Snow Ski Categories

last updated 1 Dec 2022

Skiing types front side, carving, all-mountain, freeride

Carving vs. Frontside SkisÑWhatÕs the Difference? | SkiMag

Carving:

Carving skis give it away in the name: TheyÕre designed to rip down groomed terrain. Think of them as race skis that were made more accessible to the everyday skier and everyday skiing. Their narrower waist width promotes tipping on edge, and the more pronounced sidecut is designed to help skiers carve.

frontside

Frontside skis can be just as reliable on groomers and hardpack, even with a little added tip rocker. But because frontside skis are typically a little straighter from tip to tail with a slightly wider waist, they donÕt have the same innate carving capabilities as carving skis.

curated

All-Mountain Skis

All-mountain skis are used by skiers of nearly every skill level. They are easy to turn and are designed to ski the whole mountain, from groomers and bumps to trees and powder. An all-mountain ski is a great choice for someone who needs one ski to do it all, as well as anyone who is shopping for their first ski setup. Let us help find the perfect all-mountain ski to fit your needs!

Carving Skis

Look to a pair of carving skis to make perfect turns down a freshly groomed run. Their

narrower width helps them turn quickly and their shape lets them hold a nice edge at high speeds. Carving skis are for anyone who wants to make perfect turns on groomed runs and is less concerned with soft snow performance.

Freeride Skis

Freeride skis are generally a little wider than all-mountain skis and are shaped for more

aggressive skiing in powder. More rocker makes them easy to turn in deep snow, but less

sidecut can hinder their carving performance. Therefore, freeride skis are a great option for anyone who spends most of their time on the backside of the mountain or for anyone who mostly skies powder but wants a little more versatility than a strict powder ski.

Powder Skis

Powder skis are the widest skis on the market and often feature the most dramatic rocker

profiles and shapes. TheyÕre designed to float and be easy to maneuver in the deepest of

conditions. Therefore, everyoneÕs definition of a powder ski is a little different. On the

East Coast, a powder ski might be 100mm underfoot, and in the Pacific Northwest, it could be 130mm or more. Whether you're gearing up for a big trip or adding a powder ski to the quiver, a Ski Expert can help find the best powder ski for your location and conditions.