How to choose your skis?

Do you want to buy your own skis so you don't have to rent them? We give you our advice on how to choose a pair of skis adapted to your needs.

Defining the skier's profile 

The profile of a skier is defined according to three criteria:

• Technical level
• Practice/use
• Morphology of the skier

You can orientate yourself on a ski size with the guide below in relation to your own height:

Downhill ski: -5 to -15cm

All mountain ski: -10cm

Freeride ski: +5 to +10 cm

Ski touring: -5 to -10cm

Freestyle ski: -10cm

Good to know: The shorter the skis, the more manageable they are. This is why beginners choose shorter skis.

Define your use

Each range of skis is designed for different uses and terrain. Here are the different skier profiles to help you decide which one to choose.

Ski Piste: You will need a ski with classic camber. Combined with a skate width of about 75 mm, it will give you good grip. Beginners will prefer a short version (10 cm shorter than their height) for better handling.

All Mountain skis: for those who enjoy all types of snow, you can choose all mountain skis. The width of the skate is between 82 and 90 mm in order to offer good flotation without complicating your task on the slopes. They usually have a rocker at the front. Their length is between -10 cm (beginner) and +5 cm (expert) in relation to your height.

Freeride skis: Freeride skis should float on the powder. Therefore, they have more generous ribs and a minimum width of 90 mm at the skate. The wider they are, the easier it is to stay on the surface. Choose freeride skis with a tip rocker or even a double rocker for optimal flotation. Freeride skis can be the same size as the skier (perfect for a beginner), but will offer better lift with 5 to 10 cm more.

Freestyle skis: To perform jumps and freestyle tricks, you will need a bi-skate ski. Identical front and back, it will allow you to slide in the direction you like. In terms of skate width, look for a model with a dimension between 80 and 90 mm.

Touring skis: Touring skis must be able to go up and downhill. They have special bindings to change the position of the foot. They must be light to facilitate ascents. For the width of the runner, if you prefer to ski up and down, choose a width of between 82 and 86 mm. The wider the width, the more downhill the touring skis will be.

Why maintain your skis?

To make your skis last over time

To ensure that your skis glide smoothly, whatever the snow conditions. Skis that are regularly maintained guarantee good edge grip and good glide.

Here are some rules and advice to follow:

• Cleaning your skis
• Sharpening your edges
• Waxing

If you are not used to maintaining your skis, you can take them to a specialist shop. But if you are a do-it-yourselfer, you should know that sharpening and waxing kits are available in many shops and you can help yourself with videos on the internet.

Before storing your skis, make sure you have :

• Bindings are loose
• A dry place, away from cold and light, to store your skis.
• Securely fasten your skis
• Put your skis in a bag if necessary.