Are Your Skis Too WIDE? : What WIDTH Ski You Should Buy

[@josefschefer580]

Skiing Vancouver and Whistler, most times a Kendo 88 will be a perfect pick. Its the 6-8 times a season you want a wider ski. My brother ski's the alps, most skiers there are below 80mm. They also stay mostly on groomed. You really get used to ski on wider skies and its hard to get back on thinner race ski's. I do find a ski wider then 100 doesn't has much benefit unless you got at least 5 inches of powder. Also agree with Deb that most skier would be better of on thinner ski's.

[@puregsr]

You really can't hate on Tom Gellie. He has gradually become one of the most important ski educators out there and the glue that is holding the ski world together, connecting different generations, disciplines, and cultures without hate or putting each other down. He is so amicable and respected that he is able to collaborate with coaches, racers, bootfitters, freestylers, snowboarders, KZbinrs, from the late Ron LeMaster to even lone-wolf Harald Harb! Tom did not come from a racing background and he learned as an adult, so his perspective is going to be quite different from your usual suspect, but his background in biomechanics/structural integration really shows in his approach to skiing. He respects tradition but challenges conventional teaching and does have his own quirks/wacky ideas , but he is constantly learning, absorbing new ideas, and improving his own teaching. The Down-Under skiers from that era, Tom Gellie, Paul Lorenz, Josh Duncan-Smith, Reilly McGlashan, etc (to name a few) are all amazing skiers/educators who will achieve more than any of us can ever dream of. P.S. Here's my bias: I'm just an adult skier who has become obsessed with skiing later in life, someone you would call a ski fanatic. I do not know Tom personally and I used to leave critical comments after just seeing some of his long "boring" videos, but after becoming a Big Picture Skiing subscriber (even longer videos, hah, but they're getting more concise and much better quality lately), integrating his ideas into my skiing, interacting with him through member forums, I really think he will leave his mark in history as one of the greats.

[@TheBeingReal]

I had to chuckle about your Harald Harb comment. What’s funny is watch how what he’s been saying for decades is being integrated into a lot of ski teaching.

[@puregsr]

​@@TheBeingReal Not denying that, a lot of people owe their skiing to Harb. Just wish there's a little less conflict, maybe I was a little insensitive and used the wrong term. ("Everyone-else-is-doing-it-wrong Harb" changed to "lone wolf Harb") If you learn as an adult, Harb's PMTS is simple, elegant, and rigid (thanks to his stubbornness, for better or for worse). It will get you over that intermediate hump quickly and get you carving so fast that you won't know what to do with that speed. But then what a lot of people don't realize is that that is when real lifelong learning and mastery really begins. If you grew up skiing, you wouldn't understand anything he's saying though.

[@TheBeingReal]

@@puregsr Oh for sure on his skiing. Done several camps of his. He has his opinions, a few are strong. 🤣. Get past that and his PMTS method works!

[@Rakingclaw4]

Love Tom. He’s a physical therapist I believe and I love his mechanical approach. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen him off of a Fischer carving/SL ski. He was instrumental in helping me build up my carving technique after a long layoff. I know too many Harb disciples and personally don’t love ski instructor look. More John Bonham than Neil Peart for me, even though I %^*#ing love Neil Peart!

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Yeah I quite like Tom and wanted to set the record straight

[@beaupirnat2827]

I believe shape and construction matters so much more than width for most skiers. I have a Kastle mx99 that carves harder than most 88s but floats less, it really depends on who you are and how you ski, until you get into the extremes (above 110 under 75).

[@Berg4357123]

Exactly. Camber vs Rocker and general stiffness are also huge.

[@carterfan80]

. That mx 99 is a beast. There's definitely a lot of truth to this

[@scottpratico1315]

Awesome ski. I want a pair but the price is hard to swallow.

[@raybird180]

100% agree it all depends on where you ski mostly. I work in a shop and I see people generally buy wider skis than they need. Also I feel people buy wider skis too fast before they learn to properly carve. The one ski quiver is a myth. My ski width quiver is ski 1 anything between 84-88. Ski 2 anything 100-106. Ski 3 anything between 112-12ish and up. My two cents but just my opinion.

[@carterfan80]

I would say you're right on the mark for the west. If you're on the East Coast you can probably drop that last one. And drop to a 89-85 And a 95 -99

[@BigPurpleSkiSuit]

I just skied a 114 for everything last year, works great for how I like to ski. I'd probably be better at carving if I skied narrower skis with sharper edges, but I don't usually need much edge where I ski. Also: skiing groomers on pow skis is way easier than the opposite.

[@phaethongr]

A common "mistake" is going too wide before mastering elementary skills. Of course it makes things easier on weird or deep snow, but you're flattering yourself instead of working on your technique. In the Austrian certification path, you are not allowed to use any other than GS skis for everything and it actually pays off. My advice would be, "get all the skis you want and go out have fun, but keep working your skills on a pair of narrows". Btw, Tom Gellie is indeed very good and his content is gold, if you're patient. He also has lots of short videos that are easy to watch, especially on expert skills and equipment fine-tuning. (I'm daily on the Fischer RC4 CTs, 65mm and also bought the Rangers 103 for some fun days)

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Coming from northern Vermont and knowing a bit about the Austrian ski tradition, I think your advice absolutely tracks, except for parts of the western US. Our snow in the early and late season can be so soft that a little extra width can actually make for a better down hill ski platform. On manicured or firm conditions though you're absolutely right.

[@mrremke]

Respect for treading this ground with honesty, in public. I agree in general. I skied hip deep on my four 88s in 1999. Ski gear has made a couple quantum leaps since 1990. Gear is an instrument for experience... NOT the experience in itself. If you know the fundamentals, this advice is legit. Rickety always talks about fundamentals. He's speaking to his whole audience here. Use at your discretion.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Thanks!

[@Berg4357123]

Camber vs rocker is also a factor in this. Skiis are too wide and too rockered for most intermediate weekend skiers in the west. A +105 heavily rockered ski is great for powder and off piste. But most people aren't skiing that a lot, they are skiing mostly groomers and a occasional powder day and a few off-piste runs a day. For that a +100 rockered ski is going to hurt. Such people complain about 'ice' all the time even with slightly 'hardpacked' conditions. I've had numerous such friends try a cambered narrower ski (under 90) and almost all of them have been amazed how much easier it is to turn and get an edge on what are not hardpacked or icy days as they thought but rather packed powder conditions.

[@delriv5238]

I think Elliot is spot on in this issue. The only thing I would add besides being real about your conditions would be to be real about your abilities. In my opinion the higher your ski level the more you can feel what the ski is doing and you are able to feel different nuances of the ski. Conditions make a world of difference with different skis as you gain in abilities and as you gain in ski ability you tend to vary the terrain you are skiing and that makes a difference as well. Where I am if I could only have 2 I would have a low to mid 80’s for the freeze and thaw and a mid to high 90’s for everything else. Shop demos and the used rack for low mileage skis and have one for every kind of condition. Cheers, W

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Great advice and totally agree, I would also add sometimes you need real mileage to feel the difference on skis imo

[@delriv5238]

Real mileage makes a huge difference. One day isn’t enough

[@mathieug6136]

I agree about ~95mm feeling quite good. I demo'd a ripstick 96 black edition during a busy weekend day in Quebec and it felt so comfy on the snow, I was quite surprised. I later switch to a 82mm wingman as it was elan demo day and it was night and day.

[@paulpallet4960]

Cat amongst the pigeons , Stance 90 ,184 . I ski in Oz , mainly hard packed snow or ice but I travel to Europe to ski in Italy and Switzerland and prefer to ski my own skis . This last season they were perfect for groomers , little heavy through the moguls but performed excellently in the deep [ up tp waist deep ] . Over a week of serious deep snow that was fun , yes , ideally I would have had a second pair of skis but the realty dawned that I don't need them . I now love the challenge of having my one ski quiver .

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Haha, I only skied the vantage 90 for a couple winters and it's totally doable, I just mean that it's not going to 100% perform the same as a 2 ski quiver, but not trying to yuck anyone's yum

[@paulpallet4960]

Then again, when I was young I did ski on kneissl M1 at 2,21 in the powder .. Loving the channel btw .

[@Nwrig004]

I ski 2015 K2 AMP 80X on any coast in trees, moguls, chop, ice, soft snow, etc. The only thing I can’t ski is blower powder. I live in the Mid Atlantic and take those skis to Cooper Mtn, Vail, Jackson, Okemo with no issues.

[@C.oleCarson]

Where I ski, Bridger Bowl, many of the more difficult hiking terrain runs never fully get tracked out, even though we don't get that much snow. So any ski under 104 just won't give you confidence on that terrain even if it hasn't snowed in a few weeks. But I will say that every time that I see someone daily driving Bent 120s it kills me a little haha

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Haha same and it's always with a pivot 18 and intermediate skier, I've noticed too alot can depend on how the Cats groom

[@FainHenderson]

Well said, and at least three pair is the way to go, you explained it well. I hate the “one ski quiver” saying. I rock 100 mm under foot most of the time and all the old timers tell me there too wide but I never see them off of the groomers or dropping/jumping anything so I don’t think they understand my argument for more platform. Of course if it’s super icy I use something narrower and if there’s powder something wider.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Totally, or like late season when the snows soft abd breaks away easier, I think that kind of ski makes a nice platform, Enforcer 99 or mindbender 99 come to mind

[@BikeandSkiGeoff]

I commented on that Deb video as well - I ski mainly Bogus and Brundage and I spend most of my time on 102 or 106 skis. My carving ski now is a 93 underfoot Serpo and for deeper days I'll do a 112 or 122. What I grab just depends on the day and conditions. My first skis were way too narrow and too short for my size and I struggled on those for years and almost gave up skiing. Finally got skis that were the proper length and wider for my size and made such a difference. I think most people should learn on a wider ski around 88-100 and as they advance go narrower to improve their carving (and if they want to race) and then wider for powder and off-piste days. Generally, I'm starting to see more people in the lift lines skiing wider skis these days but I still see plenty of people on twiggy XC-thin skis on powder days which isn't much fun.

[@anthonyalpha4118]

Nice Ski Quiver!

[@StartCodonUST]

Black Crows Serpo is definitely on my radar as a ski I'd like to demo. Seems like it could contend with the upcoming Black Crows Octo or a Stockli Montero for either soft snow conditions in the Midwest and as an on-piste ski for the Rockies. I have Blizzard Thunderbirds for carving and Nordica Enforcer 104 for off-piste skiing. Neither feel ideal for, say, a trip to Europe or a low-tide trip out west.

[@TimSmith-n5k]

If you are a good skier, you can carve any width ski. Narrower skis make it much easier though when learning. I ski a 112 salomon blank 194 as my only ski and it can rip on groomers and is incredible anywhere off piste. I also only ski out west usually when conditions are good.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Totally agree, and that's a great quiver for out here. It's hard to speak so broadly too when there are so many different climates and snow conditions

[@Ceemysix]

I’m a lifelong Sugarloaf Mountain Maine skier/instructor. It sits further north than any other eastern mountain and has its share of steep on and off piste. It also has variable (frozen crud/windbuff) off piste. The problem is you need to ski steepish groomer to get to off piste on some of the terrain. Good Sugarloaf skis need some versatility if you’re going to ski the whole mountain. It hard to believe I used to ski the whole mountain on skinny 200’s. 88-95mm represent a good place for that Goldilocks ski during a descent snow year for us. Narrower is fine at the start of the season. Crazy thing is a short trip to NH/southern VT,NY changes everything. The snow consistency tends to be much firmer/lower. I can’t imagine anything over 88 is needed most of the time. 78 would get it done.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Totally agree, and I'm amazed by how versatile some of those 95-102 skis are, the Blizzard Rustler 10 comes to mind

[@Ceemysix]

@@RicketySkiReviews I talked with an individual in April that was on a pair of Rustler 10’s and he had nothing but praise for them and versatility.

[@scollyutube]

Depends on snow and terrain. I'm on all mountain shaped 82tis now and they are still so versatile, plus give back way more fun on piste and in bumps than my wider skis do........ I don't bring out the 100s unless it's 5-6 inches of decent snow where I live.

[@htpm325]

Great discussion. Here I am, middle of summer, heat wave in fact and all I can think about is skiing. And whether I should buy the Camox or the QST 92 or Line Optic 92 to augment my Brahma 88 and Rustler 10. Its not just width, its length and flex and twin tip or not. But you are right when you say its all about what you need it for and where. Peace!

[@xenomorphelv4265]

Head Supershape e-titan here. 80 to 85mm are the sweet spot for me to carve on ski. trails. you can still do fast turns on degraded snow.

[@darinsmith2458]

Before you get too carried away, I have actually been thinking about this lately.. BTW.. How is your recovery going? I am still healing and when I start skiing next season do I ski on my old race skis that are 70 mm x 170 cm that have a 13 m turn radius or do I ski on my 100 mm x 184 cm that have a 15 m turn radius.. I am planning on a ton of people in a very small area.. The hill will get carved up so I will be skiing on crud.. My wider skis that have a ton of rocker will float above and my race skis will go through.. I will say that this past season I was exhausted using my wider skis on opening day.. I did use my old race skis early in the season and I am pretty sure that they did just fine.. I did have one experience when I was on my old race skis a couple of seasons ago where someone came out of nowhere and I just threw myself off to the side.. You could say I wiped out.. The run was so flat I couldn't get up;) That was my first wipeout* of the season.. I know if I was on any other pair of skis that we would have collided.. Ok Carry On...

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Recovery has been great! Running 3x a week and I'd say I'm 99% back, only feel it when I move and twist at certain angles

[@Rakingclaw4]

FWIW, the source of info matters. Deb and Tom are very much in the racer-mold of advice. The meme on Ski Talk is that everyone needs a FIS 165cm SL ski or they aren’t a ‘real’ skier. As a ‘former racer’ (#MemeAlert), I grew up with the guy who started SKi Talk and those three sources were my starting point coming back into the sport after a 20 year layoff. After building my technique up I eventually got around to wider skis. I feel they are easier to ride from a skill standpoint, often require wider/more runway to get the most out of the longer radius, and are just #%^*ing fun. The only downside I’ve found is regardless of the width I’m going to try and put it on edge. There’s a noticeable strain on the knees. You mentioned hips and I haven’t personally experienced it but don’t doubt it. I was on a BC Camox (97mm) on the East Coast for 40+ days last season and had an absolute blast, even on hard packed. No fancy edge or bevel, just ‘tuned.’ I wanted ‘more’ carve and got a pair of last season’s Serpos. Your Octo review has me on the lookout though! The Deacon 72 non-master rounds out the 3 ski quiver. You’re spot on with there being no unicorn 1-ski quiver.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Great point! I agree, I've noticed I do feel a bit of Knee soreness now but only in the late season sticky snow

[@samparsons183]

Phil and a few other people on SkiTalk keep banging the sub 80 width drum. It’s a more limited audience these days. I wouldn’t take a sub 80 width ski out on anything less than perfect corduroy. That’s why I ski 88s & 108s

[@urbanrunoff]

another variable is the length of the ski. my 17 year old daughter is on the petite side and her 89Ti mindbenders at 152 look like a much wider ski and she takes them anywhere on the mountain. for her a 96 wide ski would be equivalant to a 106+ ski at my size .

[@charlietaylor7226]

Thanks for a great vid. I’m looking at doing a season in Japan and want a powder ski for this, thinking of somewhere between 110-120 width. Currently I have a set of QST 92 due to your recommendations and was wondering if you had any suggestions for a wider ski? Currently I am considering the bent 110 or 120 and maybe the ARV 116jj. Thank you

[@jerl.980]

I agree people in general buy skis that are too wide. I have changed my views on this a bit last season. I have a slalom race tiger a 84 Deacon and a 92 qst. I ski East and i ski the Deacon 90% of the time 5 % my sl and 5% my 92. My personal preference is now 84-85 carving ski is the best groomer ski. My sl is not performing that much better and i take them out when i need to tune my 84. I was really impressed by the 88 brahma and Kendo and that would be my one ski quiver travelling ski but they are a trade off between hard pack and varying condition. In the East my opinion is anything above 88 is not a good choice and a 92-98 for soft days you don’t need more. I don’t ski the West so i wont comment on that.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

This was my first year skiing the kendo and I was shocked by how fun they were

[@jerl.980]

Yeah me too, they had a demo day and i said what the heck and tried a 177. I was really impressed they track like gs race skis but are more lively side to side. Only negative is they felt heavy on the feet a bit. I am getting a pair for sure but those brahma 88 are making the choice difficult ⛷️. Those will be my travelling skis like i said in my comment, if i don’t know what conditions i will have i want those under my feet. Also i am not a brand guy but strangely i have 2 Volkl ….with 3 that would put me in fan boy territory so i may switch things up. One thing Blizzard have is incredible construction quality and hard and large edges.

[@robruf]

I agree with some of you and disagree with most of you. I grew up skiing in the 80's out East around Ottawa, ON. Camp Fortune, Edelweiss, Mont St Marie, Mont Tremblant, etc.. All of my friends and I skied moguls, did jumps (daffy's, spread eagles, 360's), quarterpipe, halfpipe, trees, and up to 20 foot cliffs and we did it all on skis under 75mm. Never had a problem with the landings or skis coming off. We hiked out of bounds, skied the tress, got picked up on the side of the road by very nice people and returned back to the lift. I really don't understand why anyone in the East would need anymore than 80mm ever under foot. I remember skiing 1 foot (12") of powder in the trees at Mont Tremblant on my Stockli Laser Cross Pro's without any problem at all. I currently live in the Bay Area and now I ski at Tahoe, Aspen, Whistler/Blackcomb, Taos, Telluride, etc.. My current skis are Stockli Stormrider 88's, they do everything I need and more, I have never needed or wanted more underfoot, I have skied over 18 inches with them at Deer Valley and W/B, no problems at all. The only time I would possibly want a bigger underfoot is if I was going out of bounds after a huge snowstorm, 2 feet plus. I am currently considering going down to either the Stockli Laser WRT Pro or Laser SX as my daily driver for out West!! As every single ski instructor that I have had at Aspen and Telluride has told me that almost every single skier is on skis too wide for them and they in turn cannot get the most out of the the ski as they don't have the proper foundation of technical knowledge to use the skis plus their technique is nothing to write home about.The instructors all ski on under 80mm and we go into the trees, down chutes, side country, you name it, we do it. They are all Level IV instructors. I have only seen some skiers at Beaver Creek, Deer Valley and Jackson Hole that can properly carve an over 90mm ski underfoot. Don't scoff at Deer Valley skiers, remember that the US Ski Team is based out of Park City, so you never know who you will run into skiing there! I just don't understand that people want to ski without proper technique, just slip and slide around on their too big underfoot skis, go and do some little jumps and such and think they are proper skiers. The marketing machine has worked again on skiers, I wonder what they will try to get you all to do next!!

[@phyein4815]

East coast here, I started skiing again for the first time in 15 years this past season, I didn't really know much about what to buy, I just bought what the guy at the local shop showed me when I said I wanted to get back into skiing and to make a real effort for the first time to really improve as a skiier. They are 76mm, later at first when I saw how everyone is on wider skis I felt a bit disappointed, but it didn't take long for me on the mountain and some more research later to realize they are amazing for me. The amount I had improved in one season was quite drastic, and I didn't just stick to groomers, I did plenty of trees and ungroomed stuff. Some of the most fun I had was on big soft and slushy bumps. While I didn't get experience much in the way of deep powder (or what passes for powder on the EC), not once did I wish I had different skis. I'm definitely aiming to learn good technique. I felt like an absolute beast on the groomers, and really wanna push some crazy edge angles next season. No plans on getting another pair yet. Glad the guy at the shop knew the deal.

[@dmac7660]

Totally! I learned to ski everything on narrow skis - including powder. Now people think they need at least 2 widths. If you have narrow skis on powder just add some speed and stay pointed down the fall line.

[@beniii593]

In Vermont I got Dynastar power track 79 just for regular everyday free skis and head core 93 if some fresh snow fell so I can ski some Vermont powder

[@garyhunter9612]

Out here in Australia I think 88 - 96 is a good range. Thanks for another interesting video.

[@jamesgarcia9123]

thanks elliott'! 171 x 85 w is the size i am going to try next season. carving low is my goal', thanks for telling it like it is! peace

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Awesome!

[@scottpratico1315]

I have 74, 88, 99, 108 and 122. I spend 90% of my time on the MB 99Ti. It carves. It floats. It smashes crud. Sure its not my choice for powder days or icy conditions but if I dont want to go back to the car to switch skis, Im on the 99s.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

That's like the perfect quiver width wise and totally agree, I daily an 88 but if I was in Oregon it would probably be 100

[@scottpratico1315]

​@RicketySkiReviews well thank you. Its taken some time. Blizzard Firebird 74, Blizzard Brahma 88, K2 MB 99ti, K2 MB 108ti, K2 Reckoner 122. I am blessed.

[@reddottx]

I like all of my skis, but I ski Fischer 102’s more than anything. I’m not as accomplished a carver as you but I feel like I get pretty good grip coming across the hill without that much effort. I have to travel to ski so I can only bring two pairs. I always feel like I have to bring a powder ski unless I’m 100% sure it won’t snow. Sometimes I’ll bring a pair for a friend so he won’t have to rent. If I lived in Utah I might ski my 82’s or 92’s a lot more but I don’t spend much time on groomers but instead hike to places to get away from the crowds. As I get older maybe I’ll spend more time on groomers and improve my carving. I’ll probably get some 78’s for that though! LOL. As you can tell, if there was such a thing as a one ski quiver I wouldn’t be all that interested in it. 😂

[@samparsons183]

Except for 6 inch plus days I could probably ski my Kendo 88s every day. One of the most versatile skis out there. I ski Stevens and Crystal.

[@BobGilman-in3wh]

As a former racer it takes more skill to ski on wider skiis!

[@GMec78]

Depends on where you are. Northeast is nothing but ice, you need all mountains and narrow carvers.

[@jacobovermyer]

I ski an enforcer 104 as my daily driver. And I use a moment wildcat 108 for my pow ski. Not a lot of difference in size, but shape makes it much better in pow. I ski at A Basin, tho and our snow stays soft most of the season I do not ski groomers often, and they lack on edge hold for icy conditions

[@0xCUBE]

Thoughts on the Nordica Unleashed 98? They seem to reconcile all the problems you have with the Enforcer 100 while being better for pow.

[@rmnley]

As someone out west who skis 90% off piste in most conditions, I've found wider is just better for absorbing all kinds of crud and what not. That being said my daily driver is my BC camox at 97mm, with my 107's being used probably the majority of feb. I have some 88's which I enjoy but I just don't find them as good in variable off piste snow, even when it's hardpack

[@rmnley]

but to expand on this, my pow pow skis are 112, and maybe there is 1-2 days a year that would justify something like a 120. Honestly unless you're a little cottonwood skier, or a Baker bum 120's are almost never ideal for a full day of resort skiing, IMO

[@Berg4357123]

97s for crude or loose packed powder sure, but 97s for tight trees and mogul off-piste conditions? I'd much rather have something sub 90 for that.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Great point

[@DD-sr9xm]

thanks ... I also wonder how many people are on skis that are too short. in the era of heavily shaped skis, everyone was able to ski much shorter skis. but now with rocker, which have shorter effective lengths when neutral, people should be going back to longer skis.

[@jasonracey9600]

I have Volkl Mantra 88 and DPS Wailer 112. This is "out west" conditions. 88 is not a carver but it's good enough for packed or hardpacked days. 112 is good for soft days. 90-110 range is just a bit too much compromise either way. Too wide for hardpack too narrow for powder. Makes more sense if you can only go with 1 pair though.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Totally agree, that's a great setup!

[@StartCodonUST]

Elliott has said that he makes his videos so that he'd be entertained while watching them, and I have to say, the preface sure got me fired up, but he went straight into a thoughtful, nuanced, interesting talk that kept me shut up and watching. I do think that Elliott's recommendations make total sense in Mountain and Pacific Time Zones. But I suspect folks further east may generally be better off knocking 10-20mm off the recommendations (unless maybe you spend more than a week a year in true powder conditions or most of your skiing is comparable to peak season in the Rockies). I really get fired up and irritated these days seeing all the 85-110mm width skis crowding out performant, narrow, non-race carving skis *even in ski shops in Minnesota.* >90% of the volume of narrow width skis *even here* are either basic beginner skis or unforgiving race skis. It is strange to imagine a developing self-taught carving skier's upgrade path today without word of mouth and online retailers. I was talking to a friend out west, and I don't think they even sell high performance carving skis of any kind in basically all but a handful of ski shops out west, at least at the shops in the PNW I was looking at. Maybe it's better in Idaho or Colorado. It is insane the extent to which narrow, high-performance, non-carving skis have been under-marketed, seemingly all across the United States. I think the pendulum swing toward narrow skis you're seeing on the internet these days is just reflecting how out of balance the current retail market is in the US, rather than a broad recommendation that everyone should be skiing on skinnier skis. But I know that a lot of people who don't grow up ski racing may have never skied on anything narrower than 85 underfoot, which I just think is a shame. They're a blast on hardpack, "low-tide" conditions.

[@OscarBaldizon]

Coming from a 31 year old Floridian living in Colorado just wrapping up my 3rd season skiing ever. I agree with everything you’re saying. It’s very hard to find anything under 85mm width in a store in most of CO. I would love to try something in the 70s but just haven’t had the chance. I ended up with a 88mm frontside and 105mm powder ski

[@anthonyalpha4118]

Tahoe skier wider convert, to a degree. 96 Stance is my driver, 104 Volkl Revolt is my powder, although I want a 110 or 112 for the 3' plus days I've found. I feel like I'm on the narrower side here ha! But I learned on 205s, and I have a 22 yr old pair of g2 Volkls that finally crapped out last yr. Absolutely useless in 6" or more of powder or slush, but groomed ice or especially an inch or 2 of Dust on Crust and they were absolute Blast!

[@dr.mauroguimaraes]

As always, on the spot comments. I believe you just missed one important part of the industry. People like me, who travels for skiing. You just talked about skiers that go regularly to the same mountain. In my case I rarely do that, always on a new resort. In my case, I decided to have a dedicated 84mm carving ski and my “safe bet”, a 98mm all mountain. When I’m presented with powder I simply rent a powder demo ski. Considering change my go to ski for a Kore 93 or Declive 92.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Oh that's a really PRO suggestion honestly, becauseif you just rented every big powder day it would still be cheaper than the skis, is probably the move for most anyone their first year of off trail powder so they can find what they like as well

[@jons7e]

I have 88 and 96... what can't I ski on other than a freak once a year snow storm? No idea how 100 became the one ski that does it all width, especially for east coasters

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Great point, I can't imagine skiing Burke with 100's as a daily, Oregon for early or late season on the other hand

[@EggsTeaSea]

I ski my 118's everywhere but it's all about the full profile of your ski. The weight, the shape, blah blah blah. Waist width is such a tiny part of ski performance in the current day and age. If you want to carve, get a carving or front side ski! If you want a soft snow ski, get a soft snow ski. Want a monster truck ski? Get a behemoth. simple. The waist width comes with the territory. If you're an older person, consider narrower because your ankles aren't as flexible. Get 1 ski, and then find your NOT days. If you have a carving ski, and go "hey I don't like this ski in snowy conditions" then get a different ski that excels in the powder, if you have an all mountain ski and wish it had more oomph off trail, go wider! I definitely think that anything 105+ is "enthusiast" level and people should know what they want out of the ski. People who just want a ski probably aren't going off trail as much and should be in the 80s.

[@Berg4357123]

In that waist width is often strongly correlated with rocker / camber, I disagree that waist width is a minor factor. You aren't going to find many (if any) +115s that are full cambered.

[@EggsTeaSea]

@@Berg4357123 mine are heavily cambered but that's because they're closer to "comp skis" than "powder skis" Like I said, 110+ are generally enthusiast skis with extreme weights (heavy or light) and purposes (fresh powder, competition etc). the 100 range can be an easy ski to use or a niche ski. I meant that waist width isn't the end all be all of a ski, but it's very easy to market to general consumers who aren't as interested/informed. You are right though that most people are fine just looking at waist width. I just personally find weight/materials/sidecut more important.

[@anthonyalpha4118]

The 1 ski quiver notion is dumb and delusional. Any real sick in the head skier has Rock Skis for early & late season conditions. Stance 96 is my Daily, Tahoe skier. Happened by accident I lost my new Head Kore 93s 1st day out 12-9-22. I took'em into the trees in the deep OOPS! I won't take my 96s into anything beyond a foot now. Have 104 Revolts for the pow and my old Head Kore 99s became my rock skis. After 3' plus on Cinco De Mayo I feel like I need a 110 Bent or 112 QST for the rare 3'+ days.

[@stevenpeterson659]

I have moved to 98 or 99 underfoot as a daily driver as I have gotten older. Better platform at 72 years old and 50+ days per year.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Totally agree 👍 when I went to MT hood last summer I really liked how the mindbender 99 performed on softer snow

[@WT_Enjoyer]

You think the voelkl mantra m6 would be a great one ski quiver for the alps? I am a medium good skier and like to ski fast and carve, but want to go off piste too. The ski I look for doesnt need to work like a pure powder ski but you should have fun skiing in not so deep powder. What would you choose for me?

[@alejandroecheverria]

What would you use if you'd like to do some back-country skiing and hitting the slopes? Bit of ascent and bit of resort. 94-102?

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Great question! Keep an eye out as it will be featured in our next video.

[@dmac7660]

I've been skiing a long time. I didn't understand the width issue at first since back in the day all that mattered was ski length and stiffness. Most high end skis were based on racing skis and they were all quite narrow. Skiers were expected to learn to use these narrow skis on all terrains including powder. Now it seems you need narrow for hardpack and wide for powder. Is this marketing? Perhaps partly.

[@juancibert]

Hi Elliott, this is Juan from Argentina. I think our resorts are more like those in the east coast. I’m an intermediate skier and ski 60% in groomed slopes and 40% off piste / trees. Not much powder here, but i love it. I’m between maverick 88ti / 95ti and rustler 9. What do you think ? I’m afraid maverick are too difficult and stiff…

[@michaelaronson9447]

Wider sells more! It’s the “sizzle” ski manufacturers are pushing to get their volume. Easy for ski shop employees to sell. Hate to say the majority of skiers on the mountains today are not technically oriented. 🤪

[@res_ipsa-REX]

Most advanced skiers in 2024 do not want to make 1980s style parallel short turns. The way people ski has changed. Wider skis are perfectly fine to make medium to long radius carving turns. That is how I see most advanced skiers rippin down groomers out west. Plus, the wider skis are much better off piste. So if you like groomers to start your day and then move into the trees, a wider ski is more practical. I guess you could back to your car and switch skis, but I do not want to do that. Secondly, I completely agree that one ski quivers are a myth. Get a good daily driver between 88mm to 104 mm under foot and then a dedicated powder ski. Deep powder is unique and requires a wider and longer ski than your daily driver. Floatation is most important regarding a powder ski since you will only use it on deep days (12" or more fresh snow). Getting a 115mm or wider ski that is 185 cm or longer makes powder skiing so much more enjoyable. When in doubt, get the longer sized ski for powder. It just means you won't forced to lean back to stay afloat on those 22" deep days.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Yeah and also, there are some really good short radius skis out nowadays, Blackcrows mirus cor, octo, even the kendo 88, elan ripsticks. We really are in the golden age of ski design

[@res_ipsa-REX]

@@RicketySkiReviews I ski a 174 cm daily driver. Most experts would recommend around 180 cm but I prefer the ligher weight and nimbleness of a slight shorter ski for groomers and jump turns in the steep trees and chutes when there is only hardpack or softpact off piste. I got a 185 cm pow ski, but wish I had gotten 192 cm for better floatation. This is why I am interested in your opinion, and I want to try the newly designed 2025 Bent Chetler 120. That pig in the longest length might be awesome in deep fresh snow (relatively light weight ski).

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Yeah just depends on what you want to do with it, are you going to go in the trees or areas where it's squirrely that might be a bit cumbersome, but big open areas where you just care about flotation, might be a really sweet size, have not tested the 120's yet@@res_ipsa-REX

[@res_ipsa-REX]

@@RicketySkiReviews Looking forward to you trying the 120 and maybe some wider Aramda pow skis as well. Thanks for the great videos

[@rohanbrown8887]

Im looking for a pair of skis to take to whistler blackcomb for the 25/26 ski season, Im going to buy a on piste carving skis for teaching/ lessons but i want a pair for when im skiing by myself. Ive been looking at 100/10 bent chetlers and blackcrow corvus, any suggestions?

[@keith2076]

All I know is that when I’m skiing Mt. Bachelor the VAST majority of the time I have more enjoyment when I’m on my Head 105s. Period. End of story. The only time I’d rather be on my Kendo 88s is when conditions are a bit hard and icy.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

That's a great setup 👌 at the end of the day too there's no arguing with what feels better

[@deanrigg8929]

First I would like to complement your opinions on the current one ski quiver industry idea i personally have a great Volkl Sc in 174 for hardpak corduroy short radius turnsOlder Atomic Gs11 for ripping and a fun Line Honey Badger for goofing off on the mountain each ski like you said has a special use due to conditions on the hill as a 62 year old I have seen the ski industry promote the latest greatest thing year after year skiing should be a joy not a competition for what is strapped to my boots 🇨🇦 0:30

[@flee78]

volkl ac4 82mm / 170cm is my daily driver

[@Daniel-hi7hf]

not me skiing one week a year, and keep hearing there arent a one do all and i have to get mutiple

[@TheJeffatan]

YES..Tom Gellie from Big picture skiing also mentions skis being too wide. I've skied with the Harb Ski program too. Harald doesn't like the ski too wide even as an all mountain ski. Manufacturers have pushed an agenda last few years getting ever wider. Anatomically actually having a ski too wide is not greT on the knees to. I saw a paper written couple years back. That being said I have 3 pairs of skis 67mm, 92mm and a 108mm ski for powder days in Japan.

[@TheBeingReal]

Hello fellow Harb skier!

[@TheJeffatan]

@TheBeingReal Harald rips it inane conditions to skinny ass sub 70mm race skis..whether bumps..pow..trees..steeps..its a sight to behold. I believe his preferred all mtn width is 85mm He is 74 this year I believe. When I grow up I want yo be just like him ..lol

[@daveedarevalo1]

I got two snowboards, one each foot

[@gdostockley]

And if you never get out West and will never ski powder?

[@normalizedaudio2481]

I take the weight reduction any day. Too wide, Deb is correct. I switch out around 5.

[@alexanderlin2022]

I guess many people nowadays just enjoy skiing with a boat.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

True, like water skiing! Haha but seriously I think it just depends on climate and conditions, but wide skis have a place imo

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Thanks For Watching, hope everyone had a good long weekend and found this video helpful, what width ski do you prefer?

[@Berg4357123]

68mm to 114m quiver lol. Got rid of my old Nordica Enforcer 100s as that width zone is a dead spot when you get to a 3 ski (or more) quiver.

[@SaltandPepper-mz1cb]

I have 2 skis. A 68mm carving ski, and a 92mm ski for off trail and early/late season conditions. I live on the ice coast and mostly relies on man-made snow at my home resort. I believe PSIA has a youtube video on ski width, and studies show that medium and wide skis are bad for your knees and not as good for your techniques

[@SaltandPepper-mz1cb]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5-5lId_fbWei9E

[@mrremke]

Always function over form (harrumph). I am willing to rent if my Kore 93 can't cash the check that my dumb azz writes

[@Rakingclaw4]

@@SaltandPepper-mz1cb I felt the strain after ripping around for 6+ hours on my 97mm skis. Skied the following day on my 72mm and there was no fatigue at all, comparatively. This past season was my first on that wider ski and there are enough amazing points to them to accommodate them.

[@perro0076]

He-he. My skiboards are 110 at the waist and 150 front and back. 😂😂😂

[@GrampyScott]

A good skier can ski any ski but you might not be on the best tool for the job. Why does a good golf bag have multiple clubs in it, lol. I have a variety of skis but it's starting to be an irritant for me because I can't decide what to ski. A fat ski may make you ski better but it doesn't make you a better skier - Glen Plake

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Totally agree, though in the idaho spring certain skis become completely unskiable by 2pm, but in general, I see your point. When I was racing, one of my friends' parents said, "Poles do not a skier make," and I think broadly it's applicable for a lot of ski gear

[@BlessedWingStudios]

Anybody here got some recommendations for skiing in Europe, where snowfall tends to be a lot less? Would you just tell people to stick with narrow daily driver? Or do you feel like going for a 85-90mm daily driver still has a lot of added benefit?

[@StartCodonUST]

I think folks in Europe and on the East Coast are probably would both want to subtract 10-20mm from each category in the quiver. 65-80mm in the Rockies just isn't going to be ideal on typical days given how soft the snow is most of the time and how much ungroomed inbounds terrain there is, but on the East coast or Europe, that could easily be the daily driver for most people. My Blizzard Thunderbirds (70mm waist) really reward a firm surface to push against, in ways that even the narrowest ski Elliott mentioned, the Rossignol Forza 70 (77mm waist), doesn't.

[@BlessedWingStudios]

@@StartCodonUST Thanks for the reply!

[@michaelaronson9447]

Under 80mm!

[@Jarequis2]

Qst 92 though?

[@stephen-he4iw]

Dude, I love your content, but seriously, you're the pot calling the kettle black out here talking about Tom's camera angles from your backyard, under a 30-year-old play gym, avoiding the sun with a blanket that holds the world record for most pill and has patterns that are questionably appropriated.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

It's just a normal wool blanket what?

[@exothermal.sprocket]

Nothing like a good bunch of controversy to drum up business. Right? I do think a 2-ski-set is the most optimal for most people, if they can afford it. One DD for groomed, packed, cut up, prepped. Another for powder. There's enough capability overlap between the two to have a good enough day on the mountain. As a person who has experienced sub-80mm straight skis back in the 1990's with waste-deep powder, I can firmly say IT SUCKS.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Lol I don't drum up controversy, I stumble into it enough on my own thank you

[@exothermal.sprocket]

@@RicketySkiReviews I am agreeing with you. The controversy is the video examples you shared.

[@connorhardt69]

I have a 96mm as my daily driver here on the east coast and a 68mm race ski for when conditions are perfect (hard pack/ice 😂)

[@utahmogul]

Wide ski = training wheels. Learn to carve.

[@garyhunter9612]

Out here in Australia I think 88 - 96 is a good range. Thanks for another interesting video.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Totally agree, it's the same for the western US, especially early and late season