How to choose your skis
Welcome To the strange and exotic/wonderful world of skis. You have probably noticed there is a wide choice of skis out there, and have probable wondered why is such a big price difference ? Why are they so many different models? Which should I choose : I'm a beginner, I'm an expert, I want to ski on slopes but also off piste (my wife is afraid).
The ski instructors are there to help and can offer advice according to your level and or your budget
Note : Your budget will determine the quality of the ski, by quality we mean the material used in its construction which will have direct influence how the edge the bites and the ski handles. For example an entry range ski will be made out of foam and a high range ski can contain carbon which has the advantage of being lightweight and stiff.
Main differences
Differences between a stiff ski and a soft ski
- A stiff ski at speed will be stable, offer more grip and give more acceleration on exiting a turn.
- A softer ski will be more forgiving and easier to turn at low speeds, it will not have a such a grip as a stiffer ski and is less stable (generally used for beginners who do not yet ski parallel.
- Different ski shapes and more particularly underfoot width
- The underfoot width varies in function at the area of use : the width of the ski will determine how easy or how quickly you can change edge to edge and turn. The thinner the ski, The easier it is to apply weight successively to either edge of the ski.
- A slalom ski Will have a width of around 68 mm whereas a free ride ski (off piste) can be up to 115 mm wide.
- Off piste skis known as free ride skis are a lot larger this is because the extra surface area allows them to float more easily in deep snow.
Generally speaking :
- Skis mainly for slope : which of between 65 and 80 mm
- All mountain or freestyle skis between 80 and 90 mm
- Freeride skis 90 mm and above.
Ski construction and material :
This obviously has a huge impact on the quality and the price.
Entry range skis are mostly made with a foam base core whereas high range skis will be constructed with more elegant materials such as wood, titanium, Kevlar, carbon... all these different materials influence the handling of the ski.
High quality materials offer beginners stability and are reassuring underfoot, for more advanced skiers they are more precise and reactive.
Aesthetic qualities Are also important for premium range skis, you can find the ski equivalent of Rolls-Royce or Ferrari.
- Our premium range for intermediate level skier (reassuring, easy handling, excellent grip).
- Our premium range for high-level skiers/ sportsman/ Athletic skiers (extremely precise, extremely reactive).
- Our premium range for a good level nonathletic skiers (precise with good handling).
Weight
Depending on your age, your physical fitness, where and how you ski, the weight of your material can have huge impact on how you enjoy your day, new materials have been developed which allow skis to become lighter but be aware that generally speaking a lighter to ski will not have the same characteristics as a heavier one.
There is a difference between skis tailored to the men and skis tailored for women
Women’s skis are lighter, has a binding heel-piece which is set higher, and have different designs.
Choose ski bindings
Bindings Attach your ski boots to your skis and play an important safety role, they also transmit your mouvement to your skis. Bindings release you from the ski when pressure above the setting is applied. Release settings go up to a stiffness of 10 and some up to 13, these numbers represent how tight your boot is attached to the ski.
The adjustment will depend on :
- Your level : Faster skiers put more pressure on the binding and must therefore be set higher as not to lose the ski when turning, off-piste skiing also requires higher settings.
- Your weight : Has a direct influence on the pressure applied.
- The length of your ski boot : Alters weight distribution. If you're a lightweight, good skier then 10 will be sufficient. If you are a heavier, average skier then bindings up to 13 would be recommended.
Note : We highly recommend having you equipment checked or set up by a (one of our) qualified ski- technician.
Materials : As with skis, prices vary depending on the components used : High end equipment will be both lightweight and solid whereas for lower end equipment thinner plastics used will be cheaper but not as résistent.
ID sole : this allows a binding to be used with either with a classic alpine ski boot or with a touring ski boot (Vibram sole).
After the choice of your ski, discover how choose your skis boots
