"What kind of skis should I buy?" The absolute best answer to this question is that you should go rent several different types of skis and buy the ones you like best. Many ski areas will allow you to rent demo gear and to swap gear during the day. This gives you the chance to realistically compare one type of ski against another. If you can't find the time/money to do this kind of comparison then here are some very broad comments about certain types of skis: Definition of terms: stiffness: Usually used to describe how easy (or hard) it is to bend the ski. It can also describe how easy it is to twist the ski as in "torsional stiffness". sidecut: The curvature of the side of the ski as seen from above. shovel: The pointy end of the ski. Also known as the tip. tail: The non pointy end of the ski. GS: Giant Slalom. Giant Slalom courses are set up for smooth high speed turns. ALPINE SKIS Alpine skis come in essentially 2 styles depending on the size of turn they most naturally make: Slalom ( shorter turns ) and Giant Slalom ( longer turns ). Within each of these categories, you will find skis made specifically for your ability level whether it be recreational or expert. There is also a host of specialty skis that are available. Recreational: These skis are usually relatively soft and have a GS sidecut. This combination makes them gentle, forgiving, and relatively versatile. The major drawback to this type of ski is that it behaves poorly at high speeds or in situations that require quick turns. A good choice for the beginner or intermediate skier. There is little distinction between recreational slalom and recreational GS skis other than the size of the turn that they naturally make. One general rule of thumb is that GS skis may be preferable for the broad open slopes found in the west while a slalom ski may be preferable for the narrower trails in the east. Expert: These skis are generally stiffer. Although this makes them harder to turn compared to recreational skis, they perform much better at higher speeds and on hard snow and ice. These are the best choice for the advancing intermediate and expert. Many skis labeled as "Racing Skis" by manufacturers are excellent expert skis. Although the distinction between slalom and GS skis has gotten fuzzier in recent years, some generalizations still apply. Slalom: Slalom skis have a strong sidecut and are lighter and narrower. They usually have an unbalanced flex ( relatively stiff tail ). Slalom skis are designed to make quick, short-radius turns. This makes them fun in moguls, tight chutes and steeps, but they will tend to complain if you try to ski them at high speeds in straight lines. Also, the stiff tail of many slalom skis may make them somewhat unforgiving in moguls. Many manufacturers also produce slalom skis with a balanced flex ( softer tail ). GS: You want to ski fast? Get a GS ski. GS skis feature a gentler sidecut than a slalom ski and generally have a softer shovel. This makes the ski more suited to long-radius "cruising" type turns. They're also lots of fun at high speed as they are much more stable than slalom skis. The softer tip and gentle sidecut make GS skis a good choice for powder and crud. One word of warning: while a good skier can crank GS skis through the bumps and make it look easy this is *not* recommended. Most GS skis have a metal layer that can be permanently bent by repeatedly thrashing in the moguls. If you want to ski bumps then try a different ski. "True Racing": Although most "racing" skis are excellent skis for free skiing, there are some skis on the market that are made specifically for racing. These "true racing" skis are excellent choices for people on racing teams who will spend a great deal of time running gates. However, they may be poor choices for general free skiing. Since manufacturers call alot of their skis "racing" skis, ask a reputable shop about distinguishing the racing skis made for advanced skiers and experts and the racing skis made for racers only. For example, there is the so-called "rapid-gate" or "J-turn" ski. These are slalom skis made specifically for racing in courses set with break-away poles or rapid-gates. Although these skis excel at making the short, choppy J-turns used by today's slalom racers, they have a reputation of being squirelly and *very* unforgiving. On the other hand, some GS skis are made to do little other than to make long turns at high speeds. These GS skis will protest if you want ( or need ) to make shorter radius turns. Extreme/Mountain: While the name may be somewhat daunting these skis are actually pretty nifty. In fact, they may be the most versatile skis on the market today. Most "extreme" skis feature a slalom sidecut combined with a slightly softer tip and tail. This makes for a ski that is very quick from edge to edge but performs a bit better in powder and crud than a slalom ski. While extreme skis may become a bit annoying at high speeds (they twitch) they are great for bumps, powder, crud, and steep narrow chutes. They also have the reputation of being fairly durable skis as they are often built to survive the trauma of reentry after big air. Mogul Skis: Some manufacturers have reintroduced skis made specifically for the bumps. They are often made to be skied slightly shorter than normal and have a radical slalom side cut and soft tips and tails. If it ain't worth skiing if its flat and if you live for the bumps and nothing else, these may be the ski for you. Otherwise, there are more versatile skis to be had. Powder Skis ( fatties): A recent newcomer to the scene are the new powder skis. They are generally very short and very wide ( or even wider! ). Some devoted powder freaks think they're the best thing since sliced bread. However, it is generally accepted that they are good only for skiing in the fluffy stuff. X-C SKIS: See the FAQ section on XC. The various ski magazines generally publish a brief review of equipment in their first issue of the season, September. Use the reviews only get obtain a list of equipment which *might* be suitable. There''s still no substitute for demos and real time spent trying the equipment out.