 ADVICE ON CHOOSING YOUR SKIS |
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The different kinds of skis
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 Skis adapted from competitive skiing: special slalom |
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| These are extremely sharp skis that are characterised by their excellent grip on hard snow, great precision in carving turns, stability at sustained levels of speeds and their dynamic rebound at the end of turns. These skis usually offer a great performance, but they do require however from the skier a lot of tonicity and a good skiing ability. They are therefore fairly hard to use for those looking to ski in a more relaxed manner, even if the more recent models tend to be easier to use. |
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Skis adapted from competitive skiing: giant slalom |
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| These skis are made for wide curves at high speeds. They have a good grip on hard now and, most importantly, are extremely stable at high speeds. They are more comfortable than slalom skis, which are designed to « turn ». Giant slalom skis are designed to go fast, and some models are hard to manoeuvre at slow speeds.
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Versatile freeride skis |
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These skis are made for both an on-piste and off-piste use.
These skis aren’t designed for specifically a type of skiing and, as such, are remarkably versatile. They are usually good to use on all types of grounds, with the exception of hard packed snow and work best on soft snow (recently packed, powder, spring snow). In powder however, they don’t offer the same flotation and comfort as « fat » skis. |
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« Fat » freeride skis |
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| These are very wide skis, optimized for off-piste skiing. Their surface area gives them a very good flotation capacity in deep snows, making it easier for the skier. They are also easier to use in difficult types de snow: heavy snow, crud, extremely fresh snow, crusty snow, etc. However, these skis aren’t very good for on-piste skiing: their grip is weaker on hard snow and they feel unstable and twitchy at high speeds. |
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Cross-country skis |
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| These skis are optimized for cross-country skiing competitions, where stability at high levels of speed, and on hard snow, the ski’s capacity to absorb the impacts and a good grip in carving turns are favoured. |
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Freestyle skis |
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| Skis designed for freestyle skiing. A good freestyle ski should have the following qualities: a good jump ability (when launching a jump and taking in the impact of the landing), flexibility while in the air, grip on hard snow,… and it should be built to last.
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Game improvement skis |
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| These are designed to help the skier progress. They are easy to use and should be comfortable. They are characterised by the fact they are a great help in making controlled skid turns. Several models are also good for carving turns. |
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Picking the right skis for you |
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If you are a beginner or intermediate skier, go right for the game improvement skis that will truly facilitate your skid turns and will help you make that next step to carving turns.
You can do a carving turn, and like wide curves and/or speed ? Pick a giant slalom ski.
You have a good skiing ability and an aggressive style, love tight turns, wedelns at a sustained rhythm, and steep, icy couloirs? Buy slalom skis.
You like on-piste, off-piste skiing and powder? Go for a pair of versatile freeride skis.
The « fat » skis are mostly bought as a second pair, as their performance on piste is fairly weak.
Freestyle and cross-country skis are specifically for those who practice those disciplines.
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What length should your skis be? |
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| Skis have become a lot shorter these past few years. You won’t have to pick skis that are over 200 cm long in order to ensure you’ll be stable at high levels of speed any more. Nevertheless, there is no general rule on that matter, and the ideal length for you will depend on you (size, weight, skiing ability) but also on the ski model you go for. Ask ski shop salespersons for advice. |
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