Choosing the Right Ski for you

Identify the ideal ski type for your locale

By Robert Gagnon

Choosing the right ski category for you 

When is time to buy new skis, it's always hard to choose which model will fit our needs and abilities. Appearance may outweigh function when making your selection. Le's put one more string to your bow and next time when you go to rent or buy a pair of skis you will know what to look for.

The ski shops are full of colorful skis with eye-catching graphics. Which ones to choose among all these choices? Before buying any skis answer these questions on a piece of paper and be accurate in your responses. Your final decision will more accurately reflect a ski that is appropriate for your needs. In the following questions we don’t talk about weight, size and other physical attributes which are also important to consider.

1. Do I ski the same mountain most of the time?
2. How many days during the season?
3. What kind of snow conditions do I ski?
4. Which kind of run do I like?

What level am I? Beginner (green), Novice (green and blue), Intermediate (blue and black), advanced (black and double black diamond), expert (Double black, triple, off piste and more)

If you always ski at the same mountain (and often) I will recommend a ski more challenging to keep the desire of challenge and to not become bored. If you like to take it easy, stay with a ski at your level but don’t go for an easier and softer ski, it doesn’t help at all.

The kind of snow you are skiing is the first important component you should take into consideration. If you ski in the northeast United States where the snow is usually more packed and well groomed, I would suggest an all terrain ski or a carving ski. On the other hand if you are at a ski resort where you can’t see anything because is snowing all the time and the powder is what you eat for breakfast like in Utah, you should take a mid fat ski , fat or a rocker skis. The all-terrain models can suffice if you trying to stay on the fresh groom and escape the side of the run.

Your level and the kind of run you like are the second factor in the choice. The better skier you are the more you’ll like a stiffer ski but don’t forget your weight and strength too.

Previously I mentioned different kinds of skis: carver, all terrain, mid fat and fat. The biggest difference between these skis is the shape. What distinguishes them most is the underfoot part also called the waist. Most of the skis have their measurements writen on the tail behind the binding.

Groomer or Carver

The groomers or carvers are a ski with a small waist generally between 60 and 70mm. This is almost the same size as the width of the sole under your ski boots. That allows the skier to change from edge to edge quickly. If you like quick turns and ski on hard pack snow this is the right ski. Slalom skis are especially well suited for carving but will be stiffer. The ski will be easier to bend because of the big difference between the tip and waist. It is easier to turn on that ski but you can find yourself quickly in the back seat if you don’t stay alert because they have a lot of spring to give back.

The Volkl Racestock SL is one of the pre-eminent slalom carvers and your legs better be in shape before trying these gems. Excellent at manoeuvring , this is one of the best of this category.

All terrain and multi-condition

This category is for skis which are versatile enough to do well in most terrain. These skis normally have a waist between 70 and 85mm. Not too wide to be able to effect easy edge switch. The underfoot is big enough to have some floatation on the off run and fresh snow. If you have just one pair of skis to get this is a good category to consider.

The Salomon Fury is a real popular example of this category with its 128-85-111 side cut on a 177 cm length.

Nordica Hot Rod Afterburner is in the same Freeride genre with the same kind of shape (126-84-112) and similar flexibility.

Mid Fat and Fat

These skis are the powder and backcountry skis. Fans of fresh snow and cliff jumping will look gravitate to this category. The mid fat ski will be more accessible for the intermediate skier who likes to get out of the run and look for new challenge.

The legendary Mythic Rider from Dynastar is a little bit wider than the preceding examples and will be better for an advanced skier. Measurements are 122-88-184.

For fat skis we have to think about powder, heli-skiing, backcountry and untracked snow condition. They’re perfect for floatation and straight line at the big mountain. Skiing with these on the groomers will not be a good idea unless you’re going there to take the chairlift.

We recommend that you try a few skis from each of the categories which fit your need before to make your choice. Good luck.