HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT PAIR OF SKIS

When shopping for skis, most people are looking for a single pair that they can use at any mountain in any conditions. The width underfoot of a ski is the simplest factor that determines whether a ski might be contender to be a “quiver of one,” so to speak. Versatile all-mountain skis that can fit this bill are generally between 90-100mm underfoot and can perform well on terrain ranging from firm groomers to soft powder. Skis narrower than 90mm underfoot are most at home carving on groomed runs but will struggle to stay afloat in deep snow. Skis wider than 100mm underfoot can still perform well in firmer conditions but will be most at home when the snow is deep and soft. Anything wider than 110mm underfoot is designed specifically for use in deep snow. Skiers who like to go fast and ski aggressively on steeper terrain should seek out a stiffer ski that will be more stable at high speeds and in variable snow conditions. Those who like to keep the speeds in check and stay on mellower terrain will often prefer a softer, lighter ski that is easy to flex and turn on a dime at slower speeds. Knowing your capabilities and terrain preferences as a skier will help you pick a ski that is best suited for the way you will use it.  

A ski’s rocker profile can help further determine how it will perform and suit the needs of the skier in question. Rocker profile refers to the shape of the ski as it is viewed from its side sitting on the snow. Most modern all-mountain skis have rocker in the tip, meaning the tip of the ski curves up off the ground, and a lesser amount of rocker in the tail, meaning the tail of the ski splays up just a bit from the ground. They will also usually have camber underfoot, meaning the middle of the ski bends back away from the ground. Camber helps give the ski edge grip when carving, helps give it a poppy and energetic quality, and helps to create the turning radius of the ski when it is put on edge and pressed. Rocker helps with easy turn initiation and helps the ski to float above deeper snow. You may often hear of skis referred to as “twin tips.” This means that the ski has a more symmetrical rocker profile at both tip and tail. Twin tip skis are designed for freestyle skiing and are meant to be easy to ski backwards, or “switch.” Wide powder skis will have much more significant tip rocker, which allows them to float better in deep snow. They can sometimes even be “full rocker,” meaning the ski has no camber and is fully rockered from tip to tail. Narrower skis meant for carving on groomers will often have more minimal rocker at the tip and no rocker at the tail, allowing them to utilize more of the ski’s edge to create powerful turns on firm snow. In general, however, the happy medium of some rocker at tip and tail and camber underfoot is best for most skiers in most conditions.