A person in a pink jacket and helmet exits a gondola, holding skis and poles, at a ski resort. Snowy background and metal platform visible.

Ski Buying Guide

The truth about the perfect ski

Ski terrain choice

Ski design essentials

Final thoughts

Ski picks

More guides

The truth about the perfect ski

There is no single ultimate ski. The best ski is the one that matches your ability, terrain, and riding style. Get the right balance of shape, flex, and features, and your skiing will take off.

In this guide, we will break down what you should consider before buying a pair of skis.

Which ski to choose based on ability

Two skiers in colorful jackets glide down a snowy slope under a clear sky, with ski poles in hand and a lift visible in the background.

Novice

Green and blue runs feel good, but bumps, ice, and steeps are still daunting. Go for forgiving skis with soft tips and tails, easy sidecuts, and standard camber. They’ll boost your confidence and smooth your turns.

Person skiing downhill on a snowy mountain slope, wearing a blue jacket and white helmet, with clear blue sky in the background.

Intermediate

You’re tackling reds, venturing onto blacks, and experimenting off-piste. Choose torsionally stiffer skis with deeper sidecuts for grip and control. Standard camber underfoot with a touch of tip rocker will help in mixed snow.

A skier in a yellow jacket and black helmet swiftly descends a snowy slope, showcasing dynamic motion and skill.

Advanced

You can handle most terrain with solid technique. Look for stiffer skis with profiles and sidecuts tailored to your style. They’ll give you stability at speed, but they won’t forgive sloppy skiing.

A skier in a white jacket and black pants navigates through fresh snow on a snowy slope, surrounded by snow-covered trees.

Expert

Pros, instructors, ex-racers. These skis are highly specific to terrain. Expect precision, performance, and no compromises.

Ski terrain choice

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Piste - narrow

Narrow waists, short turn radius, and camber for grip. Perfect for carving groomers.

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Piste - wide

Piste skis but with wider dimensions for extra stability and some added float. Ideal for when pistes get choppy or heavy.

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All Mountain

Versatile designs that work everywhere. Rocker in the tip and tail assists with turning in mixed conditions. Their extra width provides flotation and balance, and camber ensures grip and response on firmer snow and pistes.

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Freeride

Wider skis with longer radii and rocker profiles. Built for powder, bowls, and trees, but still comfortable getting around pistes.

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Freestyle

Twin tips, softer flex, variety of shapes. Great for mixing piste, park, and off-piste with creative skiing.

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Backcountry

Lighter skis designed for easy uphill travel that still perform well downhill. Narrower models are better for climbing-focused tours. Wider models are more similar to freeride skis, offering better downhill performance.

Choosing the right ski size

The size of the ski you need depends on a combination of factors such as weight, ability, flex, shape and the intended use. As a rough guide:

Piste: chin to eye level for agility, longer for speed

All Mountain: nose to forehead; go longer on skis with more rocker or are wider for soft snow

Freeride: forehead to overhead, bigger = more float

Freestyle: eye level for spins and tricks, longer for stability

Backcountry: eye level to overhead, shorter is lighter and less tiring for ascending; longer is more stable for speed and float


Consider what you’ve skied before. Familiar lengths can make the jump to new skis smoother.

Ski design essentials

Ski Radius

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Sidecut & shape

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Camber profile

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Final thoughts

We have skis for you to try, for free, at three of the UK’s best indoor snow slopes. Try out some skis and choose which model is right for you before buying. Our shops in Castleford, Milton Keynes, and Tamworth carry models from a wide range of brands, waiting for you to take on the slope.

Ski picks

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