Three things decide which ski is right: how you ski, where you ski, and how tall you are. Here is how we help customers choose in the shop.
1. Your ability
- Beginner: a softer, more forgiving ski that turns easily at slow speeds.
- Intermediate: a ski that is easy to turn but stays steady as you go faster.
- Advanced and expert: stiffer skis, often with metal, that hold an edge at speed.
2. Where you ski
- Groomers & carving: narrower skis, usually under about 85 mm underfoot, grip hard snow best.
- All mountain: about 85–100 mm handles groomers plus some soft snow. This is the right choice for most skiers here.
- Powder & freeride: wider skis float in deep snow.
- Park & freestyle: twin tips that ski backwards and land jumps.
3. Length
As a starting point, beginners usually ski a length between their chin and nose. Intermediates go around nose to forehead height, and advanced skiers go at or above head height. Rockered or wider skis can be skied a little longer.
Don’t forget bindings and boots
Bindings must be set for your weight, height, age, ability and boot. We mount and adjust bindings in the shop. Boots matter more than skis for comfort, so see our boot fitting page.
Shop skis · Shop ski boots · Shop ski bindings
Still not sure? Call us at 716-941-5232 or stop in. We’ll help you pick and set it up.