What To Look For
Start your search for the perfect skis based on what type of skiing you do, your skill level and the terrain you're skiing on. While buying within your skill level isn't essential, it can give you an idea of where to start looking for the right skis. The length of the ski plays a part in your speed and control. Shorter skis work for beginning and intermediate skiers as well as lightweight skiers. Shorter skis stretch in length from your toes to just above the chin. For children, skis should reach the chin. Longer skis reach from the toes to somewhere between the chin and the top of the head. Longer skis work better for heavier skiers and more advanced skiers who enjoy fast speeds or off-trail skiing. Trails requiring quick turns are more easily executed with short skis.
Narrow all-mountain skis work best on groomed trails, while wide all-mountain skis can tackle a range of trails and off-trail conditions. Backcountry skis work on most terrain types and are designed for going off the regular trail. Twin Tip and Powder skis both work on groomed runs and light, powdery snow.
Roxy provides the Abracadabra and Sweetheart collections for children and the Swell collection for beginners. Intermediate skiers can try Sugah or Pixie Stix skis, while advanced skiers will want Bliss, Hocus Pocus or Roxy Pro.
If you're unsure what ski you need, consider individual features. REI.com states the most important features of a set of skis are the dimensions, turning radius and length. Wider skis turn slower and longer, but provide more balance and work better on light, powdery snows. Narrow skis turn faster and work well on harder snow and off-trail. The same rules apply to the width of the tip and tail of the ski. A narrow tip turns faster and a wide tail prevents the skis from slipping during sharp turns.
Common Pitfalls
Choosing more advanced, narrow skis when you're still a beginner makes it harder to learn and causes more falls. Stick with beginner levels and easy slopes until you begin to improve. When you're practicing constantly and have reached intermediate level, you may want a more advanced pair of skis slightly above your skill level. This way, if you improve quickly you won't need to buy new skis again.
Where To Buy
Roxy skis are available from Roxy.com and online outdoor supply stores such as SierraTradingPost.com and REI.com. Amazon.com also offers Roxy skis on their website.
Cost
Skis on Roxy's website start at $300 as of August 2010. Amazon.com and Sierra Trading Post carry the skis ranging from $125 to $550 depending on the type and the age range, such as child or adult.
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