Stop in to your favorite ski shop and what will you see…a rack full of skis in all sorts of shapes and sizes. With all there is to look at, how do you know which category is right for you?

Let us start with a look at the All-Terrain skis. These are the “jack-of-all-trades” skis are wide enough to stay on top of powder but narrow enough to give you an edge on the groomers. Within the All-Terrain category, there are many levels to meet the needs of all abilities. For the expert/advanced level skier looking for one ski that will do everything, look for an All-Terrain Experts ski. The waist width on these skis are in the 70 – 83 mm range and these skis can handle hardpack, trees, bumps, fresh snow and tracked up freshies. New this season, are some meatier versions of the All-Terrain expert ski with slightly wider waists, 74 – 85 mm, and deeper sidecuts. If you need a ski that is a bit more forgiving with a softer flex, look for an All-Terrain intermediate ski.

The next category we will look at are the Big Mountain/Freeride skis. These skis are designed to blast through crud or float over powder at high speeds. Big Mountain skis have the most surface area to keep you riding close to the top of the snow. Fat skis tend to have a shallow sidecut, which makes for longer turns with a loose feel. Waist widths are typically between 82 – 99 mm, and are skied a little bit longer than All-Terrain skis. These skis are designed for the fluff and are best for the steep and deep. Keep in mind; if you do ski on hardpacked snow, this is not the ski for you.

The last category we will cover here are Carving skis. Carving skis feature narrow waists with deep sidecuts. They deliver exceptional edge grip and really make it easy to carve a turn. Race skis are found in this category since these skis enable the skier to make fast turns with quick edge changes. With Carving skis, the edge of the ski is right under the boot for instant edge hold. Carving skis are the ultimate ski for arching turns and cruising groomed terrain. In this category, look for an expert model or an intermediate model, depending on your ability level. Looking for corduroy…then a carving ski is for you.

Take advantage of a demo day at your favorite ski area, and try a ski in each of these categories. The perfect ski, for you, is out there.

Happy trails!