Buying your first (or your second…or fifth) pair of skis can be a daunting task. There are a lot of skis out there and it’s hard to know just what you need, especially if you are new to the sport. A few things to know before selecting the best skis for beginners:
- A good beginner ski will give you enough control to allow you to work on your turns and be forgiving of your mistakes.
- However, if you are really serious about skiing, you’ll also want something that will be good for harder slopes and faster turns as you advance.
We will be telling you all everything about these elements later on in the article as we’ll first take a look at some of the best skis for beginners you can get right now.
Let’s slide on!
The Best Skis for Beginners – Carley’s Picks
Here is an overview of the top 3 skis for beginners that are a sure buy, guaranteed to last and, what’s more, perfect for any newcomer.
Product Name |
Best Use |
Rocker/Camber |
Get It AT |
| Blizzard Alight | Carving | Rockered tips/Cambered middle |
|
| K2 Press | Freestyle | Rockered tips/Cambered middle |
|
| Atomic Vantage 86 | Carving | Front rocker |
|
10. Rossignol Evo XC 59 IFP XC Skis [New Entry]
Ideal for: Absolute beginners / Recreational skiers
Rossignol Evo XC 59 IFP XC Skis are great cross-country skis for absolute beginners as their waxless base offer the perfect compromise between grip and glide.
They are also easy to get on and off and very fairly priced.
Thanks to the thin but solid air core, they are lightweight (just 32.5 oz) and are designed to offer more flex at the back and front, which is essential for people who are just picking the sport up.
Since they are relatively small, they are perfect for safely approaching both uphills and downhills and make a great pair for Nordic track and XC skiing enthusiasts later on.
They should be paired with NNN-compatible boots, like the Rossignol X-3 XC Ski Boots (Check latest price here.)
Heights:
- Lightweight
- Best for both on- and off-trail skiing
- Very good balance
- Excellent quality
- Reasonable price
Plains:
- Sizing chart guide not always accurate
9. Elan Element Skis
Ideal for: Beginners / Groomed Runs
The Elan Element skis are made to walk beginner skiers through the first steps of learning how to ski.
Their Groove Technology make these skis extremely forgiving.
It also helps them compensate when you get knocked off balance or hit some bumps.
The Parabolic Rocker will help you get in and out of turns smoothly and without too much energy.
Also, these skis are cambered underfoot to ensure you get the stability and grip you need.
Heights:
- Excellent ski for learning the basics
- Made of wood and composite materials
- Lightweight and shock absorbing
Plains:
- Athletic and ambitious skiers will outgrow these ski quite quickly
Suggested: While we present the men’s variant, you can also check out the Elan Elements women’s version.
8. Dynastar Legend X 75
Ideal for:
- Beginners
- Intermediate Skiers
- All Mountain Use
- Mostly Groomers
These are among the best skis for beginners interested in developing their carving skills.
They are cambered enough for good edge control and rockered at the tips for maneuverability and float.
The poplar and Visco Elastomer construction is light and forgiving with a dash of playfulness.
ABS sidewalls underfoot and medium flex give these skis the stability you’ll need to build up your confidence for fast turns.
The overall result is a lightweight, forgiving pair of skis that is also stable enough for high speeds.
Heights:
- Great for learning how to carve
- Skiers will be able to advance to higher levels with and in these skis
- Good on hardpack snow
Plains:
- Not great for powder snow
7. Blizzard Alight 7.2 Women’s Ski
Ideal for:
- Beginners
- Intermediate Skiers
- Groomers
These skis are great for riders who want to develop their skills on groomed runs.
Their narrow width and full sidewall construction give them plenty of edge control for great grip.
You’ll also get effortless weight transfers on your turns.
Blizzard’s suspension system will reduce vibrations to give you a smoother ride too.
Heights:
- Easy turning
- Good edge control
- Suspension system
Plains:
- Not that smooth and stable at high speeds
6. K2 Secret Luv Skis
Ideal for:
- Beginners
- Intermediate Skiers
- All Mountains Use
- Mostly Groomers
These skis are great for women who want to quickly perfect their turns.
The Catch-Free Rocker is lightly rockered at the tip and has more camber than other skis on this list.
This will help you quickly develop strong turns for carving.
You also get great edge control thanks to its hybrid sidewall/cap construction.
The mounting point for these skis is a little further ahead, which makes them align better with a woman’s natural balance.
It also helps reduce the effort needed for turns.
Heights:
- Specifically designed for women
- Great for learning to carve
Plains:
- Not that great for powder
5. Volkl Flair 76 Ski – Women’s
Ideal for:
- Beginners
- Intermediate Skiers
- All Mountain Use
- Mostly Groomers
Their dual wood core makes these Flair 76s some of the best skis for beginners as they are both lightweight and maneuverable.
Their rockered tip will help you initiate turns easily, while the camber on the rest of the ski will provide grip and stability.
A combined cap and sidewall construction offers another balance between lightweight maneuverability and stability.
With a medium flex, these skis will help carry you smoothly down groomed runs as you gain confidence and speed.
Heights:
- Lightweight construction
- Great skis for learning how to carve
- Stable and precise turning
Plains:
- No men’s model available at the moment
- Can be a little shaky at high speeds
4. K2 Press Skis
Ideal for:
- Beginners
- Intermediate Skiers
- Freestyle
- All Mountain Use
- Mostly Powder
The K2 Press skis are one of the most affordable beginner skis for anyone looking to test out the park.
Their twin tips allow for backward landings and their Aspen Duratech construction makes the skis durable.
It also gives them a soft flex to make tight turns easier.
This pair has an extra soft, forgiving flex that will help you out when your balance isn’t quite right.
It’s Carbon Boost Braid gives this ski a little extra pop that’s perfect for catching a bit of air.
Heights:
- Lightweight and easy to maneuver
- Good option for beginner freestyle skiers
- Stable enough for skiing groomers
Plains:
- Not great for powder
- No women’s model available at the moment
3. Atomic Vantage 86 C Skis
Ideal for:
- More Advanced Beginners
- Advanced Intermediate Skiers
- All Mountain Use
- Mostly Groomers
If you are a confident beginner who wants to charge down the groomers, then you should feel comfortable enough to give these skis a try!
Their Atomic’s Prolite construction reduces their weight without taking away stability.
The aspen core is light and shock absorbing.
The skis have all mountain rockers on the front – this will help you out when you hit the powder.
With 90% camber and full sidewalls, these skis offer great stability and edge control.
Unlike most other skis on this list, the Atomic Vantage has a medium (rather than soft) flex.
This makes them more responsive, but less forgiving.
If your skill has outgrown your rentals and you are keen to push yourself on groomers, then these might be the best skis for beginners for you!
Heights:
- Lightweight construction
- Stable and responsive
- Allow for higher speeds and precise turns
Plains:
- May not be suitable for complete beginners
- Not great for powder
Recommended: You can also check out the Atomic Vantage 86 Women’s variant.
2. Rossignol Smash 7 Skis
Ideal for:
- Late Beginners
- All Mountain Use
- Strong Powder Capabilities
If you have a bit of experience under your belt and foresee some powder in your future, then this pair of skis is likely whispering to you already.
Their 92m width gives you enough float to ski through powder.
However, it also still offers enough control for groomers.
With 50% tip and tail rocker and 50% camber, this is more rockered than most beginner skis.
Still, what gets lost in stability and edge control, you’ll make up for in maneuverability and float – making them perfect if you want to ski some trees too.
Heights:
- A great option for all types of snow
- A great option for beginners who live in an area with lots of powder
- RossiTop cap construction for plenty of control and responsiveness
Plains:
- Not recommended for people that are trying out skiing for the very first time
- May not be the best option for eastern hardpack
1. Salomon QST 85 Skis
Ideal for:
- Strong Beginners
- More Advanced Skiers
- All Mountain Use
The Salomon QST 85 are a fantastic pair of skis to progress into.
They are responsive enough to get in some string turns and stable enough to give you more confidence to speed.
If you’re planning on sticking to groomers but want to get off the trail into the powder from time to time, then these might well be the best skis for beginners for you!
The cap construction on their tips keeps these skis durable, light, and maneuverable.
At the same time, their sidewall construction over most of the ski provides excellent grip.
The narrow waist gives you the stability you need for groomers.
Also, the wide rockered tips will help you through powder and crud.
Its combination of deep sidecuts, rockered tips, and narrow waist will help you with smooth, powerful turns in all conditions.
If you are feeling confident enough on your skills and want skis that will take you to higher levels, then you likely just found your next pair!
Heights:
- A good ski for developing and advancing your skills
- Excellent control in various snow conditions
- Versatile and safe and easy to use
Plains:
- Not great in deep powder
- Might be too advanced for some beginners
Suggested: With all that mountain time you’ll be getting on these, you should also equip yourself with the best ski goggles too!
⛷️ Most Important Factors to Consider When Choosing Skis (Short Skis Buying Guide)🏂🏽
There are a lot of factors that go into making ski choices, so we’ve outlined a few below to help you out on your quest for the perfect pair of skis!
You Must Consider:
- The Shape and Size
- Rocker and Camber
- Materials and Manufacturing
1. Shape and Size
If you have just started out looking for skis, then be sure to check ones that are a bit narrower and shorter to help give you more control.
You will get a range as you are checking out recommended ski lengths for your height. Aim for the lower end – something around nose height.
The width of a ski is measured at the waist, around where your foot goes.
While narrow skis will give you more control, the width should also depend on where you plan on skiing.
- If you ski mostly east of the Rockies, you’ll probably be skiing on more hardpack.
- Consider something narrower for carving up the groomed runs.
- If you live west of the Rockies, you’ll encounter more powder.
- Consider going a bit wider, but save skis that are 95+ mm for when you’re ready to advance.
2. Rocker and Camber
You will also see the term rocker and camber being thrown around a lot when it comes to skis.
A cambered ski has a slight upward curve in the middle, while rockered ski curves up at the tips.
- Cambered skis are considered best for hardpack and groomed runs.
- This is because they offer more stability, better control, and better grip in icy conditions.
Rockered skis are best for powder as they have better float and are more maneuverable.
- While you probably won’t be skiing a lot of powder as a beginner, a bit of rocker will give you some versatility.
- With the tips off the ground, it will also make the ski seem shorter, making it easier to turn.
- However, too much rocker means less contact with snow, giving you less grip and making turns on packed snow more difficult.
The best bet for a beginner is a cambered underfoot with rocker front and back, but this may vary depending on your goals.
3. Materials and Manufacturing
- Skis usually still have wood cores. Still, unlike 70 years ago, they are now surrounded by layers of composite materials and plastic.
- Ski companies all have their own patented combination materials, all of which will alter shock absorption, playfulness, edge control, weight, and flex.
Flex is particularly important for a beginner, as a softer ski is more forgiving when you are out of balance.
- Lighter skiers should consider going for a softer flex as well.
- Women-specific skis are usually a little lighter and softer.
Cap and sidewall construction refer to how the sides are built.
- Caps construction has the top plastic completely capping the ski.
- Cap skis tend to be cheaper, lighter, and more variable.
- Sidewall construction forms a sort of sandwich with the wood and composite material in the middle.
- Skis with a sidewall construction are enforced with a layer of super-dense plastic
- This gives them more edge control and stability.
Many skis have cap construction at the tip and sidewall construction in the middle.
Conclusion
This wraps up our list of the best skis for beginners options coupled with top tips on how to choose your next pair!
Be prepared for your next adventure on the slopes with the skis top-quality but still affordable skis. They are also durable enough to for as long as you need to learn how to ski.
After all, you’ll naturally have to move on at one point or another.
Let us know what you think of these or which are the best skis for beginners, in your opinion!
Recommended Read: The Best Snowboards to Ride this Year
Image sources: Pixabay and Mohammad Saifullah on Unsplash