Skis with Bindings are called system skis. System skis have a plate that the binding is affixed to that improves the flex of the ski by eliminating dead spots underneath the mounting platform. System skis are typically groomer and on trial skis due to their more narrow waists.
Skis without Bindings are called flat skis. Flat skis are typically all mountain, all mountain wide, freestyle or powder skis. Wider bindings improve the torsional strength of the ski. Bindings now have a wider mounting platform that decreases the amount of leverage it takes to tip the ski on edge.
A ski's waist width directly correlates to the condition that you will mostly be skiing in. Skis with skinnier waists are quicker edge to edge, better for on trail carving and easier to maneuver for a new or beginner skier. The wider the ski is underfoot, the more float you get in the powder and the more stability you get in the crud and broken snow. The more time you spend off-trail, the wider your skis should be.
Skis under 85mm are best suited for skiers that will be spending just about all of their time on the groomed trails. This waist width can range from beginner all the way up to expert and everything in-between. High-powered carving skis for experts usually have a waist width around mm which makes the ski very agile, yet wide enough to go through the crud that pops up on the groomers. Skis for beginners are in this waist width that will make them lighter and easier to control while learning.
Skis mm are primarily used for on-trail skiing but have the ability to spend some time off the groomers in the right snow conditions. They have maneuverability on and off the trail and versatility so you can spend time in the powder. Skis mm are the ideal all mountain waist width for skiers seeking true versatility. They make medium to long radius turns on the groomers with ease and have the ability to float in all but the absolute deepest of powder and we hope you get those days.
Ultra wide waist widths provide you with the most floatation in the deep powder and the most stability when things get cruddy or bumpy. They are not the most agile ski for making short quick turns on the groomers but are easily manageable for making your way back to the lifts for another lap.
Rocker is the slightly bent up or reverse camber shape that lifts off of the ground when the ski is laying flat on the ground. Rocker makes the ski more maneuverable by engaging the tip of the ski into a turn quicker and easier. It also helps you float to the top of the ski just like a water ski does.
Snow is a three dimensional medium, just like water. Having your skis on top of the snow makes it much easier for you to keep up speed, suffer less fatigue, turn and enjoy the powder. Rocker also absorbs negative vibrations that can be caused by bumps or crud. Think of a traditionally cambered ski as a loaded spring - when you hit the variations in the snow, the cambered tip will send those vibrations through the ski, back through the binding, past the boots and to your body.
A rockered ski will absorb those vibrations rather than sending them to your body. Rocker is here to stay. Now some form of rocker exists in almost every type of ski, no matter what the intended use is. Rocker gives you more maneuverability and the extra length improves your stability. Cambered skis have the most traditional shape with the center of the ski raised when the ski is laying flat on the ground un-weighted. They provide the most edge hold, stability and rebound for on-trail skiing.
Rocker initiates a turn quickly while the camber provides stability. Most all mountain skis have this type of rocker profile. Rockered tips initiate turns quicker and float better in soft snow. Camber underfoot provides stability and edge grip. Rocker in the tail releases the ski from turns easier for developing skiers and provides better maneuverability off the trail.
This combination is the most versatile for on and off trail skiing. Full Rocker skis have a U shape to them with the base of the ski flat on the ground while the tips and tails rise up, usually pretty dramatically.
Fully rockered skis are most used in the deep powder for the best floatation and have a surfy, playful feel. An increasing number of all mountain skis are starting to use this shape for versatility. The tail profile can have a large impact as to how that ski reacts; mostly it changes how the ski exits a turn. These skis have narrower waists and shorter turn radius for edge to edge quickness and responsive turn initiation and exit on groomed runs and hard pack.
The beginner-intermediate skis in this category are designed to make learning how to turn as easy as going from pizza to French fries. Park and pipe skis, often called freestyle skis, are for skiers who spend the majority of their time in the terrain park. If jumps, rails, and jibs of all kinds are your thing then check out this category. Though traditionally park and pipe skis have narrower waists with full camber profiles, this category is incorporating more rocker patterns and different shapes.
You will almost always find these skis with twin tips as well as other park specific features like thicker, more durable edges, dense extruded bases, and butter zones. Also known as backcountry skis, alpine touring AT skis are designed for going uphill as well as downhill. These skis are typically light for their width and many feature fittings that accept climbing skins.
System skis come with bindings in one convenient package. They use a plate or plates that require a specific model of binding. System bindings usually do not come attached to the skis, and you should always have a certified technician adjust your bindings to your boots.
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A hideous scratching noise erupted beneath our van just after midnight. Was it the altitude? Over the years, ski companies have experimented with variations of tip widths, tail widths, sidecuts and even reverse sidecuts. Some recent development in ski construction and shaping can even make long skis feel like much shorter ones by bringing the widest parts of the skis tip and tail closer to the centre of the ski.
Flex refers to how stiff or soft a ski feels for turning. Stiffer skis less flex give more support and reduce ski chatter at higher speeds. If you have a family of up-and-coming skiers, then new skis can be handed down to the next young shredder in line after the current skier has outgrown them.
Since kids do grow quickly and are often beginner skiers, many families choose to start them out with rentals, used skis or even local winter gear leasing programs in their communities. Date October 19, Date September 22, Date September 14, Skip to content Skip to navigation. Skip to main content Skip to content navigation Close navigation. Learn Running and fitness tips Hiking and camping tips Cycling tips Rock climbing and bouldering tips Watersports tips Backpack tips Outdoor clothing tips Travel tips Snowsports tips How to start snowshoeing How to choose snowshoes How to enjoy winter activities with kids How to choose downhill skis How to choose and fit ski boots How to choose ski bindings How to choose and size ski poles How to choose backcountry skis Avalanche safety gear and training How to choose cross-country Nordic skis How to wax skis and snowboards Ski touring checklist Snowshoeing checklist Winter running: gear and tips for cold weather Product care and maintenance MEC packing lists.
How to choose downhill skis. Ski length: Learn what size skis to buy based on your height and weight. Ski shape and stiffness: Camber, rocker, sidecut and ski flex affect how skis feel underfoot. Choosing skis for kids: Growing kids mean there are a few things to keep in mind.
Shop downhill skis. For intermediate skiers Confident parallel skiers that ski blue to black runs want skis to support their moves. For advanced skiers groomers Are black and double-back runs your thing? For advanced skiers powder Confident, aggressive skiers that are all about powder, steep terrain, and tree skiing need skis to help float through deep snow.
Where are you skiing? Skis for powder If you freeride and like to seek out pockets of fluff at your local resort and see yourself graduating to backcountry slopes , you need skis to help you float that are built for off-piste terrain. What size skis to buy What size skis do you need? Longer skis are for generally for skiers that like to go fast, cover varied terrain, and are looking for twin-tips.
Ski size chart The measurements below are a starting point, not firm rules — it all comes down to personal preference.
Understanding camber, rocker, flex and sidecut Camber and rocker are terms used to describe the way a ski is curved or arched underfoot.
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