A new pair of skis is more than just a shiny new toy; it's your vehicle for alpine joy. Finding the right one for you will transform your on-hill experience from frustrating to exhilarating. Standing in front of all those cellophane-wrapped boards on the ski shop wall can be intimidating and overwhelming, even for experts. That’s where we come in.
Your ideal ski depends on multiple factors, including the terrain you ski, your skill level, your location, and your skiing style. Width, length, shape, and construction all influence how a ski behaves and who it’s best for. This guide will primarily focus on downhill resort skis and will help you find a handful of skis in the category that’s perfect for you.
In this article, we’ll explore:
- The right skis for you based on where you plan to ski
- What ski type is right for you?
- What ski shape and profile do you need?
- Camber and rocker
- Sidecut radius
- Ski materials
- What ski length do you need?
- Ski sizing chart
- Choosing bindings
The categories are determined primarily by a ski’s waist width. A ski’s waist width is listed in millimeters as the middle number in its given dimensions, which correspond to tip, waist and tail widths.
“Having a ski that allows you to play best where you ski and how you like to ski can turn a regular or frustrating day on the snow to a fantastic one,” says Lisa Chandler, senior action sports specialist at the REI store in Laguna Hills, California. “You can forget about the gear and just flow.” If you like to ski groomers or are a beginner, look for a narrower ski-under 90 mm wide. If you ski the whole mountain and prize versatility, look for an all-mountain ski, anywhere from 91-114 mm wide. For deep or soft powder purists, opt for a ski that’s 115 mm or more.
Read also: Buying Fischer Skis
Twin tips are a popular choice for many skiers, not just those who frequent terrain parks. Let's dive into what makes them special and how to choose the right ones.
How to Choose Skis: Ski Size, Types of Skis & More
Twin Tips for Non-Tricksters? Absolutely!
Twin tips are definitely not just for tricksters. Many skiers find them versatile and fun for various conditions. Here's why:
- Versatility: Twin tips can handle bumps great and can be used on everything but the bullet-proof.
- Maneuverability: They are especially useful in situations like getting into a chute through tight trees where you need to slide backwards and then forwards again to pick your way to a safe entry.
- Soft Snow Performance: Dynastar troublemakers are great for soft snow, trees, and bumps.
However, it's important to note that few twin tips handle well on firm snow, so keep your carver for those crispy days.
Just like "groomer" skis, it's important to find the right twin for your average conditions.
Here is a chart that explains different ski types:
Read also: Innovative Ski Design by ODR
| Ski Type | Waist Width | Terrain | Skill Level | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All-mountain skis | Up to 90 mm | Groomed | All levels | Often have integrated binding system |
| 90-114 mm | Groomed and powder | All levels | Lots of variety for specific preferences within the category | |
| Powder skis | 115+ mm | Deep, soft snow | Intermediate-expert | Generally, rocker in the nose and wide waist widths under foot. |
| Freestyle | 85-95 mm | Terrain park | Intermediate-expert | More lightweight, playful; often twin tips for landing switch, or backwards |
| Backcountry skis | Varies | Untracked terrain | Intermediate-expert | Directional, flatter tail |
REI classifies skis into the following categories:
All-Mountain Skis
The all-mountain category is the largest and most versatile. Waist widths up to 90 mm: Ideal for those who ski mostly groomed terrain. Their narrower waists are faster and easier to get up on edge, and, for those just starting out, they’ll help teach you the art of the carve. There are a wide range of skis for every ability level in this category, so knowing your level will help you hone on in the right subcategory. Many of these skis, especially at the narrower end of the spectrum, will have integrated binding systems either for ease of purchasing for beginners or more seamless power transfer for experts. Waist widths between 90-114 mm: Skis in this category are designed to do it all-carve on groomers, suck up bumps and float through fluff. Where you fall in this category depends a bit on location, as East coasters can opt for slightly narrower for harder snow, while those on the West Coast can go a bit wider for soft snow. While versatility is key, there are so many flavors within this category that it’s good to identify if you’d like something that’s light and lively or damp and stable, which will influence the materials you might want your skis to include. There are also some in this category that are a little “looser” in feel, with more tip and tail rocker, which make them all-mountain freeride skis.
Powder Skis
These wide-bodied beauties have 115 mm or more waists and are designed to surf through the deep. They generally have more rocker in the nose to keep the skis afloat, says Kelly Maggs, senior category merchandising manager for skis at REI. Like water skis, they have enough surface area to float on top of powder instead of diving underneath it. They’re specialists, so they may feel slow to get on edge and will skid around on groomers, but when the pressure drops and the storms roll in, they’ll steer you where you want to go. Example: Atomic Bent Chetler 120 Skis and the Rossignol Sender Free 118 Ski.
Freestyle
These skis typically run in the 85-95 mm waist-width range and are twin-tipped and symmetrical for landing switch, or backwards. They are lightweight for ease of in-air tricks, durable for landing on rails and softer flexing for buttering and jibbing. Freestyle skis also have a different binding mounting point than the typical slightly rearward position, as it’s best to be centered or even slightly forward for a balanced feel while spinning through the air or skiing backwards.
Kids' Downhill Skis
It may make sense to buy clothes that kids can "grow into," but that strategy does not pay off for aspiring young skiers. Equip them with downhill skis that are a good fit for their current size. For the very young (under 6), tips in general should not quite reach their chins (or be 6 to 8 inches below the tops of their heads). For youth (under 12), tips should touch a part of their middle or upper face. Kids can always ski a shorter ski but may have problems with a long ski. When in doubt, go shorter. Kids' downhill skis often include bindings.
Read also: Experience the Thrill
Backcountry Skis
This category is a balancing between lightweight for efficient uphill travel and performance (since you'll want to enjoy your hard-earned turns once your rip those climbing skins off). Check out our dedicated backcountry ski guide to learn more.
While waist width has the biggest impact on how a ski will behave, other ski dimensions and materials will also affect your experience.
Camber and Rocker Ski Profiles
Camber and Rocker
Camber and rocker are terms used to describe the side profile of a ski. If you set a ski on the snow, you can see that the middle section is either convex, flat or concave. Camber is the convex shape, and it’s the most traditional ski design. It makes a ski feel lively, directional and grippy. Camber features a continuous arc (or bow) that runs for much of the length of the ski, causing the middle of the ski to rise off the snow. When a skier stands on a ski, it flattens due to the skier's weight. At that point the entire length of the base can provide stability and the ski's metal edge can initiate turns. As a skier moves from turn to turn, camber provides the energy for a ski to snap back from turns, creating a sensation of liveliness. Cambered skis are also better at gripping hard snow because the entire edge of the ski has contact with it. Rocker is the reverse: Its side profile resembles the upturned rails of a rocking chair. On a flat surface, the midsection of a rockered ski will rest on the ground while its tips and tails rise off the ground much earlier than they do for a cambered ski. Rocker offers improved flotation in powder, easier turn initiation and greater maneuverability. Skis with a lot of camber feel smeary in powder and allow for quick pivoting and slowing. Most frontside skis employ camber for rebound and grip. Most all-mountain skis employ camber underfoot with rocker at the tip and tail for ease of turn initiation and float. Most powder skis are either flat with steep rocker at the tip and tail, or fully rockered.
Sidecut Radius
The relationship between the tip, waist and tail dimensions of any ski creates an arc. Now, imagine if you were able to take a pencil and draw a giant circle that completes that arc. The radius of that circle is what's known in the skiing world as sidecut radius (or turning radius) and is expressed in meters. You can make tight turns and big arcing ones with the same ski, but knowing the sidecut radius can give you an idea of what kind of turns the ski really excels at. In general, skis with low sidecut-radius numbers (low to mid-teens) are better for making tight, short-radius turns, and are most frequently found in frontside and narrower all-mountain skis. Higher numbers (upper teens and beyond) indicate skis better suited for long-radius turns and fast descents and are most frequently found in all-mountain and powder skis.
Tip: Also called the "shovel," the tip initiates turns. A wide tip (roughly 120mm and higher) floats more easily on soft snow. On hard snow, wider tips matched with narrower waists create a ski best suited for short-radius carved turns.
Tail: The back end of a ski helps finish turns. When carving tight, rapid turns, a wider tail resists sideways skids and sustains speed. (If a tail is too stiff or wide, it may feel locked into the turn and difficult to release.) Others may prefer narrower tails, which are better for wide, sweeping turns.
Materials
What a ski is made of matters. The gold standard for the core, or center, of the ski is wood because it’s durable, responsive and naturally damp, which means it reduces vibrations. Some less expensive skis have foam cores, which are lightweight but not durable, and are usually relegated to beginner models. Others use plastic in the tips and tails (usually in a honeycomb pattern) to reduce swing weight (the weight distributed in the tip and tail) and make it less taxing to engage a turn. Most skis include layers of structural reinforcements, which are usually fiberglass, carbon or Titanal, an aluminum alloy. Fiberglass laminates add lightweight strength and torsional rigidity to a ski, which make it feel stronger and more stable when it’s on edge while maintaining the wood core’s natural rebound and liveliness. Titanal® laminates reduce vibrations, lending a ski a damp, calm, stuck-to-the-snow feel. While they add power and stability, they also add weight, which can make a ski more taxing and less lively. (Examples include the Head Kore 100 Ti Skis or the K2 Mindbender Ti.Carbon laminates are the lightest and are frequently used in backcountry skis, where weight matters most for uphill travel. (The DPS Carbon Kaizen 112 has a carbon laminate).These laminates can be found in all categories of skis, so it’s important to understand what style of skiing suits you best. For example: Do you like a ski that’s playful and responsive, light and lively? Go with fiberglass. If you want a ski that plows through crud and chunder and is unflappable at speed, you might want a Titanal option.
Sizing Twin Tip Skis
When sizing twin tip skis, consider these factors:
- Upsize: Twin tips often ski shorter than they are, so consider sizing up.
- Height and Weight: Taller and heavier skiers may want longer skis for better stability.
- Skiing Style: Aggressive skiers may prefer longer skis for high-speed stability, while others may want shorter skis for quicker turns.
What Ski Length Do You Need?
In general, with the tails of your skis on the ground, the tips should reach between your chin and the top of your head.
The last step in the process is figuring out ski length, which seems like the most straightforward part of the whole process but can be the most difficult. “I’ve found that the biggest struggle people have with selecting a proper ski length has to do with the variability of snow conditions,” says Chandler. “A longer ski in powder yields floatability, yet a shorter ski provides more control and maneuverability. Everyone is different, and we cannot predict the weather!”
Ski Sizing Chart
The length of your ski depends on your height, weight, ability level, skiing style and terrain preferences and the ski’s category and construction. Considering these factors, Chandler says, “will get you in the ballpark of what’s best for you.”
Pick a shorter ski if you:
- Are shorter
- Are lighter than average
- Are beginner or intermediate
- Like making quicker turns
- Want a maneuverable option for trees or moguls
Pick a longer ski if you:
- Are taller
- Are heavier than average
- Are more advanced
- Like making big, long turns
- Are a faster or more aggressive skier
- Want a good option for skiing in open terrain or powder
Height and weight: The taller you are, the longer your skis should be. That’s because height gives you more leverage to drive a ski, and a longer length helps stabilize a higher center of gravity. Weight plays a part, too, because longer skis better distribute mass-especially in soft snow, in which additional surface area adds float. Heavier skiers also have more power to bend the ski, so a longer length will still feel manageable.
Skill level: Experts and more aggressive skier may want a longer ski than beginners or intermediates for better stability at higher speeds. Those who are still learning are better served by a shorter ski that’s easier to turn and won’t feel unwieldy. That said, avoid going too short, as beginners also need stability.
Style preference: When it comes to style preferences, some skiers prefer shorter skis for making quicker turns, while others want to chew up 3,000 vertical feet in a few long arcs. Terrain comes into play here as well, as those who spend their days navigating tight trees may want to go shorter than those who ski in open bowls. The category of skis matter, too, as width and length usually increase in tandem. If you are an expert skier who has a quiver of skis for all conditions, for example, you might have a frontside ski that’s 10 cm shorter than your powder ski. Shorter skis are easier to carve on groomers, and longer skis have more surface area for floating through powder. Also, the wider the ski’s waist, the more rocker it’s likely to have in the tip and tail, thus reducing the length of the effective edge and making it “ski shorter.”
Bindings for Twin Tip Skis
Your downhill ski bindings are critical for keeping you safe. Bindings also impact performance, as they transfer the power from your boot to your ski.
Choosing Bindings
When shopping for skis, you’ll notice that some skis come with bindings and some don't.
Integrated bindings: Some skis come with bindings pre-mounted. These include expert frontside skis for more precise power transmission or more beginner skis to simplify the purchase. Kids’ downhill skis are often sold with bindings.
Bindings and Twin Tips
There's no direct relationship between twin tips and bindings, but here are some considerations:
- Brakes: Ensure the brakes are wide enough to accommodate the skis, especially with wider models.
- Mounting: Most park skis are designed to be center mounted for easy rotation in the air.
- Plates: The no plate thing on twintips is just for jibbers. (i.e. if you intend to be doing spinny flippy stuff on your twintips.) I guess they like to be very close to the snow surface, etc. I don't know - it's not my thing, but it's to do with jumping and spinning not regular skiing.
Demo bindings sacrifice some performance in favor of adjustability (they usually have a little more play), and they weigh a TON. If you can at all avoid it, go with something else.
By understanding these aspects of twin tip skis and bindings, you can make an informed decision and enhance your skiing experience, whether you're in the terrain park or exploring the mountain.