How to Choose Skis
Choosing the right pair of skis can make all the difference in your mountain adventures. Whether you're carving groomed runs or exploring powder-filled backcountry, understanding ski types and features will help you select the best gear for your needs.
Ski Types: Match Your Style & Terrain
All-Mountain Skis: Ideal for skiers who enjoy a mix of groomed trails and off-piste terrain. These versatile skis offer stability and control across various conditions.
Freestyle Skis: Perfect for park enthusiasts and tricksters. These skis are lightweight and flexible, allowing for jumps, spins, and creative maneuvers.
Powder Skis: Built for deep snow conditions, these skis have a wider profile and rocker design to keep you afloat in fresh powder.
Touring Skis: Tailored for skiers who hike beyond the resort boundaries. They are lightweight for uphill travel and designed to perform on untouched snow.
Freeride Skis: Built to handle deep powder, variable terrain, and steep descents. They feature wider profiles and some rocker for better floatation and stability in off-piste conditions. Freeride skis deliver the confidence and control needed to conquer the mountain on your own terms.
Piste Skis: Designed to deliver control, precision and carving on groomed terrain. These skis feature narrow waists and shorter turning radii, making them quick to shift from edge to edge and super responsive on hard-packed snow.
Race Skis:These skis are designed for racers and vary based on type of competition (GS, Slalom, etc.). Designed for higher speeds, maximum control, and elite performance.
Ski Length: Find Your Fit
Selecting the correct ski length is crucial for control and comfort. As a general guideline:
Beginners: Opt for skis that reach between your chin and nose. Shorter skis are easier to maneuver.
Intermediate to Advanced Skiers: Choose skis that reach your eyes or up to several inches over your head for better stability at higher speeds.
The three largest influencers when selecting ski lengh are ability, height and weight. The terrain you choose, turn size and speed are also key in selecting the best length. Flatter terrain and slower speeds are going to lean towards the shorter end of the range, while those that prefer steeper more challenging terrain, and higher speeds will benefit from the stability and performance of the longer sizes.
Adjustment Tips Based on Weight
Lighter than average for your height: size down 1–3 cm.
Heavier than average: size up 1–3 cm for added stability.
Other Factors to Consider
Ski Type:
Freestyle/Park: subtract 2–5 cm for maneuverability.
Freeride/Powder: add 2–5 cm for floatation.
Piste/Carving: subtract 2 cm for quicker edge control.
Skiing Style:
Aggressive: add 2 cm.
Easy-going: subtract 2 cm.
For a more precise fit, consider factors like your weight, skiing style, and typical terrain. Check out our sizing guide.
Understanding Downhill Ski Dimensions
When you're shopping for skis, you'll notice a set of three numbers listed like this: 131/98/119. These numbers represent the ski’s width—measured in millimeters—at three key points:
Tip (front)
Waist (middle)
Tail (back)
These measurements give you a quick snapshot of how the ski is designed and what kind of terrain it’s best suited for.
Waist: The Most Important Width
Out of the three, the waist width (the narrowest point under your boot) has the biggest impact on how a ski performs. Here’s what different waist sizes mean:
Narrow waist (around 60–85mm): Quick and agile. Great for groomed runs and hard-packed snow. These skis are super responsive and easier to turn edge-to-edge.
Wide waist (90–100mm or more): More surface area means better flotation in soft snow like powder. These skis are ideal for off-piste or backcountry terrain.
Fun fact: Some ski names even include the waist width, so you can get a hint about their purpose just from the name!
Tip: Helps Start Your Turns
Also called the “shovel”, the tip is the front part of the ski that helps you initiate turns.
Wider tips (around 120mm or more): Float better in powder and soft snow.
Narrower tips: Work best for carving on hard snow.
When paired with a narrow waist, wide tips are great for skiers who like quick, snappy turns.
Tail: Finishes the Turn
The tail is the back end of the ski and plays a role in how well you exit a turn.
Wider tails: Hold onto the snow longer and give you stability during fast or tight turns—something advanced skiers often prefer.
Narrower tails: Easier to release out of a turn, making them better for big, sweeping curves.
What Is Sidecut Radius (a.k.a. Turning Radius)?
Imagine drawing a huge circle that matches the curve formed by the ski’s shape. The radius of that circle is the ski’s sidecut radius—a number that tells you how the ski turns.
Short radius (less than 17m): Easier to make tight, quick turns.
Medium radius (17–22m): A balanced ride that works for both short and long turns.
Long radius (22m or more): Great for big, sweeping turns and high-speed descents.
While skis can make all kinds of turns, their sidecut radius gives you a sense of what they’re best at.
Camber vs. Rocker: Ski Shapes Explained
Take a look at a ski from the side, and you’ll notice that it’s not completely flat. The shape of the ski’s profile is called its camber or rocker, and each has unique characteristics.
Camber: The Classic Shape
Cambered skis have a slight arch in the middle. When you stand on them, they flatten out, helping the edges grip the snow. Camber provides:
Great edge control on hard snow
A “springy,” lively feel from turn to turn
Perfect for skiers who like precise carving and responsiveness.
Rocker: The Float-Friendly Option
Rockered skis have tips (and sometimes tails) that curve upward more than usual, kind of like a rocking chair.
Great for floating in powder
Easier to turn, especially at slower speeds
More forgiving and maneuverable
Now, most skis blend camber and rocker to get the best of both worlds.
Picking the right ski comes down to understanding how width, sidecut radius, and shape affect your ride. Whether you're cruising groomers, shredding powder, or exploring off trail, knowing these basics helps you find skis that match your style.