Buying Skis for Intermediates

If you've been skiing for a while and are looking for skis that match your skill level, this guide can steer you in the right direction. As you're no longer a beginner and ski with confidence, you need skis that are more responsive to help you progress further.

There's a wide range of skis at the advanced level, so it's best to focus on where you spend most of your time skiing and choose skis that suit that terrain or style.
Additional details like width, turning radius, and different ski profiles will give you a better understanding of how to personalize your choices. Our goal is to help you find the perfect skis for your skiing style so you can have an amazing time on your ski vacation.

If you're new to skiing or still at the beginner level, we've created a guide for that too. Check out Ski Buying Guide for Beginners for more details.

ALL MOUNTAIN SKIS - The best all-round skis

All Mountain skis are ideal for those who enjoy a mix of on and off-piste skiing. While they are best suited for on-piste skiing, they can also handle some softer snow off-piste. You can ski all day without worrying about changing snow conditions on the slope. Although great for various snow conditions, they aren't necessarily masters of any one terrain. Another feature of All Mountain skis is the rocker tip, where the front of the ski rises off the snow. This makes them easy to turn and handle bumpy conditions. If you’re only going to own one pair of skis to do it all, these are the ones you want.

Choosing All Mountain skis:
There is a wide range of All Mountain skis, and their performance across different snow conditions can vary. One key characteristic to help narrow down your selection is the waist width of the ski. The waist width for All Mountain skis typically ranges from 80-100 mm. Skis with a narrower width favor on-piste performance, while wider widths increase performance off-piste. So, if you mainly ski on-piste and occasionally venture off-piste, choose skis with a waist width closer to 80 mm. If you like to explore the soft snow next to the slopes, opt for skis with widths closer to 100 mm.

Shop for your new All Mountain Skis

PISTE SKIS - The best skis for carving on groomed pistes

If you spend most of your time on groomed slopes and focus on your technique, Piste skis are right for you. These skis feature a narrow waist ranging from 68-80 mm and a camber profile, allowing them to grip the firm snow surface and provide excellent control.

Choosing Piste skis:
Skiers who spend most of their time on-piste often develop a skiing style that favors a particular turn size. Choosing skis with a turning radius that matches your style will help you get the most out of them. Piste skis' turning radius typically ranges from 13-17 m, with smaller numbers producing shorter turns and larger numbers producing bigger turns. It's also important to note that there's a wide range of Piste Skis, so look for skis appropriate to your level. Beginner skis will be softer and more forgiving than the stiffer, heavier expert skis.

Within Piste skis, you can also find high-end Race skis, which are typically very stiff and performance-oriented. Slalom Race Skis (SL) have a very small turning radius of around 10-13 m, while Giant Slalom Race Skis (GS) have a much larger turning radius of 22 m or more, providing better stability.

Shop for your new Piste skis

PARK SKIS/TWIN TIP SKIS - The best skis for performing tricks

Park skis are perfect for those who want to spend time in the snowpark practicing jumps, boxes, and half-pipes. The main feature is the twin tip profile, where the skis rise sharply at both ends. This allows skiers to take off or land in switch (backward) without the tails catching the snow. Bindings are generally mounted closer to the middle of the ski to help with weight distribution when spinning and jumping.

Choosing Park skis:
When choosing the perfect park skis, it's a good idea to know what tricks you want to perform. If you enjoy having lots of fun and mainly focus on tricks on boxes and rails, go for Park skis with a wider waist width (around 85-105 mm) for better stability. These are usually quite soft and flexible. If you prefer more speed and bigger jumps, you'll need narrower Park skis (in the range of 80-95 mm in waist width). These will be much stiffer for better stability when going fast or landing a jump.

Shop for your new Park skis

FREERIDE SKIS / Powder SKIS - The best skis for powder snow

Freeride skis are for those who prefer spending most of their time off-piste and in powder conditions. The wide width, generally between 90-120 mm, along with the early-rising tip (tip rocker), helps them float on top of the snow and makes turning easier. Although skiing technique in deep snow is very different from skiing on groomed slopes, it's a good idea to have a lot of experience skiing on groomed snow before getting Freeride skis. To enjoy your adventures and stay safe, avalanche safety gear is always strongly recommended.

Choosing Freeride skis:
When choosing freeride skis, selecting the optimal waist width for your skiing style will help narrow your options and make the right decision. Freeride skiing with a larger waist width (100 mm and above) will help you stay on top of the snow, keep you floating, and save your energy. Wide skis are perfect for those who want to do freeride skiing in deep snow but are not suitable for piste skiing as they are hard to control on hard-packed snow due to a lack of grip. If you prefer more versatile skis that are great for softer snow but still want maneuverability, skis with a waist width around 90-100 mm are a better choice. You will especially enjoy these skis if you love skiing in the forest next to the slopes.
In simple terms, the wider the skis, the better they float on powder snow but the less they can carve on firm snow.

Shop for your new Freeride skis

TOURING SKIS / Backcountry SKIS - The best skis for climbing adventures outside of resorts

Touring skis are for the adventurous ones who want to explore off-piste areas outside of the resort. This involves having appropriate equipment such as touring bindings and skins to allow you to ascend the mountain before descending. The width of the skis can range from medium to wide (80-120 mm), and they are lighter in design to make climbing easier. This is a very niche type of ski that requires lots of experience and is therefore suitable mostly for experts. Avalanche safety gear is necessary equipment for your adventures.

Selecting Touring Skis:
When choosing touring/backcountry skis, it's important to know if you lean more towards uphill or downhill skiing.
Touring skis designed for downhill and powder conditions are generally longer (no more than 10 cm of body length) and have a wider waist (95 mm and up) for better floatation on snow. Conversely, skiers who prefer uphill will opt for shorter skis to reduce weight, usually around chin height, with a narrower waist (95 mm and below).

Shop for your new Touring skis

Choose the Right Ski Length

The length of your skis should primarily reflect your height, skill level, and the type of skiing you intend to do.

Most skis come in 4 or 5 sizes, so you can choose the one closest to your recommended length from the size chart (3 cm longer or shorter than the suggested number is acceptable).

Weight and skiing style are secondary factors in determining the optimal ski length. If your weight is significantly lighter or heavier than average, choose shorter or longer skis accordingly: shorter for lighter individuals and longer for heavier ones. For aggressive/fast skiers, longer skis provide better stability, while more cautious skiers can benefit from the maneuverability of shorter skis.

The picture illustrates the ski length for an intermediate skier

	All Mountain/ Piste skis	Twintip/ Park skis	Freeride/ Backcountry
First-timer	your height -20 cm	-10 cm	-5 cm
Beginner	your height -15 cm	-10 cm	-5 cm
Intermediate	your height -10 cm	-5 cm	your height
Advanced	your height -5 cm	your height	your height
Expert	your height	your height	+5 cm

Skis with or without Bindings

Bindings are a crucial part of your skis, ensuring both attachment and safety. Conveniently, all Piste skis and most All Mountain skis come with bindings, so you don't need to worry about choosing the right ones—they match the experience level of the skis. These skis have easily adjustable bindings, which is handy if you're renting ski boots or sharing skis within your family.

Skis without bindings require separate binding purchases, offering customization options and placement selection. This is particularly beneficial for experienced Freeride or Park skiers. Although mounting services can be costly, ordering skis with bindings from SkatePro includes mounting and adjustment at a competitive price. More information on bindings is available in the Buying alpine ski bindings guide.

Waist Width

Just like length, ski width significantly impacts performance, with the waist width being the most crucial measurement. The waist is the narrowest part, measured from edge to edge in millimeters.

The width measurement is listed in ski specs alongside the tip and tail measurements: Tip - Waist - Tail. The waist width is always in the middle. Example: (i.e., 141/108/124mm)

Skis with narrow waists are easier to turn as they quickly change from one edge to another. The skier's pressure and weight are concentrated over a smaller area, increasing grip on the snow. Wider waists provide better floatation on powder snow and stability on choppy or rough terrain.

Turning Radius

The ski radius determines how easily the skis turn and is usually listed in the ski model specifications.

There is no universal answer for the best turning radius; it depends on your skiing style and ski type. Turning radius can be categorized into three types: small, medium, and large.

A small turning radius is found on-piste skis with a radius of 14 meters or less. They are ideal for groomed snow and skiers who prefer short, quick turns.

Medium turning radius, typically on All Mountain skis with a radius between 15 - 18 meters, suits those who enjoy a mix of on and off-piste skiing.

Large turning radius, found on Freeride skis, ranges from 19 meters and up. These skis are very stable in deep snow or at high speeds, making them perfect for fast, aggressive skiers.

Ski Profiles - Rocker and Camber

CAMBER

Camber skis have an arcing curve along most of the ski, raising the middle off the snow. This shape increases pressure at the tip and tail, improving edging ability. Camber is common in nearly all Piste skis as well as many All Mountain and Freeride skis.

ROCKER/REVERSE CAMBER

Skis with rocker feature a ski that curves upwards at the tip or both the tip and tail. Rocker enhances the ability to float on deep snow and makes it easier to initiate and exit turns. This design is present in nearly all types of skis, with some exceptions in Piste Skis.

FULL ROCKER

This profile aims to excel in powder snow and facilitates easier turning. It is very forgiving and generally feels shorter in length than it actually is because both the tip and tail are not in contact with the snow.

TIP ROCKER

Offers a nice balance between maneuverability and effective edging. The camber is shaped along most of the ski's length to provide excellent edge grip and control, while the tip rocker adds playfulness and improves performance in powder snow.

TIP AND TAIL ROCKER

This combination of rocker and camber is a popular profile due to its versatility. The tip and tail rocker excel in powder snow but also benefit from camber, enhancing its All Mountain capability. On-piste, it will feel a bit shorter in length because of the rockered tips and tails.

TWINTIP

The raised tip and tail enable you to ski backwards easily, take off or land jumps backwards, and generally make the skis very playful. The bindings are typically mounted near the center of the skis for better balance when performing tricks.