moisture can cause your ski boot liners to develop an unpleasant odor, which requires immediate attention to combat the smell.

The American Society for Testing and Materials, or ASTM, sets standards for sports safety equipment including helmets used in skating and skiing. For basic rollerblading and rollerskating, the ASTM has extended bicycle helmet standards to cover these activities because falls while skating mimic those of biking.

Agonizing ski boot related ankle pain can interfere with your enjoyment of the sport. Determining the cause of your discomfort may be a complicated process. Contributing factors may include boot choice, boot fit, foot or ankle irregularities or a combination of all of the above.

Skiers use several muscle groups when going downhill. The hip flexor, the tissue that connects the muscle to the bone, is particularly stressed during the activity, which increases the potential for developing iliopsoas syndrome or straining of the tendon.

Skiing requires strength and agility in your lower body. By strengthening your legs and knees before ski season begins, you will build stamina on the course and reduce your risk of knee injury, one of the most common lower body injuries in skiing.

One of the best ways to get the most out of a skiing trip is to arrive fit, healthy and ready to ski. Poor levels of fitness can mean that you ski less than you'd like to because you fatigue quickly. Being ski fit can may also reduce your risk of injury.

The knee is the most likely part of the body to get injured while skiing and accounts for approximately 45 percent of all ski-related injuries, according to the Sports Injury Clinic. The knee joint is composed entirely of ligaments but is reinforced by the tendons of the quadriceps and hamstring muscles.