There are many different things that would effect picking the perfect ski for you.  There have been so many developments in the down-hill ski industry over the past 20 years, that it can be confusing and hard to know what technology is right for you.  These changes are all positive and have brought about dramatic changes in the way we ski now compared to just a few years ago.

The current hourglass, or parabolic, shape of a ski is one of the key technology drivers behind how a ski performs.  The shape of a ski is directly correlated with how tall or long a ski needs to be. With older non-shaped skis, basically a person would put their arm above their head and that would be the length they would be recommended to ski.  Parabolic skis have changed that entirely and in fact manufacturers don’t make skis as long as they once did.  There are many important factors to consider when deciding what ski is right for you including :

• ability
• height
  
• flex/forgiveness
• shape &
  
• type of ski

To determine the right ski for you it is also important to know where you like to ski and in what conditions you plan to use the ski.  I will discuss in detail each of these areas, so anytime you go to a ski shop you can be armed with the right information to pick the perfect ski for you.

Ability

A very important factor in deciding how long a ski you should be skiing on is your ability.  There is a standardized scale in the ski industry and it is based on a numeric ranking.  There are five rankings in the scale -I, I, II, III and +III, with -I being the lowest on the scale.  A -I skier is going to be someone who has never skied before or an “NE – Never Ever” and a +III is going to be an expert skier who is very aggressive.

I am going to quickly define each of the above user types:

• Type -I.  This would be a beginner skier who has never skied before. Or this would be someone who hasn’t skied in over 5 years and is “starting over.”

• Type I. This type of skier prefers slower speeds and skis cautiously on smooth slopes of moderate pitch. Think of it as a beginner skier who is learning to handle green runs with confidence.

• Type II. This type of skier prefers a variety of speeds.  They ski on varied terrain from green to blue runs with confidence and would considered a strong beginner to intermediate skier. A type II skier could also be an advanced skier who just likes to “cruise” and is not an overly aggressive or fast skier.

• Type III. This type of skier prefers faster speeds, skiing aggressively on slopes of moderate to steep grade.  They are generally considered an advanced to expert skier that can ski blue to double black runs with confidence.

• Type +III.  This type of skier is an expert (think past ski racer, lifelong skier, etc.) and wants to spend their time “bombing” down groomers or hunting for powder in the trees and back country.

Ability is often confused with how good a skier you are.  It is important to remember its not that you have been skiing for 30 years, or the fact you have perfect or imperfect form.  Its about how aggressive you ski, the above definitions are the best way to determine your skier type or skier ability.

Ski Length

Now that we know your skier ability we can determine the appropriate length ski for you.  This is where the next important variable comes in to play, your height.

• For a type I skier you can determine your length by taking the ski and standing it up next to you, the ski tip should be from your collarbone to your chin.
• A type II skier is going to do the same procedure with the ski tip being between the chin and the top of the nose.
• A type III skier will have the tip of the ski be from the top of the nose to the forehead.  A type III skier is most likely going to have their own take on what length of ski they like, but in general most people do not ski skis that are taller then themselves. As I mentioned before, most manufacturers no longer make all-mountain skis longer than 195cm, so you really can’t get skis much higher than your head even if you want them.

Flex

The next variable to consider when deciding what ski is right for you is the flex, or forgiveness, of the ski.  Flex is how much the ski bends, or flexes, when the skier is skiing the ski.  This is influenced most by the core materials from which the ski is made.  Materials can vary greatly from natural wood cores, wood composites, fiberglass, metal layering and different epoxy composite layering.

• A less aggressive skier, Type I, would generally want a softer flexing ski.  The advantage of having a softer flexing ski is that the ski is easier to ski.  It is more forgiving and provides the skier with a more confident ski experience.
• A type II skier would want a ski with a more moderate flex.  If the ski is too soft for a more aggressive skier they will find the ski might “chatter” when carving turns with a tendency to wash out on them.  A stiffer ski will give them more confidence at higher speeds and provide them with the stability they need to ski at their level.
• A type III skier is going to want a stiffer ski to have confidence at higher speeds and over varied terrain.  The stiffness of a ski also determines how it responds to different snow conditions.  A softer ski is not going to perform well on hard pack and choppy powder.  A stiffer ski is going to provide a more aggressive skier ( Type II, III) with an ability to go fast on many different terrains.  There is an element of functionality that must also be considered when looking for skis that a designed to one thing very well – carving, powder, etc.  For example, a skier who wants a dedicated powder ski may want a softer flex in that ski for better flotation.  A skier who wants a ripping groomer race ski would want a stiffer ski.  As you become a more experienced skier you will know what type of flex works best for you.  In general however, a Type I skier needs a softer flexing ski and a Type III skier needs a stiffer ski.  A person’s weight can influence these considerations, as well. A lighter person would move more toward a softer flexing ski and a heavier person toward a firmer flexing ski.

To test the flex of a ski simply grab it at the tip and with your opposite hand press as hard as you can against the top of the binding. Feel how much pressure you have to apply to get the ski to bow or bend.  If the ski flexes without much pressure than it is a soft forgiving ski.

Shape

Probably the most revolutionary change to skis since the metal edge, is the shaped-ski.  In the past, skis were straight edged.  To get these skis to carve required a great deal of energy and leg strength. All modern skis have some degree of shape to them.  This is accomplished by having a different width in the tip, tail and under foot.  These dimensions create a unique shape and make it easier for the skier to carve with the ski.  The length of the ski and these dimensions also work together to form the turning radius, the distance on edge it takes to create a natural carve of the ski.  The more extreme the shape the shorter the turning radius. Every ski has a radius statistic on it. Ask for the number and keep these ranges in mind: Anything below 15 is a carving ski; from 15-19 is an all mountain ski; anything above 19 is really meant for powder. Because length of ski also effects radius there is going to be some overlap with either really short or really long skis.

Another variable that works in conjunction with the radius of a ski is the width under foot, or the width of the ski under the binding.  The width under foot is the best indicator of what the ski is designed to do well.  A ski with a width under foot below 76mm is designed to carve, a Slalom ski.  It is meant to stay on groomed trails.  It can go off trail but it is not going to perform as well as skis with a wider width under foot.  A ski with a width under foot from 77mm to 89mm would be an all mountain designed ski.  Basically it means the ski will do well on both groomed trail and off-piste.  These skis are designed to be the most versatile, allowing the user to have fun in a variety of terrain and snow conditions.  Skis with a width under foot of 90mm or greater are becoming more powder oriented skis.  These skis can ski on groomed trails but it is difficult.  They perform best in powder snow conditions.  Powder skis tend to have less shape making it more appropriate to ski them at longer lengths then are typically recommended.  Slalom skis have a good deal of shape making it appropriate to ski them at shorter lengths.

Twin-Tip Skis

These are skis that are turned-up on both the tip and the tail.  This type of ski allows for an easier experience skiing backwards.  They also release from turns easier than a ski with a more traditional structure.  These skis tend to be wider in the tip and tail and typically have a wider width under foot.  This increased width is designed to aid in landing the skis in parks.  Twin-Tips are designed mostly as a trick ski allowing for the user to land both forward and backward.  These skis are also designed as backcountry powder skis.  Their wider lengths and ease of releasing from turns make them great in the powder.  Twin tipped skis are great for park & pipe and powder conditions.

Reverse Camber/Rockered Skis

Reverse camber or rockered is a term that describes a ski that does not have a traditional camber.  Most skis have a camber where the middle of the ski sits higher on the snow than the tips and tail.  A rockered ski can have many different configurations including, the tip and tail sitting higher on the snow than the middle or just the tip sitting higher on the snow with the center and tail having traditional camber.  The main benefit in a reversed camber ski is that it is easier to float in powder and mixed conditions.  These skis also make it easier to initiate and release from turns.  This is a revolutionary ski construction technic that is becoming very popular throughout the industry.  In fact, the 2011 K2 fleet has redesigned many of its most popular skis to include a rockered design.

Where You Like to Ski

As you can tell from all the above information there are a lot of different types of skis out there.  To find the ski that is right for you we really need to answer one last really important question, Where do you like to ski?  If you know you like to ski on groomed trails, never going off-piste, a shalom ski could be right for you.  If you like to ski on and off-trial an all-mountain ski might be right for you.  If you want to ski in the backcountry and get some fresh tracks, a powder ski could be right for you.

It is difficult to find one ski that is perfect in all conditions.  Skis on the Run carries a fleet of very capable All-Mountain skis able to tackle most users needs on the front and backside of the mountain.  However, we also carry skis capable of making great short carving turns and powder boards able to handle the best Utah powder.

How Skis on the Run Does It

When you make a reservation with skis on the run we get your physical information, height, weight and age.  We also get your skier ability, our trained reservationists go over in detail what skier type is appropriate for each person in your group.  When you make your reservation you can go ahead and tell us which ski you would like or you can just tell us where you like to ski.  Our management staff will then sit down with every single persons information and decide, if you did not request a ski, which ski we think would provide you with the best ski experience while your in Park City.  Our trained delivery technicians will custom fit your boot and prepare the ski based on your ability.  If you decide at any point while your in Park City you would like to try a different ski, all you have to do is let us know what you liked and didn’t like about the ski and we will find a ski more to your liking and of course its included in our service.

There are a lot of variables in finding the perfect ski.  Each manufacturer has a little different way of making their skis.  Skis on the Run carries skis by Atomic, Blizzard, Dynastar, K2, Rossignol, Volkl, Nordica and Salomon to make sure we have exactly what you need and want.  All-mountain skis are the best option for most skiers, but conditions change and you may want to try a different ski.  At Skis on the Run its always a pleasure to help you in picking the right ski for you!

We look forward to seeing you this winter!

-Mic Mullins

Skis on the Run