Colorful, functional, fun to use-these are three words that should describe your ski equipment. Whether you're a downhill speedster or a cross-country explorer, having quality ski equipment will contribute greatly to your enjoyment of skiing.
Downhill skis
Downhill skis are designed for speed on steep slopes and come in lengths between 140 and 200 centimeters in 5-centimeter increments. Downhill skis should be sized first by your height, then by your weight.
To get the right length, hold the ski parallel to your body with the tail on the floor. The ski should reach somewhere between your chin and your eyebrows. Longer skis are faster and more stable at high speeds, while shorter skis are better for tight turns. If the skis don't reach your chin, they're too short.
Height is a general guideline that should give you a starting range. From there, you'll need to consider your weight. Heavier skiers should look for longer skis that spread out your weight, reducing the bite of the skis into the snow.
| Skier's Weight | Ski Length (cm) |
| Less than 100 lbs. | 140 |
| 101-115 lbs. | 145 |
| 116-130 lbs. | 150 |
| 131-150 lbs. | 155 |
| 151-175 lbs. | 160 |
| 176-200 lbs. | 165 |
| More than 200 lbs. | 170+ |
The width of downhill skis is measured in millimeters at the tip, waist and tail of the ski. You'll see these three measurements together, 122/90/115, for example. The wider the skis, the more stability you'll have, particularly on rough terrain. Beginning skiers should choose skis with a wide waist of 70mm and a narrow tail of 80mm. If you've graduated to the green or blue trails, you'll want more responsive skis than those used by beginning skiers, so opt for a ski with a narrower waist.
Cross-country skis
Cross country skis are lighter and more flexible than downhill skis, making them easier to propel. Cross-country skis are measured at the tip, waist and tail and are also measured for sidecut and camber. Sidecut is the inward curve of the ski. A ski with a deep sidecut turns more quickly than one with a shallow sidecut. Camber is the arc between the middle of the ski and the ground, visible when the ski rests on a flat surface. High cambers provide more stability, but they reduce the feel of the skis on the surface of the snow.
If you will be skiing on well-traveled paths, in-track touring skis are a good choice. They have a shallow sidecut and provide an easy kick-and-glide motion. On groomed trails, you'll get the best results from skating skis, which are shorter, narrower and lighter. Off-track skis have a wider design and are best for navigating over powder and ungroomed surfaces. If you enjoy getting well off the paths and trails, choose backcountry skis, which are skiing on the wild side and venturing through variable snow conditions, select backcountry skis, which combine a wide design and metal edges to cut through variable snow surfaces.
Bindings
Bindingsattach the ski boot to the ski. Bindings are customized to the skier based on height, weight, boot size and skiing style, and you should have your bindings adjusted by a qualified technician at the start of each ski season.
Downhill skis use bindings that fit the ski boot to the ski at the toe and heel. To reduce the chance of injury, downhill ski bindings will release the skier's foot in the event of a fall.
Cross-country skis can have three types of bindings with free heel construction that lets you lift your heels off the ski to kick and glide forward. The most common type of binding is the New Nordic Norm, where a bar in the boot's toe is hooked into a catch in the binding, allowing the heel to raise and lower freely. Similar to New Nordic Norm, but designed for skate-style cross country skiing, is the Salomon Nordic System, which also attaches by a bar in the toe. The original type of cross country binding is the 75mm/3-pin, where three pins stick up from the ski and the toe of the boot has three holes that line up with the pins.
Ski construction
In order to give skis proper camber, most are made using torsion-box construction. In this method, strips of laminated wood are curved into the camber, then wrapped tightly in fiberglass to hold the shape. Synthetic materials are sometimes substituted for wood in these skis.
The core of the ski is then coated in plastic or metal, and a base material is added to help the skis glide. Graphite is a good choice for bases, as it resists scratches that can cause skis to slow over time. Waxable or nonwaxable refers to the type of care a ski's base requires. Experienced skiers prefer waxable skis for their superior performance and glide.
Ski equipment for the family
Women's skis are designed differently than those for men. They are made from more flexible, lighter materials, and the mounting points are farther forward on the ski to adjust for a woman's center of gravity.
Junior-sized skis are made for children and adolescents and are shorter than adult skis. Skis for kids should be sized just as carefully as those for adults. Skis that are too big are difficult to control and may provide too much speed, so don't buy big and expect your kids to grow into them.
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