It’s no exaggeration to say that skiing is the most popular winter sport. Sure, snowboarding is WAAAY cooler (according to snowboarders, at least!), but skiing predates snowboarding by many years and will always be the premier winter sporting activity.
There is nothing to beat the sensation of schussing down a mountain with a couple of planks strapped to your feet. Whether you enjoy the occasional skiing holiday or are a dyed-in-the-wool powder hound, skiing gets in your blood. Once you are bitten by the skiing bug, you’ll be an addict for life.
While you can hire skis, a lot of skiers prefer to buy their own, and that’s where things start to get tricky. That’s because there are lots of different types of skis, and each has different characteristics.
Because of this, it pays to know a little about the different types of skis so you can buy, rent or borrow the ones that are right for you.
In this guide, we take a look at the different types of skis and discuss the pros and cons of each so you can choose the best planks for your preferred style of skiing.
Types of skis
Broadly speaking, there are two types of skis – alpine skis and Nordic skis. Alpine skis have bindings that hold your entire foot on the ski, while Nordic skis only bind the front of your foot, so your heel is free to lift. Ski shapes then vary depending on what type of skiing you are going to use them for.
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Alpine skis
The main types of alpine skis are:
All-mountain skis
BEST FOR: Recreational downhill skiing on most types of terrain

All-mountain skis are not the fastest or most agile type of skis, but unless you are a very proficient skier, you probably won’t exceed the performance limits of all-mountain skis.
Pros
- Suitable for most types/styles of skiing
- Ideal for all levels of proficiency
- Reasonably fast and agile
- Excellent all-round recreational skis
Cons
- Not the fastest skis
- Not so good for carving sharp turns
- Experienced skiers may find they lack performance
Big mountain skis
BEST FOR: Advanced, off-piste skiing

Pros
- Best skis for advanced, aggressive skiers
Cons
- Not suitable for beginners
- Not especially fast
- Not the best on-piste skis
Powder skis
BEST FOR: Skiing off-piste in deep powder

Pros
- Best for off-piste skiing
- Wide and stable
- Good intermediate skis
Cons
- Not the best for carving sharp turns
- Can be quite slow
- Not ideal for beginners
Snowblades
BEST FOR: Having fun, especially as a beginner

Pros
- A versatile ski that’s suitable for a range of activities
- Short and stable, so good for learners and beginners
Cons
- Not especially fast
- Not suitable for deep powder (they sink!)
Freestyle skis
BEST FOR: Skiing in the park and half pipe, and for doing tricks

Pros
- Best for performing jumps, turns, and other tricks
- Ski forward or backward
Cons
- Not really suitable for beginners
- Not the fastest downhill skis
Freeride skis
BEST FOR: Developing skiers on all types of terrain

Pros
- Excellent multipurpose skis
- Suitable for a range of skiing activities
- A good choice for late beginners and more advanced skiers
Cons
- Not as fast or as agile as some other types of skis
Carving skis
BEST FOR: Fast, controlled, piste skiing

Pros
- Great for downhill and piste skiing
- Reasonably fast
- Very agile and good for sharp turns
- Suitable for all levels of skier
Cons
- Only really suitable for on-piste skiing
Racing skis
BEST FOR: Going really fast!

Pros
- Very fast and agile – with turning circle depending on the length
- Great for downhill and some slalom (especially giant slalom)
- Ideal for well-groomed slopes
Cons
- Not really suitable for beginners
- Longer lengths (200cm+) can be pretty hard to turn
Alpine touring skis
BEST FOR: Ski touring uphill and downhill off-piste skiing

Pros
- Good for long-distance skiing
- Very efficient, good for gliding
Cons
- Not especially fast or agile
- Not ideal for beginners
Slalom skis
BEST FOR: Slalom racing

Pros
- Fast and incredibly agile
- The best skis for slalom racing
Cons
- Not suitable for beginners
- Not really suitable for any other type of skiing
Nordic skis
And finally, it’s time to look at some Nordic skis…!
Cross-country skis
BEST FOR: Travelling across flat or undulating terrain

Pros
- The best touring skis for covering long distances
- Can be used on flat, downhill, and uphill slopes
Cons
- Free-heel skiing is a tricky skill to master, so these skis may not be suitable for beginners
Jump skis
BEST FOR: Ski jumping!

Needless to say, like slalom skis, the only reason to buy jumping skis is if you want to try your hand at ski jumping. Rather you than me!
Pros
- The best ski for ski jumping
Cons
- Only suitable for ski jumping!
Types of skis – closing thoughts
The best type of ski is the one that matches the style of skiing you want to do. So, if you want to head off-piste, powder skis or big mountain skis are probably your best choice. But, if you want to use your skis both on and off-piste, all-mountain skis might be the better option.
That said, if you spend all your time on groomed slopes, carving skis are the most logical choice for most people, with racing, slalom, and freeride skis best left to alpine specialists.
If exploring is more your bag, any type of touring ski will suit your needs, although you’ll need to choose between alpine and Nordic binding styles.
Finally, if you want to defy gravity and soar like an eagle, get yourself some jump skis. However, that’s probably not the best choice for most recreational skiers!