When ski length was the only concern, ski selection was an easy process. As the ski design process gained sophistication, manufacturers began offering gender-specific skis, as well as skis suitable for different ability levels and terrain preferences. This expanded ski variety allows skiers to choose skis according to their weight, flexibility and sidecut, which refers to the ski's shape and dimensions.
The female-specific model of each ski type is usually lighter and more flexible. A forward binding mount accommodates a woman's lower center of gravity, and a heel lift helps her keep her center of gravity over her base of support.
Carving Skis
The Elan Ski Company introduced the first carving skis in 1993. These shapely skis have hourglass figures, with waistlines smaller than 70 millimeters, and wider tips and tails. Carving skis work best for people who spend 80 percent of their time on groomed terrain. Their deep sidecut and stiffness facilitates quick, tightly carved turns.
All Mountain Skis
With waists measuring between 75 and 85 millimeters, all-mountain skis enable skiers to choose between groomed terrain, moguls and light powder. These skis are best for skiers who spend 50 to 70 percent of their time in groomed terrain, and 30 to 50 percent of their time in powder or moguls. All-mountain skis have stiffer waists and tails, but flexible tips for powder and mogul skiing.
Powder Skis
Since powder skiing does not require carving or short, tight turns, powder skis are fatter, have less sidecut and are more flexible. The powder ski waistlines usually measure between 85 and 120 millimeters. Stay under 90 millimeters if you plan to spend some time on groomed terrain.
Backcountry
While some resorts now offer lift-serviced backcountry skiing, true backcountry enthusiasts earn their turns by climbing the hills. Backcountry skis, also called randonee or alpine touring skis, have bindings that free the heel for uphill climbing, and release the heel for downhill runs. They are more flexible than carving skis, but stiffer than traditional powder skis. Waist widths measure between 78 and 102 millimeters. Select your waist width according to where you ski. Backcountry terrain is not groomed, but does not always offer powder.
Twin Tips
While traditional alpine skis have a curved tip and a flat tail, twins tips curve at the tip and the tail.This allows skiers to ski forward and backwards, and perform tricks in the terrain park and half pipe. Twin tips are soft-flexing, which maximizes jump landing efficiency. Some twin tips have wider waists, which allow them to double as a powder ski.
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