Alpine Skis

Expert’s Picks: Alpine Skis

How to Fit Alpine Skis

Fitting alpine skis can be a somewhat tricky process for some people. This is because the ideal length of alpine skis is determined by a number of important factors, including your height, weight, skill level, the difficulty of the terrain that you ski and your terrain preference. To complicate matters, within the past decade and with the advent of shaped, o… read more
How to Choose Alpine Skis

Many factors come into play when choosing alpine skis. Although you will be faced with an abundance of choices, you'll need to consider your skill level and your terrain preferences, and your height and weight. This is not a decision that should be taken lightly. Anyone who has ever skied on a pair of rentals knows the problems associated with being on the… read more
How Are Alpine Skis Made?

The freedom of sliding down snow-covered mountains as the powder flies past frosty faces is the epitome of passion. The process of making alpine skis is no less wondrous than the skiing itself. read more
History of Alpine Skis

Derived from the old Norse word "skio," meaning "a stick of wood," early skis were just that---long, straight wooden planks. Although high-tech materials and design dominate the market today, these tools for speeding downhill have ancient origins. read more
The 5 Types of Alpine Skis

Buying a pair of skis can be a difficult task, especially for those new to the sport. Luckily, Alpine skis (also called "downhill skis") can be divided into five types, one of which will easily match up with your interests and abilities. Your most important consideration is to figure out what kind of skiing you like to do most; then, you can select the typ… read more

Related Alpine Skis Articles & Videos

How to Wax Alpine Skis

Because skiing involves friction against the cold snow, optimal ski performance requires periodic waxing. In many cases, people will take their skis to be tuned when a good wax job would have done the trick. If you point your skis st… read more
Types of Snow Skis

Outdoor enthusiasts who can't get enough of winter rarely have only one pair of skis. Instead, they'll have a pair of alpine skis, telemark skis for the backcountry and even a pair of cross country skis for a day off the slopes. But, i… read more
Snow Blades vs. Skis

In the past decade, you might have noticed a new type of gear on the slopes. At first glance, they seem to be the "mini me" of alpine skis. They are called ski boards. But because Salomon skis has a brand of ski boards known as "snow b… read more
What Are the Advantages of Riding on Twin Tip Skis?

When New School skiing, otherwise known as park or freestyle skiing, became popular, proponents began to realize that this highly athletic sport required a completely different type of ski. This type of skiing involves skiing backwards… read more
How to Choose Alpine Ski Boots

Although many skiers quickly fall in love with alpine skiing, few enjoy the boot rental process. Simply put, rental boots hurt. Additionally, continually renting boots becomes expensive. However, your boots are your most important piec… read more
What Are Telemark Skis?

Telemark skis are also called free heel skis. Unlike traditional alpine skis, Telemark skis are not attached at the heel, which explains the term "free heel." read more
What Are Backcountry Downhill Skis?

Backcountry skiing is an exhilarating form of skiing that combines cross-country skiing with downhill skiing. Backcountry skiers climb slopes outside of ski-resort boundaries to access untouched terrain. The backcountry skier uses rand… read more
How to Wax Skate Skis

Skate skiing is a variation of regular alpine skiing utilizing thin skis to increase a rider's speed. It is a physically demanding sport often competed in by only the most athletic types. These skates are similar to traditional alpine… read more
Alpine Ski Tuning Information

Tuning your skis will keep them at optimum performance levels. How often you tune your skis will depend on how frequently you ski and how hard you are on your gear. Generally, if you ski over a rock or a tree, you'll need to tune your… read more
How to Wire Brush an Alpine Ski Base

At some point, advanced skiers realize all skis are rock skis, meaning they are meant to be used in all conditions, and sooner or later, you will ski over a rock and ding the base. Depending on the level of damage done, you may be able… read more
What Are Telemark Cross Country Skis?

Many telemark skiers enjoy getting out where the slopes aren't groomed. Designed for "free heel" skiing on downhill terrain as well as for working in powder, telemark skis bear a great deal of resemblance to alpine skis, although they… read more
The Best Alpine Touring Skis

Recent advances in alpine touring equipment have made it the preferred equipment setup for backcountry skiing. The bindings have gotten lighter, and the ability to lock the heels at the top of the skin up for downhill travel gives the… read more
Alpine Slide at Stowe Ski Resort & Summer Activities

This plush mountain resort in central Vermont, shares its name with the town in which it's located. The resort is one of the most popular in New England, spread across Vermont's highest peaks, including Mount Mansfield, the tallest in… read more
The Best Downhill Alpine Skis

Alpine downhill skiing involves traditional runs on groomed terrain at lift-served areas. It also has varying levels of difficulty in which the skiers' heels stay locked into the ski bindings at all times. Various ski buying guides and… read more
What Equipment Is Involved in Skiing?

Skiers comes in many different shapes and sizes, and so does the equipment involved. Alpine and cross-country skiing share similar types of equipment. But some key differences do exist between them. read more

Alpine Skis Photos

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