Park skis: If you plan on park skiing, you'll need a pair of slightly shorter skis. Many park skiers will opt for a pair of twin-tip skis. This ski style allows you to ski easily -- or land -- forward or backward.

Powder skis: For backcountry and powder skiing, your skis should be slightly on the longer side, but generally speaking, they shouldn’t be too much taller than you are. You’ll also find that powder skis are typically much wider- underfoot or at the tip and tail - compared to all-mountain skis.

All-Mountain skis: We recommend sticking to the sizing chart for a versatile, all-mountain ski. A good all-mountain ski should be one you feel comfortable riding on most types of trails and in most conditions.

Racing: As their name indicates, racing skis are designed specifically for competitive ski racers. Typically, racing skis are characterized by a narrow waist and a large turning radius, as well as very thin -- but sharp -- edges to promote large turns at high speeds.

Big Mountain: Generally, big mountain skis are designed for expert backcountry skiers who want to tackle steep terrain and deep powder at high speeds. They tend to be wider underfoot; in addition, they tend to have a longer turn radius compared to an all-mountain ski.

Your height mainly determines the length of your skis. A general rule of thumb for beginner and intermediate all-mountain skiers is that your skis should land somewhere between your nose and the middle of your forehead when you hold them upright.

As shown below:

User Height (in)	Expert Length (cm)	Intermediate Length (cm)	Beginner Length (cm)
4'6"	137	130	122
4'8"	142	135	130
4'10"	147	140	132
5'0"	152	145	137
5'2"	158	151	143
5'4"	163	156	148
5'6"	168	161	153
5'8"	173	166	158
5'10"	178	171	163
6'0"	183	174	168
6'2"	188	181	173
6'4"	193	186	178

DIN is a standardized and calibrated rating of how “stiff” the release of a binding is set to. In other words, it tells you how much forward falling and twisting forces will release you from your bindings. Factors like weight, height, skiing ability, age, and boot-sole length will come into play when determining your ideal DIN.

While it’s best to get your bindings checked and adjusted by a professional ski technician, there are online DIN calculators to help you get started.

Skis have a curvature that runs along the edge from the tip to the tail, affecting how they turn. This curvature, known as a “sidecut,” forms an arc. If you were to continue that arc into an imaginary circle, you eventually get a radius of that circle. A deeper sidecut translates to a smaller turn radius which allows for tighter turns. Generally, shorter skis have a shorter radius while longer skis have a slightly longer radius.

Your skiing style will play an important role in determining your ideal radius. Skiers that make quick, short turns should look for a deeper sidecut and shorter turn radius of 16 meters or less, while skiers who bomb downhill and make wider turns will benefit from a turning radius above 20 meters.

Beginner Skis: Designed for those new to the slopes, beginner skis are soft, highly flexible, and feature a narrower profile, making them easy to maneuver and control at slower speeds.

Intermediate Skis: Ideal for skiers with some experience, intermediate skis offer a balanced flex, combining both camber and rocker. This mix provides versatility across various terrains, enhancing stability and edge hold.

Advanced Skis: Tailored for seasoned skiers, advanced skis are longer and have a stiffer flex, delivering precision and responsiveness at higher speeds and on challenging terrain.

Camber: A traditional ski profile where the middle of the ski is raised when laid flat. This design provides strong edge hold and stability, which is ideal for groomed and hard-packed snow.

Rocker: A profile where the ski's tips (and sometimes tails) are lifted, creating a more curved shape. This design enhances floatation in powder and maneuverability in various snow conditions.

Full Camber (Standard Alpine): Groomed terrain, hardpack snow, and racing.

Profile: Traditional arch-shaped design where the middle of the ski rises when laid flat.
Benefits: Excellent edge grip on hard snow and precise and powerful turns.

Full Rocker (Reverse Camber/Negative Camber): Freeriders, powder skiers, backcountry, big mountain, and powder conditions.

Profile: The ski has a continuous curve, with the entire length of the ski slightly lifted.
Benefits: Superior float in deep snow, easier to pivot and turn in powder, and usually found on wide skis.

Tip Rocker (Rockered Tip): Groomed terrain and all-mountain skiing.

Profile: The ski tip is rockered (lifted), while the rest of the ski maintains a traditional camber.
Benefits: Easier turn initiation, better performance in mixed snow conditions, and versatility for various terrains.

Tip and Tail Rocker: Powder, all-mountain, freestyle/park skiing.

Profile: Both the tip and tail are rockered, with camber underfoot.
Benefits: Enhanced maneuverability and playfulness, great for skiing backward and landing jumps, and ideal for freestyle.

Buying used gear is a sustainable way to score high-quality items at a fraction of the cost. Not only can you find great deals, but you might also stumble upon rare or discontinued gear that’s no longer available in stores. When buying used skis, here's what to look for:

✔️ There are no deep gouges or scratches on the base of the ski.
✔️ The top sheet is in good condition and not peeling off (delaminating).
✔️ Minimal rust, if any, on edges.
✔️ All metal edges are securely attached.
✔️ Only factory-binding mounds are used.
✔️ Bindings are securely attached to the ski.

🏆 The best part of shopping used on SidelineSwap? We offer Buyer Protection and will issue you a full refund if your item is never shipped, arrives damaged, or is not as described. We also provide No-Questions-Asked returns with Seel. Learn more here.

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Types of Skis Explained

Determining Ski Length

What is DIN?

Radius Explained

Different Skis for Ability Level

Understanding Camber and Rocker

Buying Used Checklist: Skis 🎿

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