Choosing the Right Ski – The Ski Selector Quiz and a Guide to Some the Best 2024 Skis

Mountainwatch |Gear Guide

Buying skis is a big and decision, the most exciting gear a skier buys is their skis. They represent who you are as a skier and they influence how, when and where you ski. But your skis need to be the right size, the right personality and the right category.

That is why the ski you choose is so important. It is why there are so many different skis out there to choose from. It is also why buying a pair of skis can be a difficult, albeit fun, exercise.

While we’d all like to have a few different skis in the rack to pull out when conditions suit it is a luxury many can’t afford or justify. People often talk about the “One-Ski- Quiver” – one ski that you ski all season no matter the conditions. But deciding which ONE ski is right for you makes the whole process even more difficult. What follows is a ski selector quiz. It is designed to help you find that ONE ski that is right for you – Your “One-Ski-Quiver”. And that ‘right’ ski depends on what type of skier you are.

So, we’ve gone to the experts at Chillfactor ski magazine and their Ski Selector Quiz to to give you some direction on finding the best ski for you.  Answer the three questions before going to your local retailer who will help you make your final decision.

The Ski Selector Quiz

Question 1: Find your category

You are skiing and there is a feature in the slope in front of you. Do you

a) Turn around it – You are an ALL MOUNTAIN SKIER

b) Turn over it? – You are a FREERIDER

c) Air off it? – You are a FREESTYLER

*As a general rule: Harder snow – Go narrow; Softer snow – Go wider

Question 2: Find your waist width

How soft do you expect the snow to be that you will ski?

a) Hard groomers and ice – 60-70mm wide waist

b) Occasional slush or little powder – 70-95mm wide waist

c) Slush, crud, moderate powder – 85-105mm wide waist

d) Snorkel deep – 100mm+ wide waist

e) categories a to c – 70-100mm wide waist

f) categories b to d– 90mm+ wide waist

*As a general rule: Harder snow – Go narrow; Softer snow – Go wider

Question 3:  Find your ski length and refine its width

How fast do you ski?

a) Slowest – I love looping turns and I don’t want to fall.

– Find a ski around chin-height with a waist width on the narrower side from the previous question.

b) Slow – When the snow is soft, and I can see I might let them run a bit.

– Find a ski around mouth-height with a waist width on the narrow to middle side from the previous question.

c) Fast – I love charging, but the guys in the movies are crazy.

– Find a ski around eye to head height with a waist width on the middle to wider side from the previous question.

d) Fastest – I am one of the guys in the movies.

– You know what you want.

*General rule: Slow – Go shorter and narrower; Fast – Go longer and wider

FREERIDE SKIS

The best thing about skiing is that no two turns are the same, let alone runs. You love to explore the mountain and you love to turn. Turn around trees, over wind lips, down chutes, over and around anything. When the snow is hard you are skiing in the sun or down low because you know how the snow changes throughout the day.

When the snow is deep you have already done a run before the lifts open, and a bit of tracked out powder never turned you off either. If you need to slow down, you drop the hip and get the skis arcing and sliding. You like a ski that can nip tight turns in the same breath as a high-speed burner. It all comes from the tail of the ski, short, stiff and high performance.

What to look for: Ski brands will often refer to the right skis for you as “Freeride”, “All-terrain” or “Big-mountain”

General traits: Directional, traditional mount, 90mm+ width, Medium to stiff flex; Longer turn radius; Regular camber, early rise or reverse camber.

Atomic Bent 100

Lengths 165, 172, 179, 186

Radius: 19m / 179cm

Dimensions: 128.5/100/119

Built for every style from freeride to freestyle, the wildly versatile Atomic Bent 100 is a do-everything ski. Rooted in freeride with a side of all-mountain and a dash of art by Chris Benchetler, the celebrated Bent 100 has been reimagined from tip to tail., the new Bent 100 features a Light Woodcore and new profile with 5% more rocker for more tail pop and easier transitioning to switch. Next generation, freeride specific HRZN 3D delivers improved float in deeper snow and better handling in variable conditions. Dura Cap Sidewalls offer controlled power transmission and commanding edge grip on harder snow and the thicker Resist Edge adds sturdiness and greater durability for sliding park rails. For Bobby Brown it’s a no brainer, the Bent 100 is his everything ski. Playful and sturdy, this is the ski that does it all.

Black Crows Atris

Lengths: 172.1, 178.4, 184.3, 190.2

Radius: 19m

Dimensions: 138/105/122

This is the latest edition of this iconic black crows ski that first appeared in 2014. This truly is the everyday big mountain/freeride ski, accessible and versatile, for skiers who want a ski that excels in powder but also displays impeccable behaviour in all conditions. The Atris is always to the point, and aims at delighting the heart of the most demanding.

Elan Ripstick 96 Black Edition

Lengths:  161, 168, 175, 182, 189cm

Radius: 17.8 (182cm)

Waist: 96mm

The Elan Ripstick Black Edition 96 is an all mountain ski designed for versatility and all around performance. Perfect for intermediate to advanced skiers to make the most of off-piste conditions in Australia and softer snow conditions overseas.  The Ripstick 96 Black Edition is reinforced with Quad Carbon tubes, 2 extra over the Regular Ripstick 96 and layer of carbon to stiffen the ski and increase its power. The Black Edition is a strong ski for strong skiers.

Faction, Studio 2

Lengths: 163, 173, 178, 188

Radius: 19m (178)

Dimensions 131/102/127

The Studio 2 with its versatile 102 mm waist is the ideal tool to transition from all -mountain, to backside, to park. This is a high-quality, high-performance craft that effortlessly responds to your movements and your commands. Its lightweight Poplar Core construction and carbon stringers help the ski to pop off booters, butter over rollers, and whip effortlessly between turns. Yet the Rubber/Carbon stomp pad keeps it strong enough to take hit after hit.

Dynastar M -Pro 100 TI

Lengths: 162, 170,178, 186

Radius: 17m

Dimensions 134/100/124.

The Dynastar M-Pro 100 Ti is aimed at freeride enthusiasts. With a waist width of 100 mm, it offers reliable handling in soft snow. Its double rocker facilitates float and makes the ski manoeuvrable in varied snow conditions. The Hybrid Core technology, combining wood and polyurethane, provides a perfect balance between dynamism and lightness, while the Rocket Frame TI plate ensures stability and control at high speeds. The traditional camber ensures good power transmission and an effective rebound out of turns.

K2 Omen Team

Lengths: 163, 170,177, 184,188

Radius: 18m @ 177

Dimensions: 125/96/119

Both Rigorously tested and athlete approved, The Omen Team is the high-performance freeride twin you’ve been looking for. With all terrain twin rocker, carbon boost braid, Twin Tech Sidewalls, Bio Resin and aspen micro block core. It’s capable enough to hold its own amongst contests and burly enough to dominate even the heaviest of late-night street sessions.

Volkl Blaze 106

Lengths: 165, 172, 179, 186

Radius: 17m (179)

Dimensions: 146/106/128

The Blaze 106 is a light, agile powder ski that is constructed with manoeuvrability in mind. The thin Titanal Binding Platform underfoot harnesses power with little effort, creating an incredibly enjoyable and dynamic turning experience, immediately from initiation. In narrow terrain and/or rough conditions their reaction time is impressive, especially for a powder-width ski. Their full length Hybrid Multilayer Woodcore and overall design target short-turn-oriented skiers, but the sidecut’s three radius technology adapts to most every riding style. In addition to ripping around the resort, the Blaze 106 W’s also transition into capable freeride touring skis because of their lightweight, yet powerful nature. With the addition of the Suspension Tip, a rubbery, shock-absorbing material on the tip and tail edges, the Blaze 106 W rides high through pow, crud and wind buffed snow with playful power.

FREESTYLE SKIS

The mountain is your canvas and your skis the paint- brush. Skiing is about riding features to slash, butter and air and if the snow is not cooperating then the park probably is. Skiing switch is fun, but you also love a longer, softer tail that you can press out on take offs and landings. If you need to slow down quick you shut it down sideways with a few power slides and then ollie out to get your balance back.

What to look for: Ski brands will often refer to the right skis for you as “Freestyle”, “Park”, “Freeski” or “New-school”

General traits: Twin tip, mounted near centre; 80mm+ width?. Softest to medium flex; Short to long turn radius; Regular camber, flat to early rise and reverse camber

Atomic Bent 90

Lengths 157, 166, 175, 184

Radius  19m / 175cm

Dimensions:118/90/109

The Atomic Bent 90 is the ski Nico and Miguel Porteous refer to as “the Swiss Army knife” – the perfect all-mountain/park ski. HRZN Tech Tip & Tail give the Bent 90 the ability to float through pow laps in the morning and send the park in the afternoon. A Light Woodcore keeps the weight down and the performance responsive. Extra-durable Resist Edges provide lasting durability for endless rail slides. While the Bent 90 is a narrower ski than the bigger Bent Chetler 120, it still maintains the same attitude of creativity, self-expression, and versatility that make the entire range so effective. With topsheet and base art by Chris Benchetler, the Bent 90 channels a unique approach to the mountain both in design and aesthetics.

Black Crows Mirus Cor

Lengths: 168.3, 173.2, 178, 184.2

Radius: 13m

Dimensions: 134/87/121

The Mirus Cor is a ski object born of performance and design, to achieve an alliance between two worlds: freestyle and the most angular carves of the moment. Built with a long rocker tip and tail, it can be skied short to play with piste and the most playful sidehits. It is carving in a blackcrows way, a true freestyle all terrain. Accessible, solid and creative in every respect.

Elan Playmaker 91

Lengths: 164, 172, 180cm

Radius: 18 (180cm)

Waist: 91mm

The 2024 Elan Playmaker is an amazing new ski that blends the freestyle with the freeride. The tubelite wood core remains the same, blending a light weight and snappy energy with a smoother and damper feel,  a directional twin tip that can be used in a variety of conditions and terrain. Rather than using full-length carbon tubes in the wood core, Playmaker uses partial rods that run along the sides in the mid body of the ski. It’s less carbon overall, but it still helps with torsional stiffness and edge grip underfoot while allowing the ski to be more flexible and playful.

Faction Prodigy 1

Lengths: 158, 164, 171, 178, 184

Radius: 17m

Dimensions 120/88/112

A considerably skinnier tail width than in the tip provides ultimate downhill performance for attacking the mountain. A twin tip in the tail encourages playfulness and freestyle attitude, meaning you can ride switch with ease. Full length sidewall and a poplar ash core.

K2 Reckoner 92

Lengths:149, 159, 169, 179

Radius: 16.9 (169)

Dimensions: 124/92/114

The Reckoner 92’s will make all your wildest dreams come true. From the park to the trees, to the afternoon chop, these approachable, yet playful skis and their versatile All- Terrain Twin Rocker (low gradual rise, camber, low gradual rise) will have you wondering why you waited so long to jump on the twin-tip train.  Features triaxial braid, hybitech sidewalls bio resin, Aspen block core

Volkl REVOLT 96

Lengths: 157, 165, 173, 181

Radius: 17m (173)

Dimensions: 126/96/119

The tip & tail rocker ski with a new, modern sidecut is equipped with reinforced edges and modified flex zones meant to be ridden in the urban playground or in the park. Whether it’s the stair railing behind the house, the rail in the park, or the kicker next to the slope, the Revolt 96 will give you enough pop and stability during take-off to raise your level up a notch. Of course, the Revolt 96 also features the proven 3D Radius Sidecut and a full-length sidewall for top performance on hard, shaped surfaces.

ALL MOUNTAIN SKIS

You grew up skiing on straight ski and remember when parabolics came in. That was a game changer for you and now you love skiing more than ever, eventhough you might only get out there a few weeks a year. On a powder day you might ski a bit of powder off the side of the groomed run but what is even better is groomed pow. When the groomers are squishy that is heaven. Skiing up high can be fun too when the wind has flattened out the snow pack like on Antons in Thredbo or Buller’s Summit. Deep down, skiing all over the mountain is fantastic, so long as there are no rocks, no bumps and a chairlift to get you back up.

What to look for: Ski brands will often refer to the right skis for you as “All-Mountain”, “Piste”, “Frontside” or “Resort” skis.

General traits: Directional, traditional mount, 60-95mm width; Soft to stiff; Short turn radius; Regular camber sometimes with early rise.

Atomic Maverick 88Ti

Lengths: 161, 169, 176,184

Radius 18.2m / 176cm

Dimensions: 121.5/88/105

Unanimously approved by prototype testers, the Atomic Maverick 88 TI received high marks in all terrain and in every condition. Flow Profile blends the perfect amount of rocker and camber for optimal effective edge contact during the length of the turn. Strong and smooth, OMatic Construction combines only the essential materials – wood, fiberglass, and Titanal – for an exact and relaxed all-mountain ski. Groomers, steeps, trees, bumps, you name it – with the Maverick 88 TI the entire mountain becomes yours.

Black Crows Captis

Lengths: 172, 178, 184

Radius: 18m

Dimensions: 127/90/113

A very popular blackcrows ski and the combination of a very progressive flex and a long effective edge provides great manoeuvrability and grip at high speeds. Its freestyle heritage and reasonable width make it an all-terrain ski that holds its edge well for carvers, and is easy to steer to suit all styles. It is always incisive but also very playful, a pleasure to enjoy all winter in all conditions.

Dynastar M Cross 88

Lengths: 159, 168, 176, 184

Radius: 14m

Dimensions: 134/87/116

All-new for 2024, the Dynastar M-Cross 88 is a crisp turning ski that has both all-mountain and front side chops to it. The M-Cross 88 has that modern shape and a sophisticated build to go along with it. Using Dynastar’s new Hybrid core the combines Wood with PU, makes this ski extremely versatile in All-mountain conditions.

Elan Wingman 86 Black Edition

Lengths: 166, 172, 178, 184cm

Radius: 15.6 (172cm)

Dimensions: 130/86/115

The perfect combination of performance and ease, Wingman 86 Black offers a smooth ride in all conditions thanks to its robust footprint and construction. Capable of making the perfect turn across all terrain and speeds, the Wingman 86 Black with Amphibio Truline features strategic placement of materials to be strong, stable and smooth through every turn. The slightly wider all-mountain chassis is made with a titanium reinforced Laminated Woodcore and offered with or without the free-flexing Fusion X system and excels in all conditions.

Faction Dancer 2

Lengths: 163, 171, 177, 182, 187

Radius: 18m

Dimensions: 127/96/117

The traditional flat tail design is built for speed, ultimate edge grip and control throughout charging turns. Brought into the modern day with a slight tail rocker, this shape is easier than ever to slash your turn into a carve and won’t hook up in fresh conditions. The Dancer 2 is reinforced with 2 layers of TI for extra power and control.

K2 Mindbender 89 Ti

Lengths:164, 170, 176, 182, 188

Radius:15.4m(176)

Dimensions:130/89/114

The Mindbender 89Ti is an all-mountain freeride ski with a carving pedigree. The most versatile ski currently around. Outfitted with classic construction it’s got a powerful twist thanks to Titanal Y-Beam Technology, providing precise, predictable, smooth turn initiation. The Mindbender 89Ti is the perfect dynamic companion for when you’re in the mood to rip but soft snow isn’t on the menu.

Volkl Peregrine

Lengths: 162, 167, 172, 177, 182

Radius: 15m (177)

Dimensions:  128/82/111

The Peregrine 82 excels on both icy slopes and fresh snow and thanks to the unique Völkl Tailored Carbon Tips, the ski provides more agility for quick short turns in changing conditions. In addition, the 3D Radius Sidecut supports the versatility for a playful skiing. The combination of the new tip geometry plus the integrated Tailored Titanal Frame results in a more direct, precise & reliable handling with highest stability. Marker and Völkl teamed up to construct the specific LowRide XL binding with GripWalk which allows great power transfer and edge grip due to the extra low stand height.

The Ski Selector Quiz was provided by Chillfactor, Australia’s premier ski magazine.