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This section is a comprehensive guide for alpine shaped skis. If you are strictly interested in ski reviews, click here.

Shaped skis are the way of the future and you should strongly consider buying them if you are still riding straight skis. Be forewarned that their performance is excellent but you will need to make adjustments in your skiing technique in order to appreciate them. However, in the long run it will require less effort and you will experience a stepwise improvement in your ability and the type of terrain you can ski well.

To aid in the discussion of alpine ski type, applicable terrain, performance and reviews, it is best to begin with ski geometry. All shaped skis are narrower at the waist (where the boot attaches) and wider at the tips and tails (similar to an hourglass but not that exaggerated). The side cut radius (a.k.a. radius) is the radius of curvature between the tail, waist and tips. In general, the ski is easier to turn as the side cut radius decreases (i.e. the side cut is deeper). Skis with a shallower side cut prefer longer turn radii and will to be more stable at higher speeds and float better in powder.

Length is another important attribute of the ski. Shorter skis are easier to turn but give less stability at higher speeds and float less in powder than longer skis. The length and type of ski you choose is also dependent on your size, weight, ability and type of terrain you like to ski. For adults, beginners should start off very short typically between 140 and 150 cm. As you move to intermediate through expert, the size may range from 155 to 170 cm for women and 160 to 180 cm for men. Big mountain rippers run significantly larger (175-185 cm for women, 185-195 cm for men) for better float and stability off piste. Again, seek professional advice for your specific situation.

Flexure, torsional stiffness and edge side / base bevel of the skis also play a role in their performance (see tuning section for side and base bevel profiles). Ski flexure is important to ensure continual contact with the snow during a turn. Racing skis are the stiffest axially and torsionally. Women's skis will generally have more flexure than males due to their lighter weight and experts will ski stiffer skis than beginners to gain more stability at higher speeds. Keep in mind these generalities do break down and there are expert women skiers who prefer very stiff skis. Also plan to grow into your skis so choose a pair slightly higher than your current level.

With all this said, SkiEnthusiast.com relies heavily on ski reviews and recommendations from other experts to pick five top skis to demo (never buy a ski without trying it first) before we buy keeping in mind the terrain we enjoy, my ability, style and physical characteristics. SkiEnthusiast.com has performed extensive research to sort out all the options, reviews, manufacturers info, hype and hoopla on skis to narrow the field and provide a clear list of favorites to our visitors. To view SkiEnthusiast.com recommendations click here. Several other leading websites also provide reviews. The most comprehensive review that does not require a subscription is performed annually by Ski Press. This review is released in mid October in the fall edition and is free to download in PDF format from their website. This article breaks down alpine skis into four categories separated by terrain and ability (Racers, Freeriders, Groomers and Big Mountain Rippers), scores each ski in 8 categories (Stability, Ez to initiate, Edge grip, Forgiveness, Energy, Short Radius, Long Radius, Versatility) and provides a brief summary of the testers' comments. Furthermore it provides the lengths tested, dimensions and the radius of the ski. This allows one to hone in on a ski that will match his/her style and ability with great precision. This is absolutely a must read before you purchase a new set of skis. I have personally tested some of the skis reviewed and found their accuracy to be excellent. Techsupportforskiers.com and Ski Magazine also conduct ski tests and publish reviews. Techsupportforskiers provides quickie reviews for free and detailed reviews with paid membership. Ski Magazine's reviews are available free of charge.

Two groups of skis used for alpine not covered by SkiEnthusiast.com are Telemark and Freestyle skis. Telemark skis have bindings that only attach at the toe and as a result, require a whole different technique than described on this site. In the future, SkiEnthusiast may expand in this area. Freestyle skis are mainly used by tricksters and aerialists. These skis have unique features to enable skiing backwards, frontwards, easily spin and be maneuverable in mid-air. This is also outside of SkiEthusiast's expertise and you need to refer to freestyle professionals for advice.

Please refer to the manufacturers listed above to learn about the unique characteristics of their skis. This includes specific materials, base and side bevel profiles, electronic dampening and electronic torsional and stiffness adjustments.

If you haven't already done so, purchase a ski strap to hold your skis together when you travel to and from the mountain. This aids tremendously in keeping the skis together and prevents the edges from rubbing together causing them to dull when you carry the skis. Back to Top

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