What ski should I buy?

That’s probably the question we get asked more than any other… and rightly so, as having the right equipment makes for a more enjoyable day out on the slopes. The best advice we can offer is to….

Try before you Buy!

Demo a variety of skis. Try different brands, different models, even different lengths, to find the one that works for you. When you find the right one, you’ll know!

We recommend Evo Whistler Village Sports and their demo program. They have a great demo fleet and knowledgeable staff that can assist you in finding the ski that’s right for you. Tell them you are with YES and they will hook you up with a great deal.

The team at YES are eager to help and we have selected the top skis for both men and women for this season. They are all in the all-mountain/freeride category and have a good size platform underfoot. They are the perfect happy medium in one ski! Great for the technical training and for those powder free ski days.

Here are some factors to keep in mind when choosing your ideal ski. Don’t forget to consider where and what kind of conditions you will be skiing in. For example, a powder ski which is 130 underfoot with rocker will be a challenge to demonstrate the technical requirements for the CSIA Level 1 and 2 so this is not the ski to buy for the Instructor Program. (However it might be a great option for a powder ski if you want to have second pair!)

Waist width:

Look for a medium-width waist to balance between hard-snow grip and soft-snow float. It also depends on conditions and your preferred surface

• 68-80 is suitable for groomers
• 80-95mm is optimal for all mountain (recommended)
• 95-105+mm will be better for soft or variable conditions, however this may be too wide to effectively perform the technical skills you need to pass the CSIA certifications.

Sidecut/Turn radius:

Your options will generally have a medium radius sidecut that makes it easier to carve a variety of turn shapes. A radius between 14-16 is ideal for CSIA programs.

Profile:

Most modern all-mountain skis feature traditional camber and some form of rocker (usually early-rise tip), which gives you easier handling and turn initiation in variable conditions. We recommend an early rise tip (not full rocker) with a flat tail for CSIA programs. For powder skis with a big rocker tip, the general rule is to go up a size for stability but demo first to be sure.

Without further ado… we present to you… YES Pros’ ski picks!

FOR THE LADIES

Rossignol Experience 82

Every turn. Any terrain. Across the resort. The women’s Experience 82 Ti ski responds with energy to every turn for a high-energy, all-resort feel. The flex is tuned for intermediate and advanced skiers who enjoy aggressive performance. Titanal layers, a wood core and an 82mm waist combine for the power to handle perfect morning groomers and skied up afternoon conditions. The confidence-boosting control of our Drive Tip design works with the sidecut and full sidewall construction for smooth turn initiation and a powerful edge through the entire turn.

Blizzard Black Pearl 88

Redesigned with input from our Women2Women program and Blizzard’s engineers, the Black Pearl 88 shines as bright as ever.  The result is confidence and just plain fun whether skiing groomers, softer snow off-piste, bumps, trees and everything in between. We designed the Black Pearl 88 not just for the best days on the mountain, but for every day. A lightweight construction, smooth profile shape and camber underfoot make the Black Pearl 88 a go-to for today, tomorrow and the day after that, too.

Völkl Kenja 88

If you don’t want to choose between piste and powder, between moguls and groomed carving slopes, then the Kenja 88 with its revised geometry is the perfect partner for every occasion. This all-mountain freerider with state-of-the-art build is suitable for female skiers who value performance but don’t want to be confined to piste or terrain. Its impressive carving performance is due to the three different radii in the 3D Radius Sidecut. Different parts of the ski are involved at different speeds and as the edges are engaged and disengaged, helping it manage different turns, terrains and forces perfectly. The tip and tail rocker makes initiating turns smoother and forgives mistakes on slopes deep with powder or crud. The centre radius is shorter by a metre, allowing the ski to be steered with noticeably less effort. With the Kenja 88 beneath your feet, you can take on everything the mountains have to offer.

HEAD Total Joy

The Total Joy makes the entire mountain a playground with its lightweight construction and easy-turning design. A light yet strong construction includes Graphene, which has a high strength-to-weight ratio. The wide shovel with Allride rocker adds maneuverability without sacrificing stability for a versatile ski at home in a variety of terrain.

FOR THE GENTS

Rossignol Experience 86

All resort. All the time. The Experience 86 Basalt ski blends a lightweight build with a smooth ride for carving across the entire mountain. A paulownia wood core reduces overall weight, while basalt layers absorb vibration for a smooth, quiet feel. An 86mm waist adds versatility and stability across changing snow conditions. The confidence-boosting control of our Drive Tip design works with the sidecut and full sidewall construction for smooth turn initiation and a powerful edge through the entire turn.

Blizzard Brahma 88

We define all-mountain as a skier who doesn’t color in the lines. It’s more of a philosophy, a sense of freedom to ski whereever you want on the mountain. The Brahma 88 will give you the ability to seize the snowpack throughout the most frigid temperatures and firm conditions. The Brahma 88 utilizes its TrueBlend Woodcore, two sheets of metal and reduced rocker profile for a better grip on harder snow but is versatile enough for a variety of snow conditions. This ski will take the energy you give it and transfer that power into the snowpack, so you can rip down the mountain with confidence and ease. As the day’s smooth terrain gets eaten up by hungry skiers, the Brahma has the backbone to ski efficiently through chopped up crud, which means you’ll be skiing longer (and stronger) than everyone else. Enjoy the day – all day, ski the Brahma.

Völkl Kendo 88

This is an all-mountain freerider with a state-of-the-art build that can be used for so many different things by experienced skiers who relish powerful turns on any terrain and on any piste. Like the new Mantra and Kenja, the Kendo 88 comes with revised geometry and a one metre shorter centre radius in its 3D Radius Sidecut. The key is that the three different radii combined in one ski make for enormously versatile cornering. The new 16 m radius in the middle further increases its radius variability. Thrills await if you love tight turns cut fully on the edge. This ski encourages a sporty, intuitive style on groomed slopes, but also provides the manoeuvrability you need to get through challenging terrain. Less force is required too, thanks to a shorter centre radius. This season, the Kendo 88 also features Tailored Carbon Tips and a Tailored Titanal Frame. So if it wasn’t clear already, there can now be no doubt that fun is the Kendo’s middle name.

FOR EVERYONE

On-piste

Rossignol Hero Elite MT

Designed for passionate racing fans and on-trail skiers, the Hero Elite Multi-Turn TI is an accessible yet solid, race-inspired on-trail ski. Our race-proven Line Control Technology (LCT) complements a 74mm waist width and versatile multi turn sidecut for optimized quickness, precision and power. LCT eliminates counter-flexing to offer maximum stability and optimized trajectory for total line control.

HEAD Supershape e-Rally

The Supershape e-Rally is the perfect hybrid ski for the experienced versatile skier who likes the flexibility to ski wherever the day takes them. It features HEAD’s innovative EMC technology, which reduces vibrations and increases stability for an overall smoother ride, as well as Graphene for optimized weight balance distribution and control. If you’re looking for a versatile ski, the e-Rally will take good care of you around the mountain.

Off-piste/powder

Rossignol Sender/Rallybird Series

Any terrain. All conditions. All in. All the time. Blurring the boundaries between frontside and freeride. Precision and playfulness. The all-new SENDER and RALLYBIRD ranges offer unrivalled performance for unlimited access across any terrain. Push your freeride aspirations further. Ride free.

GRAVITY FIRST

All in. Full gas. Always fast. This is the gravity first mindset. Building upon our flagship freeride design, SENDER is now a complete family of all-mountain freeride skis with award winning heritage: progressive power, technical precision, and absolute versatility.

READY TO RALLY

First chair to last. Always ready to rally. Built women-specific but never watered down, the all new RALLYBIRD range packs the progressive power, precision and freeride versatility to rally across any terrain and conditions with absolute confidence.

SUMMARY:

Everyone is different so remember to Try before you Buy to find the ski that works for YOU. Enjoy the turns and see you on slopes.