How to Pick the Right Ski

Choosing the right ski can be overwhelming, but we’re here to help with our helpful ski buying guide. With a basic understanding of the different types of skis, how to choose the right size ski, and how skis are designed, you can narrow down the selection and know how to pick the right ski for you!

Different skis are designed for various purposes. Some are intended as daily drivers that can be used anywhere on the mountain while others are designed to shine in specific conditions. When choosing a ski, it’s important to consider the type of terrain you’ll most often encounter and choose a ski that matches the terrain.

All Mountain

All-mountain skis do a little of everything—from ripping on the groomers in the morning to dipping into the bumps and trees, catching jumps in the park, and exploring some powder. They tend to have a mix of camber and rocker, which results in good edge grip on hard-packed snow while offering float in softer snow. All-mountain skis are great for any level skier who wants one ski to explore the whole mountain.

Carving

Ideal for those who plan to rip on the groomers all day, carving skis are great for going fast and making turns. Narrower, stiffer, and with more camber, carving skis make a solid choice for intermediate and advanced skiers seeking speed and laying out turns on the hardpack.

Powder

Powder skis are designed to provide the most float in deep snow. Powder skis are wider underfoot with more rocker. They are for any level skier who wants to find untracked snow and explore off-trail.

Backcountry

Backcountry skis are different from other skis because they have specific uphill bindings and gear that allow skiers to travel uphill and down. They are lightweight, wider underfoot, and have more rocker. Backcountry skis are made specifically for skiers looking to explore untracked snow away from the resort.

Park

Park skis are made to lap the park, hitting features like rails and jumps. Park skis feature twin tips for skiing forward and backward (switch), a durable and lighter construction, and a smaller waist width underfoot for easy maneuverability when hitting tricks.

Freestyle

Freestyle skis combine the features of park skis with directional, all-mountain aspects to create a versatile ski that’s not limited to the park. A freestyle ski is a great choice for those looking to hit big jumps, ride switch, throw tricks off natural features, and explore the mountain.

When using any ski buying guide to determine what size ski is right for you, it’s important to consider how your skiing ability, height, weight, and personal preferences on the mountain influence what size range works best for you.

What ski is best based on my ability?

Finding a ski that best matches your ability is important in any terrain. A ski that is beyond your ability may be more difficult to maneuver and be less forgiving, making it harder to improve. A ski that is too easy for your ability will feel unstable and difficult to control at higher speeds and steeper terrain.

Beginner

Maybe it’s your first time skiing or you’ve skied just a few times. Beginner skiers focus on learning the basics of linking turns, controlling speed, and riding the chair lift. They tend to stick to the learning area and green runs and may try some easier blue runs.

A beginner ski tends to be shorter, narrower, and softer in flex. This creates a ski that is easier to maneuver, more forgiving of mistakes, and easier to gain confidence and control on the mountain.

Intermediate

Intermediate skiers are comfortable and confident on blue runs. Some intermediate skiers may venture off trail into the trees or bowls and ski at a moderate speed, keeping up with most skiers while staying in control.

Intermediate skis are generally longer, wider, and stiffer than beginner skis. This allows for more stability at speed and on steeper runs.

Expert

Expert skiers are comfortable on most or all terrain on the mountain. They may ski frequently throughout the season and seek out off trail and steep, varied terrain.

Expert skiers tend to have stiffer, wider, and longer skis around their height or higher to match the terrain they’ll encounter. This increases stability and speed while allowing for more float in powder and varied conditions.

Another factor to consider when considering how to pick the right skis is the ski width. There are three numbers to look for—the widest part at the front end of the ski, the narrowest part near the center, and the widest part at the tail end of the ski. Measured in millimeters, these numbers give you a good idea of the shape of the ski, specifically the side cut or the hourglass shape.

When skis were first made, the sides were straight. As skis evolved, skiers found that shaped skis, where the center of the skis is narrower than the tip and tail, are easier to turn when the rolled on their edge.

This parabolic shape influences the size of the turn that the ski makes, known as the turn radius.

A more intense side cut (a greater difference between the width of the tip, width of underfoot, and width of the tail), the shorter the turn radius, where it feels like the skis hook into the turn and create a tighter turn.

The straighter the side cut, where there isn’t as big of a difference between the width of the tip, underfoot, and tail, the longer the turn the ski will make.

Width Underfoot

It’s common for brands to make the same ski in different widths underfoot. This is the narrowest part of the ski, found near the center, and can range from around 70mm wide to 120mm and beyond. The width underfoot impacts how quickly you can turn, rolling from one edge to another.

The narrower the ski, the easier it is to make quicker turns. This is ideal for beginners as they learn to make and connect their turns. Narrower skis are also preferred among intermediate and expert skiers looking for on-trail, carving skis and dedicated mogul skis.

The width underfoot also impacts the ski’s stability at higher speeds and ability to float in powder. The wider the ski, the more stable it will be and the more surface area to float in lighter snow. This is a great choice for intermediate and advanced skiers who want a ski to explore different terrain.

Ski Flex

Ski flex refers to how stiff or soft a ski is. Each ski is made of different layers of material to create a uniquely performing ski.

Ski cores are usually made from composite (also referred to as foam) or wood. Composite cores are softer, lighter, and cheaper than wood cores, making them common among beginner skis.

Wood cores can range from soft to stiff, depending on the type and density of the wood. Some skis are designed with a mix of different woods to create different areas of stiffness throughout the ski. In some intermediate and expert skis, fiberglass, carbon, and/or metal like titanal are layered with the core to create even more rigidity and influence the ski’s flex pattern.

A softer ski is easier to initiate and release from turns and is more forgiving of mistakes. This is ideal for beginner skiers as they learn. It also makes a great choice for those who plan to ride in the terrain park, as it’s easy to maneuver and do tricks.

The downside of having a ski that’s too soft is the chatter and a lack of stability at higher speeds and on steeper terrain.

A stiffer ski provides more stability at higher speeds, more precision on turns, and better edge grip on hard packed snow. Stiffer skis are a common choice for intermediate and expert skiers, especially those who like to ski aggressively on steep terrain. However, a too stiff ski will be difficult to control for inexperienced skiers, requiring a lot of effort and throwing you around on varied terrain.

When determining via a ski buying guide which flex and stiffness is right for you, it’s important to consider your ability, strength, weight, and aggression on the mountain. Beginner skiers may opt for a softer ski, while more experienced skiers may want a stiffer ski. Those who weigh more, are strong skiers, or those who ski aggressively may prefer a stiffer ski. However, lighter or more cautious skiers may prefer a softer ski.

When looking at how to pick the right skis, you may notice some skis come with bindings on a track and some skis require purchasing the bindings separately. Those skis with tracks and bindings are known as system skis, while skis without any bindings are called flat skis. Each has its pros and cons and may be something to consider while you’re on the market for new skis.

With system skis, the track comes mounted to the ski. The toe and heel pieces of the bindings are installed and slide onto the track to attach to the ski.

Many beginner options come as system skis. This can be an advantage since system skis include the skis and bindings in cost. They also make a great choice for growing kids since they are easy to adjust and can be adjusted numerous times. System skis are also common among dedicated carving skis for intermediates and above.

The downside of system skis is that the track and bindings make them heavier than flat skis with mounted bindings.

Flat skis do not come with bindings. Alpine ski bindings are purchased separately and drilled into the skis, specific to your ski boot. Flat skis offer better options for more advanced skiers as they can select terrain-specific skis like powder skis or park skis. The bindings used on flat skis tend to be lighter than system ski bindings and allow the skier to choose which bindings and where they are mounted based on their personal preferences. Flat skis are also offered in a wider range of ski widths than system skis.

The downside to flat skis is that they can only be drilled for bindings a certain number of times. Drilling a ski multiple times can begin to impact the integrity of the ski, and after multiple binding remounts, the ski can no longer be usable. Bindings have some adjustment, so minor changes in boot sizes will most likely not require remounting, but it is something to consider if you have kids who are still growing or you plan on passing the skis down.

As you search the market for skis and consult your ski buying guides, you’ll notice some are labeled as men's, women's, and unisex skis. Today, ski brands are making greater strides in designing and creating skis that perform better for the intended skier.

Women specific skis tend to be lighter and softer, offered in shorter lengths, and have a slightly forward mounting position than men’s skis. Women tend to be lighter and have a lower center of gravity than men of the same height and therefore, have less leverage and force on their skis, so the changes in women’s skis accommodate these differences.

Women specific skis range from beginner-friendly to aggressive, hard-charging skis. And just because there are women’s specific doesn’t mean women can’t ski men’s skis or vice versa. It’s important to choose a ski that best suits your ability, height and weight, and personal preferences to ensure you have a safe and fun time out on the mountain.