Downhill, freeride, freestyle skiing or ski touring: snow sports are varied and the spatulas under your feet will differ depending on your preferences between groomed, trodden or powdery snow.
Let’s head on a tour of the various skis available to ensure you find the pair that will see you through all of your adventures this winter, in both skiing and off-piste areas.
Let’s start with a discussion on the vocabulary: skis are a complex item of equipment, whose the technical specs vary according to the practice and skier preferences. You may already have heard about the edges of a ski, width of the skate and the rocker? Let’s translate these technical terms for you.
Skate width
The skate is the area located in the middle of the ski, under the skier’s feet. The wider it is, the greater what we call the "lift" of the ski (namely its ability to carry the skier), but the slower the transition from edge to edge will be. That’s why racing skis, which are designed for use at high speeds and on groomed slopes, are narrower; unlike certain skis designed to go off-piste which can be very wide to help you get off the ground properly on powder-covered terrain.
The rocker(s)
This is the raised part at the edges of the ski, at the spatula. The more pronounced the ski rocker is, the more play it will offer, helping to get you off the ground in powder if you’re off-piste; and if you prefer to have your ski face groomed slopes, the rocker will facilitate pivot when initiating turns. We’re referring to the front rocker, the rear rocker, or the double rocker when the two edges are raised.
Ski radius.
This is the distance that the ski should travel to complete the curve when it is placed on the edge. It depends on the sidecut of the ski (which corresponds to the width of the ski on the spatula, skate and the tail). The radius is important as it indicates whether the ski is designed to interlink rapid bends (with a short radius) or wide curves. For skiers looking to follow a specific practice, some skis incorporate specific curve radii: this is the case of our 900R boost skis for example (R, for radius), where the objective is to be highly efficient over a certain type of bend.
If you’re interested in learning all the vocab, you can find our ski glossary here: After reading this, no chance you’ll still be baffled about the technical terms!
Now that you’re an expert on skiing technical vocabulary, let’s really get to the crux of the subject: choosing your gear according to your sport. There are as many different ski types as there are disciplines. So before diving in, you need to ask yourself a few questions: are you a beginner, an expert, or somewhere in-between? Are you looking for skis that keep you on the slopes, or rather to venture off the beaten track, off-piste? Do reverse moves? A little bit of all of this combined? Do you need several skis as are you’re lucky enough to be on different terrain every weekend, or are you looking for a single pair that you can take along with you wherever you go? Let’s do a little tour of the various practices, and therefore the different skis out there.
Keen to hone your skills in skiing areas while enjoying groomed slopes, taking sharp turns and crossing mogul trails? Then Alpine skis (or downhill skis) are made for you! With the stability and added control they offer, these skis are designed for you to spend enjoyable days on the slopes among family and friends. They generally have a narrower skate to make them more manoeuvrable and incisive so you can take some impressive turns on prepared snow.
If you’re more of an off-piste skier, rather opt for a suitable pair of skis to make the most of the powder the day after snowfall. Wider (more than 85 mm at the skate), they have a rocker/rockers in front and/or at the rear, helping to lift you off the ground on powder or unstructured snow.
Do you enjoy groomed slopes but also like discovering new avenues and most of all, you dislike having to make a choice? All-mountain skis are designed for those looking for a versatile pair of skis allowing them to go anywhere they like in the snow. Some of our skis also bear the name Patrol, like the piste skiers who use a single pair every day, in all weather and on all types of snow.
For skiers who spend their time at snowparks, performing jumps or doing reverse moves, skis specially-designed for freestyle will be your best ally. These skis are lightweight but hard-wearing, and are fitted with a dual spatula allowing the skier to move in both directions and even flirt with the units.
Ski touring allows you to explore the mountains in a different way, off the skiing areas, to escape the crowds. Apart from the feeling of escape it offers, it’s an excellent way to do some cardio, without taking the ski lifts. Placed under the skis, "seal skins" allow you to climb in the snow, boots on, along the slopes or in more recessed areas.
Although very long skis were what was used in the past, parabolic skis have revolutionised the skiing world: shorter than in the past, the sidecuts have been reworked to make them more manoeuvrable. Today, ski size relates more to the sports discipline and the aspirations of skiers than to their actual size (although this does obviously play a role).
It is also important to remember that your skis are what carry you on the snow: your weight will also be a factor. If you’re light, skis that are too long and therefore heavy will be more difficult to manoeuvre.
To make the right choice according to your height and level, the rule of thumb remains the same for all skis: if you’re a beginner, go for relatively short skis before choosing longer ones as you progress. To make the right choice, hold your skis up vertically, and check to what level the front tip reaches, between your chin and your eyes.
As is the case for adults, the choice of skis for children is key to allow them to fully enjoy skiing while learning at their own pace.
Between their height, age, skiing level... several factors need to be taken into account; just like for the grown-ups! If they’re lucky enough to get a taste for skiing from a very young age, you can offer them this first contact with the snow using specially-adapted scooters. If they’re a bit bigger, then it works the same way as for adults: different types of skis exist for beginner kids as well as young skiers who are more experienced, so that they can learn and improve while also having fun. Certain accessories such as a ski harness can help them to find their way around this new feeling of movement with total peace of mind (which also applies to you, as parents).
Here we give you some tips to help you make the right choice!
Now you have good knowledge of the technical language, the various skiing disciplines, and what size to choose depending on ski level. Now we’re handing over to you in terms of choosing your future pair of tips. And if you need any other advice, don’t hesitate to visit one of our shops or contact us on our instagram account decathlon_wintersportsto ask any questions!
