How do I choose my skis?

Faced with an increasingly diverse range of products, how do you choose the right pair of skis? It is essential to take certain criteria into account, both for the novice skier and for the professional. 

DETERMINE YOUR TECHNICAL LEVEL

There are different levels of expertise: beginner, intermediate, advanced and expert. 

• THE NOVICE SKIER

The novice skier has had little or no practice, at most a first experience of skiing downhill. They do not usually go off-piste. He will choose a pair that is accessible and easy to use. This will help them to master the basic movements but above all to enjoy themselves.

• THE INTERMEDIATE SKIER

The intermediate skier skis for one to two weeks each year during the winter holidays and masters the basic moves. They are able to ski most of the slopes in the ski area. They will opt for a comfortable and progressive pair of boots that will allow them to gain in confidence.

• THE EXPERT SKIER

A professional skier, you are at ease with all the slopes and the different types of terrain. You master the most complex techniques such as switch and carving. Choose a pair offering a high level of performance and adapted to your practice (freestyle, racing, freeride, etc.).

A VARIED RANGE

Some models are more adapted to the type of snow and your profile.

• THE DOWNHILL SKIER

When faced with groomed snow, the skier will prefer a shorter pair with narrow skates (less than 80 mm) offering more reactivity and with a wide tip to help with the turns. The stiffness will depend on your expectations. The stiffer the material, the more responsive it is. Only professionals will opt for this type of model.

• THE ALL MOUNTAIN SKIER

The equipment must be versatile and suitable for all types of snow and all seasons. Comfort, safety and ease of handling should guide you in your purchase. Opt for medium length skates (80 mm) and a longer tip to allow for all types of turns.

• THE FREERIDE SKIER

Do you love powder snow, off-piste skiing and untouched spaces? Wide skates (from 90 mm) and long tips offer stability and grip in the powder. Stiffness depends on your level and your requirements, just like the equipment for the piste.

• THE FREESTYLE SKIER

Snowpark, thrill-seeking and edge skiers need to be able to land in both directions. A bi-spatulated equipment, both light and resistant, is highly recommended to be able to ski both forwards and backwards.

AN ESSENTIAL CRITERION: THE MORPHOLOGY

• SIZE

This is chosen according to the height of the skier but also according to the type of skiing. For the piste, choose a length of 10 to 15 cm less than your height if you are a beginner. For an intermediate skier, we recommend a length of 5 to 10cm less than your height. For an expert, the length should be similar to your height. A freestyle skier will choose a pair whose length is 10 cm less than his height, while a freeride skier will opt for a pair close to his height (between -5 cm and -10 cm compared to his height).

Here is a table of the proportions to be respected in order to choose the right ski size: 

• THE WEIGHT OF THE SKIER

The heavier the skier, the stiffer the material will need to be in order to provide a better feel. A lighter skier will benefit from the flexibility of a softer, more flexible pair. They will be able to take more advantage of the recovery qualities of the material.