Buying a pair of skis can be a complicated, confusing, and intimidating process. Some people like to buy solely based on looks, but that can leave you with skis that really aren’t right for your skill level or ski style. One of the best ways to buy skis is to talk to an expert and listen to their suggestions, but if you want the knowledge yourself, learning about ski construction is pretty important. This video from Nathan Saier dives into the construction of skis and discusses how it impacts the gear’s performance.
Sidecut, camber, and rocker are the more visible factor in ski construction, impacting turn radius, carving, and float. The internal construction of the ski, however, is near just as important. Metal cores tend to provide more power, stability, and energy return, but they’re usually quite a bit heavier. Wood or composite cores, on the other hand, tend to be more playful and nimble but less stable and powerful.
To really know what type of ski is right for you, you likely need to try a ton of skis, so keep an eye out for local demo days if you’re in the market for a new pair.
