Ski sets with bindings

How to choose your ski set

There are several profiles of skiers, same applies for skis, each having its own specific features. When you buy skis, you need to know what you are looking for, you have to be aware of your physical and technical skills and you need to know what type of skiing you plan to do. You won't get the same skis for freeriding and for racing, same goes if you are a beginner or an expert. So let's have a look at what best suits you.

1: Define your level

If you are a beginner and you pick a high-end ski with a stiff construction, it will be very demanding and your progression will be long and difficult. If you are a good skier but you go for an entry-level ski with a soft and flexible construction, you won't progress as quickly, the ski won't grip hard enough or won't respond fast enough. This is why it is important to know your level. We have three categories of skiers :

Beginner to intermediate : true beginner or recreational skier, you lean backward when skiing and most of the time your legs are spread out. You're looking for an easy ski that makes gives you confidence so you can learn the basics on gentle slopes at moderate speed.

Advanced : skis stay parallel throughout the turns and you are under control. You are capable to reduce or increase your turning radius and you adapt your turns according to the terrain. Your position on the skis is more 'academic', you bend your legs, your hips are aligned with your knees, your arms stay in front of you. Sometimes when the terrain changes unexpectedly you still make a few technical mistakes. You need a comfortable ski that can perform if you need it to, but it also needs to deliver a touch of forgiveness to help you cope with your last flaws.

Expert : you feel comfortable regardless of the terrain or conditions, your technique is perfect and so is your body posture. Your hips don't move anymore and your arms point always forward and keep your whole body balanced. You control your turns and you gauge your speed with ease. You need skis that can deliver high performance but require technique.

2: Define your skiing style and pick the most suitable ski set

You need to know what category of skiers you belong to in order to pick a ski that will meet your needs. If you spend your time on groomed snow, don't buy a freeride ski ! In order to help you find the right ski, we made a specific search engine for you, on the left hand side of that page. You will easily find which skis best suit you.

Piste ski package : the ski is narrow at the waist and gets wider toward the tip. That makes turn initiations smoother and more intuitive. The tail of the ski can be considered as its engine, it is the tail that delivers power and rebound when you exit a turn. At Glisshop you will find leisure piste ski perfect for recreational skiing, performance piste ski packs that allow you to progress and improve your technique and of course carving ski packs that will delight seasoned skiers in search of thrills.

All-mountain ski package : skiers want their skis to be increasingly more versatile. They need skis that adapt to various conditions and terrains without being more demanding physically. A good all-mountain set ensures edge control on hard snow and floatation in powder.

Freeride ski package : freeriding is more and more popular. Skiers who enjoy the backcountry and deep powder generally go for wide and powerful skis that can handle deep fresh snow as well as crud or tracked out powder. Note that we can split that category into two subcategories: mid-fat skis (from 95 to 105 mm at the waist), designed for skiers who want something versatile that they can ride on piste if needed; and fat skis (105 mm+ at the waist), best suited for skiers who own a few pairs of skis and want one specific pair when conditions are optimal.

Freestyle ski package : thanks to skiers like Jérémy Pancras, Kevin Rolland, or Candide Thovex, freestyle skiing has gotten very popular. In between skiing and performing stunts, freestyling requires specific skis with specific shapes. Made to be light, skis generally feature a twin-tip shape allowing to ski backward, or switch. For a park and pipe use, skis come with a pretty narrow waist. Backcountry freestyle skis however feature a wider underfoot platform enhancing floatation in powder.

Touring ski package : touring skis are far more accessible than a few years ago and we see more and more skiers going for it. Touring skis feature a light construction making the uphill bits of your tour more enjoyable and they have a mid fat profile in order to handle any terrain on the downhill. The binding can be either alpine-oriented (easier to use) or with inserts (lighter).

How do we mount the bindings ?

Ski bindings ensure your safety and need to be set carefully in order to reduce the risk of an injury in case of a fall (knee sprain or fractured). Glisshop ski packages combine skis and bindings suited for different levels and styles. Any package you get, we mount the bindings for free. To make sure we do it correctly, you will be asked to complete a form with your age, your weight, your height, your ski level. We also ask for your boot length and for your preferences. In general, bindings are centred or close to the centre on freestyle skis (depending on manufacturer's recommendations).

What are the ski brands available as packages from Glisshop?

All the ski brands are available as packs with bindings. You will find ski sets from brands such as Armada, Atomic, Black Crows, Blizzard, Dynastar, Elan, Faction, Fischer, Head, K2, Head, Lib Tech, Line, Movement, Nordica, Rossignol, Salomon, Scott, Volkl and Zag.

Bonus feature :

It's not always easy to know exactly what size of skis you need to get. Glisshop helps you to find out your ski length by clicking here.

Also check our tool to define your release setting: DIN value charts.

Glisshop recommendations :

• Try to rate your ski level
• Get in touch with Glisshop staff to help you find the ski that best suits you
• Don't overlook the maintenance of your ski gear