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How to Choose Skis
So you're thinking about a new
pair of skis, eh? The plethora of the choices can be a
little dizzying, especially if you're just starting out,
but we've got some tips to help simplify your search and
get you on the slopes ASAP.
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What's Your Skiing
Ability? |
Recreational
You're a skier who's just
getting started or a person
enjoys slower speeds on easy to
moderate terrain. You need skis
that are forgiving and easy to
control but that still allow you
to tackle more challenging runs
on occasion.
Intermediate
You're an experienced skier who
can control your speed, and
you're ready to tackle steeper,
more challenging terrain. You
need skis that are responsive
yet still a bit forgiving.
Advanced/Expert
You ski with confidence, speed
and aggressiveness on the
steepest and most challenging
terrain. To meet your demands
and maximize your performance,
you need responsive, high-tech
sticks.
All-Mountain
Designed for everything from
groomed slopes to off-piste
conditions with drops, jumps,
bumps and powder. Generally,
these skis have a waist (the
narrow center area of a ski) of
70mm+ for stability and
flotation.
Carving
Intended primarly for grooomed
areas, these range from
developmental skis to
aggressive, high-speed slalom
models. Waists are often 68mm or
less for easier turn initiation.
Shorter models excel at quick
turns; longer skis handle
sweeping giant-slalom turns.
Powder
These skis have broad platforms
and 90mm+ waists, giving you
superb flotation in deep snow.
Great for heli-skiing.
Twin Tip
These skis have adapted over the
years to become more versatile
for all-mountain use while still
being ideal for terrain parks.
They feature a curved-up tip at
both ends of the ski for landing
fakie (backwards).
Integrated
Skis
These skis are sold with
bindings. (You'll find them
listed under "Ski and Binding
Systems" here on our website.)
The bindings are attached to the
skis in such a way as to allow
the skis to flex more evenly,
thus increasing contact with the
snow and enhancing performance.
Women's
Skis
Skis are available in men's and
women's models. Women's skis are
generally lighter weight and
have a softer flex than most
men's skis. Bindings on most of
the women's models are
positioned farther forward to
increase stability and make
turning easier. Women can, of
course, go with any ski model
appropriate for their ability
and terrain preferences. Some
women, however, especially those
with smaller builds, find that
lighter women's skis are easier
to control.
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Understanding the Basics
of Ski Construction |
As you browse
our online selection of skis,
you'll see specification charts
outlining the construction
features and dimensions of each
model. These next three sections
will help you make some sense of
it all.
Sidecut
Radius
When people talk about sidecut,
they're talking about the amount
of curve in the ski. A deep
sidecut generally means a
quick-turning ski; a shallower
cut means a broader-carving ski.
But to measure "sidecut" and
talk about it in quantifiable
terms, we need to use a couple
of other terms. One of the best
measurements for sidecut is the
sidecut radius.
Picture a
ski, looking down at it from
above. It has inward curves
(sidecut) on either edge. Now
draw an imaginary circle that
extends from one of those curves
outward. If your imaginary ski
has a deep sidecut (very curvy),
then the circle you draw will be
smaller. If the sidecut is
shallow (straighter profile),
then the circle will have to be
very large. The sidecut radius
is a line drawn from the ski
edge to the center of the
circle. Measured in meters, the
sidecut radius is the size of
the turn that the ski will
make when set on edge.
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Profile
Dimensions
Measured in
three
areas—the
tip, the
waist, and
the
tail—profile
dimensions
give an
accurate
description
of the ski.
Knowing
these
measurements,
it's easy to
judge a
ski's ideal
uses. For
example, a
moderate
waist—say
around
70mm—will
describe a
ski useful
on groomed
slopes,
powder, you
name it;
this is your
classic
all-mountain
ski. Take an
even wider
waist—let's
say 90mm—and
you've got
yourself a
powder ski,
while a
narrower
68mm waist
belongs to a
ski that
turns like a
dream on
groomed
runs. All of
our
specification
charts list
the profile
dimension
with the tip
first, then
the waist,
then the
tail. Here's
an example:
106/68/96
millimeters.
Ski
Core:
Wood Vs.
Foam
As ski
constructions
become
more
complex,
core
elements
affect
performance
less. In
general,
however,
wood
offers a
resilient,
lively
snap and
is known
for its
durability,
while
synthetic
foam
cores
offer a
consistent
flex and
lower
weight.
Metal
added to
a core
enhances
stiffness.
Many
skis
today
offer a
hybrid
mix of
these
materials.
You can
read all
you want
about
ski
construction
and how
other
people
think
skis
perform,
but
there's
nothing
like
trying
them out
for
yourself.
When
feasible,
it's
always a
good
idea to
test
drive
several
models
that you
think
might
fit your
ability
and
style.
Many
stores
rent
skis for
you to
do just
that.
You can
also
rent
from the
ski
area.
Manufacturers'
demo
days are
another
great
way to
try
before
you buy,
as you
can
sample
many
pairs
and make
comparisons.
Ski
areas
will
often
have
calendars
of such
events
on their
websites.
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Products
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