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With the right skis strapped to your boots, you can zip down the mountain at speed and under control, carving around moguls, cutting through the trees, and even catching some air. The Faction Prodigy 2.0 Downhill Skis are our top pick because they can be used on all sorts of slopes, from fresh powder to groomed runs and terrain parks. The skis are available for both men and women.
Skiing is one of the most popular winter sports on earth, and is enjoyed on every continent on the planet. OK, maybe "enjoyed" isn't the right word to use when we're talking about using skis in Antarctica, but everywhere else. People have been skiing for thousands of years, with the modern version of the recreational sport developed in the 19th Century. The word "ski" comes from a Norse term that loosely means "split wood" in case you were wondering.
When buying a set of skis, you need to think first about a few basic factors, such as your height. The general rule of thumb is to choose skis that are about as tall as your nose. For a person standing six 152 centimeters tall (AKA five feet) that would mean skis around 145 cm. For a person 183 cm in height (which is six feet), go for skis around 180 cm. Why am I using the metric system? That's just what you do with skis. Novice and/or more cautious skiers should choose shorter skis, while more advanced skiers can manage longer, faster skis.
Beyond length, you need to think of the type of skiing you most enjoy. If you like to zoom down hill at top speed, straighter skis are best. If you prefer to carve and turn your way down the slopes with precision control more important than speed, parabolic skis are best. Those are skis that widen toward the tips and backs, helping you dig in during turns. And of course, the cross country skier needs cross country skis. Make sure you buy a pair that will serve you well because while skiing is great fun, it's not exactly a cheap hobby.
And keep in mind that, with a few limited exceptions (such as the kid's skis on our list), most skis sell without bindings. You'll need those in order to attach your boots. Also, you'll need boots. And poles. And snow pants, a parka, gloves, probably a mask and maybe a helmet, and so on. Skiing is not a cheap hobby, but if you buy the right gear and maintain it with care, you will only have to buy all that accouterment a few times in your life.
And once you're flying down a snowy mountain at top speed, pine trees zipping past on all sides, a bright blue sky above, and the crisp winter wind whistling past your ears, you'll agree that the costs are well worth it.
Read on in the slides below to learn why the Faction Prodigy 2.0 Downhill Skis are our top pick and why you might prefer the Lucky Bums Kid's Beginner Snow Skis, the K2 Superburnin Women's Skis, the Salomon Snowscape 7 Cross Country Skis, and the Rossignol Sky 7 HD Skis.
The best skis overall
Why you'll love them: The Faction Prodigy 2.0 Downhill Skis are comfortable on packed snow, powder, or freestyle terrain, plus, the skis are available for both men and women.
If you are looking for your first ever pair of skis, you probably need to look elsewhere. These Faction Prodigy 2.0 Downhill skis cost six hundred bucks, and that's without the bindings and boots you'll need to actually use them. For the dedicated skier looking to improve his craft or for the advanced skier looking to enjoy all sorts of terrain, these skis are well worth consideration. There's also a pair for women.
The Prodigy 2.0 has a responsive wooden core made out of beech and poplar. The ski offers quick response time and enough flex to transfer your motions into easy control without losing durability. The topsheet (upper surface covering, e.g.) wraps down over the edges of the ski, preventing chips and cracks commonly suffered by skis of lower quality after scrapes against rocks, trees, or other objects. And the midrange width of the skis makes them suitable for use on powder without sacrificing much in the way of speed during a downhill charge.
A reviewer with Newschoolers said the Prodigy 2.0 skis had "confidence-inspiring performance" and noted the "versatile camber lines." In a video review, a gear tester with Snowtrax called the skis versatile and noted the "really solid core" and "snappy feel" created by the wood core.
On a Freeskier ranking chart, the Faction Prodigy 2.0 skis scored near top marks for versatility, though they ranked only average for float, or the ability of the ski to stay on top of the snow instead of settling down into it.
Pros: Highly versatile, responsive and reactive core, durable construction
Cons: Not suitable for beginners, rather pricey
Buy the men's Faction Prodigy 2.0 Downhill Skis on Amazon for $600
Buy the women's Faction Prodigy 2.0 Downhill Skis on Amazon for $629
The best skis for kids
Why you'll love them: These Lucky Bums Kid's Beginner Snow Skis are the perfect pair for a budding young shredder age five and under.
Unlike the case with most adult sized skis, these Lucky Bums Kid's Beginner Snow Skis come with the bindings attached. And also unlike with grown-up's skis, the wearer of these Lucky Bums skis need not get a pair of ski boots. These can be strapped over just about any pair of boots or shoes. The affordability and ease of use of these kid's skis is, however, but one reason they are worth considering.
Indeed despite their low price, these skis are of solid quality. They are fabricated from durable plastic, which not only reduces the weight compared to skis made with metal, wood, and other materials, but also means there are no sharp edges that could cause injury. The bottoms of the skis have traction that prevents backsliding but that permits the youngster to zip forward down the hill. Moving across flatter terrain is also easy, as the bindings permit heel rise, creating a more natural gait that young kids will appreciate, being as walking may still be rather new to them even without skis attached.
All told, these are the perfect introductory skis. Yes, your child will outgrow them quickly, but they only cost fifty bucks.
A write up with Adventuresome Sprout called these kid's skis easy to use and appreciated how they worked without "special ski boots." And a video reviewer with Little Skiers called them perfect for the youngest skiers who are too small even for ski school.
One happy parent appreciated that both her "two and four year old can use them" thanks to the adjustable binding design. Another raved that his grandson "had the time of his life learning to ski with these" Lucky Bum skis.
Pros: Low cost but durable, traction pattern prevents backsliding, work with regular boots or shoes
Cons: Quickly outgrown, require frequent re-tightening
Buy the Lucky Bums Kid's Beginner Snow Skis on Amazon for $50
The best versatile women's skis
Why you'll love them: The K2 Superburnin Women's Skis are designed for the woman who wants to tackle all sorts of terrain.
First, to be clear, there aren't really that many differences between men's skis and women's skis. The latter tend to be a bit shorter, which makes sense because women tend to be shorter than men. Women's skis also usually have the balance point moved slightly farther forward. And finally, women's skis are built with lighter materials and with a softer, more flexible design because women usually weigh less than men, so a lighter, softer ski allows for the proper flexibility when used by lighter skiers.
OK, now to the specifics on the skis in question. These K2 Superburnin Women's Skis are made for use on all sorts of terrain and offer superior control. They're not ideal for absolute top speed sprints straight down the mountain, but rather their broad ends and crisp edges allow for precise turns under total control.
The skis are wide enough for use on powder yet still plenty agile for use in terrain parks, woods, moguls, and more. And with a core made from a blend of aspen, bamboo, and paulownia woods, they are flexible and reactive in all circumstances.
The K2 Superburnin skis feature a metal laminate upper layer that sheds snow and durable sidewall that resists cracks and stays ready for quick turns and sharp stops even after years of use.
A reviewer with Action Hub called the K2 Superburnin skis "well made and ready to tackle your toughest skiing challenges," but she did note that for "beginners or slower skiers, these won't be a good fit." A writer from Ski Mag praised their "strength and responsiveness" and said they were great for "precision carving."
Pros: Great for experienced female skiers, precise carving and turns, multi-layer core for great responsiveness
Cons: Not suitable for beginners
Buy the K2 Superburnin Women's Skis on Amazon for $340
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