Ski Width: What Is It And Why Does It Matter?

If you’re new to skiing, figuring out the width of ski you should be purchasing can feel a bit intimidating. Why does it mean? Why does it matter? Unfortunately coming right out and saying “you should by this width” is a bit difficult without more context. What type of terrain are you hoping to ski, what kind of turns do you want to make, etc. Ron Kipp‘s video below goes into details on the science behind ski width. He discusses what it does and how it impacts the skiing experience, primarily focusing on skiing on-piste rather than in powder.

The video doens’t necessarily tell you what width of skis you should be on, rather it explores the different impacts specific widths can have. If you’re looking into a new pair of skis and don’t know where to go with width, your best bet is to head to a ski shop and talk to someone directly, explaining the type of terrain you like and what you hope to get out of your ski. They’ll usually be able to point you in the right direction.

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