What To Look For
Skiers who are trying to ski powder for the first time often find it a frustrating experience, as they are used to digging their edges into the snow and heavily weighting the downhill ski, while powder requires a more balanced approach. This can be helped by using skis designed for powder, which are fatter and softer than traditional all-mountain skis, with some models reaching 140mm at the waist, as wide as the tip of some all-mountain models.
While super fats can help in really deep snow, novices are best trying a mid-fat of around 100mm at the waist, because if you are used to skiing skinnier models, it takes a little time to get used to the wider stance that fat skis put you in.
Reverse camber, or rocker skis, are also helpful in powder, as the rise in the tip and tail helps the ski float on the snow.
Common Pitfalls
The best powder skis are built with a softer flex; some skiers buy skis that are too stiff and that will lead to more difficulty mastering the nuances of a powder skiing. Seek out specific powder skis, rather than all-mountain skis that have a fatter waist. These softer skis also work well for freeride skiing and park and terrain park skiing.
Where To Buy
Powder skis are sold at many local ski shops, as well as online at retailers like Backcountry.com and REI.
Cost
Powder skis cost between $400 and $800 (2010 prices).
Comparison Shopping
Some popular models of powder ski include the Volkl Gotama, $699, 2010 prices, Line Prophet 100, $649, Salomon Shogun, $699, 2010 prices, and Rossignol S7, $799, 2010 prices.
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