When it comes to skiing, many people think that bigger is better. After all, a small ski can barely make it up the mountain, whereas a big one can carry more gear and reach new heights! While this is generally true, it doesn’t mean that all ski sizes are created equal. In fact, there are specific measurements that you need to know to choose the right one for you! Here is the lowdown on ski size terminology and how to read them so you can hit the slopes feeling confident in your choice!
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Short vs Tall
If you are a short person, you will need a short ski. Similarly, if you are a tall person, you will need a tall ski. Shorts and tall skis don’t work well together, as the former’s shorter length allows for more speed and maneuverability but the latter’s sturdier build allows for greater control at high speeds.
In other words, if you are short, you should get a short ski that is at least 45-50 cm in length. Similarly, if you are tall, you should get a tall ski that is at least 60-65 cm in length. Using this measuring guide, you can find the right ski for your height and build. Remember: shorter does not always mean weaker, faster, or more maneuverable. Sometimes, it simply means that you are closer to the ground and thus more vulnerable to injury!
Heavy vs Light
Depending on the type of ski you plan on using, you will need a different approach to choosing the right one for you. For example, if you are a beginner who wants to explore the basics of skiing, a heavy ski might be a better fit. On the other hand, if you are an expert skier looking for a faster, more responsive machine, you should go for a lighter ski.
As a general rule of thumb, heavy skis are better for advanced or expert skiers whereas lighter ones are better for beginners and intermediates. This simply means that heavier skis are less maneuverable and tend to be slower than their lighter counterparts. If you are new to the sport or just want a machine that can carry more gear, opt for a heavy ski. On the other hand, if you are a seasoned skier looking for a more stable platform, opt for a light ski. Whether you are a beginner or advanced, a heavy ski will still feel sluggish on the slopes compared to a light one.
Wide vs Taper
While most people think that big is better when it comes to the size of their ski, it doesn’t necessarily follow that wider is better. In fact, sometimes, you want a narrower ski to increase your maneuverability. Wider and taller skis are perfect for expert skiers who want to master the art of turning. If you are new to the sport or just want to spice up your skiing experience, opt for a narrower ski to increase your maneuverability.
As for the taper of a ski, again, it depends on the type of skiing you are doing. If you are skiing down a sunny slope, you will want a wider taper to allow for greater sliding surface area. If you are touring or exploring, a narrower taper will increase your edge grip and maneuverability. On the other hand, if you are sticking to the slopes, you don’t need as much width and can get away with a narrower taper.
Thick vs Thin
When most people think of their ski, they immediately think of its thickness. After all, thicker is better when it comes to armor, right? While this is generally true, it doesn’t mean that all thick skis are created equal. Like with most things in life, you get what you pay for and you are what you eat!
As with most things in life, the thicker the ski, the greater its strength. However, this doesn’t necessarily translate to greater speed. In fact, sometimes, thinner is better and can help you move quickly down the mountain. If you are an expert skier who is looking to master the art of turning, go for a thicker ski as this will decrease the torque that is necessary to rotate your ski. On the other hand, if you are new to the sport or just want to have a faster, more responsive ride, consider opting for a thinner ski.
Long vs Short
While we have discussed up to this point what size ski you need for your height and build, another factor that you need to keep in mind is the length of your ski. As you might have guessed, longer is better when it comes to the length of your ski, which extends its reach on the mountain. Shorter skis are great for younger kids or those who are shorter than average. In other words, if you are a beginner, choose a shorter ski or, if you are an expert, opt for a longer one.
As for the height of your ski, shorter is better when it comes to the overall length of your ski, not just the tip. If you are a beginner, choose a shorter ski as this will decrease the length that you have to travel (and thus the chance of collision with a tree or another skier). If you are an expert, opt for a longer ski so that you can increase your turning radius and master the art of carving. This way, you will be able to increase your vertical speed and reduce your time on the slopes.
Tall vs Wide
As we have discussed previously, wider is better when it comes to most things in life. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that taller is better. Sometimes, you want a narrower ski to increase your maneuverability. If you are new to the sport or want to spice up your skiing experience, opt for a narrower ski so that you can increase your edge grip. On the other hand, if you are an expert who wants to master the art of turning, go for a wider ski to decrease the amount of torque that will be necessary to rotate it. If you are a larger person who wants to carry more gear, opt for a wider ski as it will increase the carrying capacity.
Fast vs Slow
While we have discussed previously what kind of ski you need for your height and build, another factor that you need to keep in mind is its speed. As you might have guessed, the faster the ski, the greater its speed. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that faster is better. Sometimes, you want a slower ski to increase your maneuverability and thus your control on the snow. If you are a beginner, choose a faster ski as this will decrease the time that you have to travel (and thus the chance of collision with a tree or another skier). If you are an expert, opt for a slower ski so that you can increase your turning radius and master the art of carving. This way, you will be able to increase your vertical speed and reduce your time on the slopes.
Ski Size vs Weight
As we have discussed previously, thicker is better when it comes to most things in life, however, this doesn’t necessarily mean that heavier is better. As you might have guessed, the thicker the ski, the greater its weight. While this isn’t necessarily true, it does make the snowflake-shaped metal lighter. This is important for kids who want to travel light. After all, kids who are shorter than average need shorter skis to reach the bottom of the slope. Similarly, big kids who are shorter than average need bigger skis to increase their maneuverability!
Side vs Center
Like with most other sports, the handling of a ski depends on where you place your feet. For example, if you are skiing on a right side snowflake, you will need a right foot forward position and a left foot back position to turn successfully. On the other hand, if you are skiing on a center snowflake, you will need a left foot forward position and a right foot back position to turn successfully. This is why beginners generally prefer to sit on the middle seat of a pair of skis, as this will decrease their learning curve!
As for the type of snowflake, this depends on where you are located. If you are in the backcountry, you will need a tip up position and thus a center snowflake. On the other hand, if you are in the midmountain, you will need a tip down position and thus a side snowflake.
As for the shape of the snowflake, this also depends on where you are located. If you are in the backcountry, you will need a rough shape with several sharp points, as this will increase your traction in slippery conditions. On the other hand, if you are in the midmountain, you will need a smooth surface with no pointy edges, as this will increase your glide ratio on snow-covered terrain.