How to choose mountain skis: a practical guide from Voyevodyno

When to buy your skis

The first question: do you really need your own skis? After all, ski rental is very profitable if:

• you ride 1-2 times a year;
• have not yet decided on a skating style;
• want to try different models;
• don't want storage and maintenance problems.

If you are already an advanced skier, ski at least 5 times a season, and understand that this hobby will be with you for a long time, then it probably makes sense to think about choosing alpine skis.

Types of Alpine Skis: What's Right for You

Our resort has its own ski school and equipment rental. As part of this, you can test different models before buying. This is a smart move - to feel the difference between the types of skis in practice.

For the average skier and those who are progressing, there are two main types:

• All-Mountain skis are the most popular choice. They are suitable for any trail from easy to difficult, for different snow conditions. Ideal for those who want one ski for all occasions. Waist width (narrowest point of the ski): 75-90 mm. These skis are stable on both groomed trails and can handle light fluffy snow;
• piste skis (Piste/On-Piste) – designed for groomed slopes. Narrower (70-80 mm waist), more manageable on hard snow, react faster to turns. If you ski exclusively on groomed slopes – this is your choice. Light, maneuverable, give a clear sense of control. This is the choice of advanced skiers who love speed and precise turns.

Freestyle skiing, backcountry skiing, and giant slalom skiing are specializations that require experience and specific skiing conditions.

Which skis to buy: selection criteria

To feel confident on and off the track, you should choose a model that handles well. To do this, you should pay attention to:

• ski width;
• turning radius;
• contact length of the equipment.

Therefore:

Ski width or waist

The width of the skis is measured at three points: the toe, the waist (middle), and the heel. The most important is the waist.

• narrow (65-75mm) – quick transitions from edge to edge, but only for groomed trails;
• medium (75-85mm) – the golden mean. Trail, but can handle a little fresh snow;
• wide (85-95mm) – universal, stable on the track, “float” on fluffy snow.

If you plan to ride only on groomed trails, 75-85 mm is ideal. If you want to occasionally go off-piste, choose 85-95 mm.

Turning radius

Skis have a “radius” parameter (e.g. 13m, 17m). This is the radius of the arc that the ski naturally describes when turning.

• small radius (12-15m) – for short, sharp turns, high maneuverability, suitable for narrow trails or slalom;
• medium radius (15-18m) – universal turns, is the most popular option and is suitable for most tracks;
• large radius (18m+) – for long and smooth turns, wide tracks and high speeds.

For Vojvodina and most Ukrainian resorts, a ski radius of 14-17m is optimal, which allows you to comfortably ride both narrow and wide slopes. The larger the turning radius, the more agile and faster the skis.

Alpine ski length: height formula

Size – selection of skis according to the height of the rider. This is the most important parameter, as the wrong length of skis will make you uncomfortable and lose control. Short models are light and have greater maneuverability, while long ones are faster.

When deciding how to choose the length of skis, you need to consider:

• skier's height;
• weight;
• riding style.

For beginners, the height formula will be – your height minus 10-15 cm. This is the length of the skis that suit you. For example: your height is 170 cm, then the skis that you need to choose will be 155-160 cm long.

For more experienced skiers, you need to subtract 5-10 cm. You should also take into account the athlete's weight:

• light weight – reduce to 15 cm;
• heavy weight – up to 5 cm.

When choosing skis, also focus on your skiing style.

• calm riding, low speed – shorter;
• confident riding, high speed – longer.

Always ask a consultant in the store and be honest about your level. Don't overestimate yourself, because you want comfortable skiing, not stress and dissatisfaction with yourself.

Ski stiffness: soft or hard

Stiffness affects how the ski behaves on the slope.

• soft skis (Soft Flex) - bend more easily, are comfortable at low speeds, are physically lighter, allow you to correct mistakes more easily, and are suitable for beginners;
• medium stiffness (Medium Flex) – a universal option, maintains a balance between control and error correction, suitable for most skiers;
• Stiff Flex skis – require a high level of skill, are stable at high speed, require proper technique and more energy to control.

For guests of the Vojvodino resort who ski for pleasure 5-10 days a year, the best choice would be soft or medium-hard skis. Leave hard ones to the professionals.

Ski bindings: what you need to know

Most modern skis are sold without bindings. They are purchased separately and installed in a workshop. It is important to take into account the weight of the rider to select bindings according to the DIN scale (setting the stiffness of the action). What to look for:

• the smaller the DIN, the easier the fastener is to unfasten when falling;
• for beginners and children – DIN 3-7;
• for intermediate level – DIN 5-10;
• for high level – DIN 9-14.

We do not recommend saving on fasteners, because it is for your safety. High-quality fasteners work properly in the event of a fall and prevent injuries.

Choosing skis is not a quick decision. The smartest step is to test different models before buying.

Ski rental Voyevodyno has skis of different types and lengths. Take universal skis for one day, and piste skis for the next. Feel the difference, understand what is more comfortable for you, consult with experienced instructors or advanced skiers. And then make a choice.

And remember – there are no perfect skis for everyone. There are skis that are right for you, your level, style, and skiing conditions. When you find yours, you will feel it. They will become an extension of your legs, will obey your every movement, and will give you confidence on the slope.

The main thing is not the equipment, but the joy and pleasure of skiing.