Choosing the Correct Skis

"Skiing", in the words of Glen Plake, "is the best way in the world to waste time." The lineup of Ellis Skis is designed to be your perfect quiver. With underfoots and lengths carefully planned out there should be the perfect ski for you. 

1. Location and Terrain: Two big factors in choosing the right pair of skis is where you plan on skiing in the world and the type of terrain you enjoy skiing. A powder ski for Japan and the East Coast look a little different. Conversely, a skinny ski means two different things from the West Coast to the East Coast. In designing our skis we've thought about the versatility of the our skis across the world, and how conditions change from the start of the day, to the end of the day. 

2. Everyone Wants to be a Better Skier: Our goal is to make fun skis, and skis that make you feel like a better skier. What does that mean to you though? Are you trying to get better at carving turns on groomers, improve your fluidity through moguls, or spend more time chasing pow? In designing our 100, 112, and 122 underfoot skis, we tailored them to specific conditions but still kept them versatile. You can read our other blog post that goes into each ski in depth to help choosing the correct one. 

3. Consider Ski Width: Ski width, often referred to as waist width, influences flotation and maneuverability in different snow conditions. Different widths are suited for different terrains and skiing styles.

Our Sabr 100 is currently our skinniest ski and meant to be quick edge to edge with a shorter turn radius creating a ski that is responsive and lively. Intended more for hardpack days where there isn't fresh snow anymore. We did add some tip and tail rocker to this ski which achieves a few things. It allows the ski to be oushed sideways more easily when skiing steep terrain, bumps and trees. It also does allow it to float in pow still. One of our intentions with this ski was to be a capable backcountry touring ski as well that won't be hindered by deep snow or melt freeze conditions. 

Our Merakai 112 is designed to our wider resort powder ski. This ski was a tough one is designing and prototyping. Beginning of the day you race to your favorite lines and stashes, perfect untouched snow, we wanted a tip that would float. Mid day, things are half skied out, you're still finding stashed but also it's push piles galore so we made the ski stable underfoot, and a tip and tail taper that wouldn't get hooked and distracted by inconsistent snow conditions. Now it's 3pm, why not ski to the end of the day? Snow is skied out but the groomers are soft so we made sure this ski can still hold an edge and carve dynamic turns and make a few end of day groomer laps fun. 

The Yutori 122 is a no-holds powder ski. Intended for cat skiing, heli skiing, and simply the best conditions regardless of how you get there. With a soft progressive flex and deep rocker lines this ski floats effortlessly, and a short turn radius makes it easy to steer these skis wherever your impulse desires. 

All-mountain skis are versatile and suitable for a wide range of conditions. Freeride skis are designed for off-piste adventures, offering enhanced floatation in deep powder. Meanwhile, carving skis excel on groomed slopes, allowing for precise turns and high-speed performance.

 Narrower skis are better suited for carving on groomed slopes and hard-packed snow, offering quicker edge-to-edge transitions. Wider skis provide better floatation in deep powder and increased stability in variable snow conditions, making them ideal for off-piste adventures and backcountry skiing.

4. Understand Ski Length: Ski length plays a crucial role in stability, maneuverability, and overall performance on the mountain. As a general rule of thumb, shorter skis are easier to control and maneuver. Longer skis provide more stability at higher speeds and perform better in deeper snow or steep terrain. However, the optimal ski length also depends on factors such as weight, height, and skiing style.

5. Seek Expert Advice: With the wide array of ski options available, seeking guidance from experienced skiers or knowledgeable ski shop staff can be invaluable. They can provide personalized recommendations based on your skill level, skiing style, and preferences, helping you narrow down your choices and find the perfect pair of skis to suit your needs.

In conclusion, choosing the right pair of skis is a crucial decision that can significantly enhance your skiing experience. By considering factors such as skill level, ski type, length, width, and seeking expert advice, you can find skis that perfectly match your abilities and skiing aspirations, ensuring countless memorable adventures on the slopes.