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Expert Advice Snowsports Downhill Skiing

How to Choose Downhill Skis

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Novices can hop on nearly any ski and have fun, particularly on easy-to-turn all-mountain skis.
Expert-level skiers can Fne-tune their performance by paying attention to subtle differences in
sidecut, rocker and Hex. No matter your skill level, however, it's important to match your skis to the
terrain and snow conditions you typically encounter.

Video: Downhill Skis: How to Choose

Downhill Skiing Skis: How to Choose

Types of Downhill Skis
REI categorizes its skis as all-mountain, all-mountain wide, powder and backcountry. We also sell
twin tip / freestyle skis, which are designed primarily for playing in the terrain park and half-pipe.

All-Mountain Skis

Best for groomed terrain (all levels, including moguls), or a mix of groomed and powder.
Sometimes called carvers, all-mountain skis are suited for all age groups, both genders and any
experience level. Narrow waists, up to 90mm, deep sidecuts, and rockered tips make them easy to
turn. They hold an edge on groomed routes and hard snow, and high-end models can satisfy
performance expectations of expert-class skiers.

Shop All-Mountain Skis

All-Mountain Wide Skis

Best for groomed runs and powder. These skis can handle it all. Sometimes also called mid-fats or
fats, these skis have wide waists of 91mm-109mm, which enhance Hotation in soft snow without
sacriFcing too much agility on groomed slopes. They eWciently cut through sloppy snow and
provide stability in crusty, variable snow.

Shop All-Mountain Wide Skis

Powder Skis

Best for powder, backcountry and occasional groomed runs. As the name implies, these skis
perform best when skiing deep powder snow. Sometimes called super-fats, powder skis typically
have waist widths of 109mm and higher for men's skis and 100mm and higher for women's skis to
provide Hotation and a surf-like, playful feel. Most feature a fully rockered proFle to further boost
Hotation, enhance maneuverability and keep edges from catching. Be aware that they’re not built
for precise turns on groomed runs, but they are absolutely the best choice for a memorable day
when the powder is deep.

Shop Powder Skis

Backcountry Skis
Best for untracked wilderness terrain, powder and groomed runs. Backcountry skis open the wild,
untracked areas of a mountain to you. With the help of climbing skins, you can ski uphill to reach
fresh, untracked snow and then remove the climbing skins to enjoy the ride down. With this
freedom comes the responsibility of acquiring the mountaineering and avalanche awareness skills
necessary for ensuring your own safety.

Skis are lighter than alpine gear, which is advantageous when climbing. They feature waist widths
of approximately 80mm-120mm: Narrower waists make turning easier when skiing hard snow;
wider waists work better in powder. Backcountry skis can be used for telemark or randonee skiing;
the choice depends on what style bindings you put on the skis.

Shop Backcountry Skis

Downhill Skis by Gender or Age

Women's Downhill Skis
Women-speciFc skis are typically softer Hexing than comparable men's skis, which means they
require less energy to Hex. This makes them easier to maneuver and less fatiguing. They are also
often lighter and shorter than men's skis.

Bindings on women's ski are usually mounted a little farther forward on skis than men's bindings to
accommodate women's center of gravity that is farther back than men's. This enhances a female
skier's balance, stability and responsiveness.

Shop Women's Skis

Kids' Downhill Skis

It may make sense to buy clothes that kids can "grow into," but
that strategy does not pay off for aspiring young skiers. Equip
them with skis that are a good Ft for their current size. For the
very young (under 6), tips in general should not quite reach their
chins (or be 6 to 8 inches below the tops of their heads). For
youth (under 12), tips should touch a part of their middle or upper
face. Kids can always ski a shorter ski but may have problems
with a long ski. When in doubt, go short.

Shop Kids' Skis

Sizing Downhill Skis

Choose ski length based on your weight, height, skill level and terrain preference.

Height: In general, with ski tails on the ground, tips should touch you somewhere between your
nose and eyebrows. This may vary based on your ability level and terrain preference. Kids? For the
very young (under 6), tips should not quite reach their chins. For youth (under 12), tips should
touch a part of their face. Talk to an REI sales specialist to help you choose the ski size that will
best meet your needs.

Weight: Skiers with larger frames often are good candidates for either longer skis or wider skis.
Extra mass provides leverage for turning longer skis; extra surface area can also help distribute
weight. See the Specs tab on REI.com product pages for manufacturer weight recommendations.

Experience: Shorter skis appeal more to novices because they're easy to turn. Veteran skiers will
often choose their size based on the type of turn they want to make. Shorter skis usually have a
smaller radius or quicker turn. A longer ski will have a longer radius or wider turn.

Terrain: If your favorite hill is dominated by narrow, twisty trails, look at shorter skis. They're better
at quickly maneuvering into tight turns.

Downhill Ski Dimensions

A ski's dimensions are determined by measuring (in millimeters) its width in 3 places: at its 2
widest points, the tip and tail, and at its narrowest, the waist. Tip/waist/tail measurements are
usually separated by slashes and displayed as, for example, 131/98/119.

Tip: Also called the "shovel," the tip initiates turns. A wide tip (roughly 120mm and higher) Hoats
more easily on soft snow. On hard snow, wider tips matched with narrower waists create a ski best
suited for short-radius carved turns.

Waist: Of the 3 dimensions, waist width is the most critical. Narrow waists allow you to establish
an edge sooner, resulting in speedy, usually nimble skis that are ideal for groomed runs. They can
also shift from edge to edge more quickly. Wide waists deliver more surface area (more area to
make contact with snow), which makes them preferable in soft snow and powder.

Tail: The back end of a ski helps sustain turns and usually matters more to fast-turning
experienced skiers. (Their usual preference: wider tails.) When carving tight, rapid turns, a wider tail
resists sideways skids and sustains speed. Others may prefer narrower tails, which are better for
wide, sweeping turns.

Sidecut radius (or turning radius): Skis with low turning radius numbers (low to mid teens) are
better for making tight, short-radius turns. Higher numbers (upper teens and beyond) indicate skis
better suited for long-radius turns and fast descents.

Downhill Ski Camber / Rocker

Camber: Many skis offer a continuous, downturned arc (or bow) that runs for much of the length of
the ski. When a skier stands on a ski, it Hattens due to the skier’s weight. At that point the entire
length of the base can provide stability and the ski’s metal edge can initiate turns. As a skier moves
from turn to turn, camber provides the energy for a ski to snap back from turns, creating a
sensation of “liveliness.” In short, camber is the built-in spring that makes a ski lively.

Rocker: Rocker is essentially the opposite of camber, and is sometimes known as reverse camber
or negative camber. The side proFle of a rockered ski resembles the upturned rails of an old-school
rocking chair. On a Hat surface, the midsection of a rockered ski will rest on the ground while its
tips and tails rise off the ground much earlier than they do for a cambered ski. Rocker offers
improved Hotation in powder and offers greater maneuverability.

Downhill Ski Bindings

Integrated bindings: A popular choice for many all-mountain
skiers, in particular, are skis with bindings packaged together by
the manufacturer. These bindings are often desirable because
they tend to Hex more naturally, facilitate better edge-hold and
allow easy turning.

Nonintegrated bindings are still favored by many intermediate

and advanced skiers seeking speciFc performance features or higher DIN release settings.

Related Articles:
Downhill Ski Bindings: How to Choose

Downhill Ski Boots: How to Choose

Downhill Ski Poles: How to Choose

Rocker for Skis Explained

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