Ski Buyers Guide
When choosing a ski there are many questions one must ask. How much do I ski, where do I ski, what type of skier am I, what terrain do I ski on, and what size of ski do I need.
Where do you ski?
Eastern USA
If you’re like us, located in Garrett County, MD just a stone’s throw away from Wisp Resort, you’re an east coast skier. You probably have become accustom to skiing in cold humid air, with ski conditions varying from fresh snow to fresh slush to solid ice. This being the case, east coast skiers need a versatile ski to handle all of these conditions. So usually a ski with a waist width of 65mm to about 80mm works pretty well. Also, due to the geography of most east coast resorts you’ll find a ski with a shorter turn radius is easier to handle. Ski’s with a radius between 12m and 19m work the best.
Western USA
Skiing out west is very different than skiing in the east. The climate is much drier, the elevation is higher, the terrain is a little steeper, the trails tend to be longer, and there tends to be more snowfall. Thus, all this considered, the skiing in places like Colorado, Utah, and California is much different and different skis will benefit the user. Frequently skis out west tend to be wider in the waist width and turn radius. Wider skis do better in fresh and deep snow. Skis with a waist width of +80mm work well. However, most resorts have long groomed corduroy to ski as well, so a ski with a longer turn radius is also beneficial. Skis with radii of +17m work very well.
Both East and West USA
Many people ski in the east and go out west for a vacation. Most of these people want a ski that can ski both areas well. Skis such as Volkl’s AC30 and AC50 and Dynastar’s Legend series are designed to do just that. These are all mid-fat skis with shorter turn radii. So these skis allow you to hold an edge on the ice and push through the slush back in the east, while allowing you to ski your favorite bowl with 10 inches of fresh powder out west.
What type of skier are you?
Beginner
Beginner skiers are people who have never been before, skiers who fancy slower rates of speed, and are more cautious on smooth slopes of gentle to moderate pitch. Beginner skiers typically want a softer ski, meaning the ski is easy to flex. This allows inexperienced skiers to have greater ease in turning the ski.
Intermediate
Intermediate skiers are skiers who ski at a variety of speeds and like to ski on diverse terrain. Intermediate skiers usually prefer a middle of the road ski, which would be a ski that is not real soft but is not super stiff either.
Experts
Expert skiers are skiers who typically ski at faster speeds and ski aggressively on slopes with moderate to steep pitch. Expert skiers usually choose a stiffer ski to handle faster speeds and give them more response time. Such as the Volkl Racetiger RC.
What size ski do you need?
Typically skis should come between your chin and forehead depending on your ability level.
• If you are a beginner your skis should come about to your chin: a shorter ski will be easier to control and turn.
• For the intermediate skier your skis should come anywhere from your chin to nose.
• Expert skiers usually get skis that come from the nose the forehead. The longer ski gives the skier more stability at higher speeds.
• For any persons skiing on twin tips the ski should come to your forehead.
What type of terrain do you ski?
There are many different types of terrain to ski on, thus there exist different types of skis to accommodate each type of terrain. Commonly the ski terrain is divided into categories that include: piste, off-piste, freestyle, bumps, and racecourse.
On Piste
This is the type of terrian where most people are skiing. It is designated terrain maintained by a resort. Usually these trails are groomed and regulated by a ski area, to insure safety and adequate snow to ski on. If you prefer this terrain a carving ski or an all mountain ski would suit you best.
Off-Piste
Backcountry terrain out of ski area boundaries. This type of terrain may have hidden hazards such as rocks, cliffs, trees, and other dangers. It is only recommended to expert skiers with the proper skills and equipment. Depending on what type and where you’re skiing off-piste you may want an all mountain ski, a powder ski, or a big mountain twin tip.
Bumps
Many people like to ski in bumps (a.k.a. moguls). If you are one of those people there is a ski for you: whether you want a competition mogul ski or just a ski that is good in bumps. However, most people do not want a competition ski, so a ski with a narrow waist and little sidecut will work well.
Freestyle
This is the newest type of terrain; it incorporates man made obstacles like: rails, boxes, jumps, and halfpipes. Most resorts have these features in a designated place affectionately know as a terrain park or simply park. Manufacturers make many freestyle skis for many different purposes there are skis for: jibbing (grinding rails, boxes, and wall rides), riding in parks, hitting huge booters in the backcountry, and they make them specifically for pipes. You have to choose which best suits your style of riding.
Types of skis
Carving Skis
Carving skis are good all-around skis. Designed to be agile turning skis, they are great for groomed trails. These skis normally have a turning radius of 11m to 17m. Companies make many models of carving skis to accommodate every type of skier from beginner to expert.
• Some great carving skis include Dynastar's Contact series, Volkl's Tiger series, and Atomic's D2 series.All Mountain Skis
The name says it all these skis are designed to conquer every terrain on the hill. Whether your skiing on fresh corduroy, fresh powder, or any other variant, these skis will get the job done. These skis are also made in a variety of models for skiers of different ability levels. Normally these skis have waist widths up to about 85mm and have a lot of sidecut to them. However, they make wider (+85mm) waist width skis for people who ski more powder. These skis often have a turn radius of 14m to 20m.
• Some excellent All mountain skis are Volkl's Unlimited series, Atomic's Nomad series, and Dynastar's Legend series.Race Skis
There are many different types of race skis. There are Slalom (SL), Giant Slalom (GS) and Downhill (DH). Each type has its own specific ski designed for the type of turns and speed involved in its course. Most race skis tend to be very stiff, in order to respond at high speeds. It is important to note that if you are racing competitively you may need special F.I.S. certified skis that meet F.I.S. regulations. However, most companies make special F.I.S. race skis to meet these rules.
Slalom Skis
Designed for competitions with many race gates positioned very close together. These skis have a waist width around 65mm and a turn radius of about 12m. These skis also tend to be shorter about 165cm in length. This allows the ski to make the quick turns, necessary to maneuver through a technical slalom course. Some great slalom skis to take a look at are Atomic's D2 Race SL and Race TI SL, and Volkl's Racetiger SL.
Giant Slalom
Also called GS skis, these skis are built for racecourses with fewer gates, spaced farther apart. GS skis are longer, usually about 175cm, with little sidecut, and a waist width close to 67mm. The small sidecut gives these skis a larger turn radius of about 19m. GS skis are very stiff because they are skied at faster speeds. Some great GS skis to check out are Atomic's D2 Race GS and Race TI GS, and Volkl's Racetiger GS.
Downhill Skis
Built for racing on a long steep trail with the whole trail as the course. These skis are very long, approximately 200cm in length, with a big turn radius over 20m. These skis are extremely stiff, due to the fact they are skied at speeds in excess of 80mph. These skis are not typically carried by stores and must be special ordered.
Recreational Race Skis
Many people are not looking for a full bore race ski so many companies make a class of ski called a race carver. These skis are not quite as stiff as a traditional race ski. Providing a skier the capability to handle high-speed turns. While, being versatile enough to handle normal skiing with ease. These skis are great for recreational racing, NASTAR races, or the more aggressive skier. These skis have a variety of sidecuts with waist widths ranging from 65mm to 80mm. They also have a variety of turn radii ranging from 12m to 18m.
Some good race carver skis to research are Volkl's Tigershark series, Dynastar's Contact Groove TI, and Atomic's Race LT and Race ST.Freestyle
A.k.a. twintips these skis are designed to be slid across rails, soared over jumps, jibbed on boxes, and whatever else you choose to do with them. These skis contain two tips, meaning the tails of the skis are shaped like tips, so they can be skied backwards. In general, these skis have waist widths of 70mm and up. They frequently have a bigger turn radius from 16m and wider. Some skis are even symmetrical meaning both halves of the ski are the same. Most freestyle skis are soft in flex to absorb shock on hard landings. Some freestyle skis even have special reinforced edges for grinding rails: like Dynastar’s Sixth Sense Spin.
There are many models of twintip skis out there, but these are a couple to check out: Armadas’ AR6, Pipe Cleaner, T-Hall, El Ray, and ARV, Atomics’ Twins and Deviant, Volkls’ Wall and Ledge, and Dynastar’s Sixth Sense Distorter, and Sixth Sense Serial.Powder Skis
Powder skis are designed for deep snow. These skis are fat with waist widths of over 85mm and have a wide turn radius. These skis are so wide so that in deep snow the skis will float on top of the snow.
• Be sure to take a look at Atomic’s Snoop and Volkl’s Bridge, Mantra, and Gotama.Women’s skis
For the female skiers out there do not fret there are specialized skis out there for you. Over the last several years ski manufacturers have studied how women ski and have come up with skis to combat the specific issues women have when skiing. Thanks to this research, now most ski companies have a full women’s line of carving, all mountain, race and powder skis. Some companies ramp up the heel to help put pressure on the balls of the feet. Some companies will make the back of the ski much softer than the front, so that it eliminates the skidding of turns. These are just a few things done to women’s skis.
• If you interested in checking out some women’s models here are a few to look at are Atomics’ Cloud 7, Cloud 8, Cloud 9, Volkls’ Oceana and Estrella, and Dynastar’s Exclusive Line.
How Much do you ski?
When buying skis you must also think, “How much am I going to use them?” Are you a local who skis three or for times a week? Are you a weekend warrior who skis most weekends during the season? Or do you only get on snow once or twice a year? If you are skiing frequently you may want to consider investing a little more money into your equipment as you will appreciate the improved performance and durability of your equipment. However, if you are only skiing once or twice a year you might choose skis that are a little more economical. You should consider this after looking at all the other factors because it will help narrow your choices down.
Construction
There are two main ways to make a ski; cap construction and sidewall.
Cap Construction
This type of construction involves laying fiberglass or like material over the top layer of the ski. The fiberglass extends over the core from one edge to the other. This type of ski is usually very light and easy to use.
Sidewall Construction
Basically a ski sandwich. Layers are stacked on top of each other and glued together. Often they lay down a base layer, then fiberglass, then metal, then the core, then another layer of fiberglass, and lastly the topsheet. This gives the ski a vertical sidewall and better edge grip. For this reason most race skis are built using this style of construction.
Core
The core is the backbone of the ski it dictates how soft or stiff the ski is. Commonly cores are made from wood, which is very responsive, but expensive. They can also be made from foam; usually skis with foam cores are lightweight and more forgiving. Lastly, cores can be made from a composite material like wood and foam or foam and carbon.
Tips for buying
First of all always try before you buy. Demo some skis before you buy them. That way you will actually know how the feel to you, and not just someone else’s opinion. Always talk to an expert. Ask questions at your local ski shop.
Ski Term Glossary
Camber
A continuous downturned arc on the ski. Most all skis have camber.Edge
Edges are the metal, usually steel, that surrounds the edge of ski this is what is used to steer the ski.Rail system
A ski/binding system that connects the binding to the ski, using rail instead of conventional drilling. This type of system allows the ski to flex underneath the binding.Sidecut
The curve created by the tip, tail, and waist widths'.Ski dimensions
Skis are measured at three points:
• Waist width - the width measurment of the waist, underfoot, or center of the ski.
• Tip width - measured at the widest part of the tip.
• Tail width - measured at the widest part of the tail.Turn Radius
Simply put, turn radius indicates a skis agility to turn. For example if a ski has a radius of 11m (meters) the ski will be a quick turning ski. Where as if a ski has radius of 23m it is going to be a much wider turning ski.Top Sheet
The top of the ski.Base
The bottom of the skiFlex
The stiffness of the ski. The softer the flex is the easier the ski is to handle. The stiffer the ski is the more responsive it is.Torsional Flex
The stiffness of the ski when twisitng it.Longitudinal Flex
How much the ski flexes length wise.Piste
In bound groomed terrain found at a ski resort.Off Piste
Backcountry and non-groomed terrain.
