Skiing is a tremendously rewarding activity that allows you to enjoy breathtaking views alongside heart-stopping speeds as you carve up the mountains. However, before you strap on your set of all mountain skis, you should ensure that you have the proper skiing equipment available.
After all, the wrong time of equipment can severely ruin your mountain holiday experience. Join us as we take a look at the 5 best mountain skis.
Salomon QST 92 Skis + Marker Griffon 13 ID Ski Bindings
Brought to you by Salomon, the QST 92 Skis brings together toughness and agility in one package. With Salomon’s patented All-Terrain Rocker 2.0, you can enjoy more precise turns and increased maneuverability on the slopes. Made for pros by the pros, the Salomon QST 92 Skis promises advanced skiers a fun and challenging time on the slopes without biting your head off.
With a specially designed woodcore optimised for maximum stability and rebound, the QST 92 allows for increased contact with the snow for a much better experience. Alongside this, the Koroyd Honeycomb tip promises better flotation for higher jumps as well as tighter control around the curves while improving dampening and shock resistance.
With the QST 92’s specially designed laminate made from CFX Superfiber, you’ll enjoy a smoother, lighter ride for all of your sessions on the mountains. Couple this with its power-transfer platform and you’ve got a recipe for massive fun on the slopes.
Pros:
- Flexible design suitable for a variety of different conditions
- Improved maneuverability, thanks to the Koroyd Honeycomb tip
- Smooth ride in all conditions
- Lightweight
Cons:
- New skiers may find the design of the Salomon QST 92 Skis difficult to get used to
K2 Pinnacle 85 Skis + Atomic Warden 11 Demo Bindings 2018
True to their namesake, The K2 Pinnacle 85 Skis + Atomic Warden 11 Demo Bindings may quite truly be the pinnacle of all mountain skis. Lightweight and extremely versatile, the K2 Pinnacle 85 Skis are suitable for skiers looking for a forgiving, easy-to-use set of skis.
Featuring an all-terrain rocker that allows skiers to carve up the mountains in a variety of conditions, the K2 Pinnacle 85 Skis offer a unique blend of power, energy and edge grip. With a semi-twin tail that offers increased control in all conditions, even amateur skiers will find that the K2 Pinnacle 85 is exceedingly forgiving.
Also, thanks to its inverted 3D woodcore, the K2 Pinnacle 85 provides skiers with the stability they need to tackle the mountains with supreme confidence. Finally, the full 360-degree sandwich sidewall construction allows the K2 Pinnacle 85 to adapt to all manner of terrain.
Pros:
- Easy-to-use and suitable for beginners
- Forgiving to even the most inexperienced skiers
- Lightweight and very versatile
- Performs well in a variety of conditions
Cons:
- Pros may not like it’s forgiving nature and may want something more challenging
Salomon QST 99 Skis + Salomon Z12 Bindings
The Salomon QST 99 Skis + Salomon Z12 Bindings 2018 are the skis to go for if you’re looking for a stable, tough, all-terrain ski. Manufactured from lightweight materials, the Salomon QST 99 Skis offers a perfect blend of stability and edginess without compromising on ride quality.
Carve up those mountains when you strap on the Salomon QST 99 thanks to its revolutionary all-terrain rocker that offers precise turns and great maneuverability on all types of mountain conditions. Enjoy a faster ride and tighter turns with the Salomon QST 99’s carve zones for more power and grip.
With the Salomon’s QST 99’s groundbreaking space frame and specially designed woodcore, you can enjoy stability to ski with confidence in all conditions. Enjoy better control in all situations thanks to the QST 99’s semi-twin tail that lets you carve those slopes up.
Finally, thanks to the QST 99’s CFX super fibre laminate, you can enjoy a smoother, damper ride.
Pros:
- A perfect blend of flexibility and stiffness makes it great for new skiers
- Lightweight design
- Specially designed to perform in all mountain conditions
- Reinforced woodcore provides better control
Cons:
- May be difficult for amateurs to get to grip with
Salomon Myriad 85 Skis + Salomon Lithium 10 Demo Bindings
With its slender, lithe and lightweight design the Salomon Myriad 85 Skis + Salomon Lithium 10 Demo Bindings gives skiers the perfect blend of agility and maneuverability in all mountain conditions. Designed for ladies, the Salomon Myriad 85 Skis are excellent for amateur skiers looking to get a strap on a decent set of skis.
Thanks to its one-of-a-kind all-terrain rocker, the Salomon Myriad 85 is perfect for recreational skiers and experts alike. Perform tight turns and carve up those slopes with ease with the Salomon Myriad 85.
The Salomon Myriad 85’s unique space frameworks in conjunction with its all-terrain rocker to help you perform at your peak performance in all manner of mountain terrain conditions. Enjoy much easier turns in snow thanks to the Myriad 85’s hook free taper.
To ensure a stable ride at all times and in all conditions, the Myriad 85 is made from a stable woodcore that provides stability while also improving shock absorption thus giving your knees a much easier ride.
Pros:
- Great starter ski for ladies
- Lightweight design
- Slender skis for higher speeds and lower drag
- Woodcore for improved shock absorption and stability
- Slender design for agile turns
Cons:
- Narrow ski design can be hard to get used to
- Flimsy construction
>> Read our guide to the best touring skis
Salomon QST 106 Skis + Salomon Z12 Speed Bindings 2019
The Salomon QST 106 Skis is a beast of a pair. The QST 106 is a versatile, lightweight set of skis that are great for use in all conditions. For maximum maneuverability in snowy conditions, the QST 106’s twin rocker provides you with excellent contact for a smoother ride.
Enjoy greater power and grip when with the QST 106’s carve zone that allows you to carve up the mountains with greater ease than ever before. True to its all-terrain heritage, the QST 106’s features a unique space frame with a bi-directional design to let you perform in a variety of mountain terrains.
Ski down the slopes with confidence with the Salomon QST 106’s inverted woodcore which forms a stable core for optimum stability and shock absorption. With its Koroyd Honeycomb tip and tail, you enjoy better flotation and less inertia for sharper steering.
For maximum under-foot power, the Titanal Power Platform will let you speed down the slopes while still being under control.
Pros:
- Specially designed spaceframe for improved mobility
- Solid woodcore for a stable ride
- All-terrain twin rockers for a variety of mountain conditions
- Greater power and grip with the specially designed carve zone
Cons:
- Difficult to use for newbies
- Not as flexible as other models
>>See also the best powder skis to buy this season
How to ChooseYour All Mountain Skis
When making a choice, you need to make sure that your skis are suitable for you. Here, we take a look at some of the things you need to consider when making a choice.
- Keep an open mind
When choosing a pair of all mountain skis, you need to take into account that all mountain skis are specially designed for use in a variety of conditions. This means that all mountain skis tend to be a jack of all trades master of none, type of ski.
Thus, don’t expect your skis to work as well as other more specialized skis.
- Where will you be skiing
Before making a purchase, you need to take into account where exactly you will be skiing. From the Swiss Alps to the Rocky Mountains, check with the in-store expert which skis function the best in your desired condition.
- Construction
When you try on your skis, get a feel for how they feel on your feet. Heavier skis while more stable and steady, may feel clumsy on your feet. Whereas lighter skis can be difficult to control for less experienced skiers.
Choosing the Right Length All Mountain Skis
If you’re an amateur skier or even a professional for that matter, knowing the right ski length can be quite tricky. Fortunately, here are a few easy tips to get you started.
- Your ability
Be honest with yourself as choosing an all mountain ski with the incorrect length can lead to disaster. For example, beginners tend to be more comfortable on wider, slower slopes which are more gentle. Hence, longer skis can be a better choice.
Whereas a professional skier is quite likely more familiar with highly-technical, demanding slopes which demands agility. Hence, shorter skis are a much better choice in this way.
- The terrain you will be skiing on
All-mountain skis are multipurpose skis that are designed to perform adequately in all mountain conditions. Thus, you should always take into account the type for the terrain you will be most likely visiting on your all-terrain skis.
- Checking in with the experts
Most importantly, you should always seek advice from the experts themselves. Speak to skiers who make use of all-mountain skis and get to know how their set of skis perform.
Maintaining Your All Mountain Ski
Keeping your skis in good condition are crucial for the long-term, safe and effective use of your skis. Here are a few easy ways to keep your skis in good shape.
- Keep your skis waxed
Easiest yet most effective way to keep your skis in good repair is from regular waxing. Waxing protects the laminated layer of your skin and increases its service life.
- Carry a pocket stone
Remove burrs immediately as these when left untreated can result in rust damage.
- Clean your skis after every session
Regular cleaning of your skis can prevent a build-up of dirt and discourages rust.
Conclusion
Skiing is a fun and rewarding hobby for everyone. By choosing the right set of skis, you can be assured of a great time.
Image sources: Evo.com, k2skis.com, salomon.com