Skis can be a expensive purchase, so before you buy you might want to rent a few times to get a better idea of what works for you. When you are ready to purchase, ask yourself some questions to narrow down the type of downhill ski that would work best. Evo, which sells skis, says you should think about where you do most of your skiing, what the terrain is like, how good a skier you are and how often you're likely to use those skis. Once you've given it some thought, it's time to go shopping.
Skill Level
Getting a proper ski fit means more than buying the right length. The ski also needs to fit your skill level. The Skis website says you should buy a ski that's designed for a skill level just beyond your current level. You don't have much room to grow as a skier if you buy for your current level, but if you shoot too high, you may find yourself wasting time on figuring out the skis rather than skiing. Evo divides skis into three skill levels: Beginner/Intermediate, Intermediate/Advanced and Advanced/Expert.
Terrain
A ski also needs to fit the terrain. Skis says any ski can work on just about any surface, but many are designed to provide maximum performance on a certain type of snow. Evo says you should consider whether you want an all mountain ski or ones designed for parks and pipes, powder or carving. If you love to do back country skiing, look for skis designed for that purpose.
Gender
TheSkis website says women may enjoy their skis more if they buy skis designed specifically for women. It explains that women tend to have a lower center of gravity and lean back more on their skis. Since women generally weigh less than men, they also need a more flexible ski to get the same flex in turns as men do. Women's skis are lighter, more flexible and have bindings set closer to the front.
Length
Once you've looked at all the other factors and determined what kind of ski you want, it's time to determine how long the skis should be. A general rule of thumb is to take a ski, stand it on its tail and see how it compares to your height. It should hit somewhere between your shoulders and the top of your head. The Skis website suggests that if you're on the taller or heavier side, you may want to go with skis on the long edge of that range. Advanced skiers may also prefer a longer ski. Beginners should go with shorter skis. If you choose a shaped ski with a rounder edge, you also should choose a shorter ski for more efficiency.
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