Alpine Skis

Varieties of Alpine Skis

When purchasing alpine skis, it's crucial to consider the type of skiing you'll primarily engage in. Skis are categorised by their design to optimise performance under specific snow conditions and terrain. The six classifications are all-mountain skis, piste skis, race skis, freeride skis, freestyle skis, and touring skis. A distinct section exists for children's skis, crafted to better accommodate the physique of a child. These skis tend to be lighter, shorter, and facilitate easier learning.

Which Skis Are Right for Me?

The most favoured ski types are all-mountain and piste skis. These, often termed carving skis, excel on marked runs at a ski resort (on-piste). All-mountain skis offer slightly greater versatility compared to piste skis, enabling them to handle a broader range of snow conditions, including some off-piste skiing.

Freeride skis cater to those who prefer spending much of their time off-piste and in powder snow, whereas freestyle skis, also referred to as twin tip skis, are designed for executing tricks and stunts in snowparks. The racing segment includes slalom skis and giant slalom skis, engineered for swift downhill skiing on racecourses. Touring skis also fit into the off-piste category but are lightweight since touring often entails ascending mountains. Specialised touring bindings and adhesive skins assist skiers in climbing and accessing untouched powder to ski down.

For further insights into ski selection, take a look at - Buying Skis for Beginners / Buying Skis for Intermediates / Buying Skis for Kids.