Which ski is right for me?Updated 2 days ago
Things to Consider
When choosing what ski is right for you, there are a few key points to keep in mind: your ability, riding style, preferred terrain, and how you want to progress. Once this is clear, consider your skis—think about length, width, turning radius, and rocker type to find what suits you best.
Skiing Ability
Be honest about your skiing level. Misjudging your ability can lead to choosing the wrong ski. Think about where you are now and where you want to be. If you’re aiming to progress, opt for skis that will support that journey—not hold it back.
Intermediate
You’re new to skiing or still working on smoother turns. Look for skis with soft flex, narrow widths, soft wood cores, and capped or semi-capped construction. These features make skis easier to turn and more forgiving when you make mistakes.
Advanced
You enjoy carving groomers, skiing powder, and moving fast. Skis in this category are typically wider and more versatile, offering extra float in deeper snow and durability for more aggressive terrain and tricks.
Expert
For high-performance skiing in all terrain, you’ll want skis built for aggressive riding. Expect advanced materials like titanal, carbon, or flax for improved stability and control. Choose your width based on terrain: narrow for park and hardpack, mid-width for all-mountain, and wide for powder and backcountry.
The Conditions You Ski In
Where Do You Ski on the Mountain?
- All over the mountain
- Backcountry
- Park
- Moguls
- Piste only
What Are the Average Snow Conditions Like?
- Mainly powder/soft: Japan, US and Canadian West Coast
- Variable: Alps, Southern Alps, Andes, Pyrenees
- Harder/wind-scoured: US and Canadian East Coast, Scotland, Korea
Will You Be Touring?
- No
- A little
- Yes, frequent and long days
Skiing Style
We generally categorize skiing styles into four main groups: freeride, all-mountain, freestyle, and touring. Each style has different equipment needs and performance goals, but skiing style is highly individual. Most people combine or switch between styles depending on the terrain, snow conditions, and time of year.
Freeride: Focused on off-piste terrain and powder, often involving steeps, cliffs, and big mountain lines.
All-Mountain: Versatile skiing across groomers, powder, and mixed conditions—great for exploring the whole resort.
Freestyle: Centered on terrain parks, jumps, rails, and tricks, with a playful approach to the mountain.
Touring: Involves uphill travel and backcountry missions, with a focus on lightweight gear and efficiency.
Ski Width
Ski width plays a key role in how skis perform across different snow types and terrain. The most important measurement is the waist width—the width underfoot—which determines how quickly you can shift edges and how well the ski handles on hard snow. Narrow waists are ideal for groomers, while wider waists float better in powder.
The 3 Numbers: Sidecut Dimensions
Skis are often labeled with three numbers (e.g., 127/96/117), known as the sidecut dimensions, which represent the ski’s width in millimeters at the tip, waist, and tail:
- Tip: Affects how easily the ski initiates a turn
- Waist: Determines edge-to-edge agility and snow performance
- Tail: Influences how smoothly a turn finishes
When people refer to a ski’s width, they’re typically talking about the waist width—the middle number in the sidecut dimensions—which measures the ski’s width underfoot and plays the biggest role in how the ski handles on snow.
Ski Width Ranges & Their Ideal Use
- 75–85mm (Waist):
Best for groomed runs and hardpack. These narrow skis offer fast edge transitions and high precision. - 85–105mm:
All-mountain versatility. Great for groomers, bumps, light powder, and off-piste terrain. - 105–115mm:
Freeride-focused with solid powder performance. These skis float well in soft snow but remain manageable on firmer conditions. - 115mm+:
Powder specialists. Designed for deep snow, they prioritize float and stability but are less agile on hardpack.
Common Mistakes
1. Buying a ski because everyone else has it (or a pro athlete does). Choose what fits you.
2. Relying solely on test results—these may not reflect your ability or terrain.
3. Overestimating or underestimating your skill level.
4. Not asking questions! If you're unsure, reach out—we’re happy to help via live chat.
For more information and comparisons between our different series, click here.