Experts weigh in on the best skis, no matter the challenge

© Fischer Sports GmbH

You might be an absolute beginner, finally heeding the alluring siren’s song of skiing, or returning to the sport after an extended hiatus. Maybe you’ve finally decided to upgrade from those banged-out Salomon X-Scream skis after 14 years of loyal service. Or maybe you’re the type who simply must have the latest and greatest each year (and, if you are, I’d love to send you my Christmas wish list).

Regardless of which category you fall into, you’ve got to pick out some new skis. And almost every skier I’ve every known has, at one point in time, had to face the dilemma of walking into a ski shop, absolutely giddy about all the possibilities that new boards offer and positively petrified that all those choices will result in the wrong selection. So we decided to ask the experts.

According to Peter Ellinwood Sr. of S&W Sports in Concord, N.H., prospective customers need to understand just how complex today’s skis are, and how different skis handle in different circumstances, over a wide variety of terrain.

“Like any expensive consumer product, skis are loaded with design elements and features,” said Ellinwood. “Understanding how, how well, how often and where a person likes to ski is important in order to recommend a model they’re likely to enjoy. At S&W, we pride ourselves on asking good questions and listening.”

Likewise, Dylan Lavoie, a partner at The Ski Monster in Boston, said that spending time in a dedicated ski shop, talking to someone who actually tests skis for a living, is “super helpful.” A variety of skis can be marketed to do the same thing, or might seem similar on paper, but perform quite differently, he said.

“While shape, length, profile and flex are important, the nuances in construction and lay-up can really change where the ski is going to perform better,” said Lavoie. “Understanding what the skier likes, doesn’t like, where they want it to perform and what they want it to feel like will ensure a better time for everybody.”

Keep in mind, especially if you’re returning to the slopes after a long layoff, that skis have continued to evolve over the past quarter century.

“Rocker profiles have been around for a while, but since they give you two skis in one — maneuverable at slower speeds, better control at higher speeds — everyone wins,” said Ellinwood. “More recently, it’s been ‘game on’ to make skis lighter, which is also good news for all.”

However, Lavoie pointed out that a knowledgeable ski salesperson also will address the delicate balancing act between ski weight and downhill performance. “Heavier skis ski really well in bad or awful snow,” said Lavoie. “Almost everything skis well when snow is good. Finding a balance in weight reduction while maintaining downhill performance is where skis are going.”

So, all that said, how do you narrow your search? First, be brutally direct with yourself about your current abilities and fitness level. If you’re unsure, find a skiing friend who is blunt, direct and whose opinion you value. Ask that person for an unvarnished assessment, for your own sake.

“When shopping for ski equipment, be honest with yourself and the expert you’re talking to,” Lavoie said. “You’ll have a better time out on the hill.”

Once you’ve accurately determined what level of skier you are — beginner, intermediate or advanced — there are some general rules to consider before buying a new pair of skis.

Beginner skiers

Ellinwood said rentals or leased equipment are a solid option for newcomers still getting a handle on the sport, and the commitment it requires.

“How long do you plan on being a beginner?” he said. “How committed are you to skiing as a winter activity? There’s much to be said for leasing gear until you figure these things out.”

Lavoie said “turn initiation and balance during the turn is the name of the game” for never-ever skiers.

“Having a ski that will initiate with less effort and be more predictable will help the learning curve out dramatically,” he said. “The problem with an absolute beginner ski for them is lack of stability at speed or on harder snow.”

Intermediate skiers

Now that you’re moving up the skill ladder, repetition becomes key.

“How many times per year do you expect to ski? If under 10 days, that’s not enough time on snow to improve your skills, so buy intermediate gear,” said Ellinwood. “At 12-plus days, and especially if you have a season pass, buy gear that’s more aspirational, unless you are and will always be a cautious skier.”

For Lavoie, personal fitness and determination also need to be taken into account. “An athletic background and a bit of drive to be better changes the learning curve as well,” said Lavoie. “Having a ski that has some performance growing room is important.”

Advanced/expert skiers

Lavoie said advanced skiers should have a good idea of what they like and don’t like. By sharing that information with a salesperson, you’ll improve your odds of a good match. Ellinwood added that “cost is a limiting factor for most of our customers. So while a multi-ski portfolio would be ideal, at $800 or more per pair, it’s rarely in the cards.”

“Unless you dislike skiing in soft or variable snow, the optimal one-ski quiver for prevailing Northeastern conditions is an all-mountain model with a waist-width between 85 and 95 millimeters,” said Ellinwood, adding that a wider waist” translates to better flotation. “My favorite is the Rossignol Experience 88 TI, mens’ and ladies’ models available.”

Next up, determine what type of skiing you like to do most. Much like the differences between a sleek road bike and a burly mountain bike with full suspension, there is no one perfect ski for all conditions. In short, most skis are designed to excel in a certain set of conditions. Here are Ellinwood’s choices:

All-mountain corduroy cruising

I once spied a bumper sticker in Colorado that stated, “Stop the Brutal Grooming.” But in New England, grooming is an absolute necessity, for both same-day conditions and maintaining a solid base. And I still love carving big ol’ GS turns on the corduroy.

“If you live to ski lap after lap on corduroy, choose a ski with a narrow waist width, between 69 and 80 millimeters,” Ellinwood said. “If you want to do this all day and still have energy for après-ski hijinks, I’d recommend K2’s IKonic 80 TI for men, or Endless Luv for ladies.”

Powder days

OK, I’m the first to admit, New England doesn’t exactly have a reputation for powder. But when those days do happen, having the right ski can really help you take full advantage of the conditions. Plus, when you head west for that once-in-a-lifetime heli-ski trip or a week in Utah’s Wasatch Mountains, you’ll have the boards you need.

“For pow-pow, choose wide — 95 millimeters or more — in the waist with lots of tip and tail rocker,” said Ellinwood. “Rossignol’s new Black Ops 98 is surfy, bouncy and fun.”

Tree skiing or glades

Like powder, New England tree skiing is a different animal compared to what you’ll find west of the Mississippi.

“Northeastern tree skiing is done in tight quarters, so choose a ski that’s a little shorter than you’d otherwise prefer, with a short — less than 17 meters — turning radius.”

Hardpack

Now this is what the Northeast is known for — good old-fashioned boilerplate. But the right ski might come with a high price tag.

“For scalpel-like cutting on hardpack, you’ll want a top-of-the-line frontside model from Germany or Austria,” said Ellinwood. “Check your credit limit, ’cause you’re looking at $1,100 or more. Fischer’s RC4 The Curv Booster is the mightiest one I’ve used lately.”

The moguls

“True mogul skis are designed for competitors and are short and narrow with no metal in the sandwich,” said Ellinwood. “If mogul fields are where you live, why not go with one of these? If you seek out moguls but ski elsewhere too, stay away from a ski with a metal layer because you can only bend a ski once.”

Terrain park

For true park aficionados, Ellinwood suggested skis with “symmetrical dimensions, twin tip and with bindings mounted on center. They’ll ski the same way going forwards or backwards. Völkl’s Revolt 87 is a great example.”

Alpine touring

Also known as “Earn Your Turns,” alpine touring is getting bigger and bigger in the Northeast. Hike uphill on your skis, ski down. Repeat. But there’s a caveat, said Ellinwood.

“The gear is specialized and expensive,” he warned. “If you want to try before you buy, S&W Sports with be offering demo packages this winter and our great friends at nearby Pats Peak welcome their guests to try this activity.”