Advice on choosing Masters race equipment

If you're new to Masters racing, you might be wondering what equipment you need to get started. The good news? Masters racers have far more flexibility in their equipment choices than World Cup athletes, but that freedom can also make decisions feel overwhelming.

Equipment rules for Masters from U.S. Ski and Snowboard 

According to the 2024-25 U.S. Ski & Snowboard Masters Competition Guide, equipment rules for masters racing are straightforward: "U.S. Ski & Snowboard recommends that competitors in Masters events compete on equipment designed for the particular discipline (DH, SL, GS and SG) but does not make any recommendations in regard to ski length or shape."

Instead of conforming to World Cup standards, you can choose equipment that matches your size, fitness level, and ability.

For experienced racers competing in international masters events, note that FIS rules may apply. See the current FIS rulebook Specifications for Competition Equipment for additional equipment rules, including helmet and stand-height requirements, for international competitions.

Finding the right ski for you

"There's tons of great skis out there," says Mark Mirviss, Masters Coach at Palisades Tahoe. "It's a personal decision, some are better for one person than another."

For slalom, the choice is largely age and strength dependent. As a rule of thumb, racers 165 pounds and lighter often do well on a women's 157 cm ski, while those above that weight might try a 165 cm men's ski. But Mirviss emphasizes this is just a starting point, individual needs vary.

The tighter-radius "masters" or "cheater" skis can make your turn arc more uphill at the bottom of the turn because of the different geometry. However, depending on your ability this isn’t necessarily bad. It's better than skidding through turns and can be a great ski for many racers.

What feels best isn't always what's fastest. Mirviss recalls testing slalom skis several years ago: "I tried one brand of 160 slalom skis and liked them, and ran the course 5-10 times on both that brand and another brand. Even though the first brand felt better for me, the other brand was faster." The lesson? What works best can be a very personal decision between what feels right and what coaches and timing reveal about your skiing.

It’s also a good idea to purchase your equipment from a reputable ski shop that has a good relationship with the local brand representative, says Pierre Jeangirard, Masters Coach at Mammoth Mountain. You’ll get the best service and availability of equipment for your needs. You can ask your competitors at races where they shop (we’re very friendly and pretty universally love to talk about skis and equipment). When shopping, you can also ask about how easy it is for the shop to get a different radius or length of a ski than they may have in the store. If they can get it easily, they probably have a good relationship with their rep.

Safety equipment requirements

Masters racers must follow specific safety equipment regulations:

Helmets
All masters racers must use helmets meeting FIS standards (marked "Conforms to FIS Specification RH 2013") for GS, SG, DH, and combined events. For all disciplines, helmets must bear a CE mark and conform to standards such as CEH.Din 1077, ASTM F2040, SNELL S98, or RS98. Helmets must cover the head and ears, with no camera mounts or protruding attachments allowed.

Helmets are also required in slalom events, but may have soft ear coverage (as opposed to the other events which require full coverage over the ears). Face protectors (chin protectors) are not a requirement, but are highly recommended. Chin protectors are only allowed in slalom races. They are not allowed in any of the other events.

Protective Gear
With the exception of forearm protection in SG, GS, and SL, and shin protection in SL, all body protection must be worn under the suit. This includes knee braces, though braces may be worn over a suit if covered by fabric.

Ski Brakes
Functional ski brakes are required and must comply with FIS requirements.

Wax
Products containing fluorocarbons are prohibited in all sanctioned competitions.

Get expert guidance

Choosing race equipment can feel overwhelming, but you don't have to figure it out alone. If you're interested in learning more about what equipment might work best for you, talk to the coaches in your training program. If you’re not training regularly in a program or are new to Masters, email info@farwestmasters.org and we can connect you with one of our coaches who can talk with you about your specific needs.