Whether you plan to buy your own pair of skis or rent them from one of our partner stores, choosing the right ski equipment is essential. Skis ensure your comfort, enjoyment, and, above all, your safety. Here are some useful tips for selecting skis according to your skill level and skiing style.
How to choose skis based on skiing style
If you are a beginner, you may not know that skis for alpine skiing are different from cross-country skis or touring skis, and there are also different models of alpine skis. Choosing the right skis is not just a matter of taste or comfort, but mainly about the discipline. Key characteristics to consider include length, tip, tail, waist, rocker, camber, and turning radius. Without going into too many technical details, here’s an overview of ski types to help you decide when buying or renting:
- On-piste skis: These are the skis you likely used on occasional ski trips. Perfect for groomed slopes, they are designed to grip hard snow in both straight lines and turns.
- Premium or “diamond” piste skis: Designed for more advanced skiers, they allow sharper turns and higher speeds when the terrain permits. A solid skill level is required for these skis.
- Freeride skis: Ideal for powder snow, suited for experienced skiers who enjoy off-piste skiing. Wider and more flexible, they absorb shocks better for comfortable descents in natural terrain.
- Freestyle skis: Perfect for daring skiers, freestyle skis allow impressive tricks in snowparks or backcountry. Flexible and twin-tipped, they are designed to absorb shocks efficiently.
- Touring skis: Ski touring is a growing discipline, involving uphill climbs on lightweight skis and skiing down on the same skis. They feature special bindings that allow foot movement and a skins system for uphill traction.
- All-mountain skis: A versatile ski that adapts to various terrains and snow conditions. Recommended for intermediate to advanced skiers who want fun on both groomed slopes and powder, while maintaining maneuverability in all situations.
Which ski range to choose based on skill level
Once you’ve determined your skiing style, consider your skill level. A beginner skiing mostly on green or blue slopes at low speed will feel more comfortable with light and easy-to-handle skis. In contrast, an advanced skier will prefer high-performance, technical skis to push limits, gain speed, and improve carving.
To help you choose skis for purchase or rental at a Sport 2000 store, here’s a comparison chart showing the appropriate ski types based on skill level and slope difficulty:
| Range | Level | Experience | Slopes | Characteristics |
| Pack Primo | Beginner (eco) | None | • | Easy Accessible Tolerant |
| Blue Skis | Beginner Learning |
2 weeks | • • | Easy Accessible Tolerant |
| Red Skis | Intermediate Advanced |
3–4 weeks | • • • | Comfortable Progressive Reassuring |
| Black Skis | Advanced Confirmed Technical |
4+ weeks | • • | Comfortable High-performance Stable |
| Diamond Skis | Performance Technical++ |
4+ weeks | • • | Very high-performance |
| Premium Skis | Performance Technical+++ |
4+ weeks | • • | Very high-performance |
| Freestyle Skis | Park Jumps Backcountry |
4+ weeks | • • • + snowpark |
Comfortable High-performance Versatile Manoeuvrable Twin-tipped |
| Freeride Skis | Off-piste Powder |
4+ weeks | • • + off-piste |
Very high-performance Stable in deep snow |
Good to know: Choosing skis also depends on your weight and height, so make sure you know these details before visiting a store or renting online.
Unsure about the right model? Don’t worry—choosing skis can be tricky, especially for beginners. Experienced advisors are available in all our stores and rental points to help you find the ideal pair according to your skiing style, height, and skill level, and to guide you in selecting ski boots, bindings, and more.