What To Look For
Hard-pack snow, typically found at East Coast and Midwest ski resorts, is denser snow that has been compacted down, either by skiers or grooming machines, until it feels very hard. When skiing on this surface, wide skis for Western powder won't work well. A narrow ski that has a shorter turning radius (the arc a ski would make if placed on edge and allowed to make a full circle) is going to be the best choice. Look for skis that have a waist of between 60mm and 80mm. Length will be a personal preference, but skis on the shorter side will work fine and be more maneuverable.
However, if you like to ski at Mach 1, go for a longer ski, which will be more stable at speed. Look for skis that are stiffer, rather than softer, as they will withstand the hard snow better and provide better edging control.
Common Pitfalls
Softer flexing skis, while more forgiving in a turn, will not be a good choice on hard-pack as they won't have the edge control that a stiffer ski does. Going too short on ski length will make the ski feel noodle-y, while going too long on ski length will make it more difficult to turn.
If you want a twin-tip ski for playing in the terrain park, be aware that the twin tips ski shorter than their actual length, since the tail is turned up off the snow, so you may need to choose a longer model in a twin tip to get the same feel as a shorter traditional ski.
Where To Buy
You can buy skis for hard-pack snow at any ski retailer, as well as on line at many shops that cater to the outdoor market like Eastern Mountain Sports, REI, and Backcountry.com.
Cost
Skis for hard-pack snow will generally range from $400 to $1,000 (2010 prices), depending on the model.
Insider Tips
It is not enough just to buy a ski designed for hard-pack snow. Keep the ski tuned frequently, and especially have the edges sharped often, as this will provide better control in a turn on hard-pack snow.
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