Skis - Buyers Guide | aussieskier.com

Whether you're new to skiing or looking to upgrade your gear, choosing the right skis can make all the difference in your experience on the slopes. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you navigate the main ski categories and essential features to consider when buying skis.

Despite what many guides will tell you, there is no best ski of the year, only the skis that are most suited to how and where you ski. We test skis all over the world and specifically focus on identifying what type of skier each ski is for. These days every brand has gotten incredibly good at building good skis and there are very rarely any duds.

Ski Categories

Understanding the different types of skis is crucial to finding the right pair for your style and the terrain you’ll be skiing on.

All-Mountain: These versatile skis are designed to perform well in most conditions, from groomed runs to some off-piste. They’re a great option for skiers who want one ski that can handle a variety of terrain. All-mountain skis typically have a medium waist width (85-105mm) to balance stability and quick edge-to-edge transitions.
Carving Skis: Ideal for skiers who stick to groomed trails and prioritize precise turns. These skis have a narrow waist (generally 65-85mm), which makes them excellent for fast, controlled carving on hardpack snow. Their shape is designed to make edge transitions smooth and predictable.
Twin Tip Skis: Designed for park skiers who love tricks, jumps, and skiing switch (backward). These skis have tips at both ends, allowing for better performance when skiing backwards. They're softer and more flexible than other types, ideal for freestyle skiing.
Powder Skis: Built for deep powder days, these skis are wide (typically 105-125mm underfoot) and feature a rockered profile that helps them float on top of the snow. They're less nimble on groomers but excel in soft snow, providing unmatched stability and float.
Touring Skis: For the backcountry adventurer, touring skis are designed for uphill travel and downhill performance. They’re lighter in weight and often paired with touring bindings that enable earning your turns by hiking up.

Ski Waist Width

Ski width, measured at the waist, is a key determining factor in how well skis perform in different snow conditions.

Narrow Width (70-85mm): Best for groomed runs and hard-packed snow. Narrow skis offer quick edge-to-edge transitions and are great for carving.
Medium Width (85-100mm): Ideal for all-mountain skiing, offering a balance of stability and versatility across varying conditions.
Wide Skis (100mm+): Perfect for powder days, providing better float in deep snow but are slower edge-to-edge on groomers.

A key category for us here at Aussieskier is All Mountain skis between 85-90. These skis strike a nice balance for the snow types found locally here in Australia. Narrow enough to hold solidly on ice but wide enough to plane up and float in some softer snow, be that slush or the occasional powder day.

Ski Profile (Camber & Rocker)

Rocker and camber are two key attributes that define how a ski performs in different snow conditions and terrains. Most modern skis feature a combination of both, often in a rocker/camber/rocker configuration.

Camber: Camber is the upward arch in the middle of the ski when it’s unweighted. Skis with more camber offer more solid edge contact, grip and stability at speed. More often found in narrower, carving oriented skis.
Rocker: Rocker refers to an upward curve in the ski at the tip and sometimes the tail, giving it a banana-like shape. This lift reduces the contact points of the ski with the snow when it’s flat, making it easier to initiate turns and float over soft snow.
Mixed Rocker (Rocker/Camber/Rocker): Combines the best of both worlds, with camber underfoot for edge control and rocker in the tips for float in soft snow. The vast majority of All Mountain, Powder and Twin Tip skis utilise a Rocker/Camber/Rocker profile. The extent in which the Camber & Rocker is utilised is a major factor in what differentiates each models performance.

Ski Radius

The Radius of a ski is an indication of the types of turns a ski is designed to make. Skis with smaller radius' typically like to make shorter turns.

Short Radius (10-15m): Skis with a short radius are designed for quick, tight turns, ideal for carving and technical skiing.
Medium Radius (15-20m): Best for all-around skiing, offering a balance between quick turns and stability.
Long Radius (20m+): Suited for long, sweeping turns at high speeds, often found in powder or big-mountain skis.

Radius is one of the most important factors of deciding between Carving skis, but becomes less relevant the wider, softer and more rockered a ski gets.

Ski Length

Ski length is a whole post-worthy topic in itself. Many factors affect the end result: height, weight, ability, ski profile all included. Some people just have a personal preference one way or the other.

Most people size their skis between chin & head height. i.e. a 170cm skier will ski a ski from 150-175cm, this is purposefully quite a large range as it is just the starting point.

Factors that would suggest going shorter:

Less advanced Ability level (beginner & intermediate)
Lightweight build
Stiffer or more cambered ski profile
Priority on manoeuvrability and shorter turn shapes

Factors that would suggest going longer:

More advanced Ability level (advanced & expert)
Heavier build
Softer or more rockered ski profile
Priority on high speed stability and longer turn shapes

Ski Weight

The weight of a ski is more important if you are planning to hike or tour for your skiing. Sure, a lighter weight ski will feel lighter hanging off your feet whilst dangling on a chairlift, but the ski performance will be impacted if you go too light.

If you are mainly resort skiing, a bit more weight in your skis can be handy. Heavier skis help even out terrain and feel more composed, like suspension on a bike or car. Lighter skis still have their place as they can feel more energetic or lively and ultimately can be more fun depending on the skier.

If you are mainly touring, light is right! Every gram you shave off, especially from your skis, boots and bindings, makes a huge difference to how efficiently you can move around the mountains. Skiing a setup that is 200g lighter could easily be the difference between having the energy to do 3 laps or 4 in the backcountry.

Ski Flex

Ski Flex (or how stiff the skis are) is a quality often overlooked online because there is no objective measurement that is standardised. Yet a ski that is too stiff or too soft is often a major reason why a ski isn’t suitable. If you are a Beginner skier look on the softer end of the spectrum. Advanced/expert skiers can handle and normally enjoy a stiffer ski.

Despite how much reviewers rave about stiff skis, if you aren’t a very confident skier you’ll likely enjoy a softer flexing ski. Stiff skis get caught up more in variable snow and are harder to manoeuvre unless you have excellent technique.

Ski Bindings

Ski Bindings are the critical link between your boots and skis and have two important roles: Ski Retention whilst skiing & Ski Release in case of a fall to prevent injury.

The balance of Retention and Release for most bindings is adjustable and controlled by value known as DIN. Getting a binding with the right DIN range is important for both safety and performance.

Many carving skis come with an integrated binding which are performance and colour matched to the ski characteristics. Whereas most All Mountain, Powder and Touring options come flat, without bindings, and need to be correctly paired.

On many flat skis we offer the most appropriate binding models as a package on the product page with a package price. Add them both to cart and watch the savings fly in!

Binding Mounting

Where you mount the bindings on your skis can have a huge impact on how the ski performs. Most skis come out with a Factory Recommendation line printed on the ski. This is often described as the centre of the sidecut and is where the manufacturer suggests is the best mounting point.

The only skis that we recommend to move away from this line are dedicated Park Skis. On a Park Ski, there can be a benefit of moving the bindings forward of the recommended line. If you are planning on spending a reasonable amount of time skiing backwards, having a mount point closer to the centre of the ski provides more performance and balance whilst skiing backwards.

Choosing the right skis involves understanding your personal skiing style, preferred terrain, and the key features that influence performance. By following this guide, you'll be well-equipped to make an informed decision and enjoy a smoother, more enjoyable ride wherever you ski. If you have any further questions, don't be shy and get in touch. We have experts on hand who are aready to help!

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