Buying Guides > Skis
Step 1 – Select your performance level
Skier Performance Levels
Below is a guide to your performance level. Each ski Gnomes sells has a performance indicator to assist with the selection of the correct ski for your ability.
1. You have skied once or twice and enjoyed it so much you want to continue.
2. You can master simple turns and stopping on the nursery/learners slopes, still need more lessons to improve.
3. Staring to link turns on the intermediate slopes and want to get to the next level as fast as possible.
4. At the intermediate plateau you are linking turns from top to bottom in good conditions, if snow conditions are not perfect you don’t feel as confident.
5. You are linking turns confidently in most snow conditions on groomed runs, steeper terrain gives you some trouble you mainly use medium speeds and medium radius turns.
6. You can ski with variable speeds all over the mountain but deep snow, icy conditions, moguls and very steep slopes slow you down. You are able to use a variety of turn radiuses.
7. 80 % of the mountain is well within your grasp, with a great level of technique and style, you are thinking about spending more time off trail, maybe getting some lessons to help.
8. You are a confident skier in all conditions, you like to spend most of your time off trail at the club fields, or you love carving at high speeds on the steeper terrain on trail.
9. Expert skier in all conditions, you love the sport and ski hard and fast all the time, all terrain is tackled the same with great technique.
10. Professional skier you don’t need us you get paid to ski.
Step 2 – Select your ski type
Skis fall in different category ranges, depending on the snow type or terrain you prefer to ski on. We have defined each ski category below helping you understand what ski you should be looking for. Choosing the correct category is extremely important for you to get the maximum enjoyment from the skis.
Big Mountain
Extreme or powder skiing was the yesteryear term for this category. Users ski the top of the mountain in the chutes and drop cliffs. These skis are wide for maximum flotation and stability at high speeds on uneven snow. Most big mountain skis have a twin tip to allow the skier to pull tricks and land backwards. New innovations in side cut and reverse camber have just been added to a few selected models inspired by surfboards. A new sensation making it even easier to ski powder.
Freeride
Freeride skis generally have a wider geometry than all mountain skis adding stability and flotation in soft snow. They are designed to be skied in powder, on groomed trails, through the bumps and used in any condition you can throw at them. For the skier looking to get off the trails as often as possible and doesn’t want to compromise.
All Mountain
All Mountain skis have a deeper side cut than a Freeride ski offering a greater carving sensation on groomed trails. The construction is often stiffer torsionally, which adds to the edge hold. Over the past few years this category has geometrically widened making them more versatile across the mountain.
Freestyle/Freeski
Freestyle skis are designed to be light offering a low swing weight for manoeuvrability
within the air. The skis feature turned up tails (twin tips), thus allowing the skier to land backwards (switch/fakie). The manufacturer often designs the tip and tail to be a little softer to absorb landings, but with pop to gain air from the lip of a kicker. A freestyle ski is at home in the park or pipe, but with today’s wider footprint handle the powder just as well.
On-Piste
On-piste skis are at home on the smooth groomed trails. They tend to have a narrow waist for fast edge-to-edge response. The skis have a deep sidecut for ease of turning, are stiff tornsionally for great edge hold and have a snappy tail for power out of the turn.
Race
Race skis are the ultimate in performance designed to be skied on the firm groomed trails at high speeds. The edge hold on a race ski is second to none because of its solid construction. They require a very aggressive and technical skier to be able to control them.
Female Specific
Female specific skis have become an essential part in every manufacturers range. A woman’s physique and skiing style is different to that of a man so why use a ski designed for a male? Geometry, construction and side cut have all been designed for the female skier. There are female specific skis in all categories.
Child Specific
Children’s skis are lighter and have a softer flex pattern, enabling them to turn the ski with ease. Children’s skis come in all categories.
Step 3 – Select your length
Ski Test Centre
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