Buying Skis for Intermediates

As a skilled skier seeking to elevate your abilities, the following guide can assist you in selecting skis tailored to your proficiency level. Transitioning from a novice, you'd require skis that respond promptly and aid you in continuing your advancement.

An array of advanced skis is available, so it's advantageous to consider where you intend to spend most of your skiing hours. Look for skis suited to your preferred terrain or skiing style.
Further considerations such as width, turning radius, and varied ski profiles will provide deeper insights into customising your selection. Our objective is to help you identify the ideal skis for your skiing method, ensuring a pleasurable experience on your skiing holiday.

For those new or still at the beginning stage of skiing, we have a guide tailored specifically for you. Feel free to review the Ski Buying Guide for Beginners for additional insights.

ALL MOUNTAIN SKIS - Exceptional skis for diverse conditions

All Mountain skis are specifically designed for skiers who appreciate both on-piste and off-piste adventures. While excelling on-piste, they are also competent in managing softer snow off-piste. Ski all day without the worry of fluctuating snow conditions on slopes. Although adept across different conditions, they may not excel in any single specific area. A key feature of All Mountain skis is the rocker tip, where the ski’s front lifts off the snow. This design facilitates easy turning and coping with bumpy terrains. If you need one pair of skis to experience it all, these are precisely what you want.

Selecting All Mountain skis:
The variety of All Mountain skis means that their efficiency in different snow conditions will vary. The ski's waist width is a crucial characteristic in honing your choice. Typically, the waist width ranges from 80 to 100 mm. Narrower widths tend to favour on-piste, while broader widths enhance off-piste performance. Thus, for those primarily skiing on-piste with the occasional off-piste foray, skis closer to 80 mm width are advisable. Conversely, for skiers often exploring soft snow near the slopes, opting for skis with wider waists nearing 100 mm would be advantageous.

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PISTE SKIS - Ideal for carving along groomed paths

For skiers who prefer the groomed runs and aim to refine their techniques, Piste skis are the optimal choice. These skis are crafted with a narrow waist, between 68 and 80 mm, and a camber profile. These features grant exceptional grip on hard snow surfaces, ensuring superior control.

Selecting Piste skis:
Skiers focusing on on-piste experiences often cultivate a style aligned with a specific turn size. Choosing skis with a turning radius that matches your personal style maximises their utility. Typical turning radii for Piste skis range from 13 to 17 m, with smaller numbers offering shorter turns and larger numbers yielding longer ones. Remember, a variety of Piste Skis are available; therefore, ensure they're suited for your proficiency level. Beginner skis are usually softer and more forgiving, while expert skis are firmer and heavier.

In the Piste category, you may also find high-end Race skis known for being rigid and performance-based. Slalom Race Skis (SL) feature a tighter turning radius of around 10-13 m, whereas Giant Slalom Race Skis (GS) possess a broader turning radius of 22 m and beyond for increased stability.

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PARK SKIS/TWIN TIP SKIS - Unmatched for executing tricks

Park skis appeal to those committed to the snowpark, practising jumps, boxes, and half pipes. With their twin tip design, which causes both ends of the skis to rise sharply, skiers can initiate or conclude moves in reverse (backward) without the tails snagging the snow. Bindings are generally positioned closer to the ski’s centre to facilitate weight balance during spins and jumps.

Choosing Park skis:
When selecting the best park skis suited for you, consider the tricks you intend to execute. If you opt for substantial enjoyment and focus primarily on boxes and rails, opt for Park skis with a broader waist width, approximately 85mm to 105mm, providing enhanced stability. Such skis are typically soft and flexible. For skiers inclined towards greater speed and bigger jumps, a narrower Park ski within an 80-95 mm waist width range should be selected. These skis are much stiffer, enhancing stability during fast skiing or upon landing a jump.

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FREERIDE SKIS / Powder SKIS - The quintessential option for powder snow

Freeride skis are favoured by those who relish skiing predominantly off-piste and on powder surfaces. With wide widths, often between 90-120 mm, and an early rising tip (tip rocker), these skis assist in floating atop the snow and facilitate easier turning. Though deep snow skiing differs from sloped skiing, having considerable experience skiing on prepared snow is advisable before choosing Freeride skis. Enjoy your escapades safely by always using avalanche safety gear.

Selecting Freeride skis:
Selecting the right freeride ski depends on finding the optimal waist width to match your skiing style. Freeride skis with larger waist widths (100 mm and above) allow you to remain on the snow's surface, maintaining flotation and conserving energy. These wider skis are ideal for deep snow skiing, though they aren't suited for piste skiing due to difficulties in managing their grip on hard snow. For a versatile ski proficient in soft snow, yet still manoeuvrable, opt for skis around 90-100 mm in waist width. These skis excel particularly in skiing through wooded areas adjacent to slopes.
In essence, wider skis excel in floating on powder snow but at the cost of carving ability on firm snow.

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TOURING SKIS / Backcountry SKIS - Perfect for ascents outside ski resorts

Touring skis cater to the thrill-seekers keen on venturing into off-piste territory beyond resort boundaries. Required equipment includes touring bindings and skins for uphill ascents before descending. Ski widths can vary from medium to wide (80 - 120 mm), and are constructed light for effortless climbing. These skis are a niche offering, requiring advanced skill and thus are primarily suited for experts. Ensure your safety with avalanche safety gear.

Selecting touring skis:
Determining if you're more tailored for uphill or downhill skiing will guide your touring/backcountry skis choice.
If you favour downhill and engage primarily in powder conditions, skis should generally be no more than 10 cm shorter than your body length. For ease in floating atop the snow, a broader waist width (95 mm and up) is recommended. On the other hand, uphill enthusiasts might prefer skis that are reduced in weight, typically chin height, along with narrower width (95 mm and below).

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Selecting the Appropriate Ski Length

Your ski length choice should primarily consider your height, skill level, and desired skiing type.

Typically, skis are offered in 4 to 5 sizes, allowing you to choose the closest size to the recommended length in the size chart (3cm longer or shorter isn't concerning).

Weight and skiing style are secondary considerations in selecting the right ski length. For those whose weight diverges from the average, opting for a slightly different length could be beneficial. Lighter individuals may choose shorter skis, and heavier individuals could opt for longer skis. Aggressive and fast skiers may find longer skis beneficial for stability, whereas cautious skiers might prefer shorter skis to enhance manoeuvrability.

The image showcases suitable ski lengths for an intermediate skier

	All Mountain/ Piste skis	Twintip/ Park skis	Freeride/ Backcountry
First-timer	your height -20 cm	-10 cm	-5 cm
Beginner	your height -15 cm	-10 cm	-5 cm
Intermediate	your height -10 cm	-5 cm	your height
Advanced	your height -5 cm	your height	your height
Expert	your height	your height	+5 cm

Skis with or without Bindings

Bindings play an essential role in skiing, ensuring not only that you're secured to your skis but also safeguarding your wellbeing. Most Piste skis, along with numerous All Mountain skis, already include bindings. This provision alleviates the task of selecting suitable bindings aligned with your experience level. Skis with bindings benefit from being conveniently adjustable, which is a distinct advantage if renting ski boots or sharing skis within your household.

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Skis that do not include bindings necessitate the separate purchase of bindings, which offers the opportunity to customise your selection and decide the placement on the skis. This feature is particularly advantageous for seasoned Freeride or Park skiers. While mounting services might be expensive, SkatePro offers mounting and adjustment of bindings at a competitive rate when you purchase skis with bindings. More details about bindings are available in the Buying alpine ski bindings guide.

Width at the Waist

In addition to length, the width of skis significantly affects performance, with the waist width being the most crucial measurement. The waist is located at the narrowest section of the ski, measured from edge to edge in millimetres.

The width measurement is always indicated in the ski specifications, listed alongside the tip and tail measurements: Tip - Waist - Tail. The waist width appears at the midpoint. For example: (i.e. 141/108/124mm)

Skis with narrow waists are typically simpler to manoeuvre, as they allow swift transitions between edges. This is because the skier's weight and pressure are concentrated over a smaller area, enhancing snow grip. In contrast, skis with wider waists have a greater surface area, enhancing their ability to float on powder snow, and providing increased stability on uneven or rugged terrain.

Radius for Turning

In essence, the radius of a ski determines its turning ease. This specification is usually included in the model details of the ski.

There is no single best turning radius; it depends on the skier's style and the type of skiing favoured. Turning radii are typically classified into three categories: small, medium, and large.

A small turning radius is typical of on-piste skis, measuring 14 metres or less. These are optimal for groomed snow and skiers who prefer executing short, rapid turns.

Medium turning radius is commonly found in All Mountain skis, with a radius spanning 15 - 18 metres, suitable for those who enjoy a mix of on and off-piste skiing.

Large turning radius is a feature of Freeride skis, ranging from 19 metres and above. These skis excel in deep snow or at high speeds, making them ideal for the fast, aggressive skier.

Understanding Ski Profiles - Rocker and Camber

CAMBER

Skis boasting camber profiles feature an arched curve along most of their length, making the centre rise from the snow. This design enhances pressure at the tips and tail, thereby improving the ability to edge. Camber is a common trait in nearly all Piste skis as well as numerous All Mountain and Freeride skis.

ROCKER/REVERSE CAMBER

Rocker skis are defined by their upward curves at the tips, or at both the tip and tail. Rocker enhances flotation in deep snow and facilitates easy entry and exit from turns. This profile is prevalent in almost all ski types, with certain exceptions among Piste Skis.

FULL ROCKER

This design excels in powder snow conditions, simplifying turning. Due to the lack of contact at both tip and tail with the snow, it is forgiving and tends to feel shorter than its actual length.

TIP ROCKER

This configuration strikes a balance between manoeuvrability and effective edging. It features camber along most of the ski's length for robust edge grip and control, while the tip rocker adds playfulness and enhances powder snow performance.

TIP AND TAIL ROCKER

A fusion of rocker and camber, this is a widely favoured profile due to its versatility. The tip and tail rocker configuration excels in powder snow, with the added camber improving its All Mountain performance. On-piste, it feels slightly shorter due to the rockered tips and tails.

TWINTIP

The lifted tip and tail facilitate backwards skiing, backward take-offs or landings, and generally enhance the skis' playful nature. The bindings are often centrally mounted for improved balance during tricks.