Which Ski is Right for You?

Newsroom Gear Which Ski is Right for You?

Perhaps no question is more important than that of which skis you should buy. Maybe you’ve been renting skis and want to own a pair. Maybe you’re updating skis you’ve had for a while. Or maybe you’re adding to your line-up. Whatever the situation, the hardest part of buying skis is sorting through the different types, brands, models and sizes. So where do you start when it’s time to purchase skis?

Decades ago, skis were long and wooden without much choice in what you got except for length. Ski lengths and the weight of skis have shortened as the decades have passed. Back in the day, the challenge was the lack of choices when buying skis. Now, skis come in different lengths, widths, weights, flex patterns, and sidecuts, with hundreds of options to choose from. However, we hope the following ski buying guide can help answer some of your questions.

Which ski is right for you?

Before we get into the types of skis, and which type of ski is right for you, it’s important to know a little bit about the terminology and ski dimensions you’ll see as you’re shopping for skis.

Types of skis

The definition of a narrow ski changes from region to region, country to country. For example, in Europe, it’s common to find skis in the range of 60-70 mm underfoot classified as carving skis. North Americans tend to classify narrow skis as falling from 70-80 mm underfoot. East coast or mid-West skiers in North America tend to ski on more hardpack conditions and thus favor carving skis or frontside skis.

Mid-fat skis are the bridge between narrow and wide skis. Mid-fat skis are designed to carve short to medium radius turns and handle both groomers and cut-up snow. They tend to run between 85-98 mm underfoot. Skis within this range of waist width are also known as all-mountain skis. Skis with waists over 100 mm underfoot are typically classified as powder skis because the wider surface area underfoot allows the ski to float more efficiently in soft snow.

What is a sidecut?

Sidecut refers to the general shape of the ski. You can view the shape, often in hourglass design, by viewing the bases of the ski. With most skis, the tips and tails are significantly wider than the waist. Ski shops will commonly ask customers what range of waist width they are looking for. The narrower the waist (as often found in race skis, frontside skis, carving skis), the tighter its turning radius, or how sharp the ski can turn.

Women’s and men’s skis

After identifying your ability level (beginner, intermediate, expert) you should consider what kind of terrain you ski. Then you can look at specific categories (again, designated by waist width and intended performance), such as women-specific skis, race skis, all-mountain skis, freeride skis, freestyle skis, park and pipe skis and powder skis. Remember that the ski you buy should be based on your skiing ability and what type of skiing you enjoy.

Ski sizing chart, gear shop.

Ski length

Manufacturers generally offer several ski length options for each ski model. Note that the shorter the ski, the faster it will turn, but it may be more unstable at higher speeds. The longer the ski, the better it will track at high speeds but the less responsive it will be in tight turns. Sometimes a ski that is too long means the skier struggles to find the balance point or sweet spot. In the old days, customers were told to reach up their arm and fold their wrist over the ski’s tip to see if it was the correct length. These days, ski shops use the “third eye” (intuitive perception) as a marker, fluctuating above or below according to ability level, ski type and whether the ski has a significant amount of rocker. Rocker, or reverse camber, is visible by laying the ski flat on the ground and observing where the entire ski lifts off the ground, typically in the tip or the tip and tail.

For beginners

If you’ve just learned how to ski, the best choice (and most affordable) is a pair of skis designed for beginners. These models are made with the same materials and care as higher-end skis, but are generally lighter weight, softer and easier to maneuver. Beginner skis are sold in shorter lengths so that they’re easier to turn and stop. You can always upgrade from beginner skis later.

For intermediate skiers

Intermediate skiers may gravitate to all-mountain skis. All-mountain skis are designed to handle almost all on-piste conditions plus some off-piste conditions. These models often have a rocker in the tip which makes it easy to initiate the turn. They’re designed to handle equally well on ice, groomed runs, and in light powder snow. Budget-minded people looking for one pair of skis often go with all-mountain skis because of their versatility around the mountain.

Freeride skis

If the entire mountain is your playground, look at freeride ski options. Designed to handle all types of snow conditions, freeride skis can lay down arcs on freshly groomed blue runs, cut-up crud off-piste or float through powder. Typically wider than all-mountain skis, they are designed for exploring the entire mountain. Some freeride skis have a playful personality while others have a more directional, aggressive personality.

PCMR, bluebird day, groomers.
©Cartwright / Park City Mountain / Vail Resorts

Freestyle skis

Freestyle skis have continued to grow in popularity thanks to freestyle tours, magazine stories, Warren Miller movies, and the Winter X Games. These skis are designed for take-offs, landing on jumps, terrain park and pipe features, and for going forward and backward. Therefore, they are typically a lighter and shorter ski than other types of skis with twin tips. Unlike traditional skis that are turned up in the front, they have tips and tails that are turned up in the front and the rear to accommodate skiing backward as well as forward.

The main difference between freeride skis and all-mountain skis is that freeride skis are typically wider than all-mountain skis and are designed for exploring the mountain.

Male skier, jumping in air.
©Shutterstock

Racing skis

Racing skis are appropriate for the highest caliber skiers on the mountain. These skis are designed for responsiveness and speed. Slalom skis have a tight turn radius for quick turns, while Giant Slalom skis have a larger turn radius to make bigger arcs with speed. Racing skis are generally more expensive because they feature high-end technology. They have a stiffer flex pattern to be able to hold turns at high speed. Recreation or town league racers can find skis that are softer versions of World Cup level race skis. The flex will be more friendly for the general racer, but the model will have reliable edge grip and bases designed for speed.

Ski racer through the gates.
Racing skis are made for responsiveness and speed ©Shutterstock

Powder skis

Powder skis are the fat and fun skis on the mountain. Wider than other types of skis, they are designed for off-piste skiing and floating through bottomless powder deep snow. Nearly all powder skis have some amount of rocker in the tip and tail, which aids in flotation. Full rockered powder skis have no camber underfoot and are simply designed to do one thing: Float. Be aware, however, that fully-rockered skis are not designed for hard snow performance. The majority of powder skis have a combination of camber underfoot and rocker in the tip and tail, which results in more versatility since the camber underfoot allows the ski to perform on hard snow and not just powder.

Powder skiing.
Powder skis are designed for floating on the snow ©Shutterstock

Unisex skis

Most ski companies offer unisex skis and women-specific skis. Sometimes, the difference between unisex and women’s skis are only length options and topsheet designs. However, many women-specific ski models have unique construction attributes that set the skis apart. It’s common for women-specific skis to have a binding mounting position slightly forward than a unisex skis, which helps women find the balance point of the ski. Women’s skis often have a slightly softer flex, which makes the ski easier to bend. Women’s skis may have a lighter construction than the comparable unisex model, which again makes the ski easier to flex and easier to maneuver for women who often are shorter and weigh less than men. Of course, not all women are made the same.  There are many choices designed to work for different skier types and terrain choices.

Final thoughts

New technology has significantly changed the way we all ski over the past several decades and by all accounts, finding the right ski for you will make your day on the slopes better. There are opportunities to demo skis or try them before you buy. Talk to a ski shop staff member to see what skis they offer for ski demos. Shops will often take the demo price off of the sales price of the ski if you decide to buy it. Some shops offer demo days where you can try multiple pairs of skis. Inquire about demo days at ski shops or ski resorts.

More Reading

How to Choose the Right Ski Length
How to Demo Skis Efficiently
Tips Up: Expert advice on buying skis
Ski sizing chart and calculator

Park City Mountain Resort/Vail Resorts

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