Acquiring Skis for Intermediate Skiers

If you have been skiing for a considerable time and you desire skis that suit your expertise, this guide will help you find what you need. Being beyond the beginner stage and skiing confidently, you require skis that are more responsive to further your skiing abilities.

The selection of advanced skis is vast, so it's beneficial to determine where you prefer to ski most frequently and choose skis that are ideal for that environment or style.
Factors such as width, turning radius, and various ski profiles will provide additional insight into how you can personalise your decisions. Our aim is to assist you in selecting the ideal skis for your skiing style, ensuring you enjoy every moment of your ski holiday.

For those new to skiing or still at a novice level, we have prepared a guide tailored for beginners. Feel free to explore Ski Buying Guide for Beginners for further information.

ALL-MOUNTAIN SKIS - The most versatile skis

All-Mountain skis are excellent for those who like a mix of on-piste and off-piste skiing. While they are primarily suited for groomed pistes, they can manage softer snow conditions off-piste as well. With these skis, you can relish a day of skiing without concern about varying snow consistency on the slopes. Despite their adaptability to different snow surfaces, they do not specialise in any particular type of terrain. A distinctive feature of All-Mountain skis is the rocker tip, where the ski's front lifts off the snow, making it easier to turn and handle uneven surfaces. If you plan to own just one set of skis for multiple uses, this would be an ideal choice.

Choosing All-Mountain skis:
The performance of All-Mountain skis across different conditions varies significantly. One crucial attribute to consider is the ski's waist width, which is generally between 80 mm and 100 mm. A narrower width favours on-piste skiing, while a wider width enhances off-piste performance. Thus, if your primary skiing focus is on the piste, with occasional off-piste ventures, a ski with a waist width of around 80 mm is advisable. Conversely, if you enjoy exploring softer snow near the slopes, wider skis closer to 100 mm may be more suitable.

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PISTE SKIS - Ideal for carving on groomed slopes

Spend most of your skiing on groomed pistes and wish to refine your technique? Piste skis are the answer. Designed with a narrow waist typically between 68 mm and 80 mm and a camber profile, these skis offer excellent grip and control on firm snow surfaces.

Choosing Piste skis:
On-piste skiers often develop a style that prefers a specific turn size. Choosing skis with a turning radius that complements your style enhances their effectiveness. Piste skis typically offer a turning radius ranging from 13 m to 17 m, with smaller numbers for tighter turns and larger ones for broader turns. Additionally, it is essential to select skis compatible with your proficiency level. Beginner skis tend to be softer and more lenient, while expert skis are generally stiffer and heavier.

Within the Piste category, high-end Race skis are available, which are notably stiff and performance-driven. Slalom Race Skis (SL) have a small turning radius of about 10-13 m, whereas Giant Slalom Race Skis (GS) feature a much larger turning radius of 22 m or more, providing better stability.

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PARK SKIS/TWIN TIP SKIS - Best for executing tricks

For those who enjoy spending time in the snowpark perfecting their tricks, jumps, and half pipes, Park skis are a superb choice. Characterised by their twin tip design, which sharply rises at both ends, these skis enable skiers to take off or land switch (backwards) without tails catching the snow. Bindings are typically mounted closer to the centre to aid with weight distribution during spins and jumps.

Choosing Park skis:
When selecting the ideal Park skis, consider the tricks you aspire to master. If your focus is primarily on having fun with tricks on boxes and rails, opt for Park skis with a wider waist width, approximately 85 mm to 105 mm, for enhanced stability. These skis are usually softer and more flexible. If you prioritise speed and larger jumps, narrower Park skis with a waist of 80 mm to 95 mm, which are much stiffer, are preferable for increased stability during high speeds or landing jumps.

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FREERIDE SKIS / Powder SKIS - Perfect for deep snow

Freeride skis cater to those who prefer off-piste skiing and powder conditions. Featuring a wide width, typically between 90 mm and 120 mm, and an early-rising tip (tip rocker), they offer excellent flotation on snow and facilitate turning. Though the technique in deep snow differs significantly from groomed slopes, it's advantageous to have a substantial background of skiing on prepared runs before investing in Freeride skis. For safety during your expeditions, always use avalanche safety gear.

Choosing Freeride skis:
Finding the best Freeride skis involves selecting the right waist width for your skiing style, helping you to narrow choices and make an informed decision. Skis with a broader waist (100 mm or more) are excellent for keeping you afloat in deep snow and conserving energy, making them ideal for those who frequently ski in powder. Such skis, however, are unsuitable for groomed pistes due to their lack of grip. For those seeking versatile skis that perform well in soft snow while still offering manoeuvrability, opt for a waist width between 90 mm and 100 mm. These skis are especially enjoyable for forest trails near slopes.
Simply put, the wider the skis, the better they float in powder but the less suited they are to carving on compact snow.

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TOURING SKIS / Backcountry SKIS - Ideal for off-resort climbing adventures

Touring skis are designed for those adventurous souls eager to explore off-piste areas away from resorts. Proper equipment, such as touring bindings and skins, is essential for ascending the mountain before descending. These skis' width ranges from medium to broad (80 mm - 120 mm), and their lightweight design aids in climbing. A specialised type of ski, they require significant experience and thus suit experts best. Ensure you are equipped with avalanche safety gear for your explorations.

Choosing touring skis:
When deciding on touring or backcountry skis, consider whether you focus more on uphill or downhill skiing.
For downhill and powder conditions, touring skis are generally longer (not exceeding 10 cm from body length) and have a broader waist (95 mm or more) for better flotation. In contrast, uphill-centric skiers often prefer shorter skis, typically around chin height, with narrower waists (95 mm and below) to minimize weight.

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Selecting the Correct Ski Length

Your skis' length should primarily reflect your height, level of skill, and the style of skiing you plan to pursue.

Most ski styles offer 4 or 5 sizes, allowing you to choose a size closest to your ideal length from the size chart (with a difference of up to 3 cm longer or shorter being acceptable).

Weight and skiing technique can be additional factors when determining the suitable ski length. If your weight is substantially lighter or heavier than average, opt for shorter or longer skis accordingly. Lighter individuals should use shorter skis, whereas heavier individuals should choose longer ones. Skiing style corresponds closely to speed, so aggressive or fast skiers might benefit from longer skis for better stability. Conversely, skiers who are more cautious and consistent can achieve maximum manoeuvrability with shorter skis.

The image illustrates ski length recommendations for intermediate skiers

	All-Mountain/ Piste skis	Twin tip/ 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 are undoubtedly a crucial element of your skis. They not only keep you attached to your skis but also play a major role in ensuring your safety. Luckily, all Piste skis and most All-Mountain skis are sold with bindings included. Consequently, you needn't fret over selecting bindings, as they will correlate with the level of skill associated with the ski. Skis accompanied by bindings are easily adjustable in size, making them very convenient if you're renting ski boots or sharing skis with family.

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Skis provided without bindings necessitate purchasing the bindings individually, allowing you the choice to customise and determine their placement on the skis. This proves particularly useful for seasoned Freeride or Park skiers. Although mounting services can be somewhat expensive, if you order skis with bindings from SkatePro, we assemble and adjust them at a competitive rate. You can find further details on bindings in the Buying alpine ski bindings guide.

Waist Width Considerations

In addition to length, the ski width significantly impacts performance, with the waist width being the most critical measurement. The ski waist, which is the narrowest segment, is measured edge to edge in millimetres.

The width measurement is always listed in the specifications of the skis, typically accompanying the tip and tail measurements: Tip - Waist - Tail. Consequently, the waist width is consistently positioned in the centre. Example: (i.e. 141/108/124mm)

Skis with narrower waists generally facilitate easier turning, requiring less effort to switch from one edge to another. The skier’s pressure and weight are more concentrated over a smaller area, enhancing grip on the snow. Conversely, skis with wider waists provide greater surface area, improving their ability to float on powder snow and offering excellent stability on rough or uneven terrain.

Understanding Turning Radius

To simply explain, the turning radius of skis determines how effortlessly they turn. This detail is typically included in the model specifications.

The best turning radius varies, depending on the skier’s preferred style and type. Turning radii can be classified into three categories: small, medium, and large.

A small turning radius is typical of on-piste skis with a radius of 14 metres or less, ideal for skiing on groomed snow and for skiers who enjoy making short, quick turns.

Medium turning radius is commonly seen in All Mountain skis with a radius ranging from 15 - 18 metres, perfect for those who relish both on-piste and off-piste skiing.

Large turning radius found in Freeride skis typically spans 19 metres and more. Skis with a large radius offer remarkable stability in deep snow or at high speeds, making them suitable for fast, aggressive skiers.

Ski Profiles: Rocker and Camber Explained

CAMBER

Camber skis possess an upward curve that extends along most of the ski, causing the centre to lift from the snow. This shape increases pressure at the tip and tail, thereby improving edging capabilities. Camber is present in nearly all Piste skis, as well as in numerous All Mountain and Freeride skis.

ROCKER/REVERSE CAMBER

Rocker skis are defined by their upward curve at the ski’s tip or both tip and tail. This design enhances their ability to float over deep snow and simplifies turning initiation and completion. Most ski types incorporate rocker, though there are some exceptions in Piste Skis.

FULL ROCKER

This profile is designed to excel in powder conditions and facilitate turning. It is forgiving and generally feels shorter than its actual length because the tip and tail are not in contact with the snow.

TIP ROCKER

Tip rocker offers a balanced blend of manoeuvrability and edge effectiveness. The camber spans much of the ski’s length to provide strong edge grip and control, while the tip rocker introduces playfulness and enhances performance in powder snow.

TIP AND TAIL ROCKER

This combination of rocker and camber is highly favoured for its versatility. The tip and tail rocker ensure excellent performance in powder snow, while the inclusion of camber enhances its All Mountain capabilities. When used on-piste, it tends to feel slightly shorter due to its rockered tips and tails.

TWINTIP

The elevated tip and tail enable skiing backwards, as well as taking off or landing jumps in reverse, rendering the skis highly playful. Bindings are typically mounted near the centre of the skis to improve balance during tricks.